Monthly Archives: January 2012

AviancaTaca firms up order for 51 Airbus A320 aircraft

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 responds to Air Canada’s increase, adds two more New York flights

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 and Association of Flight Attendants reach a tentative agreement

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 names David Siegel as the new CEO of Frontier Airlines

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.

Siegelโ€™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 Frontierโ€™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 Frontierโ€™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 Companyโ€™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.

American Airlines to introduce the new Boeing 777-300 ER at DFW in December with a new interior and product

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) has announced changes to its spring and summer schedule that will expand the airline’s presence in Brazil.ย  Beginning in December, American’s route between Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) andย Sao Pauloย (GRU) will operate with the new state-of-the-art Boeing 777-300 ER, makingย Brazilย the first AA market for the new aircraft.ย  Further emphasizing American’s commitment to Latin America, the airline will increase its service between DFW and Sao Paulo beginning in June.

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.ย  American is the first U.S. airline to order and take delivery of the 777-300 ER.ย  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.ย  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.ย  American currently offers more routes between the two countries than any other airline.ย  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.ย  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.ย  The route is currently scheduled four times per week, and customers can book travel beginning Jan. 29.ย  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. ย After 44 years, it is time for a new makeover.

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

Virgin Australia and Skywest Airlines win tentative approval for their alliance, Virgin Australia retires its last ERJ 170

Virgin Australia Airlines (formerly Virgin Blue Airlines) (Brisbane) and Skywest Airlines (Perth) have beenย granted tentative approval by theย Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)ย for a proposed corporate alliance between the two carriers according to this article by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Additionallyย 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 โ€“ 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:ย 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:ย 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:ย 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:ย 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:ย 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:ย 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):ย 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 still awaits authority to operate from the JCAA

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 buys 40% of Air Seychelles for $20 million

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 Airwaysโ€™ 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 shareholderโ€™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

Airbus confirms more A380 cracks but announces a fix

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 has a profitable 4Q and a record yearly profit

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.