Monthly Archives: December 2010

Will First Nation Airways begin operations in Nigeria?

First Nation Airways (Lagos) is a new airline in Nigeria that is planning to begin operations. Established as a replacement for defunct Bellview Airlines (Lagos), the upstart was planning to lease three Airbus A320s (msn 409, 466 and 493) from the Aviation Capital Group. The first, A320-212 N409AG (msn 409), was painted in full colors. However all three aircraft remain in storage and the future of the airline remains unclear.

For a picture of the first A320, please click on the blog entry by Aviation in Nigeria:

CLICK HERE

Associated Air Cargo is grounded in Nigeria

Associated Air Cargo (Associated Aviation) (Lagos) was grounded on December 20, 2010 by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) due to mounting debts according to this report by This Day. The company started operations in 1996.

Read the full report:

CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: www.afavia-fotos.co.za. Ex-Alaska Airlines Boeing 727-227 5N-BHV (msn 21364) was operated by Associated Air Cargo.

SkyWest Airlines to restore the St. George-Los Angeles route on March 6

United Express-SkyWest Airlines Embraer EMB-120ER Brasilia N585SW (msn 120353) SEA (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

SkyWest Airlines (United Express) (St. George) will restore the St. George-Los Angeles route with Embraer EMB-120 Brasilias on March 6, 2011.

Mesaba Airlines to operate as an US Airways Express carrier in 2011

Mesaba Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul) will operate as an US Airways Express carrier with seven leased SAAB 340Bs recently returned by Delta Air Lines from the Delta Connection operation. The SAABs will be leased from SAAB.

In a message to the employees, the new operation will be based at New York’s LaGuardia Airport beginning in March 2011. Mesaba will initially operate three SAAB 340Bs with one spare 340B. Three additional 340Bs will be added in April 2011. Under the current plan, Mesaba will fly from LGA to Ithaca and Syracuse, NY; Providence, RI, Charlottesville, VA, Manchester, NH and Washington (Dulles). Mesaba will also establish a crew domicile at LGA.

Mesaba next month will begin taking re-delivery of the seven aircraft that Mesaba previously operated – fleet numbers 402, 407, 412, 413, 414, 416, and 418. The aircraft will be painted in the US Airways 2005 livery and will feature the same interior Mesaba recently installed as part of the refurbishment program for Delta Connection.

Donbassaero Airlines introduces the Airbus A321 and a new color scheme

Donbassaero Airlines A321-231 UR-DAF (msn 1869) SNN (Malcolm Nason) (new livery, new type), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Donbassaero Airlines (Donetsk) is taking a Christmas Eve delivery of its first Airbus A321. The company has also introduced this WindRose-like color scheme.

Transaero Airlines to acquire 11 additional high capacity Boeing 747-400s and four 777-300s in the next two years

Transaero Airlines Boeing 747-444 VP-BKJ (msn 26638) DXB (Konstantin von Wedelstaedt), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Transaero Airlines (Moscow) added Boeing 747-4F6 VQ-BHX (msn 28960) on December 20 in a 521-seat (12/509) high capacity configuration. The company is planning to add 11 additional high capacity 747-400s and four Boeing 777-300s (from Singapore Airlines) in the next two years.

Antifreeze shortage in Europe causes further disruptions

Paris (CDG) is experiencing cancellations due to problems connected with a shortage of antifreeze. CDG cut flights by 50 percent through 1 p.m. (1300) today because of a shortage of antifreeze and forecasts for more cold weather according to this report by Bloomberg. Brussels (BRU) was also dealing with antifreeze shortages.

Read the full report:

CLICK HERE

Enerjet to start a scheduled route between Toronto and Georgetown

Enerjet Boeing 737-7BD WL C-GBEJ (msn 34480) YYZ (TMK Photography), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Enerjet (Calgary) is planning to launch scheduled passenger service between Toronto (Pearson) and Georgetown, Guyana.

Read the full report in NewsPress:

CLICK HERE

JetBlue Airways to fly to Martha’s Vineyard

JetBlue Airways Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N190JB (msn 19000011) BWI (Brian McDonough), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

JetBlue Airways (New York) today announced plans to expand its route map with daily service to Martha’s Vineyard, the airline’s 66th destination.

JetBlue plans to offer daily nonstop service between the Vineyard and New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

JetBlue’s flights will be operated with its quiet and fuel efficient 100-seat Embraer ERJ 190 jet aircraft.

Boeing resumes flight testing with 787-881 N7874 (ZA004)

Boeing 787-881 N7874 (ZA004) (msn 40693) BFI (Rick Schlamp), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) today resumed flight testing of test aircraft ZA004, in the form of this 787-881 registered N7874 (msn 40693).