Monthly Archives: April 2018

Lufthansa Group continues its successful development in the first quarter of 2018

The Lufthansa Group continues its successful path in the first quarter of 2018, and has started well into the new year. The Group’s Network Airlines increased their Adjusted EBIT margin significantly by 3.2 percentage points to 2.4 per cent in what is traditionally the weakest quarter for all airlines. Lufthansa Cargo achieved an even stronger Adjusted EBIT margin improvement: up 4.3 percentage points to 10.1 per cent. These improved earnings were largely offset, however, by significant one-off costs at Eurowings from its growth in the context of the Air Berlin insolvency. As Lufthansa Technik and “Others & Consolidation” showed earnings declining to the levels of earlier years, the total Adjusted EBIT – the main key performance indicator of the Lufthansa Group – increased only slightly by EUR 1 million to EUR 26 million for the first-quarter.

Despite new record numbers of passengers carried and historically high seat load factors, the total revenues of around EUR 7.6 billion (of which EUR 5.8 billion traffic revenues) for the first-quarter were broadly on previous-year level due to the first-time implementation of the new IFRS 15 accounting standard. Without this, first-quarter revenues would have been increased by 4.5 per cent. The net group result for the period improved by EUR 11 million to EUR -57 million.

Fuel costs for the first three months of 2018 virtually remained on prior-year level at EUR 1.2 billion (up 0.9 per cent) since volume growth and higher average prices were compensated by currency effects and successful hedging. Cumulative unit costs excluding fuel and currency factors for the passenger airlines were further reduced by 0.5 per cent (despite the added burden of the one-off costs at Eurowings), thanks to particularly effective cost reductions at the Network Airlines. At the same time, first-quarter unit revenues excluding currency factors increased by 1.2 per cent.

“We remain well on track, and have achieved another good set of results for the first quarter 2018,” says Ulrik Svensson, Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. “Despite incurring high one-off expenses at Eurowings, we again managed to steadily further reduce our unit costs while simultaneously investing in the quality of our product.”

Network Airlines

Adjusted EBIT for the Group’s Network Airlines – Lufthansa German Airlines, Swiss and Austrian Airlines – amounted to EUR 114 million in the first quarter of 2018, EUR 154 million above the prior-year result. The Network Airlines thus made a major contribution to the Group’s good first-quarter result. With a continued high demand, unit costs excluding fuel and currency factors were reduced by 1.9 per cent, while unit revenues excluding currency factors increased by 1.5 per cent. Lufthansa German Airlines raised its Adjusted EBIT by EUR 95 million to EUR 83 million and achieved its highest first-quarter Adjusted EBIT margin of the past ten years. SWISS improved its first-quarter Adjusted EBIT by EUR 64 million to a record EUR 99 million, implying an Adjusted EBIT margin of a good nine per cent and remaining the Group’s most profitable airline. Austrian Airlines saw its first-quarter Adjusted EBIT decline EUR 8 million to EUR 67 million following extensive flight cancellations on three days in the period as a result of works meetings related to wage negotiations.

“Our modernization is paying off,” Ulrik Svensson continues. “We are again in a position to grow our core business profitably. And we are able to grow in those areas where the quality is best for our customers and the costs are low. This is why we saw about a third more growth in first-quarter passenger numbers at our hub in Munich than in Frankfurt.”

The Eurowings Group

Eurowings is growing successfully. Despite a 28.8 percent year-on-year increase in its first-quarter capacity, the airline’s unit revenues excluding currency factors were up 3.5 percent. But with significant one-off costs from the integration of former parts of Air Berlin, first-quarter unit costs excluding fuel and currency factors were 7.6 per cent above their prior-year level. Adjusted EBIT for the Eurowings Group declined EUR 71 million to EUR 203 million. One-off expenses will continue to burden unit cost trends at Eurowings in the months ahead.

Aviation Services

Among the Group’s Aviation Services companies, Lufthansa Cargo continued its positive development, almost doubling its first-quarter Adjusted EBIT to EUR 65 million (an increase of EUR 32 million). Adjusted EBIT for Lufthansa Technik was down EUR 34 million to EUR 103 million, amongst others due to a weak US dollar and an extraordinarily strong first quarter last year. LSG Group raised its first-quarter Adjusted EBIT slightly by EUR 3 million to EUR 1 million. In “Others & Consolidation”, Adjusted EBIT for the first-quarter period declined EUR 83 million to EUR 54 million, which is the level seen in the years before 2017.

Key financial indicators

Operating cash flow remained broadly on its prior-year level. Pension fund provisions were up 8.3 per cent at EUR 5.5 billion, owing largely to the reduction of the discount rate from 2.0 to 1.9 per cent.

Net financial debt declined almost 30 per cent compared to the end of 2017 to EUR 2.1 billion, further strengthening the Group’s financial stability. In view of this, the rating agency S&P recently raised its outlook for the Lufthansa Group’s investment grade rating to ‘positive’. The equity ratio decreased by four percentage points to 22.5 per cent, mainly due to the impact of the first time implementation of the new reporting standards and to the increase in pension provisions following the discount rate reduction.

Outlook for 2018 unchanged

Compared to its guidance of 15 March, the Lufthansa Group now expects an organic capacity growth of some 6 per cent for 2018. Due to this one-percentage-point reduction in capacity growth and a weakening of the US dollar, the guidance for fuel costs has been lowered by EUR 100 million. Annual fuel costs are now expected to increase by EUR 600 million in 2018 to EUR 5.8 billion. This cost increase can be largely offset by an improved operating performance. The guidance for 2018 thus remains unchanged for an Adjusted EBIT slightly below previous year’s record level. Also unchanged is the guidance for a reduction in unit costs excluding fuel and currency factors by 1 to 2 per cent and a stable development of unit revenues excluding currency factors.

IFRS 15

The IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ reporting standard was implemented for the first time in the 2018 first-quarter accounts and financial statements. Its implementation leads to changes in revenue and cost positions, especially at the Network Airlines and the Eurowings Group. To take one example, passenger-based fees and charges which were formerly accounted on both the income and the expenses side are now netted in the profit and loss account. This reduces both income and expenses. But since EBIT is not affected, EBIT margin increases mathematically. Prior-year figures have not been restated.

Lufthansa Group		January to March		Change	Change
Lufthansa Group		2018	2017	reported	excl. IFRS 15
Total revenues	EUR m	7,640	7,691	-0.7%	+4.5%
of which traffic revenue	EUR m	5,785	5,808	-0.4%	+7.9%
EBIT	EUR m	27	16	+68.8%
Adjusted EBIT	EUR m	26	25	+4.0%
Adjusted EBIT margin	in %	0.3%	0.3%	0 pts.
Net result	EUR m	-57	-68	+16.2%
Gross investments¹⁾	EUR m	714	755	-5.4%
Operating cash flow	EUR m	1,625	1,648	-1.4%
Employees as of 31 March		132,620	128,541	+4,079
Earnings per share	EUR	-0.12	-0.15	+20.0%

1) excluding cash-out from equity investments

Only the 2018 figures are stated in accordance with the new IFRS 15. Prior-year figures have not been restated.

Copyright Photo: Eurowings grew at 28.8 percent in the first quarter. Eurowings Airbus A320-214 WL D-AEWG (msn 7121) (Visit Sweden – Goteborg) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 941518.

Eurowings aircraft slide show:

United Airlines increases its economic stake in Azul to 8.0%

Azul S.A. issued this statement:

Today (April 27, 2018), Azul is announcing that current shareholder United Airlines has just concluded a private preferred share transaction with Hainan Airlines. The transaction increased United’s economic stake in Azul from 3.7% to 8.0%.

Azul and United today connect via their gateways in Sao Paulo – Guarulhos (GRU), Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Florida (FLL) and Orlando, Florida (MCO).

In Brazil connecting customers have access to the largest domestic network in the country, serving more than 100 cities.

Copyright Photo: Azul Brasil (Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras) Airbus A330-243 PR-AIV (msn 532) (Brazilian flag livery) FLL (Brian McDonough). Image: 940993.

Azul aircraft slide show:

Air China announces its 2018 first quarter results

Air China Limited, together with its subsidiaries, announced its first quarter results of 2018:

Results Highlights

Total profit increased 66.31% year-on-year to RMB4.024 billion
Operating income increased 9.11% year-on-year to RMB31.607 billion
Total operating cost increased 6.71% year-on-year to RMB 28.230 billion

Operation and Business Highlights

In the first quarter of 2018, the Chinese economy developed steadily. As residents’ demand for travel was strong, air passenger traffic maintained steady growth while demand in the cargo market continued to improve. During the Period, the Group recorded operating income of RMB31.607 billion, an increase of 9.11% over the same period of last year. Total operating cost was RMB 28.230 billion, an increase of 6.71% over the same period of last year. Total profit was RMB4.024 billion, an increase of 66.31% over the same period of last year, and net profit attributable to shareholders of listed companies was RMB2.628 billion, an increase of 79.23% over the same period of last year.

During the Period, the Group’s passenger capacity, measured by Available Seat Kilometers (ASK) increased by 10.96% year on year to 65.758 billion. The passenger traffic, measured by Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK) was 53.350 billion, an increase of 9.75% year on year. Among which, RPK of domestic routes, international routes and regional routes amounted to 32.596 billion, 18.849 billion, and 1.905 billion, up 7.44%,13.65% and 12.92% year on year, respectively. The passenger load factor was 81.13%, a slight decrease of 0.90 percentage points year on year, of which, the passenger load factor of domestic, international and regional routes were 83.02%, 78.28% and 78.90% respectively.

In terms of air cargo, the Available Freight Ton Kilometers (AFTK) amounted to 3.518 billion, up 9.81% year on year, while the Revenue Freight Ton Kilometers (RFTK) amounted to 1.803 billion, up 10.90% year on year. The cargo and mail load factor was 51.26%, up 0.51 percentage points year on year.

Outlook

Benefitting from the continued development of the global aviation industry, steady growth of China’s macro economy, and the influence of a series of policies favorable to the industry, we expect the Company will have larger room for development this year. Adhering to the development philosophy of “Innovation, Coordination, Green, Openness and Sharing”, the Group will persist in making progress while pursuing stability, continue to deepen reform and innovation, strengthen cost management and control, optimize capital and debt structure, and consolidate and enhance competitive advantages, so as to achieve better performance and sustainable development to its utmost ability.

Air China aircraft slide show:

Iberia lands in San Francisco

Iberia commenced Madrid – San Francisco service on April 25, 2018.

Airbus A330-202 EC-MMG is pictured rolling out on runway 28L at SFO on the inaugural arrival.

Iberia made this announcement:

(PRNewsfoto/Olive Oils from Spain)

Two of Spain’s emblems, Iberia and Olive Oils from Spain, work together to consolidate the positioning of the two most powerful sectors of the Spanish industry: tourism and agri-food. Each new route opened in the world by the airline brings a bit more Spanish liquid gold to consumers around the world. A product that has had a notable role in the presentation of the new Iberia route linking Madrid and San Francisco to informants and tourism professionals from the United States, Olive Oil from Spain has created a really innovative proposal, integrating this food into cocktails, deepening the inexhaustible versatility of the Spanish flagship product.

A millenary tradition in a 21st century cocktail bar

Olive Oils from Spain have been the most surprising ingredient of the evening. Its texture, aromas and flavors have not gone unnoticed for high end cocktails. The juices of the olive are known mainly for dressings and frying. With innovations like those presented in San Francisco, it opens the door to the disclosure of new applications for an extremely versatile product, ranging from pastries to cosmetics, to cocktails with and without alcohol, such as:

Margarita with Hojiblanca EVOO
Virgin Mary with Picual EVOO
Gin Tonic with Arbequina EVOO
San Francisco with Cornicabra EVOO

Olive Oils from Spain are the promotional brand of the Spanish Olive Oil Interprofesional, a non-profit organization, formed by all the representative entities of the sector in Spain. Its main objective is todisseminate information on the product, its uses and health properties throughout the world. The Interprofessional has been developing promotional campaigns for almost a decade to bring this super food to consumers in five continents. Among its priorities is the United States market, where Olive Oils from Spain are leaders, with exports in 2017 of 124,000 tons.

Iberia, for its part, has been proudly taking the image of Spain across the globe for more than 90 years, in the fuselage and interior of its aircraft. Throughout this time it has established itself as a symbol of Spain’s leadership in quality, development and modernity,values that match perfectly with those of Olives from Spain.

Iberia aircraft slide show:

Hainan Airlines to launch Tel Aviv-Guangzhou service on August 2

Hainan Airlines Holding Co., Ltd. officially announced the launch of nonstop service between Tel Aviv and Guangzhou scheduled to start on August 2, 2018. The route will be serviced by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner three flights a week.

Following the rollout of Tel Aviv–Beijing and Tel Aviv–Shanghai services, this is Hainan Airlines’ third direct flight between Tel Aviv and China.

In recent years, Hainan Airlines has been highly proactive in developing international services originating from Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The company has launched several long-haul international routes, from Shenzhen to Auckland, Brisbane, Brussels and Madrid, complemented by short-haul international routes from Guangzhou to Phnom Penh, Nha Trang and Siem Reap. Combined with the Guangzhou–Tel Aviv service scheduled to start in August and the Shenzhen–Viennaservice on tap to launch in October, the airline has gradually established a comprehensive international route network, integrating both long-haul and short-haul, with hubs in Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Travelers will be able to transfer in Guangzhou for convenient connections to domestic cities in China as well as to several southeast Asian countries including Vietnam and Cambodia.

Tel Aviv-Guangzhou Flight Timetable (All times are local):

Flight
No.

Aircraft

Schedule

Departure
City

Departure
Time

Arrival
Time

Arrival
City

HU466

B787

Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday

Tel Aviv

12:45 pm

4:40 am+1

Guangzhou

HU465

B787

Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday

Guangzhou

1:30 am

8:50 am

Tel Aviv

Hainan Airlines aircraft slide show:

Spirit Airlines reports a first quarter 2018 loss

Spirit Airlines, Inc. reported its first quarter 2018 financial results.

For the first quarter 2018, Spirit reported a GAAP net loss of $44.9 million (loss of $0.66 per diluted share). Excluding special items, first quarter 2018 net income was $29.9 million ($0.44 per diluted share)¹.
GAAP operating margin for the first quarter 2018 was negative 5.5 percent. Excluding special items, operating margin for the first quarter 2018 was 7.3 percent¹.
Spirit ended the first quarter 2018 with unrestricted cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $999.7 million.

“We ran a very good operation in the first quarter 2018, despite numerous winter storms. We achieved a record high March DOT on-time performance of 85.1 percent, an increase of 10.1 percentage points year over year, contributing to a record high first quarter DOT on-time performance of 83.4 percent. I congratulate and thank the Spirit family for delivering this operational excellence. I’m also pleased to say that during the quarter, we finalized a five-year contract with our pilot union. This new contract provides our pilots increased wage rates and gives the Company the platform to further improve our operational reliability,” said Robert Fornaro, Spirit’s Chief Executive Officer.

Revenue Performance
For the first quarter 2018, Spirit’s total operating revenue was $704.1 million, an increase of 19.4 percent compared to the first quarter 2017, driven by a 14.4 percent increase in flight volume.

Total revenue per available seat mile (“TRASM”) for the first quarter 2018 decreased 2.4 percent compared to the same period last year, primarily driven by a 1.7 percent decrease in operating yields and a 4.1 percent increase in average stage length. During the first quarter 2018, the Company’s results benefited from the calendar shift of Easter by approximately 200 basis points.

On a per passenger flight segment basis, total revenue for the first quarter 2018 increased 1.7 percent year over year to $107.71, driven by non-ticket revenue per passenger flight segment increasing 5.9 percent to $55.29², partially offset by fare revenue per passenger flight segment decreasing 2.4 percent to $52.42.

Cost Performance
For the first quarter 2018, total GAAP operating expense, including special items of $90.0 million³, increased 39.8 percent, or $211.3 million year over year to $742.9 million. The year-over-year increase in GAAP operating expense was primarily driven by special charges in connection with the new pilot agreement approved in February 2018; increased flight volume; and higher fuel rates.

Adjusted operating expense for the first quarter 2018 increased 24.2 percent, or $127.2 million to $652.9 million⁴. The year-over-year increase in adjusted operating expense was primarily driven by increases in flight volume, salaries, wages and benefits, and fuel rates. In addition, higher rates for crew lodging and ground handling, along with greater deicing expense, drove an increase in other operating expense.

Aircraft fuel expense increased in the first quarter 2018 by 46.4 percent, or $64.9 million, compared to the same period last year, due to a 21.5 percent increase in the cost of fuel per gallon and a 20.2 percent increase in fuel gallons consumed.

Spirit reported first quarter 2018 cost per available seat mile (“ASM”), excluding special items and fuel (“Adjusted CASM ex-fuel”), of 5.33 cents⁴, a decrease of 5.0 percent compared to the same period last year. The decrease year over year was primarily driven by lower aircraft rent per ASM.

Labor
Spirit and its pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, announced the ratification of a new five-year working agreement in February 2018.

Fleet
Spirit took delivery of five new A321ceo aircraft and one new A320ceo aircraft during the first quarter 2018, ending the quarter with 118 aircraft in its fleet.

Aircraft Agreement
On March 28, 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with an aircraft lessor to purchase 14 A319 aircraft, which the Company was operating under lease agreements. The purchases of all 14 aircraft are scheduled throughout the second quarter of 2018, for an aggregate gross purchase price of $285.0 million, which will be reduced by the application of maintenance reserves and security deposits held by the lessor. Effective March 31, 2018, the lease agreements associated with these aircraft will be classified as capital leases on the balance sheet until the closing of each individual sale. All transactions are anticipated to be completed prior to June 30, 2018.

Recent New Routes and Service Announcements
Columbus, Ohio – Fort Lauderdale (02/15/2018)
Columbus, Ohio – Orlando (02/15/2018)
Columbus, Ohio – Las Vegas (02/15/2018)
Columbus, Ohio – Fort Myers (02/15/18)*
Columbus, Ohio – Tampa (02/15/2018)*
Richmond – Fort Lauderdale (03/15/2018)
Richmond – Orlando (03/15/2018)
Fort Lauderdale – Guayaquil, Ecuador (03/22/2018)
Baltimore – Denver (03/22/2018)
Baltimore – Montego Bay (03/22/2018)
Columbus, Ohio – Myrtle Beach (03/22/2018)*
Columbus, Ohio – New Orleans (03/22/2018)*
Atlantic City – New Orleans (04/12/2018)
Fort Lauderdale – St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (05/24/2018)

* Indicates seasonal service

End Notes
(1) See “Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Pre-tax Income, and Adjusted Operating Income to GAAP Net Income” table below for more details.
(2) See “Calculation of Total Non-ticket Revenue per Passenger Segment” table below for more details.
(3) See “Special Items” table for more details.
(4) See “Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Expense to GAAP Operating Expense” table below for more details.

Spirit Airlines aircraft slide show:

SkyWest announces a first quarter 2018 profit, ExpressJet to retire the CRJ900s with Delta

SkyWest, Inc. issued this statement:

First Quarter Highlights:

Net income of $54 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, up 56% from $35 millionor $0.65 per diluted share in Q1 2017
Pre-tax income of $67 million, up 28% from $52 million in Q1 2017
Revenue of $783 million, up 5% from $747 million in Q1 2017 on improving fleet mix

SkyWest, Inc. reported financial and operating results for Q1 2018, including net income of $54 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, compared to net income of $35 million, or $0.65 per diluted share for Q1 2017.

The improvement in Q1 2018 pre-tax income from Q1 2017 was primarily due to SkyWest’s ongoing fleet transition. Since Q1 2017 19 new E175 aircraft have been added and 46 CRJ and ERJ 50-seat aircraft and 25 CRJ700/CRJ900 aircraft have been removed.

Commenting on the results, Chip Childs, Chief Executive Officer and President of SkyWest, said “Demand for our product remains strong, and I’m proud of our professionals who continue to provide best-in-class operations to our customers. Our financial results reflect continued solid operating performance combined with the ongoing improvements in our fleet mix. We remain disciplined in our approach to risk and flying commitments and focused on executing a strategy to improve our overall model.”

Q1 2018 Financial Highlights
Revenue was $783 million in Q1 2018, up from $747 million in Q1 2017. The increase in revenue included the net impact of adding new E175 aircraft and improvement in the economics of SkyWest’s fleet mix since Q1 2017, partially offset by the removal of unprofitable or less profitable aircraft over the same period.

Operating expenses were $695 million in Q1 2018, up from $671 million in Q1 2017. The increase in operating expenses included additional labor, engine maintenance and fuel costs.

The effective tax rate for Q1 2018 was 19% compared to 34% in Q1 2017. The lower tax rate in Q1 2018 was primarily due to the reduced federal rate under the new tax law enacted in Q4 2017 and additional discrete tax benefits from stock compensation in Q1 2018.

Q1 2018 Operational Update
SkyWest Airlines, Inc. took delivery of five new E175/E175 SC aircraft during Q1 2018. The following summarizes the anticipated delivery dates for seven E175 aircraft to be placed under contract with Alaska Airlines (three E175 aircraft previously scheduled for delivery in Q4 2018 have been deferred until 2021 at Alaska’s request) and 27 E175 SC aircraft to be placed under contract with Delta Air Lines in 2018:

Scheduled E175/E175 SC

Aircraft Deliveries

In-service
Mar 31, 2018

Q2 2018

Q3 2018

Q4 2018

In-Service

end of 2018

Total E175/E175 SCs:

112

146

ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. continued the previously-announced 2018 wind down of its flying agreement with Delta during the quarter. At the end of Q1 2018, ExpressJet had six CRJ900s and 31 CRJ700s remaining in service under the Delta agreement. ExpressJet anticipates returning seven leased aircraft to Delta in Q2 2018 (six CRJ900s and one CRJ700).

ExpressJet continues to engage in discussions around the CRJ700s scheduled to come out of service with Delta later this year and remains pleased with the level of demand for the CRJ700 product.

Operating Performance:

Flight completion rates at SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet for Q1 2018 and Q1 2017 are summarized as follows:

	SkyWest Airlines		ExpressJet
	Q1 2018	Q1 2017	Q1 2018	Q1 2017
Adjusted Completion *	99.8%	99.9%	99.9%	99.6%
Raw Completion	97.8%	97.4%	96.1%	96.9%

* Adjusted Completion excludes weather cancellations. Raw Completion includes weather cancellations.

Q1 2018 Capital and Liquidity
SkyWest had $646 million in cash and marketable securities at March 31, 2018, down $39 million from December 31, 2017. During the first quarter of 2018, SkyWest:

Used $18 million toward the purchase of five E175 aircraft
Used $20 million for an early lease buyout on nine aircraft
Used $30 million for other capital investments, including spare engines and aircraft parts
Used $10 million to repurchase stock under its $100 million share repurchase program, of which $70 million remains authorized

Total debt for the quarter was $2.8 billion, up $89 million from December 31, 2017, including debt issued for acquired aircraft, partially offset by scheduled principal payments.

Copyright Photo: The last Bombardier CRJ900 will be taken out of the Delta contract in the second quarter of 2018. The remaining CRJ700s will be retired with Delta by the end of the year. Delta Connection-ExpressJet Airlines Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) N307PQ (msn 15307) ATL (Jay Selman). Image: 403371.

Delta-ExpressJet aircraft slide show:

Boeing delivers the first 787 Dreamliner to Gulf Air

Gulf Air and Boeing today celebrated the delivery of the first 787 Dreamliner for the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The airplane also debuts the carrier’s new livery.

Gulf Air is set to take delivery of four more Dreamliners this year. The airline plans to introduce the 787 on its twice-daily service between Bahrain and London Heathrow before deploying the long-range efficient jet on other routes.

Boeing has delivered more than 670 787s since deliveries began in 2011. The 787 fleet has flown more than 240 million passengers while saving over 23 billion pounds of fuel and enabling airlines to open more than 180 new nonstop routes around the world.

The first Gulf Air 787 – painted in the airline’s new livery – recently flew a special mission to the airline’s home base to perform a fly pass over the 2018 Bahrain Grand Prix. Formula 1 race fans were treated to a dramatic aerial display prior to the start of the championship race.

Top Copyright Photo (the other image by Boeing): Gulf Air Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner A9C-FA (msn 39996) PAE (Royal S. King). Image: 941700.

Gulf Air aircraft slide show:

Air Belgium delays the start of its Hong Kong route

Air Belgium (2nd) (Brussels-South Charleroi) has announced it will delay the start-up of its new scheduled route to Hong Kong from the previously announced date of April 30 until June 3. The new carrier blamed the delay on its efforts to secure overflight permission of its flights over Russia.

Air Belgium aircraft slide show:

United Airlines highlights its summer schedule

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-USA6/United-Airlines-NC-Boeing/i-tsvtcJz/A

United Airlines kicks off its 2018 summer seasonal travel schedule offering more options for customers from more than 100 North American cities to conveniently connect to Europe and Latin America with just one stop. United’s new offerings this summer include Iceland, Portugal, Scotland and Switzerland and the return of nonstop services between six of its U.S. hub cities and popular destinations in Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Sweden.

Choose from 25 European destinations this summer

In addition to offering customers new destinations, including Reykjavik, Iceland, and Porto, Portugal, United will be returning with seasonal service to 25 destinations, including Athens, Greece; Glasgow, Scotland; Madrid and Barcelona, Spain; Romeand Venice, Italy; Shannon, Ireland; and more.

This year, United has extended its trans-Atlantic summer route schedule from Chicago, San Francisco and Washington/Dulles, offering flights earlier in the season and operating through October. The airline’s daily seasonal service between Chicagoand Edinburgh, Scotland, and between San Francisco and Munich, Germany, begins May 4 and ends October 26, and seasonal service between Chicago and Dublin and between Washington/Dulles and Lisbon, Portugal, started earlier this month and will end October 26.

Rediscover beautiful Caribbean Islands and Mexico

United is also resuming service to many of the Caribbean destinations impacted by hurricanes last year, including St. Maarten and St. Thomas. Earlier this year, United reinstated daily service between New York/Newark and Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and continues ramping up service to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where United offers up to twice-daily service from New York/Newark and up to daily service between San Juanand Chicago, Houston and Washington, D.C. United currently offers daily service between Washington, D.C., and St. Thomas.

Customers in Louisiana and Texas looking for another way to get to Cancun, Mexico, can choose United’s new weekend seasonal service from New Orleans and San Antonio beginning June 9.

Vacation shouldn’t end in the summer

This fall, United will launch nonstop service between San Francisco and Pape’ete, the capital of Tahiti, the South Pacific’s gateway to more than 118 islands in French Polynesia, including Bora Bora, Moorea, the Marquesas and Raiatea.

United is the only U.S. carrier offering nonstop service to Tahiti from the mainland United States and will connect customers to the South Pacific’s white sand beaches, stunning turquoise lagoons, coral atolls and volcanic mountain peaks. Visitors to the islands experience a tropical paradise with countless spaces to relax and reconnect in natural beauty and authentic French Polynesian island culture.

Customers can now book nonstop service from San Francisco to Pape’ete’s Fa’a’ā International Airport for travel beginning October 30, 2018, through March 28, 2019.

United’s 2018 Seasonal Schedule

Airport	Destination	Start
Chicago (ORD)	Dublin, Ireland Edinburgh, Scotland Rome, Italy	Now flying May 4 May 4
Denver (DEN)	London	Now flying
Houston (IAH)	Providenciales, Turks & Caicos St. Thomas, U.S. VI	June 9 April 28
New York/Newark (EWR)	Athens, Greece Bermuda Glasgow, Scotland Hamburg, Germany Porto, Portugal Reykjavik, Iceland St. Maarten St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. Shannon, Ireland Stockholm, Sweden Venice, Italy	May 23 June 7 May 4 April 25 May 4 May 23 Now flying Aug. 25 Now flying May 4 Now flying
San Francisco (SFO)	Munich, Germany Zurich, Switzerland Pape’ete, Tahiti	May 4 June 7 Oct. 30
Washington, D.C. (IAD)	Barcelona, Spain Dublin, Ireland Edinburgh, Scotland Lisbon, Portugal Madrid, Spain Rome, Italy St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.	May 23 Now flying May 23 Now flying May 4 Now flying Now flying
New Orleans (MSY)	Cancun, Mexico	June 9
San Antonio (SAT)	Cancun, Mexico	June 9