Monthly Archives: April 2018

ANA to merge Peach and Vanilla

ANA – All Nippon Airways is planning to merge its partly-owned low-fare Peach Aviation and fully-owned Vanilla Air subsidiaries by March 2020. Peach will be the surviving brand.

The new Peach will be Japan’s largest budget airline.

ANA is also planning to expand its ownership in Peach from the current 67 percent to 77.9 percent.

Peach is planning to expand its fleet to more than 50 aircraft after the merger.

ANA issued this statement on March 22, 2018:

To further build on the respective successes of Peach Aviation Limited (Peach) and Vanilla Air INC. (Vanilla) and position them for future growth, ANA Holdings has announced the integration of its two subsidiary airlines, Peach and Vanilla, with the goal to become the leading low cost carrier (LCC) in the Asian region. The process of full integration is planned to start in the second half of the FY2018, with the target to be completed by the end of FY2019, with Peach being designated as the basis of the integrated airline.

Following the integration, the airline will serve as a strong foundation for further fleet growth and network expansions from Osaka Kansai Airport as well as from Tokyo Narita Airport. In addition, the airline will stimulate potential demand in Japan and from abroad through attractive service, various innovations and fares that exceed expectations.

History of the two LCCs:

Peach Aviation started its operations from Osaka Kansai Airport in March 2012 as the first Japanese branded LCC with the concept of “The Flying Train (safe, easy and cheap).” The carrier has raised the value of its customer experience through a number of ideas that were revolutionary to the aviation industry. Peach has been the leading carrier among the LCCs in Japan with its stable operational quality and its progressive management strategy.

Vanilla Air started its operations from Tokyo Narita Airport in December 2013. With the help of the huge demand in the Tokyo metropolitan area, the carrier actively expanded its network of domestic and international routes. One of the significant landmarks of Vanilla’s achievements is the revitalization of local Japan destinations such as Amami-Oshima, by creating and carrying new leisure demand to the region. Vanilla has also played a big role in bringing a large number of inbound passengers to Japan from Asian countries such as Taiwan.

Purpose of the Integration

The integration will combine and further enhance the strengths the two LCCs have today, and will create a stronger competitive advantage to further promote not only the Japan domestic service, but also capture the strong demand for visitors to Japan. Beyond FY2020, the airline plans to have more than 50 aircraft operating on more than 50 routes, up from the 35 aircraft today and the 39 routes currently served.

By FY2020, the integrated LCC plans to enter the mid-haul LCC market to aggressively incorporate the growing travel demand in Asia, and will also contribute to the Japanese government’s goal of 40 million people visiting Japan in 2020.

With target revenue of 150 billion Japanese yen and an operating profit of 15 billion Japanese yen for FY2020, the strategy will contribute to increased operational efficiency and reduction of unit costs. ANA group will maintain the strategic independence of the integrated LCC, and position the airline as an important pillar for greater profits and new opportunities for future expansion, and become the leading LCC in Asia.

Peach Route Map:

Vanilla Air Route Map:

Top Copyright Photo: Peach Aviation (Japan) Airbus A320-214 JA817P (msn 6824) NRT (Michael B. Ing). Image: 934246.

Peach aircraft slide show:

Vanilla Air aircraft slide show:

Bottom Copyright Photo: The Vanilla Air brand will be slipping away. Vanilla Air Airbus A320-214 WL JA06VA (msn 6320) NRT (Michael B. Ing). Image: 934241.

Flair Airlines expands in the west

Flair Airlines (Kelowna) is expanding in WestJet’s backyard.

The low-fare carrier has announced it will start a new route from Saskatoon to Edmonton starting on June 15.

The airline has also announced new nonstop flights between Winnipeg and Calgary and Vancouver along with Edmonton and Prince George and Victoria, and finally between Toronto (Pearson) and Halifax.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Flair Airlines): Flair Airlines Boeing 737-490 C-FLRS (msn 28888) YVR (Rob Rindt). Image: 941106.

Flair Airlines aircraft slide show:

Silver Airways takes delivery of its first ATR 42-600, introduces a new look

Silver Airways on April 13 took delivery of its first ATR 42-600 at the Toulouse plant for ATR.

The pictured N400SV (msn 1214) sports a bright new livery featuring a flamingo named “Bella”. The inscription at the nose reads “Mile Marker Zero” implying there will be more images from Florida coming on subsequent deliveries.

The new Silver Airways logo now features a flamingo.

Silver Airways is also featuring flamingos in their ads.

As previously reported, Silver Airways ordered16 ATR 42-600s and four ATR 72-600s.

This follows a deal between ATR and Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) for the purchase of 15 ATR -600s, of which 12 will be ATR 42-600s and three will be ATR 72-600s.

These aircraft, along with five from an existing order between ATR and NAC, will be leased to Silver Airways, making them the first operator of ATR -600 series aircraft in the US.

The aircraft, an ATR 42-600, will be configured with 46 seats in a 2-2 seating configuration, with a pitch of up to 32 inches. The remaining deliveries are expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2020. Crew training will be conducted by ATR at its new training facility in Miami, which is home to a Full Flight Simulator (FFS) for the ATR -600 series aircraft.

The brand new ATR -600s will replace Silver Airways’ existing fleet of 21 Saab 340B turboprops, while increasing the frequency of main routes and opening new air services to destinations in Florida, the southern United States and Caribbean.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Silver Airways): Silver Airways ATR 42-600 N400SV (msn 1214) TLS (Eurospot). Image: 941568.

Silver Airways aircraft slide show:

Delta looks back on the 10th Anniversary of the Northwest merger

Ten years ago, Delta made history when it announced a merger with Northwest Airlines – a pairing that would create a global powerhouse that is today the acknowledged industry leader.

“To many Delta and Northwest veterans, including myself, it seems like just yesterday,” CEO Ed Bastian wrote in a memo to employees. “It is remarkable how far we have come since then.”

The announcement 10 years ago Sunday was just the beginning of a massive integration that brought the two airlines together. The merger became official on October 29, 2008, and Delta and Northwest’s operating certificates were merged on December 31, 2009.

Since then, the combined Delta has dramatically increased its global footprint, achieved reliability that is the envy of its competitors, and consistently outperforms its peers in customer service and financial performance.

Even as competitors responded with their own mergers, Delta’s success in the immensely complicated task of combining the two airlines gave it a major advantage.

“As the merger took hold, the performance grew stronger and not just in the financials,” wrote business columnist and airline commentator Mitchell Schnurman on the merger’s fifth anniversary. “Mergers may be painful, but the payoff can be huge if done right.”

Consider:

In April 2008, Delta’s stock was valued at $7.99 per share. On Thursday, the stock traded above $53.
Operating revenue of both airlines combined has grown 20 percent during the decade.
Profit-sharing has resulted in record-breaking payouts to Delta people, with more than $5 billion distributed, a feat no other company has ever matched. Meanwhile, average compensation has increased by 80 percent since the merger.
Delta is setting the bar for the in-flight experience with the flagship A350 aircraft and an ongoing fleet renewal that is improving efficiency and reliability.
Delta’s network today is truly global thanks in part to a unique partnership strategy with leading international airlines Virgin Atlantic, Air France-KLM, Aeromexico, Korean Air and others.
Delta has invested $7 billion in airport infrastructure since the merger, with another $12 billion coming during the next five years. The investments will allow Delta to design the airports of the future in New York, Atlanta, Seattle, Salt Lake City and Los Angeles.
The airline’s people-focused culture remains the foundation of the business.

The Northwest tie-up was the latest in a history of mergers that have helped fuel Delta’s success. Delta’s “family tree” (below) includes Chicago & Southern Air Lines; Western Airlines; Northeast Airlines and the trans-Atlantic and shuttle routes owned by Pan Am.

“We are incredibly fortunate to be part of this unique family that was expanded 10 years ago and continues to grow,” Bastian wrote in his letter. “I, for one, can’t wait to see what the next 10 years bring.”

Delta-Northwest Family Tree:

Above Copyright Photo: Northwest Orient Airlines (Northwest Airlines) Boeing 747-151 N602US (msn 19779) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 101343.

Northwest Airlines aircraft slide show:

Videos:

Giant Pandas are transported by Volga-Dnepr to Finland

Giant Pandas Lumi and Pyry have settled into their new home at Ahtari Zoo in Finland after travelling from China onboard one of Volga-Dnepr Airlines’ freighter aircraft.

The delivery of Lumi and Pyry was performed under a joint program of the People’s Republic of China and Finland aimed at the preservation and study of giant pandas. Their arrival in Finland followed the signing of an agreement in 2017 by the Preservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas in Dujiangyan, which agreed to transfer the two pandas to Ahtari Zoo for a set time period.

During the flight, the pandas were accompanied by one of their keepers and a vet from the Finnish zoo, who ensured their safety and well-being throughout the journey. To monitor the conditions onboard the aircraft, special measuring equipment was acquired for the flight. One hour before landing, the crew gradually lowered the temperature in the cargo hold to 10°C to help the pandas acclimatize gradually for their arrival in snow-covered Helsinki. Onboard the aircraft, they enjoyed their usual food rations, including chopped bamboo shoots, carrots and apples.

In support of other wildlife preservation projects, in recent months Volga-Dnepr Airlines has safely delivered two Southern White Rhinos from the Zoological Center Ramat Gan in Israel to Rostov-on-Don Zoo in Russia, while the Group’s Atran Airlines delivered rare and protected Przhevalsky horses for Orenburgsky National Nature Reserve for a third time as part of a reintroduction program in Russia’s Ural Steppe.

Interesting facts:

The Chinese preservation park held an official farewell ceremony for the pandas, which was widely covered by local and national Chinese media. Finland’s Ambassador in China was on hand to issue symbolic Schengen visas to the pandas.

Lumi and Pyry were greeted by Finland’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, China’s Ambassador to Finland, Ahtari authorities and other distinguished guests at the VIP terminal at Helsinki Vantaa Airport.

To mark the special mission, a special giant panda sticker was placed on the fuselage of Volga-Dnepr’s IL-76TD-90VD.

Lumi and Pyry are expected to live at Ahtari Zoo for between 10 to 15 years and will return to their homeland after that. Their cubs, if any, will also go to China with their parents, which is provided under the agreement.

Photos: Volga-Dnepr Airlines.

Video:

Norwegian to increase USA flights from Ireland and Scotland this winter

Norwegian is increasing flights from Edinburgh, Dublin and Shannon airports to the USA during the winter season.

Europe’s third largest low-cost airline launched a series of transatlantic routes from Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin, Cork and Shannon last summer to the US east coast. Norwegian operates brand new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with up to 189 seats to service the routes which serve smaller airports on the US east coast. These airports give passengers more affordable access to the New York and Boston areas in addition to tourist attractions in New England.

From October 28, Norwegian will commence an increased winter 2018 schedule with the following added flights:

Dublin

At Dublin Airport, Norwegian will continue its increased summer schedule to New York Stewart International Airport and Providence into the winter season with a double daily service and daily service respectively. Fares are now available from €129 to Providence and from €139 to New York.

The airline will use 737 MAX aircraft that are currently based at Dublin Airport, New York Stewart International and Providence airports to service the winter increases. These existing aircraft are being used to operate the current summer schedule at Dublin Airport.

Shannon

At Shannon Airport, Norwegian will deliver a daily service to New York Stewart International Airport this winter as the carrier increases its flights from two a week from the previous winter.

Norwegian will use existing aircraft based at New York Stewart International Airport to service the increased New York route which are being used to operate the current summer schedule at Shannon Airport.

Edinburgh

Norwegian will maintain daily transatlantic flights at Edinburgh Airport this winter by increasing the New York route to a daily service, up from three flights a week in the previous winter.

The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft based at Edinburgh Airport, which is being used to service the current summer schedule at Edinburgh Airport, will be used to service the increased New York route from the Scottish capital this winter.

Norwegian also operates the first transatlantic flights in Cork Airport’s 50-year history with a three-weekly service to Providence and the only nonstop services from Belfast to the USA in the busier summer season. Flights from Cork to Providence and Belfast to New York will continue through October and have been received positively by travellers on both sides of the Atlantic. Norwegian will continue to assess its route schedule for summer 2019.

Norwegian is the world’s sixth largest low-cost airline, carrying around 30 million passengers per year to more than 150 global destinations. The airline has around 150 aircraft in its fleet with an average age of 3.6 years, making it one of the world’s youngest fleets – the airline also has more than 150 additional new aircraft on order.

Copyright Photo: Norwegian.com (Norwegian Air International) (Ireland) Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 EI-FYC (msn 42825) (Jonathan Swift, Irish writer) DUB (Michael Kelly). Image: 939774.

Norwegian (Ireland) aircraft slide show:

Aeroflot resumes service to Cairo

Aeroflot Russian Airlines on April 11 resumed regular flights between Moscow and Cairo. Flights are scheduled three times per week on Airbus A320 aircraft, and will depart/arrive at Sheremetyevo Airport’s Terminal F.

Even though air service between Russia and Egypt has been interrupted for such a long time, the load factor on upcoming flights is more than 85%.

Flights between Moscow and Cairo will be operated on the following schedules (all local times):

Flight SU 400 will be operated weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, departing Moscow at 20:50 and arriving in Cairo at 00:25.

Flight SU 401 will be operated weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, departing Cairo at 01:25 and arriving in Moscow at 06:50.

Flights between the Russian and Egyptian capitals will operate daily from June 12 to July 2. This is due to the increased demand for air transportation during this period.

Aeroflot aircraft slide show:

GECAS leases 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8s to Jet Airways

GECAS has committed to lease twelve Boeing 737-8 MAX 8s to Jet Airways (India) Limited with deliveries commencing from June 12, 2018 and continuing into 2020.

Six of these MAX aircraft will be from GECAS’ skyline order while the other six are from sale and lease back transactions from Jet Airways’ order book. The new technology aircraft are fitted with CFM-LEAP-1B27 engines.

Image: GECAS.

United Airlines adds free entertainment options across its fleet

United Airlines announced better entertainment options for customers to make their next flight fly by. United has expanded its personal device entertainment option to all aircraft with DIRECTV live streaming for purchase to provide at least one free entertainment option on all Wi-Fi equipped aircraft (which is any aircraft with more than 70 seats). Between February and April of this year, the airline installed personal device entertainment onto more than 200 aircraft that previously only offered DIRECTV. Customers can now use a personal laptop, Apple iOS device or Android device to access a library of complimentary movies and TV shows, in addition to having the opportunity to purchase DIRECTV to view live programming.

“Whether it is seatback on-demand, DIRECTV or personal device entertainment, we offer customers hundreds of hours of programming to enjoy during their travels,” said Mark Krolick, vice president of marketing at United Airlines. “We’re excited to expand our personal device entertainment offering, which has been a popular option amongst many of our customers who tend to bring their own devices when they travel.”

To enhance personal device entertainment, on select flights during the busy summer travel season, United will distribute free cardboard phone stands which prop up devices and allow hands free viewing. The airline continues installing in-seat power outlets to help customers keep their devices charged while watching their favorite movies and shows.

United is also committed to improving the entertainment options for customers with disabilities. Earlier this year, the airline began offering a new main menu category on seatback on-demand that is labeled Accessible Entertainment. This new section makes it easier for customers with hearing and vision challenges to find accessible entertainment options, grouping all of the titles that are either audio descriptive or closed captioned in one main menu category. Seatback on-demand is one of United’s entertainment options available on 757, 767, 777 and 787 aircraft. The carrier currently offers approximately 20 different movies and TV shows that are audio descriptive and more than 50 that include English closed captioning. Select DIRECTV channels also include closed captioning when the TV station makes it available. United continues to add additional accessible entertainment and screening options across its fleet.

Unique highlights of United’s personal device entertainment programming include: an exclusive partnership with VEVO, delivering new, curated music video playlists each month; relaxation content including Headspace, a popular meditation app and Moodica, which takes the brain on a much-needed vacation using videos.

Customers can download the latest United app to access personal device entertainment on Apple or Android mobile devices. Visit www.unitedprivatescreening.com to learn about onboard entertainment options, watch movie trailers and filter content by language, genre, audio description and closed captioning that will be available on upcoming flights.

Video:

Joon announces two new destinations from Paris

Joon from October 28, 2018, will serve two new destinations in its medium-haul network on departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle – Bergen in Norway and Budapest in Hungary.

Bergen, a new destination for the Air France-KLM group, will be operated with 1 daily flight and Budapest with 3 daily flights. These two destinations will increase service to Air France’s hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and will offer the group’s customers multiple connecting opportunities throughout Joon and Air France’s long-haul network.

Joon, the new-generation travel experience by Air France, is a constantly increasing offer with even more destinations in summer 2018 – Cairo, Cape Town, Fortaleza, Mahé, Mumbai and Tehran for our long-haul destinations, and Oslo, Rome, Naples, Istanbul which join our medium-haul offer to Berlin, Barcelona, Porto and Lisbon, launched in autumn 2017!

Previously on March 25, 2018,

Joon operated its first long-haul flight to Cairo in Egypt. Our first customers discovered Joon’s newly furbished Airbus A340, with three surprising cabins!

Photo Above: Joon.

In Business class, sleep in a lie-flat bed and get ready for some surprises! Your seat converts into a lie-flat bed with a length of 2 metres! In terms of colours, fabrics and available space, you’ll feel at home in our Business cabin where you are free to relax as you please during your flight. Thanks to your fixed-shell seat, you benefit from a real private space – welcome to your bubble of serenity where you’ll receive a welcome kit and a practical and stylish comfort kit. Enjoy our in-flight entertainment offer with more than 1,200 hours of programmes, on a 15.6-inch HD touch screen and a noise-reduction audio headset! Enjoy a full meal comprising dishes designed by exceptional French chefs, and for your aperitif, give in to the temptation of a signature cocktail designed by the Experimental Cocktail Club*, prepared by our Joon cabin crew!

^{* Cocktail bar located in the Montorgueil district of Paris.}

The Premium Economy cabin is equipped with a new seat offering optimum comfort – a 133° seat recline, generous legroom of 99 cm and a wide 49cm seat. You receive special attentions in your premium space – you are given a comfort kit on entering the cabin along with a welcome drink. At meal times, your starter and dessert are inspired by Business class!

In the Economy cabin, your seat offers 78cm legroom and it reclines to 118°. You seat is equipped with a latest-generation touch screen and a USB port to charge your devices during the flight. You also receive a free, complete meal. If you want even more choice, you are free to personalize your trip, either by choosing from among our 70 seats available on a paying-option basis – Seat Plus^* or Seat Duo^**, or by treating yourself to a drink or gourmet snack on purchase in our A la Carte selection on board!

Joon, the new-generation travel experience by Air France, is on the move all the time, with even more destinations this summer – Cairo, Cape Town, Fortaleza, Mahé, Mumbai, Tehran for our long-haul destinations, and Oslo, Rome, Naples, Istanbul join our medium-haul offer to Berlin, Barcelona, Porto and Lisbon, launched in autumn 2017!

^{* You’ll appreciate our Seat Plus for their additional legroom (34 inches) as well as being at the front of the cabin to be among the first to disembark. Price: €50 for a flight time of 9 h or less and €70 for a flight time of 9 hours or more.

** Seat Duo located at either side of the cabin next to the windows will offer you greater privacy. Price: €30}

Top Copyright Photo: Joon (Air France) Airbus A320-214 F-GKXH (msn 1924) LIS (Marcelo F. De Biasi). Image: 940704.

Joon aircraft slide show: