Yearly Archives: 2012

Delta Air Lines to lease and operate all 88 AirTran Airways Boeing 717s

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will become a new Boeing 717 operator as Southwest Airlines (Dallas) has found a way to dispose of the 88 Boeing 717-200s operated by its subsidiary AirTran Airways (Dallas).

Southwest confirmed today that the airline, together with its subsidiary, AirTran Airways, Inc., has reached a tentative agreement with Delta Air Lines, Inc., and Boeing Capital Corp., to sublease all 88 of its Boeing 717 aircraft to Delta. A final agreement is subject to Delta and Southwest reaching certain agreements with all parties related to the aircraft leases. The tentative agreement between Southwest and Delta would transition the 717s over three years starting in the second half of 2013 with completion in 2015.

A transition of the 717s was an option that the airline acknowledged when it executed its fleet agreement with the Boeing Company. The plan calls for the transition of approximately three 717 aircraft per month beginning in mid-2013. Southwest is not releasing any additional details about the tentative agreement at this time. The Company currently plans to keep the total fleet count relatively flat as the 717s transition to Delta.

Delta will use the 717s to replace inefficient 50-seat regional jets and some older McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 aircraft still in service, on a capacity-neutral basis.

The tentative agreement also provides Delta with additional flexibility to acquire up to 70 larger two-class, 76-seat regional jets as the Boeing 717 aircraft are delivered to Delta. Delta currently operates 255 larger two-class regional jets; the fleet will be increased to 325 aircraft.

Delta will begin taking delivery of Boeing 717 aircraft as early as 2013 upon ratification of a new tentative agreement covering Delta’s more than 12,000 pilots. The tentative agreement was approved on May 21 by the Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Delta Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), and now will be presented to pilots for review and ratification through June 30.

Southwest’s plans to integrate current AirTran Employees into the Southwest operation over the next several years remain unchanged. All Pilots would train and transition directly into the airline’s 737 fleet as the 717s are reduced. AirTran Flight Attendants and Maintenance personnel are currently trained on both aircraft types. Southwest would replace AirTran’s 717 flying with 737 aircraft, and would work with individual airports on facilities transition timelines. Southwest affirms its current plans to maintain service to all previously announced airports.

Because of this transaction, the AirTran 717s are not likely ever to wear Southwest’s livery.

AirTran Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Delta Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Southwest Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Skyways and City Airline follow Cimber Sterling into bankruptcy and end operations

Skyways Express AB (Stockholm-Arlanda) and its subsidiary City Airline AB (Gothenburg) filed for bankruptcy protection today (May 22) and ended operations.

The two airlines were acquired in 2010 by asset management company Manswell Enterprises Limited, controlled by Ihor Kolomoyskyi. Manswell also acquired Cimber Sterling (Copenhagen) which previously failed and stopped operations on May 3, 2012.

Skyways issued the following statement today:

“We regret to inform that Skyways Express AB and its subsidiary City Airline AB have filed for bankruptcy. Consequently, we have been forced to cancel all flights with immediate effect.

To our passengers with flights within the near future: Please contact your travel agency (where applicable) to investigate the possibilities of compensation or re-booking of flights. For passengers who have booked flights directly via our website we regret to inform that it is currently not possible to re-book or receive compensation via Skyways. Passengers who have booked via our website and paid using credit card are recommended to investigate compensation via the credit card company.

Due to today’s announcement, it is unfortunately not possible to receive assistance via Skyways at the airports. Passengers with flights in the near future are recommended to re-book via another airline or train, alternatively contact their travel agency for assistance.”

Top Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren.

Skyways Slide Show: CLICK HERE

City Airline Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Bottom Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl.

Ryanair has its best financial year in its history

Ryanair (Dublin) has reported its largest fiscal year net profit ever for the year ending on March 31. The company reported its net profit for the year rose almost 50 percent to $715 million although it remains guarded (as usual) for the future.

Read the full report from Bloomberg Businessweek: CLICK HERE

Ryanair Slide Show: CLICK HERE

The return of Mexicana

Mexicana (Mexico City), reorganizing in bankruptcy protection, announced on May 11 that Med Atlantica had acquired the shares of its holding company and thus becomes the new owner of the grounded airline. The group hopes to relaunch MX in 2012. It must now seek bankruptcy court approvals and agreements with the creditors.

Mexicana suspended operations on August 28, 2010.

Read the full report by Bloomberg Businessweek: CLICK HERE

Mexicana Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Southwest’s flight attendants turn down the Overwater/Near International flying by 61% to 39%

Southwest Airlines (Dallas) has received a set back in its plan to add international flights (and AirTran Airways). The Southwest flight attendants have turned down by a 61 percent no vote the proposed Overwater/Near International Flying Tentative Agreement reached by management and the TWU leaders.

Read the full report from the TWU: CLICK HERE

Southwest Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Mokulele Airlines to return to West Maui (Kapalua)

Mokulele Airlines (Kailua-Kona) is expanding its services by returning to the Kapalua Airport, located on West Maui.

Schedule:

Depart	Arrive	Flight
Honolulu to Kapalua	10:25A	11:07A	1780
	2:20P	3:02P	1782
Kapalua to Honolulu	11:28A	12:10P	1781
	3:23P	4:05P	1783

Mokulele Airlines has recently been adding new cities to its growing network, most recently by providing the only daily nonstop flights between Kahului and Lanai City.

Mokulele offers over 46 flights a day connecting Maui & Oahu to the Big Island, Lanai, and Molokai using 9 seat turbine powered Cessna Grand Caravan 208 aircraft.

Delta adds flights from New York to the Caribbean, Bermuda and Florida

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) today announced new and expanded service to 10 popular destinations in the Caribbean, Bermuda and Florida from LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, continuing its historic expansion in New York.

The new flights, which will begin in late 2012 and early 2013, are in addition to Delta’s previously announced expansion at New York-LaGuardia, where the airline is adding more than 100 new flights to 26 new destinations this summer. When its full schedule is implemented, Delta will operate more than 260 daily flights between LaGuardia and more than 60 cities, exceeding any other carrier.

Delta also is optimizing its schedule at JFK to facilitate convenient connections to international flights. JFK is a major global gateway for Delta, which operates nonstop flights to more than 45 international destinations from the airport.

In conjunction with its expansion at LaGuardia, Delta is investing $160 million to modernize two terminals at the airport and construct a new walkway connecting the facilities. At JFK, Delta is currently under way on a $1.2 billion program to enhance and expand Terminal 4, adding nine new gates and creating a state-of-the-art gateway for New York’s fastest growing global airline. That facility will open in spring 2013.

Delta Slide Show: CLICK HERE

New and expanded service to the Caribbean and Bermuda includes:

New daily year-round service between LaGuardia and Bermuda.
New Saturday flights between JFK and St. Maarten.*
LaGuardia-Nassau flights will be expanded from seasonal to year-round service.
JFK-Montego Bay, Jamaica, flights will grow from Saturday seasonal to daily service.
JFK-Aruba service will increase from Saturday seasonal flights to daily year-round service.
JFK-Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, flights will expand from Saturday seasonal to daily year-round service.

Schedule details:

Departs	Arrives	Frequency	Aircraft	Effective
LaGuardia at 10:45 a.m.	Nassau at 2:15 p.m.	Daily	MD-88	Dec. 15, 2012
Nassau at 3:15 p.m.	LaGuardia at 6:30 p.m.	Daily	MD-88	Dec. 15, 2012
JFK at 8:45 a.m.	Montego Bay at 1:02 p.m.	Daily	Boeing 737	Dec. 15, 2012
Montego Bay at 2 p.m.	JFK at 5:58 p.m.	Daily	Boeing 737	Dec. 15, 2012
JFK at 8:10 a.m.	Aruba at 2:12 p.m.	Daily	Boeing 737	Dec. 15, 2012
Aruba at 3:15 p.m.	JFK at 7:36 p.m.	Daily	Boeing 737	Dec. 15, 2012
JFK at 8:20 a.m.	Punta Cana at 1:40 p.m.	Daily	Boeing 737	Feb. 14, 2013
Punta Cana at 2:40 p.m.	JFK at 6:14 p.m.	Daily	Boeing 737	Feb. 14, 2013
JFK at 9:05 a.m.	St. Maarten at 2:15 p.m.	Saturday	Boeing 757	Dec. 15, 2012*
St. Maarten at 3:15 p.m.	JFK at 6:05 p.m.	Saturday	Boeing 757	Dec. 15, 2012*
LaGuardia at 9:55 a.m.	Bermuda at 1:05 p.m.	Daily	Boeing 737	April 8, 2013
Bermuda at 2:05 p.m.	LaGuardia at 3:40 p.m.	Daily	Boeing 737	April 8, 2013

* Subject to government approval

New and expanded service to Florida includes:

Two new flights between LaGuardia and Sarasota, Fla.
A new flight between JFK and Fort Myers, Fla.
A fourth daily flight between LaGuardia and Fort Myers.
A fifth daily flight between LaGuardia and Miami.
A fifth daily flight between LaGuardia and Tampa.
A second daily flight between JFK and Tampa.

Schedule details:

Departs	Arrives	Frequency	Aircraft	Effective
LaGuardia at 8:45 a.m.	Sarasota at 12 p.m.	Daily	MD-88	Dec. 15, 2012
LaGuardia at 4:15 p.m.	Sarasota at 7:30 p.m.	Daily	MD-88	Dec. 15, 2012
Sarasota at 12:45 p.m.	LaGuardia at 3:45 p.m.	Daily	MD-88	Dec. 15, 2012
Sarasota at 4:50 p.m.	LaGuardia at 7:50 p.m.	Daily	MD-88	Dec. 15, 2012
JFK at 3:45 p.m.	Fort Myers at 7:11 p.m.	Daily	MD-88	Dec. 15, 2012
Fort Myers at 12 p.m.	JFK at 3 p.m.	Daily	MD-88	Dec. 15, 2012
LaGuardia at 2 p.m.	Fort Myers at 5:25 p.m.	Daily	MD-88	Dec. 15, 2012
Fort Myers at 6:10 p.m.	LaGuardia at 9:10 p.m.	Daily	MD-88	Dec. 15, 2012
LaGuardia at 9 a.m.	Miami at 12:16 p.m.	Daily	MD-88	Dec. 15, 2012
Miami at 1 p.m.	LaGuardia at 4:10 p.m.	Daily	MD-88	Dec. 15, 2012
LaGuardia at 9 a.m.	Tampa at 12:09 p.m.	Daily	Airbus A320	Dec. 15, 2012
Tampa at 12 p.m.	LaGuardia at 2:51 p.m.	Daily	Airbus A320	Dec. 15, 2012
JFK at 8:15 a.m.	Tampa at 11:31 a.m.	Daily	Airbus A320	Dec. 15, 2012
Tampa at 3:20 p.m.	JFK at 6:05 p.m.	Daily	Airbus A320	Dec. 15, 2012

QANTAS Airways to consolidate maintenance operations at Avalon and Brisbane

QANTAS Airways (Sydney) has announced today it has completed its study and will consolidate its maintenance operations at Avalon and Brisbane resulting in 500 job redundancies (losses).

The company issued the following statement:

“QANTAS has completed a review of its heavy aircraft maintenance and engineering operations in Australia and will consolidate heavy maintenance work into Brisbane and Avalon.

The restructure is necessary as there is currently not enough heavy maintenance work required for three separate facilities and the introduction of new technology and modern aircraft means there will be a further 60 per cent reduction in heavy maintenance requirements over the next seven years.

As a result of the restructure, heavy maintenance on Boeing 737 aircraft will move from Melbourne (Tullamarine) and be maintained in Brisbane along with Boeing 767 aircraft and Airbus A330s. The base at Avalon will continue to maintain the Boeing 747-400s. It will also conduct some work on Boeing 737s and 767s, some aircraft reconfiguration work and remain available for one-off maintenace tasks.

QANTAS will cease heavy maintenance at Tullamarine by August 2012, however line maintenance will continue to be conducted at the facility employing more than 300 people.

QANTAS Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said QANTAS would continue to be the only major airline in the world to do heavy maintenance at its own facilities in Australia.

QANTAS undertook a two-month consultation with unions, employees and other stakeholders to discuss the challenges of having three sub-optimal heavy maintenance bases and options the company was considering.

There will be a net reduction of 500 positions as a result of the restructure (QANTAS will still employ over 30,000 people in Australia, and around 5,000 in QANTAS Engineering).

There will be a reduction of 422 positions at Tullamarine. At Avalon, 113 positions will no longer be required due to the recent retirements of five 747 aircraft this year. There will be 30 new positions available in line maintenance in Melbourne and 5 jobs in Sydney. All QANTAS heavy maintenance apprentices will be given the opportunity to finish their apprenticeships with QANTAS.

There will also be new job opportunities in Brisbane as a result of 737 heavy maintenance moving there.

Further changes to Avalon are expected as the business continues to modernise.

Where possible, QANTAS will offer relocation to Brisbane, including a generous relocation package, or redeployment to other roles within QANTAS. There will also be a program of voluntary redundancies.
QANTAS will offer significant support packages for affected employees including redundancy packages well in excess of the legislative requirements, career transition, access to skills and training programs and counselling for employees and their families.

Consolidating heavy maintenance and other engineering initiatives will have an annual benefit of A$70-$100 million. One off costs associated with the heavy maintenance restructure announced today including redundancies will be approximately A$50 million. This takes estimated transformation costs for the second half of FY12 to between A$250-$260 million.”

QANTAS Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Gulf Air’s bailout is rejected by the lower house in Bahrain

Gulf Air‘s (Bahrain) bailout by the government is in doubt after the lower house rejected the proposed $1.75 billion plan. The carrier has been shrinking over the year as states in the United Arab Emirates have started their own airlines. Today the flag carrier only represents Bahrain.

Read the full report from Global Travel Industry News: CLICK HERE

Gulf Air Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Air Cote d’Ivoire to launch operations by the end of July

Air Côte d’Ivoire (Abidjan) is planning to launched scheduled passenger operations by the end of July. The new flag carrier is owned by the Cote d’Ivoire government (51 percent), Air France (20 percent) and the Agha Khan Group (15 percent).

On May 15, 2012 Air France, a strategic partner with the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) and the economic development agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), signed a partnership framework agreement and a shareholders agreement for the creation of Air Côte d’Ivoire.

Read the full report from the Coast Watch: CLICK HERE