Yearly Archives: 2019

TAP Air Portugal to add more destinations from Porto

TAP Air Portugal has made this announcement:

TAP’s new destinations from Porto are now on sale. Brussels, Lyon and Munich are European cities to which TAP will offer direct flights from Porto in 2019.

Flights to the capital of Belgium begin on July 1 with two daily flights. Departures from Porto are at 7:00 a.m. and 5:35 p.m., arriving in Brussels at 10:30 a.m. and 9:05 p.m., respectively.

TAP operations to Lyon, France and Munich, Germany, will begin on September 1. Flights to Lyon will be twice daily: departure from Porto at 6:30 a.m. and arrival in Lyon at 9:35 a.m. and departure from Porto at 6:30 p.m. and arrival in the French city at 9:35 p.m.

For Munich, TAP operations will begin with a daily flight departing from Porto at 12:15 p.m. and arriving in the German city at 3:55 p.m.

This increase in routes from the Porto Airport allows TAP to operate 19 direct routes from Porto to airports in Europe, the United States and also Brazil, in a total of 288 weekly flights.

The new routes that TAP will inaugurate this year from Porto represent a 34% increase in direct connections from Porto to Europe compared to last year. Nevertheless, in 2018 the company had already increased the number of connections to Europe with the launch of operations to Barcelona, London (London City Airport), Milan and Ponta Delgada.

The opening of new routes this year is possible thanks to the reinforcement of aircraft that TAP is carrying out.

TAP will receive 37 new aircraft by the end of this year and 71 by 2025.

In North America, San Francisco, Washington and Chicago are the new long haul destinations for 2019 already on sale.

Naples, Tenerife, Tel Aviv, Dublin and Basel are also new routes that TAP has already announced for 2019.

In other news, TAP took delivery of two additional Airbus A330-900neo aircraft on January 10. By the end of 2019, TAP will receive another 16 Airbus A330-900neos in addition to the three already delivered.

The Airbus A330-900neo has 298 seats comfortably arranged across three cabin classes: 34 seats in executive, 96 in economy plus and 168 in economy. The new Airspace by Airbus cabin offers each passenger more space, bigger luggage compartments and an innovative cabin lighting system. The new aircraft will be used to enhance TAP’s long-haul operations.

Video:

The Airbus A330-900neo is a state-of-the-art aircraft. It includes the latest generation and super efficient Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 turbines, a larger wing with 3D optimisation and new sharklets to provide the best aerodynamic performance. These advances result in a 10-12% reduction in fuel consumption compared to last generation aircraft of a similar size.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): TAP Portugal – Air Portugal Airbus A321-251N WL CS-TJI (msn 8270) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 943522.

TAP aircraft slide show:

Ryanair’s East Midlands flight first to land at new Murcia International Airport

Ryanair on January 15 became the first airline to land at the new Región de Murcia International Airport, which was officially opened by his Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain.

Ryanair’s new daily service from East Midlands airport was the inaugural arrival to Murcia International Airport, one of Ryanair’s 9 Summer 2019 routes to/from Birmingham, Bournemouth, Dublin, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London Luton, London Stansted and Manchester, which will help deliver 660,000 customers per year through Región de Murcia International airport this year.

The terminal building, of about 37,000 square meters, has a big hall with 24 check-in counters and one more for special luggage in the departures area. Three doble security checkpoints lead to the boarding area with 9 boarding gates (6 for flights to non Schengen countries and 3 for flights to Schengen countries). The baggage reclaim hall has three carousels and one more for special baggage. This area leads to the arrivals hall in the general lobby, the great protagonist in the airport.

The airfield has a 5-23 runway measuring 3,000 x 45 m, a complete parallel taxiway, a high speed exit taxiway at threshold 23, two holding bays at both ends and two apron access roads.

Photo: Ryanair.

Construction begins on Airbus’ U.S. A220 manufacturing facility

Airbus’ manufacturing growth in the United States advanced another step in Mobile, Alabama, as construction of the company’s A220 Manufacturing Facility officially launched with a groundbreaking ceremony. The assembly line will satisfy the strong and growing U.S. demand for the A220 aircraft, the newest offering in Airbus’ commercial aircraft product line.

Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus, and Guillaume Faury, President Airbus Commercial Aircraft, led the celebration and welcomed approximately 700 attendees including Airbus and other industry executives, Airbus manufacturing employees, state and national dignitaries, and local community leaders.

The new assembly line, which is the company’s second U.S.-based commercial aircraft production facility, will be located at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley adjacent to the A320 Family production line and will facilitate assembly of A220-100 and A220-300 aircraft for U.S. customers. Aircraft production is planned to begin in the third quarter of 2019 with first delivery of a Mobile-assembled A220 aircraft scheduled for 2020. The new A220 production facilities will be complete by next year.

With an order book of more than 500 aircraft to date, the A220 has all the credentials to win the lion’s share of the 100- to 150-seat aircraft market estimated to represent at least 7,000 aircraft over the next 20 years.

Ultimate JetCharters is operating a Dornier 328JET in full Taos Air brand

Taos Air (Taos, NM) as planned, commenced scheduled passenger operations to both Austin (AUS) and Dallas (DAL) on December 20, 2018. The flights are operated by the pictured Fairchild Dornier 328-300 (328JET) N419FJ (msn 3173).

The new airline is flying in its own brand.

Taos Air flights are public charters sold and operated by Ultimate JetCharters, LLC as a direct air carrier. Flights are subject to Department of Transportation Public Charter Regulations.

Schedule:

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): Taos Air (Ultimate JetCharters) Fairchild Dornier 328-300 (328JET) N419FJ (msn 3173) AUS (Fernandez Imaging). Image: 945300.

Finnair cancels 41 flights to prepare for expected heavy snowfall in Helsinki on January 17

Finnair has made this announcement:

Heavy snowfall is expected to cause limitations to air traffic and to slow down apron operations at Helsinki Airport on Jan 17. Finnair cancels several flights to ensure as smooth as possible operations in the challenging circumstances. In addition, delays are expected.

“We are following the situation closely and do our best to minimize the impacts of the difficult weather conditions on our customers. By cancelling some flights already now we aim to ensure smoother traffic tomorrow, and get all our customers to their destinations. We apologize for the inconvenience the cancellations may cause to our customers”, says Jaakko Schildt, Chief Operating Officer, Finnair.

Finnair has 346 flights on Thursday, and 41 of these are now cancelled.

The following flights are cancelled:

Kajaani-Helsinki 17 Jan AY412
Copenhagen-Helsinki 17 Jan AY956
Helsinki-Copenhagen 17 Jan AY955
Stockholm-Helsinki 17 Jan AY834
Helsinki-Stockholm 17 Jan AY833
Stockholm-Helsinki 17 Jan AY810
Helsinki-Stockholm 17 Jan AY809
Stockholm-Helsinki 17 Jan AY806
Helsinki-Stockholm 17 Jan AY805
Moscow-Helsinki 17 Jan AY712
Helsinki-Moscow 17 Jan AY711
Helsinki-Kittilä 17 Jan AY7023
Kittilä-Ivalo 17 Jan AY7023
Ivalo-Helsinki 17 Jan AY7023
Rovaniemi-Helsinki 17 Jan AY544
Helsinki-Rovaniemi 17 Jan AY543
Oulu-Helsinki 17 Jan AY434
Helsinki-Oulu 17 Jan AY433
Helsinki-Kajaani 17 Jan AY411
Kuopio-Helsinki 17 Jan AY362
Helsinki-Kuopio 17 Jan AY361
Joensuu-Helsinki 17 Jan AY344
Helsinki-Joensuu 17 Jan AY343
Tampere-Helsinki 17 Jan AY266
Helsinki-Tampere 17 Jan AY265
Turku-Helsinki 17 Jan AY224
Helsinki-Turku 17 Jan AY223
Paris-Helsinki 17 Jan AY1574
Helsinki-Paris 17 Jan AY1573
Brussels-Helsinki 17 Jan AY1544
Helsinki-Brussels 17 Jan AY1543
Stuttgart-Helsinki 17 Jan AY1452
Helsinki-Stuttgart 17 Jan AY1451
Berlin-Helsinki 17 Jan AY1438
Helsinki-Berlin 17 Jan AY1437
London-Helsinki 17 Jan AY1342
Helsinki-London 17 Jan AY1341
Riga-Helsinki 17 Jan AY1074
Helsinki-Riga 17 Jan AY1073
Shanghai-Helsinki 18 Jan AY088
Helsinki-Shanghai 17 Jan AY087

Finnair contacts customers whose flights are disrupted directly via SMS or e-mail. Customers are advised to go to Manage booking on Finnair’s website or Finnair App and check that Finnair has their current contact information.

Customers whose flight is cancelled will be re-routed to their destinations. Re-routing may take time. Finnair will contact customers directly after the re-routing has been finalized. The updated travel plan can also be found via Manage booking on Finnair.com. If the flight is cancelled, customers can also choose to change their travel date or apply for full refund for an unused flight ticket.

Thomas Cook Airlines UK retires its last Boeing 757, becomes all Airbus

Thomas Cook Airlines (UK) has operated its last Boeing 757 revenue flight.

The pictured Boeing 757-3CQ G-JMAA (above) operated flight TCX 385 from Hurghada, Egypt to London (Gatwick) on January 6, 2019. The airliner is due to be transferred to Condor.

Sister ship G-JMAB, which was retired first, was ferried to Frankfurt on January 8, 2019.

The British airline is now all Airbus (above).

Top Copyright Photo: Thomas Cook Airlines (UK) (Thomas Cook.com) Boeing 757-3CQ G-JMAA (msn 32241) PMI (Ton Jochems). Image: 945293.

Thomas Cook aircraft slide show:

KLM signs codeshare agreement with Atlantic Airways

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and flag carrier of the Faroe Islands, Atlantic Airways, announced that they have signed a codeshare agreement. This will expand the global route offering for both companies.

The airlines now offer jointly operated flights to its base on the Faroe Islands. Thanks to the new agreement, KLM and Atlantic Airways customers will have access to more destinations starting January 24, 2019.

KLM will add a KL code to Atlantic Airways flights. This will allow passengers from around the world to change flights in Copenhagen, Billund, Bergen, and Edinburgh and continue their journey on the same ticket and a one-stop check-in to and from the Faroe Islands.

Starting January 24, 2019 the cooperation will cover:

Vágar – Copenhagen (CPH)

Vágar – Bergen (BGO)

Vágar – Billund (BLL)

Vágar – Edinburgh (EDI)

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): Atlantic Airways-Faroe Islands Airbus A319-112 OY-RCI (msn 3905) LHR (Wingnut). Image: 945292.

Atlantic Airways aircraft slide show:

Atlantic Airways Route Map:

American Airlines marks the 10th Anniversary of the Miracle on the Hudson

American Airlines on January 15 joined the crew and passengers of US Airways Flight 1549 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Miracle on the Hudson at a luncheon hosted by the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, First Officer Jeff Skiles and Flight Attendants Sheila Dail, Donna Dent and Doreen Welsh were recognized for the bravery and skill they demonstrated on Jan. 15, 2009.

Ten years ago, shortly after takeoff, US Airways Flight 1549 struck a flock of geese, disabling both engines of the Airbus A320 aircraft. Sullenberger and Skiles quickly ditched the aircraft in the Hudson River while Dail, Dent and Welsh helped passengers evacuate. Through the heroic actions of the crew and the immediate response from public and private agencies and organizations in New York and New Jersey, all 150 passengers survived. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Kitty Higgins later described Flight 1549 as “the most successful ditching in aviation history.”

“Flight 1549 quickly became known as the Miracle on the Hudson, but all of us know that what Capt. Sullenberger, First Officer Jeff Skiles and Flight Attendants Sheila Dail, Donna Dent and Doreen Welsh did on the Hudson was not a miracle, but an example of great skill and professionalism produced by years of training and experience,” American’s Chairman and CEO Doug Parker said.

Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, First Officer Jeff Skiles and Flight Attendants Sheila Dail, Donna Dent and Doreen Welsh were honored at the luncheon.

Luncheon attendees joined in a champagne toast at 3:31 p.m. ET to mark the time of the ditching.

“There’s never been a story quite like this one, and probably never will be. It is also a reminder of why our pilots and flight attendants train and prepare as hard as they do. We are proud of Sully, Jeff, Sheila, Donna and Doreen’s place in aviation history and are thankful for the hundreds of team members from across the company who sprang into action to take care of our customers and the crew in the hours, days, weeks and months after the accident.”

Parker joined former New York Governor David Paterson; City of Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles; President of the Carolinas Aviation Museum Stephen Saucier; union, corporate, government and nonprofit representatives and dozens of current and former airline team members who were instrumental in the response at the luncheon.

The airline’s CARE Team, a vital part of the emergency effort, helped to provide the immediate humanitarian response for the passengers, their loved ones and the crew.

After the luncheon, the crew, passengers and several American team members gathered around the aircraft involved in the accident, which resides at the Carolinas Aviation Museum, for a celebratory toast at 3:31 p.m. ET — the time of the ditching — to honor the milestone anniversary.

Each member of the crew of Flight 1549 had decades of aviation experience at the time of the accident. Sullenberger had been a pilot with US Airways for nearly 30 years and had more than 19,000 hours of flight time, placing him among the most qualified airline pilots in the world. Skiles had more than 15,000 hours of flight time and had just started flying Airbus A320 aircraft. Dail and Dent each had nearly 30 years of flight attendant experience; Welsh, nearly 40.

Sullenberger and Welsh retired from US Airways in 2010. Dent retired from American in 2017 and today marks Dail’s last day at the airline before retirement. Skiles is based in Chicago and flies Boeing 787 aircraft for American.

Is this the new Aer Lingus livery?

Aer Lingus, as previously reported, is expected to officially announce a new revised livery later this month for the new year.

We may now have a sneak preview. A safety card for Boeing 757-200s operated for Aer Lingus by ASL Airlines (Ireland) (formerly Air Contractors) has been leaked and circulating online. Is this the new look for Aer Lingus with less green?