Jazeera Airways (Kuwait City) has issued this statement:
Celebrating the start of a new era, Jazeera Airways, a leading Kuwaiti carrier operating regionally and internationally, officially revealed its renewed corporate logo and advanced website upgrades (Jazeeraairways.com) as the advent of its various upcoming launches to meet the diversified needs of its customers and ensure a seamless travel experience.
Video:
Southwest Airlines (Dallas) has announced it will begin international service for Indianapolis travelers with new weekly service to Cancun, Mexico as the carrier extends its schedule through April 6, 2018. The new flights between Cancun and Indianapolis will operate seasonally on Saturdays beginning March 10, 2018.
As part of today’s flight schedule extension, the carrier is also offering new international service beginning March 8, 2018 between Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood and Aruba. Additionally, new nonstop service offered daily between Milwaukee and Houston (Hobby) will allow connections to destinations such as Belize, Cancun and Mexico City.
Beginning March 8, 2018, fly nonstop daily between:
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Fort Lauderdale and Aruba |
for as low as $69 one-way* |
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Milwaukee and Houston (Hobby) |
for as low as $69 one-way* |
*Purchase from July 27 through August 3, 2017, 11:59 p.m. in the respective time zone of the originating city. Domestic and International travel is valid March 8 through April 6, 2018. Service begins March 8, 2018. Domestic travel is not valid on Fridays and Sundays. International travel is valid Monday through Thursday.
Southwest begins seasonal weekly service on Saturdays between Detroit and Tampa as well as Omaha and Tampa.
On the financial side, Southwest reported its second quarter 2017 results:
Gary C. Kelly, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are very pleased to report another terrific quarter. As expected, we produced positive unit revenues compared with the strong year-ago performance. We had several notable achievements during second quarter, but the headline was the deployment of our new reservation system on May 9th. It was an historic milestone, the largest technology project in our history, and perhaps, one of the largest ever in the airline industry. The implementation was virtually flawless, although a new system is always challenging for the users. I want to thank all of our People who were involved in the development and deployment. It was superb. And, I want to thank all of our Frontline Employees for their hard work in learning and using their new system. The operations since May 9th have been superb, also. Once again, our Employees showcased their unmatched Hospitality and delivered a reliable product—a truly impressive achievement considering the record number of flights, Customers, and bags. Congratulations to our People and our Shareholders on a strong financial performance, which generated $202 million in profitsharing and $476 million in Shareholder returns.”
Fleet and Capacity
The Company ended second quarter 2017 with 735 aircraft in its fleet. This reflects the second quarter 2017 delivery of 13 new Boeing 737-800s and 5 pre-owned Boeing 737-700s, as well as the retirement of 10 Classic aircraft. During the second quarter, the Company also added three pre-owned 737-700 aircraft to its fleet order book to be delivered this year for 2018 service. Subsequent to June 30, 2017, the Company added one additional pre-owned 737-700 aircraft to its fleet order book to be delivered this year for 2018 service. With the addition of these four pre-owned 737-700 aircraft to its order book, the Company deferred its four remaining 737-800 options in 2018 and converted them to four Boeing 737 MAX 8 options, two in 2021 and two in 2022.
As of July 25, 2017, there were 67 Classic aircraft remaining in the Company’s fleet that it intends to retire by the end of third quarter 2017. Total aircraft, net of all Classic retirements, is expected to decline to 707 by year-end 2017 and grow to 750 aircraft by year-end 2018, as previously announced.
The Company currently expects its third quarter 2017 available seat miles (ASMs) to increase in the four to five percent range and its fourth quarter 2017 ASMs to increase in the one to two percent range, compared with the same year-ago periods. While the Company has not finalized its 2018 capacity plans, it currently estimates year-over-year ASM growth to be less than four percent in the first half of 2018, and its full year 2018 ASM growth to be less than its 2016 year-over-year ASM growth of 5.7 percent. Additional information regarding the Company’s aircraft delivery schedule is included in the accompanying tables.
The Company continues to fine tune its network and introduce new markets that not only strengthen its Customer brand appeal, but also support its revenue and profitability targets. In late April, the Company began international service daily between San Diego and San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos, Mexico. In June, the Company consolidated its Ohio operations and launched service to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The same day, the Company also launched service to Grand Cayman from Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Additionally, the Company has announced plans to concentrate its service to Cuba in Havana and will cease operations at Varadero and Santa Clara in September. In November, the Company expects to begin international nonstop service weekly from both Nashville and St. Louis to Cancun (CUN), as well as daily service between Providenciales, Turks & Caicos and FLL beginning in the same month, all subject to requisite governmental approvals. And just this morning, the Company published a flight schedule extension through April 6, 2018, which includes new international service weekly between Indianapolis and CUN that is expected to begin in March 2018 and is also subject to governmental approvals.
Top Copyright Photo: Southwest intends to retire its last Boeing 737-300 by the end of the third quarter. By agreement, the new Boeing 737 MAX 8 will be introduced when the last 737-300 is retired.
Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-3H4 HL N654SW (msn 28399) SFO (Mark Durbin). Image: 925717.
Spirit Airlines, Inc. reported second quarter 2017 financial results.
“The progress we made with our revenue initiatives, as well as the underlying revenue trends as we headed into the June quarter, were encouraging. Unfortunately, given the level of operational disruptions and the associated financial impact, the second quarter 2017 performance overall was disappointing. We sincerely apologize to our customers who were affected by the flight disruptions during the quarter,” said Bob Fornaro, Spirit’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Despite our financial and operational challenges in the second quarter 2017, the changes in our pricing and revenue management strategies helped to drive year-over-year improvement in passenger and non-ticket revenue per segment — this is the first time in over two and a half years either of these metrics increased year over year.”
Revenue Performance
For the second quarter 2017, Spirit’s total operating revenue was $701.7 million, an increase of 20.1 percent compared to the second quarter 2016, driven by a 9.3 percent increase in flight volume and a 7.1 percent increase in operating yields.
Total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) for the second quarter 2017 increased 5.7 percent compared to the same period last year. During the second quarter 2017, the Company’s results benefited from the calendar shift of Easter, as well as Company driven revenue initiatives and a strong underlying demand environment.
On a per passenger flight segment basis, total revenue for the second quarter 2017 increased 8.5 percent year over year to $113.07 with ticket revenue per passenger flight segment increasing 13.4 percent to $59.93 and non-ticket per passenger flight segment increasing 3.5 percent to $53.14.
Cost Performance
For the second quarter 2017, total GAAP operating expense, including special items of $1.5 million3, increased 23.1 percent, or $106.6 million, year over year to $568.9 million. Adjusted operating expense for the second quarter 2017 increased 25.1 percent, or $113.7 million to $567.5 million4. The increase in both GAAP and adjusted operating expense was primarily driven by an increase in flight volume, higher passenger re-accommodation expense (recorded within other operating expenses), and higher fuel rates.
Aircraft fuel expense increased in the second quarter 2017 by 25.7 percent, or $29.1 million, compared to the same period last year, due to a 12.9 percent increase in the cost of fuel per gallon and a 11.1 percent increase in fuel gallons consumed.
Spirit reported second quarter 2017 cost per available seat mile (“ASM”), excluding special items and fuel (“Adjusted CASM ex-fuel”), of 5.83 cents4, an increase of 10.0 percent compared to the same period last year, driven primarily by higher passenger re-accommodation expense per ASM and higher depreciation and amortization per ASM.
Pilot-Related Cancellations
During the second quarter 2017, the Company had over 850 pilot-related flight cancellations. The Company estimates these pilot-related cancellations adversely impacted its second quarter 2017 results by approximately $45 million (approximately $25 million of revenue loss and $20 million of additional operating costs, primarily related to higher passenger re-accommodation expense). The Company estimates that had these cancellations not occurred, TRASM for the second quarter would have been up approximately 6.5 percent year over year (with the Easter shift accounting for approximately 400 basis points of the year over year increase) and Adjusted CASM ex-fuel would have been up approximately 2.0 percent year over year.
“While our cost performance for the second quarter was not satisfactory, we do not believe it materially changes our long-term cost outlook and are confident that we will continue to maintain, or grow, our relative cost advantage,” said Ted Christie, Spirit’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Labor
Spirit and its pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, remain in open contract negotiations under the supervision of the National Mediation Board.
Fleet
Spirit took delivery of three new A320ceo aircraft and one new A321ceo aircraft during the second quarter 2017, ending the quarter with 104 aircraft in its fleet.
Recent New Service Announcements
Hartford – Orlando (4/27/17)
Hartford – Myrtle Beach (4/27/17)*
Akron-Canton – Las Vegas (4/27/17)
Akron-Canton – Myrtle Beach (4/27/17)*
Newark – Houston (4/27/17)
Houston – Seattle (4/27/17)*
Baltimore – New Orleans (5/25/17)
Baltimore – Oakland (5/25/17)*
Baltimore – San Diego (5/25/17)
Baltimore – Seattle (5/25/17)
Cleveland – New Orleans (5/25/17)
Detroit – Oakland (5/25/17)*
Detroit – Seattle ( 5/25/17)*
Orlando – New Orleans (5/25/17)
Pittsburgh – Dallas (5/25/17)
Pittsburgh – Myrtle Beach (5/25/17)*
Hartford – Fort Lauderdale (6/15/17)
Pittsburgh – Fort Lauderdale (6/16/17)
Pittsburgh – Las Vegas (6/22/17)
Pittsburgh – Orlando (6/22/17)
Pittsburgh – Los Angeles (7/13/17)
Pittsburgh – Houston (7/13/17)
Pittsburgh – Fort Myers (11/9/17)**
Pittsburgh – Tampa (11/9/17)**
Hartford – Fort Myers (11/9/17)**
Hartford – Tampa (11/9/17)**
Baltimore – Cancun (11/9/17)
Chicago – Cancun (11/9/17)
* Seasonal Summer Service
** Seasonal Winter Service
Copyright Photo: Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-232 WL N641NK (msn 6566) BWI (Tony Storck). Image: 928992.
FAT – Far Eastern AIr Transport (Taipei-Songshan) has officially introduced its first ATR 72-600 (ATR 72-212A) (B-28068, msn 1110, ex Jettime OY-JZA) at a hangar event at Songshan Airport. FAT is planning to start operations soon with new type after CAA certification.
All copyright photos by Manuel Negrerie.
Route Map:
WestJet Airlines (Calgary) has announced an additional 55 weekly nonstop flights this winter from Toronto Pearson International Airport to key domestic business destinations as well as popular sun spots in the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. The service is part of the airline’s seasonal schedule for the winter of 2017-18.
Details of WestJet’s increased service from Toronto:
WestJet also announced the addition of dozens of new flights across Canada. The additional flights deliver optimized service for both the business and leisure traveller and give Canadians greater connectivity into and out of WestJet hubs in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto, providing more flight frequency between key routes, better scheduling and greater access from smaller airports into the wider WestJet network.
Highlights of WestJet’s 2017-18 winter schedule include:
This winter WestJet will operate an average of 700 daily flights to 93 destinations including 37 in Canada, 22 in the United States, 33 in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America and one in Europe.
Copyright Photo: WestJet Airlines Boeing 737-8CT SSWL C-GWSZ (msn 37092) (Walt Disney World – Magic Plane) YVR (Steve Bailey). Image: 936503.
Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu) has announced the first schedules for its upcoming new Airbus A321neo aircraft. The first A321 daily route will be between Kahului, Maui and Portland, Oregon starting on January 18, 2018.
The second route will be between Kona, Hawaii and Los Angeles starting on March 11, 2018.
The third route will connect Lihue, Kauai with Oakland commencing on April 11, 2018.
The airline issued this statement:
Hawaiian Airlines will expand its U.S. West Coast presence with the arrival of an A321neo fleet by adding three new nonstop daily routes early next year: Portland-Maui; Oakland-Kaua‘i; and Los Angeles-Kona.
The new A321neo service between Portland (PDX) and Maui (OGG) will launch on January 18. Hawaiian’s seasonal widebody service currently offered between Oakland (OAK) and Kaua‘i (LIH) through September 4 will resume April 11 as a daily A321neo flight. Daily service between Los Angeles (LAX) and Kona (KOA) on the Island of Hawai‘i launches March 11 with widebody aircraft before the A321neo is introduced in the summer of 2018.
Hawaiian’s inaugural A321neo flight between the U.S. West Coast and Hawai‘i is planned for January 8 on its existing OAK-OGG service. Additional routes will be announced as Hawaiian welcomes 18 new A321neo aircraft between the fourth quarter of 2017 and 2020.
Hawaiian’s signature style flows throughout the A321neo’s three cabins, including 16 luxurious leather recliners in the Premium Cabin, 45 Extra Comfort premium economy seats, and 128 Economy class seats. All seats are equipped with complimentary high-power USB outlets for device charging, while guests in the Premium Cabin and Extra Comfort seats will enjoy access to an additional AC power outlet. Pivoting overhead bins maximize the space for carry-on luggage.
Hawaiian carefully designed its A321neo cabin interiors with textiles and materials that reflect traditional island crafts, from bark cloth (kapa) to fishing nets, and even LED lighting mirroring Hawai‘i’s idyllic sunrises and sunsets.
New to Hawaiian’s guest experience, the A321neo will feature wireless streaming in-flight entertainment. Guests will be able to simply download an application on their personal electronic devices to enjoy a wide selection of complimentary and premium content, including movies, TV shows, music and other exclusive programming. Holders for personal hand-held devices and tablets will be integrated into the tray tables of the Premium Cabin as well as the first row of Extra Comfort, and built into the backrest of all other seats.
The A321neo boasts the quietest and most fuel-efficient engines for this aircraft type, along with aerodynamic wingtips called Sharklets that significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Image: Airbus.
Air Côte d’Ivoire, the Ivory Coast’s flagship airline based in Abidjan, received its new Airbus A320 at a ceremony that was held at the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse on Monday, July 17, 2017. This ceremony was jointly presided over by Didier Evrard, Airbus Executive Vice President Programmes and General Abdoulaye Coulibaly, Chairman of Air Côte d’Ivoire’s Board of Directors.
Air Côte d’Ivoire already operates six Airbus aircraft (four A319s and two A320) in the framework of a leasing contract. Air Côte d’Ivoire operates 25 different domestic routes in West Africa and Central Africa.
The cabin of the aircraft is configured in two classes (16 business class and 132 economy class seats). The business class offering provides an unbeatable level of comfort with the new “Celeste” seat provided by Stelia Aerospace, while the economy class provides a high level of service, particularly in terms of the lighting system and internet connectivity.
Air Côte d’Ivoire currently flies to 20 international destinations located in West and Central Africa, and to five domestic destinations.
Photo: Airbus. Airbus A320-214 TU-TSV (msn 7742) was the new aircraft accepted.
Regional Routes:
Jetlines (Canada Jetlines Ltd.) is now planning to launch scheduled low-fare passenger operations for the summer of 2018.
Jetlines plans to establish its base in Vancouver along with base in southern Ontario and a secondary base at Winnipeg. The company plans to start with four Boeing 737-700s or 737-800s and expand to 40 aircraft over the first eight years.
The CEO is Stan Gadek, formerly of Sun Country Airlines and AirTran Airways.
The upstart has also revised its planned livery and logo.
The company stated its philospohy and goals:
Who We Are
Canada Jetlines Ltd. is a publicly traded company set to become Canada’s first ultra-low fare airline to serve the millions of Canadians living in unserved or underserved markets across the country with an alternative to the unreasonably high cost of air travel in Canada.
Jetlines will use the proven and profitable ultra-low cost carrier (ULCC) model which has enjoyed decades of success in every other industrialized region of the world where leisure travel passengers are offered air tickets at fraction of the prices currently available in Canada to create a whole new audience of passengers, along with a plan to retain them by demonstrating a “passion for service” unrecognizable in the current market.
In order to meet the significant demand for low fares and direct flights, Jetlines will fly point to point across Canada and non-stop from Canada to the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean from 30+ secondary airports that offer better access, and cheaper prices combined with a more stress-free and comfortable travel experience.
With support from our partners at Boeing, InterVISTAS, and other industry specialists, Jetlines is currently developing a detailed route model and targets to begin commercial operations with six Boeing 737 aircraft within its first year. Jetlines recently gained unprecedented government support with the grant of a five-year Foreign Ownership Exemption Order allowing up to 49% foreign voting interests in Jetlines, an increase from the 25% that is otherwise permitted. This exemption has opened up avenues for financing and paved the way for Jetlines to pursue the value creating catalysts needed to move the Company towards initiating commercial passenger service by the second half of 2018.
What We Stand For
Our philosophy is simple, we want to offer Canada affordable airfares with a passion for service. We want to offer a memorable travel experience at a great value. Our motto, “Flying Your Way”, is rooted in the belief that customers want the opportunity to create their own personal travel experience.
This is an airline that will appeal to people who wish to save money when traveling by air; people who value low-base fares, convenience, great service, safety, and want the option to fly their way. By applying the proven ULCC model, not only will more Canadians fly more often, but a new market of Canadian travelers will emerge, comprised of people who:
Our Values:
Our Customer Service Value Proposition:
Planned route map:
Update: Jetlines on September 11, 2017 changes its strategy and is now refocusing on the Toronto area:
Canada Jetlines Ltd. on September 11, 2017 announcd that it intends to offer ultra-low fare service from both John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport and Region of Waterloo International Airport, when it begins flight operations in Summer 2018.
Stan Gadek, CEO of Jetlines stated “the high demand for lower airfares in the Toronto Metropolitan Area has led to the decision to base our flying in this region. As a result, we are pleased to announce that we have entered into an agreement with the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport and are in active discussions with Region of Waterloo International Airport. The combined service area for these airports includes nearly four million people. This factored significantly in our decision to serve both airports.”
President & CEO for John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, Vijay Bathija, said “as Hamilton International continues to grow as a low-cost airport in the Toronto Metropolitan Area, the Airport is pleased that Jetlines has chosen Hamilton as its Eastern focus city providing further low-cost travel options for Hamilton and the region.”
General Manager for Region of Waterloo International Airport, Chris Wood, said “We look forward to continuing discussions with Jetlines as they plan the launch of a new ULCC to serve the very dynamic economy in the Waterloo Region.”
Jetlines plans to offer ultra-low fare service to the major markets in Canada and select destinations in the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean. Mr. Gadek added “Canadians are overpaying for air travel and we intend to change that. By offering customers the freedom to select the travel experience they want in addition to getting every day ultra-low fares, Jetlines will change the way that Canadians fly.”
Jetlines plans to operate modern Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft in a 189 seat, all-coach configuration.
Updated Route Map:
All images by Jetlines.
Tigerair (Singapore) (originally Tiger Airways) is going away. Parent Singapore Airlines has decided to consolidate its budget airline subsidiaries under the Scoot brand and name on July 25, 2017. Tigerair’s (Singapore) aircraft are being repainted in Scoot’s livery. Tigerair’s TR code will survive and will be transferred to Scoot, replacing Scoot’s TZ code.
Tigerair Taiwan and Tigerair Australia will continue to operate under the Tigerair brand.
Scoot issued this statement:
Since May 2016, Scoot and Tigerair has been working to integrate reservation systems, flight schedules and connections, conditions of carriage, check-in counters and call centers. Those integrations have since been completed.
On July 25, 2017, the integration will be finalized and Scoot and Tigerair will merge to operate under a single brand, Scoot. With the merger, Tigerair will operate under the Scoot brand, however the Scoot designator code (TZ) will be re-designated as TR. This merger is part of our long-term growth strategy and to enable a more seamless travel experience for all our guests.
Top Copyright Photo: Tigerair (Singapore) Airbus A320-232 WL 9V-TRI (msn 5596) BKK (Michael B. Ing). Image: 924909.
Video: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1X9Iaz-rjM&w=560&h=315%5D
Map: Tigerair (Singapore) destinations are in orange:
Aer Lingus (Dublin) unveiled a 1956 livery on this Douglas DC-3 at Dublin Airport on the afternoon of July 20, 2017. The event was titled “Aer Lingus celebrates Irish Aviation History”. The airliner arrived at Dublin from Shannon (above, by Michael Kelly).
The C-47A-DK (DC-3) is currently registered as ZS-NTE (msn 11926) and is based in Germany. The propliner also carries the historic EI-ACD Irish registration.
Historically the EI-ACD registration was previously used on an actual Aer Lingus DC-3.
Copyright Photo Above: Springbok Classic Air Douglas C-47A-DK (DC-3) ZS-NTE (msn 11926) QRA (Keith Burton). Image: 938726.
The aircraft arrived at Shannon from Zweibrucken on June 13, 2017 in the Springbok Classic Air livery (above) and it was painted by IAC at Shannon.
At the publicity event at Dublin, it was announced that the aircraft, named “St. Gall”, would remain in the Aer Lingus historic livery. This beautiful aircraft will participate in air shows across Europe over the next five years according to the airline.
The DC-3 above and below (copyright photos by Michael Kelly) is fitted with 28 seats in a 2-2 configuration. There is a crew jump seat beside the rear passenger door.
Oddly the seats previously were fitted in a South African Airways Boeing 747SP.
“St. Gall” will take part in the 70th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift in 2018 and the “Daks over Normandy Anniversary” event in June 2019.
Aer Lingus took delivery of its first Douglas DC-3 in April 1940. The first DC-3 revenue flight was from Dublin to Liverpool on May 7, 1940.
Aer Lingus operated a total of 19 Douglas DC-3s from 1940 until April 1964 when the type was retired.
The Irish Historic Flight issued this statement:
“The IHFF is delighted to be associated with the appearance of a flying Douglas DC-3 in Ireland during the summer of 2017. This project was initiated by IHFF board member Hugh Flynn and made possible by the support of Aer Lingus, which originally operated the DC-3 between 1940 and April 1964.
The DC-3 appearing in Ireland was manufactured in September 1943 and is currently registered ZS-NTE. It served with the Royal Air Force until transfer to the South African Air Force in 1945. There it remained until retired in 1995. It was sold and registered ZS-NTE and after a period of 7 years in storage was restored to flying condition in 2009 and modified from a C47 cargo version to a DC3 passenger configuration.
The pilots who will be flying ZS-NTE while in Ireland are Flippie Vermeulen and Noel Flynn. Flippie is a retired Captain from South African Airways and the previous owner and current operator of the aircraft in his company, Springbok Safaris. Noel is a training Captain with Cargolux Airlines in Luxembourg and flies B747-8 and -400 series cargo aircraft.
Aer Lingus introduced the DC-3 in April 1940 but World War 2 interfered with operations and the type became more relevant when nine former USAAF C-47s were purchased in 1945, seven of which were converted to DC-3 airliner standard and two were parted out. In addition, two new DC-3s were delivered off the Douglas production line in February 1946. These became core to the fleet in expanding services to cities including London, Amsterdam and Paris. The replacement aircraft was the Fokker F.27 Friendship, but these did not replace all of the DC-3s, and five aircraft remained in service until 1963-1964.
Aer Lingus has funded and supported the arrival of the DC-3 to Ireland in summer 2017. This includes the accurate painting of the DC-3 in the livery deployed in 1956. Aer Lingus will showcase the aircraft at a number of events including the Bray Air Display on Sunday, July 23, 2017.”
Copyright Photos: Michael Kelly. Aer Lingus (Springbok Classic Air) Douglas C-47A-DK (DC-3) ZS-NTE (EI-ACD) (msn 11926) DUB (Michael Kelly). Image: 938723.
