Monthly Archives: February 2015

Talks between Norwegian Air Norway (NAN) and the Norwegian Pilot Union (NPU) break down

Norwegian Air Norway (Norwegian Air Shuttle) (Oslo) is a subsidiary of Norwegian Air Shuttle.

Norwegian Air Shuttle recently transferred its first aircraft (Norwegian registered LN-DYY, msn 39012) to the Irish registry according to Skyliner Aviation. The Boeing 737-8JP was reregistered on the Irish registry as EI-FHA on February 17. Ireland is part of European Union. Under Ireland, Norwegian registered aircraft will be able to operate on more European routes due to the prevailing bilateral restrictions from Norway to the EU.

In February 2014, Norwegian Air Shuttle’s Irish subsidiary, Norwegian Air International, received its Air Operators Certificate (AOC). The AOC issued in Ireland gives the company future traffic rights to and from the European Union. Norwegian Air International is seeking rights to operate the Boeing 787s to the United States and theoretically replace Norwegian Long Haul.

The Norwegian Long Haul Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners (currently operating on long range routes) are also registered in Ireland. Norwegian Long Haul however has a separate Norwegian AOC with the IATA code of DU.

All aircraft operate under the “Norwegian” brand.

According to News in English (from Norway) the pilots are striking because airline management wants to “cut their pensions, pay and insurance benefits”. According to the report, the pilots are “fighting for a permanent collective bargaining agreement with Norwegian Air’s parent company, Norwegian Air Shuttle.” The union also fears the company will try to replace them with cheaper crews from crewing agencies or possibly declare bankruptcy.

Read the full full report: CLICK HERE

Meanwhile Norwegian Air Norway (Oslo) issued this statement:

Norwegian regrets that it was not possible to reach an agreement in mediation between the subsidiary Norwegian Air Norway (NAN) and the Norwegian Pilot Union (NPU). Norwegian’s goal remains to implement this weekend flights so far as is possible when a limited number of pilots have been on strike in the first round.

Norwegian had before the mediation proposed several completely necessary cost savings to ensure a sustainable business and future jobs. Unfortunately, the NPU / Parathyroid did not comply with these requirements but instead presented a claim that goes in the wrong direction relative to the agreements reached at the previous hearing in 2013. NPU demand the right to control the Norwegiankoncernen, collective agreements with a company they are employed in, and that the Norwegian collective agreement shall also apply outside Norway. Norwegian could not accept the requirement for koncernansenitet for NAN pilots, ie ansenitet in a company they are employed in. In practice, it would have given Scandinavian pilots the opportunity to oust colleagues at the other bases in Europe.

We really regret the uncertainty being created among our passengers. Our goal has always been to avoid a strike and get a solution and peace in the company. Now we will do what we can to take care of the passengers in the best possible way, says Norwegian’s CEO Bjørn Kjos.

The conflict comes for Norwegian Scandinavian subsidiary Norwegian Air Norway (NAN). This means that long routes between Scandinavia / UK and USA / Asia runs as usual. The bases in England, Finland and Spain are also not directly concerned.

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Registered in Norway, Boeing 737-86N LN-NOQ (msn 32658) departs from London (Gatwick).

Norwegian aircraft slide show:

Bombardier CS300 successfully completes its first flight

Bombardier (Montreal and Toronto) issued this statement on the first flight of the CS300 yesterday (February 27):

Another major milestone in Bombardier’s CSeries aircraft program was reached on February 27 with the maiden flight of the CS300 airliner. The technologically advanced CSeries aircraft will provide operators with an all-new family of single-aisle mainline jets specifically designed for the 100- to 149-seat market segment.

The CS300 airliner – bearing Canadian registration markings C-FFDK – departed Montréal–Mirabel International Airport at 11:00 EST and returned at 15:58 EST. It reached an altitude of 41,000 feet (12,500 metres) and a speed of 255 knots (470 km/h).

At Bombardier’s Mirabel, Québec facility, some 2,000 Bombardier employees, Board members, partners, suppliers and customers braved frigid temperatures to witness the flight.

Capt. Andris (Andy) Litavniks, who was the co-pilot on the historic maiden flight of the smaller CS100 model on September 16, 2013, was pilot-in-command on today’s milestone flight. Capt. Litavniks was assisted by co-pilot Christophe Marchand and flight test engineers Anthony Dunne and Mark Metivet.

“It was an absolute privilege to fly the first flight of the CS300 airliner and I’m absolutely ecstatic with how well it handled. It’s a pilot’s aircraft and handled exactly as predicted by simulation,” said Capt. Litavniks. “Pilots will find it easy to transition from the CS100 to the CS300 aircraft or vice versa, which will greatly reduce training costs for operators using both models.”

“Our CSeries aircraft program is progressing well, with results from testing as expected or better. The CS300 airliner will now join the five CS100 aircraft flight test vehicles that have amassed more than 1,000 flight test hours to date,” said Rob Dewar, Vice President, CSeries Program. “We are confident the CS100 aircraft will be certified in the second half of 2015, followed closely by entry-into-service. The CS300 airliner is expected to follow about six months later.”

“It was a thrill to see the first CS300 aircraft take to the skies for the first time and I heartily congratulate our teams for this achievement,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “We continue to see increased interest from all over the world and as our performance targets are validated, we expect the enthusiasm for the CSeries family of aircraft to grow even more.”

The CS300 aircraft offers the best seat-mile cost in its category, making it the most profitable solution for mid-sized markets with up to 150 passengers per flight, and ideal for a range of routes from short-haul to longer transcontinental markets.

Top Photo: Bombardier. C-FFDK in flight.

Below Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier C Series CS300 (BD-500-1A11) C-FFDK (msn 55001) arrives back at Montreal (Mirabel) after the first flight.

Videos:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3vq1WyL9iY&w=560&h=315%5D

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wRwC7M2k30&w=560&h=315%5D

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcVbVq72Trs&w=560&h=315%5D

Silver Airways is building a new maintenance facility at Orlando International Airport

Silver Airways (Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and Gainesville), this week previewed its new international maintenance headquarters at Orlando International Airport.

Scheduled to officially open in March, the project was made possible by a $3.5 million public transportation joint participation agreement from the Florida Department of Transportation to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, as well as a significant contribution from Silver Airways.

Silver Airways’ new facility will employ 200 people in the local Orlando-area community. The airline also employs an additional nearly 700 people throughout the State of Florida.

The project is a complete renovation that will be home to a 38,000 square-foot maintenance, repair and overhaul facility that includes two large aircraft hangars each capable of housing three to four aircraft, as well as office space. Silver Airways has committed to a long-term 30-year lease from the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority to headquarter its new maintenance facility in Orlando.

In other news, Silver Airways is resuming service in the following markets:

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood to Governor’s Harbour with three weekly flights (Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays).
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood to Great Exuma Island with five weekly flights (every day except Mondays and Thursdays).
Orlando to Marsh Harbour with daily service.
Jacksonville to Marsh Harbour with two weekly flights on Saturdays and Sundays.

Top Image: Silver Airways.

Silver Airways aircraft slide show:

Route Map:

Air Tahiti Nui set to become a new Boeing customer, will finalize an order for two 787-9 Dreamliners

Air Tahiti Nui (Papeete) is switching to Boeing for its long-range needs. The airline has announced it is committed to finalizing an order for two new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The new type will replace its aging fleet of Airbus A340-300s (above and below).

Boeing issued this statement:

Boeing is pleased that Air Tahiti Nui has announced a commitment to purchase two 787-9 Dreamliners (below). The order, valued at $514 million at current list prices, will be posted on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website when finalized.

Update: Separately on March 3, 2015 Air Lease Corporation (ALC) announced an agreement to lease two new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft to Air Tahiti Nui. Both aircraft are from ALC’s order book with Boeing and scheduled to deliver to French Polynesia’s flag carrier airline in the fall of 2018.

Above Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner N789EX (msn 41988) lands at Boeing Field.

Air Tahiti Nui, the flag-carrier for French Polynesia, has headquarters in Papeete and operates from Faa’a International Airport on the island of Tahiti.

Air Tahiti Nui aircraft slide show:

Route Map:

Video: Air Tahiti Nui using a GoPro camera:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7EP9Ko6IsY&w=560&h=315%5D

Video: Air Tahiti Nui. Celebrating 15 years of flying:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgimqd3Rnxk&w=560&h=315%5D

Airbus to increase the production rate of the A320 Family

Airbus (Toulouse) has issued this statement:

Airbus has decided to further increase the production rate for its A320 Family to 50 aircraft per month from Q1 2017, matching market demand. Additionally, Airbus is adjusting the A330 production rate to six a month from Q1 2016 as it transitions towards the A330neo.

With over 11,500 Airbus single aisle aircraft sold and more than 6,400 delivered to 317 operators, the A320 family which includes the A319, A320 and A321, is the world’s best-selling and most modern single aisle family.

British Airways unveils its “GREAT Festival of Creativity in Shanghai” special livery on G-YMML

British Airways (London) today rolled out at London Heathrow its brand new promotional livery on this Boeing 777-236 ER registered as G-YMML (msn 30313). The airline issued this statement about the new design:

“BA’s paint bay teams have brought a fantastic design, created by Chinese fashion designer Masha Ma, to life.

The Boeing 777-200 is a centrepiece of the airline’s contribution to the GREAT Festival of Creativity in Shanghai.

Click on the photo above for the full-size view.

The design by Ma on the Boeing 777-200 aircraft, depicts a bamboo and a rose in an east-meets-west fusion of symbols and artistic styles.

The Engineering team used specialist techniques to paint the aircraft with Ma’s design which combines a western impressionistic style with Chinese ink-and-wash painting techniques. The design took 2,472 manhours and 186 individual stencils to apply.

The festival, which runs from March 2 to 4 at the Long Museum in Shanghai, is part of the GREAT Britain campaign aimed at promoting the UK as a world-class destination for trade, tourism, investment and education to generate jobs and growth”.

British Airways aircraft slide show:

JAL to expand Wi-Fi service on its Boeing 767-300 ERs and 787-8 Dreamliners

Japan Airlines-JAL (Tokyo) has been introducing its in-flight Wi-Fi service since July 2012 with its Boeing 777-300 ERs. The airline will start to include Boeing 767-300 ERs and Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners to introducing its JAL SKY Wi-Fi service on more Europe, North America and long-haul Asia routes from March 3, 2015.

Under the theme of “Embrace new Challenges,” JAL is striving to introduce more innovative products and services to its customers.

From March 2015, JAL SKY Wi-Fi, in-flight internet service (paid service) will be expanded on both international and domestic routes. JAL will support onboard passengers to have seamless connectivity in the air just as they can on the ground.

Starting April 2015, JAL will provide customers with the latest Hollywood and Japanese movies and series of TV dramas on international routes. Well-received SKY MANGA will be available on the airline’s Boeing 787s in both Japanese and English in order to introducing the culture of Japanese manga.

On JAL domestic routes, Wi-Fi video service will be increased to 10 programs, and these free programs are available for watching through your own wireless LAN capable devices.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 767-346 ER JA608J (msn 33497) approaches the runway at the Tokyo (Narita) hub.

JAL aircraft slide show:

Turkish Airlines looking at the Airbus A380, profit nearly triples for 2014

Turkish Airlines (Turk Hava Yollari dba) (Istanbul) is looking at larger Airbus (including the A380) and Boeing aircraft as its traffic continues to expand according to this public disclosure. No decision has been made. Here is the airline statement:

“Our Incorporation has the talent to include any type of aircraft to its fleet and there are ongoing negotiations for all types of aircraft. As of today, there is no Board decision regarding the purchase or lease of an A380 aircraft. Turkish Airlines will not be operating an A380 aircraft in 2015.”

The airline continues;

“7 additional aircraft to enter the fleet in 2015 and the leasing of these aircraft are at the agreement stage. With the addition of these aircraft the 2015 year-end fleet will reach 300 and our traffic and financial guidance will be revised accordingly.”

Meanwhile on the financial side, net profit for 2014 increased to 1.82 billion lira ($723 million) from 683 million lira ($271.3 million) from the previous year.

Read the full financial report for 2014: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Given the pictured Boeing 777-300 ER is the current main long-range aircraft for Turkish, the commonalty with the larger Boeing 747-800 could intrigue the Turkish decision makers. Given Boeing needs to keep open the 747-800 production line, pricing for the Jumbo could be very competitive versus Airbus for its A380. Boeing 777-35R ER TC-JJA (msn 35160) arrives at New York (JFK).

Turkish Airlines aircraft slide show:

SAS sells another slot pair at London Heathrow Airport

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) has sold another slot pair at London’s slot-controlled Heathrow Airport. The airline issued this statement:

SAS has entered into a slot transaction with Turkish Airlines that will take over one afternoon slot-pair at London Heathrow from SAS at the beginning of the winter traffic program on October 25, 2015.

The transaction will generate a positive earnings impact of $22 million for SAS to be accounted for during the second quarter with a corresponding cash effect during calendar year 2015.

As part of creating balance between frequencies and capacity during the day and following the disposition of a morning slot-pair earlier in February 2015, SAS has entered into a second slot-pair transaction. Following this transaction, SAS will have 19 daily slot-pairs at London Heathrow and will still be the fifth largest airline operating at London Heathrow, measured in number of weekly departures. After this transaction, SAS does not have any plans to reduce its portfolio of slots.

SAS currently operates from London Heathrow to Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Oslo, Stockholm and Stavanger. SAS will continue to offer a strong and comprehensive network between Scandinavia and London Heathrow with the intention to keep the seat capacity to/from London Heathrow unchanged through the use of larger aircraft on remaining departures. As noted earlier in February 2015, SAS will consider the use of other airports in the London-region.

Following this transaction, Turkish Airlines will have 38 weekly slot-pairs at London Heathrow Airport.

Copyright Photo: SAS has pledged to use larger aircraft into London Heathrow. Scandinavian Airlines-SAS Airbus A321-232 LN-RKI (msn 1817), which formerly had the image of H.C. Andersen, taxies across the ramp at LHR.

SAS aircraft slide show:

Lufthansa announces its new First Class experience is available on all long-haul flights from Munich

Lufthansa (Frankfurt) has announced its new first class experience is available on all long-haul routes from its Munich hub. The airline issued this statement:

Lufthansa passengers can now experience the airline’s new First Class service on all long-haul flights from Munich. At the end of last week, the final Airbus A340-600 in the airline’s Munich-based long-haul fleet was retrofitted with the new First Class cabin. This winter, a total of 24 Airbus A340-600 and A330-300 aircraft will serve 22 intercontinental destinations from Munich.

This summer, the retrofit of the new First and Business Class cabins on the remainder of the long-haul fleet will be completed. By the end of 2015, all Lufthansa long-range aircraft will feature the new Premium Economy cabin. Altogether 11,000 seats are being installed on 105 aircraft.

Photo: Lufthansa.

In the award-winning First Class cabin, passengers can look forward to individual service and a wide selection of top-quality food and drinks. Each of the eight First Class seats can be extended to create a lie-flat bed measuring 2.07 meters in length and 80 cm in width, enabling passengers to enjoy a deep, relaxing sleep. The new Business Class seat offers exceptional comfort, whether in an upright or a reclining position.

At the press of a button, the seat converts into a comfortable bed with a horizontal sleeping surface measuring 1.98 meters in length. In Business Class, passengers can select what they want to watch from the expanded inflight entertainment programme and view it on their personal 15-inch monitor. The new Premium Economy Class offers 50 per cent more space plus an enhanced service, and passengers can also check in two items of baggage. In the course of this year, Lufthansa will offer its Business Class passengers a new, more personalized, restaurant-style service.

Top Copyright Photo: Rob Finlayson/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A340-642 D-AIHU (msn 848) touches down at Los Angeles International Airport.

Lufthansa aircraft slide show:

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