B&H Airlines (Saravejo) will resume twice-weekly Airbus A319 service on the Saravejo-Dusseldorf route on June 2 per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren. Please click on the photo for additional information.

B&H Airlines Slide Show: CLICK HERE

B&H routes from Sarajevo:

Please click on the map to enlarge.

WestJet Airlines Boeing 737-7CT WL C-FTWJ (msn 30713) YYZ (TMK Photography), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

WestJet Airlines (Calgary) has unveiled details of its scheduled service to New York’s LaGuardia airport. In November, WestJet successfully bid for eight slot pairs, bringing WestJet’s service to the slot-controlled airport preferred by business travelers.

The airline will launch seven nonstop flights each business day between Toronto and New York City starting on June 4, 2012. On July 12, WestJet will increase to eight nonstop flights each business day.

The launch of new service comes on the heels of the recently signed code-share agreement with Delta Air Lines. WestJet guests travelling between Toronto and New York will arrive into Delta’s main connection area at LaGuardia, allowing connections to Delta’s U.S. network without additional security screening.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography.

WestJet Slide Show: CLICK HERE

USA 3000 Airlines Airbus A320-214 N264AV (msn 1867) BWI (Brian McDonough), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

USA 3000 Airlines (Philadelphia) is set to operate its last Airbus A320 flight on January 30.

In November 2011, parent Apple Vacations decided to dissolve USA 3000 Airlines. Apple Vacations will now use other carriers such as Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) to fly its customers to the Caribbean.

USA 3000 has been gradually dropping the cities it serves. It is currently operating five Airbus A320s from St. Louis, Chicago (O’Hare), Cincinnati, Cleveland and Pittsburgh to vacation destinations in Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean region for Apple Vacations.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Please click on the photo for additional information.

USA 3000 Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Typical routes from Chicago (O’Hare):

Delta Air Lines Boeing 747-451 N667US (msn 24222) LAX (Brandon Farris), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) according to this article by the WSJ is now considering a merger option with US Airways (Phoenix) which remains opens to merger possibilities. As previously reported, DL is also considering a possible merger option with American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) although this option is less likely to be approved due to the size of both carriers and competition factors.

Read the article: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Brandon Farris.

Delta Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Etihad Crystal Cargo (Etihad Airways) Airbus A330-243F A6-DCA (msn 1032) TLS (first A330-200F, now in full colors), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) has signed a firm order for two additional A330-200F freighter aircraft to meet their growth plans in the cargo market. The airline was a launch customer and the launch operator of the A330-200F, having taken delivery of its first aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2010. This new order will increase the fleet of the airline’s cargo business, Etihad Crystal Cargo, to four A330-200F freighters.

Etihad Slide Show: CLICK HERE

AirBridgeCargo Airlines Volga-Dnepr Group) (Moscow) and Boeing and AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC), yesterday celebrated the delivery of the first of five new Boeing 747-8 Freighters to the airline.

The new 747-8 Freighter is 250 feet, 2 inches (76.3 m) long, which is 18 feet and 4 inches (5.6 m) longer than its predecessor, the 747-400 Freighter. The stretch provides customers with 16 percent more revenue cargo volume, which translates to four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets. The 747-8 Freighters are powered with GE’s GEnx-2B engines.

The addition of the 747-8 to ABC’s fleet is an important step in its long-term business strategy. The second and third Boeing 747-8s will join the fleet in March and September 2012 and the last two aircraft on order are scheduled for delivery in 2013. In addition, ABC has options for five more 747-8s. By the end of 2012, after retiring old aircraft types, ABC’s fleet will consist of three Boeing 747-8 Freighters and eight 747-400 Freighters.

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Please click on the photo for additional information.

ABC Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Spanair (Barcelona) is due to cease all operations tonight after Qatar Airways (Doha) declined to invest in the money-losing airline today. In addition, the regional government of Cataluna has also declined to inject any further cash into the airline.

Read the story from Reuters: CLICK HERE

Part owner, SAS Group, issued the following statement:

“The SAS Group has continuously informed that following the divestment of most of its ownership in Spanair early 2009, the SAS Group has had a remaining exposure of approximately SEK 1.8 billion.

Spanair’s Board of Directors has today decided to apply for bankruptcy. Due to the situation in Spanair, SAS has decided to make a write down of the outstanding debt and receivables on Spanair of approximately MEUR 165, as well as reserve MEUR 28 in guarantees and costs due to the bankruptcy. SAS ownership in Spanair is currently 10,9%, but the value of these shares has already been written down and are booked at 0 value. The write down will affect the SAS Group’s result as a non-recurring item and equity negatively by SEK 1.7 billion in total. As informed earlier, the effect on the SAS Group’s liquid assets is estimated to be limited to MSEK 200-300.

SAS Group will follow customary procedures as a creditor in the upcoming bankruptcy process.

As reported as of the third quarter, SAS has a financial preparedness of SEK 10.6 billion so the event will have a limited effect on SAS liquidity.

SAS will assist passengers to the extent practically possible.

SAS expects a positive result before non-recurring items for the full year 2011.”

Spanair Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Bernard Ross. Please click on the photo for information on the carrier.

Avianca (Colombia) Airbus A320-214 N446AV (msn 4046) MIA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

AviancaTaca, which includes subsidiary AeroGal (Ecuador), has signed a purchase agreement for 33 Airbus A320neo and 18 A320 Family aircraft. The order, which is the largest from a single airline in the region in terms of number of aircraft, follows a MOU signed during the Le Bourget Air Show in Paris in June 2011.

AviancaTaca has placed firm orders for 190 Airbus aircraft (including the latest 51) and has currently in service 88 A320 Family aircraft and eight A330. AviancaTaca operates the entire A320 Family, A318, A319, A320 and A321 aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.

Avianca (Colombia) Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Porter Airlines Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-GLQB (msn 4130) YUL (Gilbert Hechema), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Porter Airlines (Toronto-City Centre Airport), not be undone by Air Canada’s announcement of new New York service, has upped the ante. Porter is adding two additional daily flights and a more convenient schedule. This increases daily roundtrip departures between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport to as many as 13 flights each business day.

The first new flight starts on March 26, with a second flight beginning on April 16, and additional weekend options as of March 25.

Porter also launched a new nonstop service between Newark and Mt. Tremblant, Quebec this winter, a popular skiing destination.

Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema.

Porter Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Porter’s destinations from Toronto:

US Airways Airbus A319-112 N717UW (msn 1069) (Carolina Panthers) CLT (Jay Selman), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

US Airways (Phoenix) has announced that it has reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement with the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), which represents the airline’s 6,700 mainline flight attendants. Details of the agreement will be made available by AFA.

The AFA Master Executive Counsel’s (MEC’s) must first approve the tentative agreement before it can be sent to its members for consideration. This first step is expected to take place in the coming weeks. The tentative agreement would cover the airline’s 6,700 mainline flight attendants, who are based in US Airways’ three hub cities of Phoenix, Philadelphia, Charlotte, N.C., and in its Washington D.C. focus city.

Top Copyright Photo: Jay Selman. Please click on the photo for additional details.

US Airways Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Bottom Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/Graham Hitchen. N717UW flying “over” the Bank of America Stadium in downtown Charlotte. This composite photo demonstrates our abilities to produce a special need digital image for your specific needs at our very competitive rates.

Composite Photo by Jay Selman and Graham Hitchen.

Republic Airways Holdings (Indianapolis) has announced that David Siegel will become the new CEO, President, and interim Chief Operating Officer of Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver), a wholly owned subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings, Inc.

Siegel’s appointment is another step towards Republic’s goal of making Frontier Airlines a viable, strong and independent business. Siegel and the entire Frontier executive team will be based at Frontier’s headquarters in Denver, Colorado.

Republic is re-inventing Frontier Airlines as an Ultra Low-Cost Carrier which it hopes to sell off.

According to the release, Siegel comes to Frontier with a wealth of relevant CEO experience. Siegel previously served as CEO of XOJET, gategroup, US Airways and Avis Budget, in addition to other key leadership roles in the airline industry.

Siegel served as lead independent director on the Republic Airways (RAH) Board of Directors and will give up that role, but will remain on the board in this new position.

Republic also announced the addition of new senior officers for Frontier’s finance and commercial team, among other changes in the executive leadership team.

Robert Ashcroft has joined Frontier as Senior Vice President, Finance. Ashcroft will work closely with Siegel and Bedford in the project of moving Frontier towards independence, as well as defining opportunities to ensure profitable growth for the Company. Ashcroft has an unusually diverse background encompassing finance, planning and IT. Most recently he was at Allegiant Travel Company overseeing network and capacity planning, scheduling, pricing and investor relations.

Daniel Shurz has been promoted to the role of Senior Vice President, Commercial for Frontier and will have responsibility for all commercial activities, including network planning, pricing and revenue management, marketing, product and brand definition. Daniel joined Frontier as Vice President of Strategy and Planning in 2009.

Greg Aretakis is assuming an expanded role as Vice President of Network and Revenue Management, adding responsibility for scheduling and planning, sales and distribution to his current portfolio. Greg previously served as the Company’s Vice President of Revenue Production.

Dan Krause has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing and Customer Experience for Frontier. Dan has been with Frontier since 2004 and most recently served as Senior Director, Commercial Strategy and Customer Experience.

Frontier Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Frontier operates mainly from Concourse A at Denver International Airport (DEN). Oddly the Airbus A318s (with their taller tails) cannot taxi under the pedestrian overpass (left) connecting the concourses with the main terminal.

The entrance to the new Boeing 777-300 ER will feature mood lighting.

In 2010, American announced plans to order the Boeing 777-300 ER, demonstrating a continuation of the airline’s efforts to enhance its fleet and become more fuel efficient.  American is the first U.S. airline to order and take delivery of the 777-300 ER.  The new aircraft is designed to enhance the customer experience and includes fully lie-flat First and Business Class seats, plus seating plans that will allow American to offer a premium product in the Main Cabin and Wi-Fi capability to keep customers connected while traveling internationally.

Copyright Photos: American Airlines. AA’s new First Class Product.

AA's new First Class on the Boeing 777-300 ER

AA's new Business Class on the Boeing 777-300 ER.

American will also increase the total number of weekly flights between DFW and Sao Paulo from seven times per week to 12 times per week beginning June 14.  Also on June 14, flights from Miami to Brasilia (BSB) and to Belo Horizonte (CNF) will increase from five and three times per week, respectively, to daily.

In addition to the increased service between DFW and Sao Paulo, American will launch new service that connects its Miami hub to Manaus, Brazil beginning in June.

Manaus will be the seventh destination served by American in Brazil.  American currently offers more routes between the two countries than any other airline.  The flight will be operated on Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 160 seats, including 16 Business Class seats and 144 seats in the Main Cabin. The 737-800 interior offers several unique features, including larger overhead bins that hold more bags than standard overhead bins.  The aircraft also includes additional features such as sculpted sidewalls providing customers a feeling of spaciousness, updated window reveals making the windows appear larger and brighter, and longer-lasting LED lighting to enhance the customer experience.  The route is currently scheduled four times per week, and customers can book travel beginning Jan. 29.  Yesterday, American filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation for authority to begin daily service in this market.

With the Chapter 11 reorganization, a new CEO, new possible suitors (US Airways) and a new type coming later this year, this would be the perfect opportunity for American Airlines to upgrade its image and brand including a new aircraft color scheme. First introduced in 1968, this well-worn livery is now the longest-running airline color scheme in the world for a major carrier.  After 44 years, it is time for a new makeover.

American's new Economy Class seat on the new Boeing 777-300 ER.

Additionally Virgin Australia has announced additional flights as part of an accelerated capacity growth plan for major corporate, resources sector and leisure routes. The airline will be introducing the following:

• From February 13, 2012, extra services between Brisbane-Melbourne, Sydney-Melbourne and Adelaide-Melbourne – and also between Brisbane-Cairns and Brisbane-Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine).
• From February 19, 2012, an additional return service will also be introduced between Brisbane and Gladstone on Sundays in response to demand.
• From February 20, 2012, extra services will also be added between Brisbane and Rockhampton.
• Adelaide-Melbourne: An additional return flight Mondays through Fridays; taking the total number of flights offered between the two cities up to 10 per day or 130 per week.
  Brisbane-Melbourne: An extra return flight seven days a week; taking the total number of flights offered on the route up to 13 daily or 174 per week.
  Melbourne-Sydney: An extra return flight seven days a week; taking the total number of flights offered between the two cities up to 31 daily or 392 per week.
• Brisbane-Gladstone: One extra return flight on Sundays (using the ATR); taking the total number of flights offered by the airline on the route to 34 per week.
  Brisbane-Rockhampton: An extra return flight, Monday to Friday; taking the total number of Virgin Australia flights between Brisbane-Rockhampton up to 78 per week.
  Brisbane-Cairns: An extra return flight will be added every day except Saturdays; taking the total number of Virgin Australia flights between Brisbane and Cairns each week to 80.
  Brisbane and Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine): An additional return service, Monday to Friday, will be introduced; taking the total number of flights offered by the airline on the route to 24 per week.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

In other news, Virgin Australia has retired its last Embraer ERJ 170.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. Still painted in Virgin Blue’s brand, Embraer ERJ 170-100LR VH-ZHF (msn 17000255) passed through Honolulu on January 25 on its trek across the wide Pacific Ocean headed eastbound. None of the ERJ 170s were repainted in the new Virgin Australia identity.

Skywest Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Virgin Australia Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Virgin Blue Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Skywest Airlines Route Map (click to enlarge):

Click on the map to enlarge.

Fly Jamaica (Air Guyana) Boeing 757-23N N524AT (msn 30233) FLL (Mark Lawrence – Amateur Aviation Photography), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Fly Jamaica (Kingston) is still waiting for authority to operate this Boeing 757 by the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA). The new airline was expected to commence operations on December 1, 2011 but this remains in limbo as the government considers its application according to this article by The Gleamer.

The paper airline is proposing to fly (operated by Air Guyana) this Boeing 757-200 on a Georgetown (Guyana)-Kingston (Jamaica)-New York route and also from Kingston to Toronto (Pearson).

Read the full story: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Mark Lawrence. Please click on the photo for additional information.

Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) is acquiring a 40 percent interest in Air Seychelles (Male) for $20 million.

Air Seychelles recently dropped its long-haul services to Europe and retired most of its long-range Boeing 767-300 ERs.

Air Seychelles issued the following statement:

“The Government of Seychelles and Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) wherein Etihad will invest to acquire a 40 percent stake in Air Seychelles Ltd as part of a strategic partnership alliance initiative between Air Seychelles and Etihad Airways.

The deal was announced today (January 26) by Joel Morgan, Seychelles Minister of Home Affairs, Environment, Transport and Energy and James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways.

Etihad Airways’ investment of $20 million will be matched by an equal capital injection from the Government of Seychelles. In addition, Etihad Airways will also provide a shareholder’s loan of $25 million to meet working capital requirements and support network development.”

Copyright Photo: Paul Denton. Please click on the photo for information about this special logojet.

Etihad Airways Slide Show: CLICK HERE

QANTAS Airways Airbus A380-842 VH-OQA (msn 014) LHR (Antony J. Best) (resumes A380 operations), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Airbus (Toulouse) according to this report by Reuters has announced the recent wings crack discoveries were the result of a combination of design and manufacturing flaws. The builder also announced it has worked out a two-stage solution.

According to the report, “he cracks were caused by a combination of the choice of aluminum alloy for certain wing brackets as well as stresses imposed by two parts of the manufacturing process”.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best.

Alaska Air Group (Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air) (Seattle/Tacoma) today reported fourth quarter net income, excluding special items, of $37.2 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, compared to net income of $47.4 million, or $1.28 per diluted share. This quarter’s results compare to a First Call mean estimate of $1.14 per share.

The group also reported a record full-year net income, excluding special items, of $287.4 million, or $7.83 per diluted share, compared to $262.6 million, or $7.14 per diluted share for 2010.

The group also reported net income for the fourth quarter under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of $64.0 million, or $1.76 per diluted share, compared to net income of $64.8 million, or $1.75 per diluted share.

For the full-year, Alaska Air Group reported GAAP net income of $244.5 million, or $6.66 per diluted share, compared to net income of $251.1 million, or $6.83 per diluted share.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Please click on the photo for details on this logoplane.

United Airlines Boeing 777-222 ER N219UA (msn 30551) LAX (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (Chicago) today reported full-year 2011 net income of $1.3 billion or $3.49 per diluted share, excluding $483 million of special items consisting primarily of integration-related costs. Including special items, UAL reported full-year 2011 net income of $840 million or $2.26 per diluted share. UAL reported fourth-quarter net income of $109 million or $0.30 per diluted share, excluding $247 million of special items. Including special items, UAL reported a fourth-quarter 2011 net loss of $138 million or $0.42 loss per share.

UAL 2011 consolidated passenger revenue increased 9.0 percent compared to the pro forma results for 2010. Consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increased 9.2 percent in 2011 compared to the pro forma results for 2010.

UAL consolidated passenger revenue increased 5.6 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the same period in 2010. Fourth-quarter 2011 consolidated PRASM increased 8.2 percent year-over-year.

Consolidated fuel expense for 2011, excluding the impact of hedges, increased 36.5 percent, or $3.4 billion, year-over-year on a pro forma basis.

UAL ended 2011 with $8.3 billion in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short term investments and undrawn lines of credit.
Co-workers earned $265 million in profit sharing for full-year 2011, which will be distributed on Feb. 14, 2012.

The consolidated network operated more than two million flights and had 142 million passengers in 2011, carrying the most traffic of any airline in the world.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing.

United Slide Show: CLICK HERE

JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 N568JB (msn 2063) (Blueberries) LGB (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

JetBlue Airways Corporation (New York) today reported its results for the fourth quarter and full year 2011:

Pre-tax income of $40 million in the fourth quarter. This compares to pre-tax income of $13 million in the year-ago period.

For the full year 2011, JetBlue reported pre-tax income of $145 million. This compares to a pre-tax income of $161 million for the full year 2010.

Net income for the fourth quarter was $23 million, or $0.08 per diluted share. This compares to JetBlue’s fourth quarter 2010 net income of $8 million, or $0.03 per diluted share.

For the full year 2011, JetBlue reported net income of $86 million, or $0.28 per diluted share. This compares to net income of $97 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, for the full year 2010.

JetBlue ended the year with $1.2 billion in cash and short term investments.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing.

JetBlue Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Air Canada Express-Jazz Aviation Bombardier CRJ705 (CL-600-2D15) C-GOJZ (msn 15053) YYZ (TMK Photography), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Air Canada Express (Jazz Aviation) (Halifax) will launch triple-daily, nonstop flights between Toronto Pearson and New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport for Air Canada beginning on May 3, 2012. AC will also increase to hourly its flights to LaGuardia Airport. AC serves all three major New York City area airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. Air Canada, which began flying to New York 71 years ago, will operate up to 38 nonstop return flights a day between Canada and New York City this summer.

Beginning May 1, 2012, Air Canada will add an additional daily return flight between Toronto and LaGuardia, providing customers convenient hourly service each business day. The new Toronto-JFK service will be operated by Air Canada Express using 50-seat CRJ200 regional jets. The JFK flights will have early morning, afternoon and evening arrivals and departures. With the new services, Air Canada will operate a total of up to 38 return flights a day to the New York metropolitan area from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography. One of the first Jazz aircraft to be rebranded to the new Air Canada Express brand is this CRJ705.

US Airways (Phoenix) has confirmed it is considering a merger with defunct American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth).

Read the full full report from the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philly.com: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.

US Airways Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Lufthansa Cargo McDonnell Douglas MD-11F D-ALCC (msn 48783) (100 Years Air Cargo) FRA (Ton Jochems), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Lufthansa Cargo (Frankfurt) on January 23 launched a weekly cargo flight connecting the FRA hub with Detroit per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems. Please click on this photo for the full details of this logojet.

Lufthansa Cargo Slide Show: CLICK HERE

SBA (Santa Barbara Airlines) (sbairlines.com) Boeing 767-3Y0 ER YL-LCZ (msn 25000) MAD (Ariel Shocron), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

SBA Airlines (formerly Santa Barbara Airlines) (Caracas) is planning to drop the Caracas-Madrid route on February 13 per Airline Route. The route is currently operated four days a week with Boeing 767-300s.

Copyright Photo: Ariel Shocron.

SBA Slide Show: CLICK HERE

United Airlines Airbus A319-131 N802UA (msn 690) YYZ (TMK Photography), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

United Airlines (Chicago) is planning to restore the Los Angeles-Philadelphia route on April 1. The daily route will be operated with Airbus A319s per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography.

United Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Hong Kong Airlines has also taken delivery of its latest long range A330-200, featuring a new all-premium class layout. With luxurious accommodation for just 116 passengers, the aircraft will be used to launch new non-stop services to London. The delivery increases the carrier’s in-service  widebody fleet to 10 aircraft, comprising seven A330-200 passenger aircraft and three A330-200F freighters.

Copyright Photo: Airbus. The pictured A320-214 F-WWID (msn 4970) was officially handed over on January 18 as B-LPB.

Hong Kong Airlines Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Atlas Air Boeing 767-38E ER N641GT (msn 25132) FRA (Bernhard Ross) (new type), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Atlas Air (New York) announced today it has received approval from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Commercial Airlift Review Board (CARB) to provide Boeing 767-300 ER passenger airlift service for the DoD.

The twin-jet 767 becomes the second aircraft type in the company’s history, joining a fleet of Boeing 747 freighters and passenger aircraft.

To operate the new aircraft family, Atlas Air has also achieved 180-minute Extended Twin-Engine Operations (ETOPS) certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, allowing for the aircraft’s optimal routing on trans-Atlantic flights. ETOPS approval requires a rigorous review of the company’s operations and successful implementation of additional operational and flight-crew procedures. Flight crews and maintenance teams operating Atlas Air’s 767s are qualified and trained for ETOPS.

The company’s 767-300ER (for Extended Range) aircraft, configured for 255 Economy Class seats, will primarily transport U.S. military personnel domestically and internationally. The aircraft, along with two company-owned passenger 747-400s, are also available for commercial charters, providing customers with flexible seating-capacity alternatives.

Atlas Air expects to place a third 767 into service during the first half of 2012.

Atlas Air initiated B747-400 passenger service for the DoD in May 2011.

With the 767, Atlas Air is the only outsource provider of aircraft and aviation operating services offering the new Boeing 747-8 freighter, 747-400 freighter and passenger versions, and the 767-300ER to its global customers.

Copyright Photo: Bernhard Ross.

Atlas Air Slide Show: CLICK HERE

SkyWest Airlines (USA) Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N953SW (msn 7813) SAN (James Helbock), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

SkyWest, Inc. (St. George) announced today that it expects its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2011, to be lower than previously anticipated. Due primarily to the reasons outlined below, SkyWest currently estimates that its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2011 will reflect a net loss between $(17.0) million and $(18.5) million, resulting in a basic and fully-diluted loss per share between $(0.34) and $(0.37) per share. SkyWest cautioned, however, that these estimates are preliminary and are subject to modification or revision in the course of completing SkyWest’s year-end review procedures.

According to the group, there were three primary factors that contributed to SkyWest’s determination of the estimated net loss for the fourth quarter of 2011. First, SkyWest’s operating airlines have incurred additional maintenance charges due to aging aircraft issues, timing and cost of heavy airframe checks, and the timing of certain engine overhauls. These additional costs are estimated to be approximately $12.0 million (pre-tax) for the quarter ended December 31, 2011. Second, SkyWest’s operating airlines continued to experience additional crew costs estimated to be approximately $5.0 million (pre-tax) for the quarter ended December 31, 2011. SkyWest’s operating airlines have continued to incur additional pilot training costs as a result of the need for additional pilots to fly increased block hours as scheduled by our major partners and from incurring a higher level of training in off-peak times. Third, SkyWest maintains an ownership position in two international regional airlines, TRIP and Air Mekong. SkyWest management currently estimates that SkyWest will recognize losses attributable to these entities that are approximately $5.5 million (pre-tax) more than our previous estimates for the quarter ended December 31, 2011.
A more detailed explanation of the items that affected SkyWest’s financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 will be provided when SkyWest announces its financial results for the quarter, which is currently estimated to occur in mid February 2012.

SkyWest is the holding company for two scheduled passenger airline operations, namely SkyWest Airlines (St. George, Utah) and ExpressJet Airlines (Atlanta, Georgia).

SkyWest Airlines operates as United Express and Delta Connection carriers under contractual agreements with United Airlines, Inc. (Chicago) and Delta Air Lines, Inc. (Atlanta). SkyWest Airlines also operates as US Airways Express under a contractual agreement with US Airways, Inc., and operates flights for Alaska Airlines under a contractual agreement. ExpressJet Airlines operates as United Express and Delta Connection carriers under contractual agreements with United and Delta. System-wide, SkyWest serves markets in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean with approximately 3,700 daily departures and a fleet of approximately 730 regional aircraft.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines has now been merged into ExpressJet Airlines.

Copyright Photo: James Helbock.

SkyWest Slide Show: CLICK HERE

SkyWest Airlines’ Delta Connection Route Map:

Click on the map to expand.

US Airways Tails at the Charlotte hub (David Neal), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

US Airways Group, Inc. (Phoenix) today reported its fourth quarter and 2011 financial results. For the fourth quarter 2011, net profit excluding net special charges was $21 million, or $0.13 per diluted share. Net profit excluding net special charges for the fourth quarter 2010 was $28 million, or $0.17 per diluted share. On a GAAP basis, the Company reported a net profit of $18 million for its fourth quarter 2011, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to a net profit of $28 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the same period in 2010.

For full year 2011, the Company reported a net profit of $111 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, which excludes net special charges totaling $40 million. This compares to a full year 2010 profit excluding net special credits of $447 million, or $2.34 per diluted share. On a GAAP basis, the Company reported a net profit of $71 million, or $0.44 per diluted share for 2011, compared to a net profit of $502 million, or $2.61 per share, in 2010.

Copyright Photo: David Neal.

US Airways Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Visit our new website: CLICK HERE

Delta Air Lines Tails AMS (Rob Skinkis), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) reported net income for the fourth quarter of $379 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, excluding special items. This is a $221 million improvement year over year.

Delta’s net income for 2011 was $1.2 billion, excluding special items, as the company offset $3 billion higher fuel expense through strong revenue performance and its fuel hedging program.

Delta’s GAAP net income was $425 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the December 2011 quarter and $854 million for 2011.

The 2011 results include $264 million in profit sharing expense, including $89 million in the December quarter, recognizing Delta employees’ contributions toward meeting the company’s operating and financial goals.

Delta’s adjusted net debt at the end of 2011 was $12.9 billion, a $4.1 billion reduction from 2009.

Delta recorded special items totaling a $46 million gain in the December 2011 quarter, including:

a $164 million mark to market gain primarily for open fuel hedges settling in future periods. Open hedges will continue to fluctuate in value and Delta will record future changes in market value until the hedges settle;

a $43 million gain associated with the divestiture of slots at New York-LaGuardia and Washington-Reagan National in conjunction with the company’s slot transaction;

an $81 million charge for impairment of intangible assets and grounded aircraft associated with Delta’s capacity reductions; and an $80 million charge for severance and other items, including the loss on early extinguishment of debt.

Delta recorded special items totaling a $139 million charge in the December 2010 quarter, including:

$88 million in merger-related expenses;

$31 million from a loss on early extinguishment of debt; and

$20 million in costs related to the consolidation of operations at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

Copyright Photo: Rob Skinkis.

Delta Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Net income for the full year increased to $4.0 billion, or $5.34 per share, on revenue of $68.7 billion, which included the impact of the favorable tax settlement ($0.53 per share for the year). Full-year 2010 results included the $0.50 per share favorable tax settlement and a $0.20 per share tax charge resulting from health care legislation.

Earnings guidance for 2012 has been established at between $4.05 and $4.25 per share reflecting solid core performance and higher pension expense.  Revenue guidance for 2012 is between $78 and $80 billion.

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Oslo) has announced a firm order for 100 fuel-efficient 737-800 MAX airplanes and 22 Next-Generation 737-800s. The total order is valued at $11.4 billion at list prices and represents the largest-ever Boeing order from a European airline.

Norwegian is the first European carrier to finalize an order for the 737 MAX. The order supports Norwegian’s plans to build on the success provided by its fleet of Next-Generation 737-800s for its rapidly expanding operations.

The 737 MAX is the new-engine variant of the world’s best-selling airplane and builds on the strengths of today’s Next-Generation 737. The airplane will be powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines which will reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by an additional 10-12 percent over today’s most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplane. The 737 MAX will have the lowest operating costs in the single-aisle segment with a 7 percent advantage per seat over tomorrow’s competition.

This order continues the momentum for the 737 MAX. With the Norwegian order, the 737 MAX has orders and commitments for more than 1,000 airplanes from 15 customers and the Next-Generation 737 family has orders for more than 6,300 airplanes.

Norwegian becomes first in Europe to receive the new Boeing 737 MAX8 delivered and thus becomes the launch customer for Boeing in Europe. The aircraft has been including a redesigned engine that produces 10-12 percent less fuel than today’s 737-800. Compared to a 737-800 from 2001 is 15-20 percent fuel savings, a huge environmental benefit and a significant cost reduction for the company.

Norwegian now has 150 purchase rights, and a total of 277 aircraft on order that have not yet been delivered. Included in the 277′s 55 previous purchases of the Boeing 737-800. In addition, Norwegian has secured delivery of six Boeing 787 Dreamliner for its long-range effort.

Norwegian has also signed an agreement with Airbus to purchase 100 Airbus A320neo aircraft. Norwegian has also secured purchase rights for an additional 150 aircraft from the two aircraft manufacturers.

Norwegian’s agreement to purchase 222 aircraft is the largest aircraft order ever made in Europe. The order is also the single largest investment a company in mainland Norway has done and is on par with the biggest Norwegian investments in the oil and gas.

Airbus A320neo is a completely new aircraft for the Norwegian.

Top Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems.

Bottom Image: Airbus.

Norwegian Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Spirit Airlines Airbus A319-132 N503NK (msn 2470) FLL (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Spirit Airlines (Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood) will begin daily nonstop service between Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe, Pennsylvania (near Pittsburgh) and Orlando (MCO), Florida starting on May 17, 2012.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.

Spirit Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Route Map (click on map to enlarge):

Click on the map to enlarge.

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) has announced the establishment of a new base of operations at Oakland International Airport (OAK) as of April 26, 2012. The company will base two 166-seat McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82/83 (MD-80) aircraft at the airport and create jobs for approximately 60 people including: flight attendants, pilots, mechanics and airport service personnel. In conjunction with the base, Allegiant will begin new, nonstop air service to the Bay Area from seven markets:

Billings, Montana begins April 26
Bozeman, Montana begins April 27
Kalispell, Montana begins April 27
Idaho Falls, Idaho begins April 27
Medford, Oregon begins April 26
Missoula, Montana begins April 27
Redmond, Oregon begins April 26

The Oakland International Airport is Allegiant’s eighth base of operations. Allegiant currently provides service to three destinations from Oakland International Airport including, Bellingham, Washington, Eugene, Oregon and Mesa (near Phoenix), Arizona.

Copyright Photo: Brandon Farris.

Allegiant Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Allegiant Typical TV Commercial:

Route Map:

Click on the map to expand.

American Airlines Boeing 767-323 ER N395AN (msn 29432) (Oneworld) MIA (Arnd Wolf), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth), a member of the oneworld® alliance and trans-Atlantic joint business partner with Iberia (Madrid) and British Airways (London), will expand its operations at Miami International Airport (MIA) with the launch of Miami – Barcelona (BCN) service on April 3, 2012. The flight will operate five times a week until June 14 when it will operate daily.

As part of a joint business reorganization of flights, Iberia will increase its Miami to Madrid service as it grows its presence at Madrid’s Barajas Airport (MAD). Effective March 25 Iberia will add a second MIA-MAD flight four times per week. American will continue to operate one daily MIA-MAD flight.

According to the airline, “American’s new route connects its Miami hub to Barcelona’s El Prat International Airport. Barcelona is one of Europe’s top tourist destinations, as well as a city with a thriving business community. The new flight will complement American’s existing service from JFK in New York.”

Barcelona will be the 111th destination served by American and its regional carrier American Eagle from MIA. The flights will be operated with Boeing 767-300 aircraft with 225 seats including 30 Business Class seats and 195 seats in the Main Cabin. American’s Business Class is designed to give customers more comfort, flexibility and privacy. Fully-motorized lie-flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration offer a personal inflight entertainment device with audio and video on demand, state-of-the-art cabin lighting and sleek, ergonomically-designed overhead bins, all enhancing the travel experience for the business customer.

Copyright Photo: Arnd Wolf.

American Slide Show: CLICK HERE

United Express-Colgan Air (2nd) SAAB 340B N362PX (msn 258) IAH (Mark Durbin), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker and the Houston Airport System, in partnership with United Continental Holdings, Inc. (Chicago), yesterday broke ground on the first phase of a three-phase redevelopment project at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Phase one of the project, to be completed in 2013, will create a new Terminal B south concourse dedicated to regional jet operations.

The $160 million south concourse project will replace the existing south side flight stations with a new 225,000 square-foot facility to accommodate United’s regional aircraft. At nearly four times the size of the existing space, the new concourse will provide a better customer experience, as it will feature modern and expanded gate lounge areas, concessions and restroom facilities.

Travelers will access the new concourse from the terminal via a 95-foot-wide bridge with 13,000 square feet of food, beverage and retail concessions – a 500-percent increase in concession space over the current facility. The concourse will feature 28-foot-high floor-to-ceiling glass windows, offering expansive tarmac views from spacious central passenger lounge areas with durable and modern interior finishes.

Plans for future phases of the $1 billion redevelopment project include redevelopment of the central Terminal B lobby and baggage claim areas, a new international-capable north concourse for mainline and regional jets, a new Terminal B Federal Inspections Services (FIS) facility and infrastructure improvements.
The entire three-phase redevelopment project is planned over the next seven to 10 years, based on demand.

The project’s design incorporates energy-efficient techniques using Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria.

Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin. Please click on the photo for additional information.

United Express-Colgan Air Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Air Arabia (Airarabia.com) Airbus A320-214 A6-ABB (msn 2166) SHJ (Paul Denton), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Air Arabia (airarabia.com) (UAE) (Sharjah) has announced it has completed its first in-house C Check maintenance of its own Airbus A320.

The maintenance overhaul was performed at the airline’s new state-of-the-art hangar at Sharjah International Airport according to this article by UAE Interact.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Paul Denton.

Visit our new website: CLICK HERE

Garuda Indonesia Airways Airbus A330-243 PK-GPJ (msn 988) AMS (Ariel Shocron), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Garuda Indonesia Airways (Jakarta) is reducing the amount of weekly frequencies (from seven to four) on March 1 on the Amsterdam route due to decreased demand.

The company issued the following statement:

“Due to the downturn of the economic conditions in Europe which has not shown any improvement in this current time and has been affecting to the declining market (air transportation) both to and from Europe, as of March 1, 2012, Garuda Indonesia will reduce daily flights from Jakarta – Dubai – Amsterdam (Europe) from seven to four times a week. Garuda, then, fly every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from Jakarta, and every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from Amsterdam. To serve the Jakarta – Dubai – Amsterdam route, Garuda Indonesia operates an A330-200 with a capacity of 222 seats, consisting of 36 in business class and 186 in economy class).

Copyright Photo: Ariel Shocron.

Garuda Indonesia Slide Show: CLICK HERE

The company issued the following statement:

“In accordance with the decision taken by the company’s Board of Directors, the request of starting the insolvency proceeding of the airline has been filed at Regional Court of Ostrava, Czech Republic.

Owners of the Czech Connect Airlines, j.s.c. together with management of the company are now doing their best to find ways to rescue the airline and to minimize impacts of the above mentioned steps to airline’s customers, employees as well as business partners.

Following above mentioned steps, airline has decided to interrupt its operation from January, 24, 2012 till the end of the current IATA season (March, 21, 2012). Possibilities of alternative solution of air transport shall be negotiated with travel agencies or directly with passengers.”

Copyright Photo: Czech Connect Airlines/planes.cz. CCA was operating one 148-seat Boeing 737-300 (OK-CCA) and one 156-seat 737-400 (OK-CCB).

Ryanair Boeing 737-8AS EI-DHJ (msn 33819) BOH (Antony J. Best), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Ryanair (Dublin) is planning to return to Budapest (dropped in 2010) on March 12 according to the Budapest Business Journal. Ryanair will operate from Budapest to Birmingham, Bologna, Bristol, Dublin and London (Stansted).

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best.

Ryanair Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Visit our new website: CLICK HERE

United Airlines Boeing 757-222 N522UA (msn 24931) BWI (Tony Storck), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

United Airlines (Chicago) will drop the Denver-Miami route after May 2.

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck.

United Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Boeing (Chicago) on January 23 announced it has delivered the first two new Boeing 777-300 ERs (Extended Range) jetliners to Saudi Arabian Airlines (Jeddah).

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Please click on the photo for additional details.

Saudi Arabian Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Visit our new website: CLICK HERE

Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu) and JetBlue Airways (New York) have announced a new partnership agreement.

Mark Dunkerley (right), president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, and Dave Barger (left), president and CEO of JetBlue, signed the agreement at JetBlue’s Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport amid a festive Hawaii-themed celebration of Hawaiian music, hula dancing, fresh flower lei and other special gifts from Hawaii for travelers transiting the terminal.

Effective this week, customers will be able to purchase single tickets combining travel on both Hawaiian and JetBlue, allowing for seamless travel between the carriers’ networks. Connections are available for immediate travel via Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), where Hawaiian offers multiple daily departures.
In the near future, Hawaiian intends to codeshare on JetBlue-operated flights, placing its HA code on JetBlue-operated flights.

The carriers plan to further expand their partnership on June 5, when Hawaiian launches the only nonstop service between New York City and Hawaii with its new wide-body, twin-aisle Airbus A330-200 aircraft seating 294 customers.

Hawaiian’s daily flights from Honolulu will arrive and depart from JFK Terminal 5, becoming the first of JetBlue’s airline partners to locate at the carrier’s acclaimed home. At Terminal 5 – JFK Airport’s newest terminal – travelers can take in a host of shopping options and unique dining experiences, enjoy the convenience of gate-side food ordering and delivery, and surf the web with free terminal-wide Wi-Fi.
Hawaiian Flight 51 will depart JFK daily at 10:00 a.m. (1000) and arrive at Honolulu International Airport at 3:00 p.m. (1500). The return Flight 50 (“Hawaiian 5-0″) will depart Honolulu daily at 3:05 p.m. (1505) and arrive in New York at 6:55 a.m. (0655) the following morning.

The new flight’s mid-morning New York departure will allow travelers in markets served by JetBlue up and down the East Coast, such as Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Orlando, and Raleigh/Durham, to make a seamless connection to Honolulu or to make another easy connection on Hawaiian to Kauai, Maui, or Hawaii Island.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing.

Ceremony Copyright Photos: PRNewsFoto/JetBlue Airways.

Hawaiian Slide Show: CLICK HERE

JetBlue Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Current Hawaiian Route Map: The New York (JFK) new service will bring HA to the U.S. East Coast. JetBlue Airways’ JFK hub will be a natural feed for HA’s new nonstop service helping to fill the seats.

Red Wings Airlines Tupolev Tu-204-100 RA-64019 (msn 1450743164019) AYT (Ton Jochems), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Red Wings Airlines (Moscow) is considering setting up a new base in Makhachkala, Dagestan with new service to Moscow and other destinations. The Dagestan region is now under served due to the recent demis of Dagestan Airlines (South East Airlines).

The Republic of Dagestan, also spelled Daghestan, is a federal republic of Russia, located in the North Caucasus region. Its capital and the largest city is Makhachkala, located at the center of Dagestan on the Caspian Sea.

Read the full story from the Republican Information Agency Dagestan: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems. Please click on the photo for information on this carrier.

Red Wings Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Turkish Cargo A310-300F TC-JCZ (90)(Grd) ZRH (RW)(LRW), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Turkish Airlines Cargo (Istanbul) on January 8, 2012 launched scheduled freighter flights to Mitiga, Libya (near Tripoli). The twice-weekly flights will be operated with either A310-300 or A330-200 freighters.

In other news, Turkish Airlines will start talks to possibly acquire LOT Polish Airlines according to the Hurriyet newspaper which cited Turkish Airlines Chairman Hamdi Topcu.

Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner.

Turkish Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Southwest Airlines (Dallas) and AirTran Airways (Orlando) released flight schedules for August 12, 2012, through September 28, 2012.

Southwest’s August and September schedules will offer 3,250 daily flights. AirTran’s schedules will offer more than 550 daily flights.

Starting with the Southwest side, WN is adding new nonstop service in nine roundtrip markets. WN will begin three weekday roundtrip flights between both Atlanta and Norfolk and between Atlanta and Louisville (note: these are not markets currently served by AirTran), as well as two weekday roundtrip flights between both St. Louis and New York (LaGuardia) and between St. Louis and San Antonio. With the additional flights, the daily departure count from St. Louis is up to 90. As WN continues the conversion of AirTran service and aircraft to the Southwest brand (after receiving a Single Operating Certificate), we’ll begin new nonstop SWA service that replaces existing service operated by AirTran between:

Atlanta-Seattle/Tacoma: one daily roundtrip
Denver-New York/LaGuardia: two daily roundtrips
Los Angeles-Milwaukee: two daily roundtrips
Milwaukee-New York/LaGuardia: two daily roundtrips (three additional remain on AirTran)
Milwaukee-Seattle/Tacoma: one daily roundtrip

Southwest will also add two more flights between Atlanta and Los Angeles, which will replace two AirTran flights. Milestones abound in this schedule, but one is particularly noteworthy: this marks the very first full city conversion, as Southwest will completely assimilate all AirTran service effective with this August 12 schedule.

Across the rest of the Southwest network, the total number of weekday departures declines from the summer high of 3,422 to 3,250, with a flat aircraft count. While WN increases frequency in seven roundtrip markets (in addition to the Atlanta-Los Angeles increase mentioned above), the airline will reduce nonstop service in 88 roundtrip markets from their summertime highs. WN will eliminate nonstop service in 11 roundtrip markets—some seasonal, some covered by existing AirTran service, and some that are simply no longer profitable in this high-cost environment. The nonstop markets being eliminated are:

Albuquerque-Lubbock
Albuquerque-Midland/Odessa
Albuquerque-Orlando
Baltimore/Washington-Seattle/Tacoma (seasonal)
Ft. Lauderdale-Kansas City (seasonal)
Houston/Hobby-Seattle/Tacoma (seasonal)
Indianapolis-Orlando (service remains on AirTran)
Jackson-Orlando
Jacksonville-Tampa Bay
Milwaukee-Tampa Bay (seasonal—service remains on AirTran)
San Diego-St. Louis (seasonal)

AirTran’s new August/September 2012 Schedule contains a pretty complex set of changes as well. Just like in the Southwest schedule, AirTran’s new schedule reflects the seasonal softening of customer demand as well as the need to “free up” aircraft to go through the conversion (painting) process, so FL will decrease systemwide daily departures from 680 on a typical Friday to 568, a reduction of 112. In addition to the market eliminations announced Friday here as well as the AirTran-to-Southwest conversions listed above, WN/FL are adjusting frequencies upwards in seven markets and downwards in 25 others. Seasonal summer nonstop service in the following 11 markets will be cancelled, although connecting service will continue to be available on either AirTran or Southwest:

Baltimore/Washington-Ft. Myers
Baltimore/Washington-New Orleans
Baltimore/Washington-San Francisco
Baltimore/Washington-Seattle/Tacoma
Charlotte-Orlando
Columbus-Ft. Lauderdale
Flint-Tampa Bay
Ft. Lauderdale-Indianapolis
Grand Rapids-Orlando
Grand Rapids-Tampa Bay
Rochester-Tampa Bay

WN/FL are also eliminating the double-daily roundtrip nonstops between Akron/Canton and Milwaukee and replacing them with two daily Akron/Canton-Chicago-Midway nonstops.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.

AirTran Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Southwest Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Formerly operated by Alitalia Express, this Embraer ERJ 170-100LR registered as EI-DFL (msn 17000036) was rolled out of the paint shop at Norwich on January 21, 2012 in the house colors of Regional Compagnie Aerienne Europeenne (Nantes). Regional normally operates its fleet of six Embraer ERJ 135s, 27 ERJ 145s, 10 ERJ 170s and 10 ERJ 190s in the colors of Air France.

On March 30, 2001 Flandre Air, Proteus Airlines, and Regional Airlines were merged to form the current day Regional.

Copyright Photo: Matt Varley.

Regional’s Air France routes from Paris (CDG):

Cathay Pacific Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Bmibaby (bmibaby.com) Boeing 737-36N G-TOYL (msn 28594) STN (Keith Burton), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Lufthansa (Frankfurt) has opened talks with German turnaround specialist Intro Aviation GmbH according to this article by Bloomberg. Intro is taking a close look at the discount carrier to see if it can be turned around.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Keith Burton.

bmibaby Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Lufthansa Airbus A340-313X D-AIFF (msn 447) CLT (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Lufthansa (Frankfurt) will drop Calgary on February 4 from the Frankfurt hub. The flag carrier was operating the route four days a week with Airbus A340-300s according to this article by The Gazelle. Air Canada will add capacity on the route.

Read the article: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.

Lufthansa Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Air Zimbabwe (Harare) is facing new difficulties every day. The last report had the flag carrier getting new aircraft. Now the latest report claims the carrier has been placed under judicial management (bankruptcy) by the High Court of Zimbabwe and could face liquidation if the court decides it is no longer a going concern.

According to the article by Bulawayo 24, Air Zimbabwe Holdings, Air Zimbabwe and the Master of the High Court were cited as first, second and third respondents respectively while National Airways Workers’ Union and Air Transport Union were the applicants for the court action. The airline has reportedly not paid full wages since January 2009.

Read the full article (no, 707s are not being operated): CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. This Boeing 767-200 was impounded at London’s Gatwick Airport for unpaid bills. The government of Zimbabwe has to pay the unpaid bills in order for the aircraft to be released.