Category Archives: LGW

LGW files for insolvency

Zeitfracht, the parent of German Airways and LGW has made this announcement:

Fuftfahrtgesellschaft Walter (LGW) has filed for insolvency in its own administration with the Düsseldorf Local Court. Today, Wednesday, April 22, 2020, attorney Dirk Andres was appointed as provisional administrator. Attorney Michael Wilbert will also join the company’s management as a further managing director.

In view of the current economic situation in the aviation industry, there is currently no lasting positive economic perspective for the regional airline. The insolvency is thus a direct consequence of the travel restrictions and the general economic situation during the Coronavirus pandemic, which has de facto paralysed global aviation.

Dominik Wiehage, Managing Director of LGW: “We very much regret that we were forced to take this step by the Coronavirus pandemic. We had our 15 De Havilland DHC-8-400 aircraft in a long-term cooperation exclusively with the Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings. Eurowings had to decommission around 90% of its own fleet and terminate the wet lease contract with LGW at short notice in view of current developments. After the termination of the cooperation by Eurowings, we have made intensive efforts to find employment for our LGW aircraft throughout Europe and will continue to do so in our own management. Due to the almost complete standstill of air traffic, these efforts have unfortunately not been successful so far. As it is also impossible to estimate – as things stand today – whether we will receive public funds to bridge the period until air traffic resumes, especially on the regional routes served by the LGW, we must therefore draw the legally necessary conclusions. We are very sorry for the employees of the LGW – all of them are very well trained, very motivated and very customer-oriented employees, for whom we want to keep the option open, especially with our own management, of being involved again in a new start in air traffic.

Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter currently employs 354 people, 294 of them in the flying sector, 60 work on the ground in technology and administration for the company, which has its headquarters in Düsseldorf. The fleet of 15 de Havilland Canada DHC-8-400s is currently parked at the airport of the Slovakian capital Bratislava.

Eurowings-LGW aircraft photo gallery:

LGW and WDL Aviation to operate under the German Airways brand

Zeitfracht Group has announced its two airlines, Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter mbH (LGW) and WDL Aviation, will operate under the German Airways brand. However the two airlines will keep their separate AOCs.

LGW operates for Eurowings.

WDL Aviation was acquired by the Berlin logistics company Zeitfracht on October 1, 2017 and operates charter and wet lease services.

Top Copyright Photo: WDL Aviation Embraer ERJ 190-100LR D-ACJJ (msn 19000114) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 947368.

WDL Aviation aircraft slide show:

LGW to replace its Bombardier Q400s with Embraer E190s

LGW has released this statement (translated from German):

Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter (LGW) is renewing its fleet. From December 2019, the regional airline will phase in the first Embraer E190 aircraft. The new Embraer E190s will replace the existing Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) fleet. This will take about two years, until autumn 2021.

The replacement will harmonize the fleet within the group. WDL Aviation, the time-freight subsidiary based at Cologne/Bonn Airport, is currently also being equipped with aircraft from the Embraer E190 series. This will create synergies within the group.

LGW will continue flying as a wet lease provider for Eurowings in the longer term.

Zeitfracht Group took over LGW from the Lufthansa Group only at the beginning of April.

Top Copyright Photo: Eurowings (LGW) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) D-ABQC (msn 4231) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 943756.

Eurowings-LGW aircraft slide show:

Lufthansa Group to sell LGW to Zeitfracht

Lufthansa Group has agreed to sell subsidiary LGW to Zeitfracht (Berlin), which already owns WDL Aviation.

The group acquired LGW from Airberlin and had placed the division under the Eurowings banner.

LGW will continue to operate for Eurowings.

The sale is expected to be completed on April 1, 2019.

LGW currently operates 18 Bombardier DHC-8-402s (Q400s).

Above Photo: BriYYZ.

Top Copyright Photo: Eurowings (LGW) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) D-ABQH (msn 4256) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 941071.

Airlines and airline brands we lost in 2017

Note – Our list also includes name changes and ownership changes.

Adria Swizterland (Darwin Airline) – Ceased operations on November 28, 2017 and was declared to be insolvent on December 12, 2017 and was liquidated.

Copyright Photo Above: Adria Switzerland SAAB 2000 HB-IYD (msn 059) (Etihad Regional colors) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 939524.

Aeropostal (Alas de Venezuela) – The long-time airline of Venezuela ceased all operations on September 24, 2017 due to the on-going financial situation in the country.

Above Copyright Photo: Aeropostal (Venezuela) McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 YV137T (msn 47771) CCS (Orlando Jose Suarez). Image: 905671.

Air Carnival – The short-lived Indian carrier shut its doors and ceased operations with its single ATR 72-500 on April 5, 2017.

Above Photo: Air Carnival (India) ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) M-IBAI (VT-CMA) (msn 767) (Air Carnival). Image: 940401.

Air Costa – The Indian airline suspended operations on February 28, 2017.

Photo Above: Air Costa.

Air India Regional – Reverted back to its original name of Alliance Air in March 2017. The airline continues operations under the Alliance Air (Air India) brand.

Above Copyright Photo: Air India Regional ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-600) F-WWEZ (VT-AIT) (msn 1226) TLS (Olivier Gregoire). Image: (26253.

Airberlin (Air Berlin) – AB filed for insolvency on August 15, 2017 and ceased all operations on October 27, 2017 after Etihad Airways announced it would no longer financially support the carrier. AB was the second largest scheduled passenger airline in Germany.

Above Copyright Photo: Airberlin (airberlin.com) Airbus A330-322 D-AERQ (msn 127) JFK (Ken Petersen). Image: 900466.

Belair (Airberlin) – Belair, like Airberlin, shut down and ceased all operations on October 28, 2017.

Above Copyright Photo: Airberlin (airberlin.com) (Belair Airlines) Airbus A321-211 WL HB-JOV (msn 6629) BSL (Paul Bannwarth). Image: 938111.

Bluebird Cargo – Became Bluebird Nordic in 2017 as a brand and name change only.

Above Copyright Photo: Bluebird Cargo Boeing 737-36E (F) TF-BBF (msn 25264) CDG (Christian Volpati). Image: 913697.

Borajet Airlines – Suspended operations on April 24, 2017. The carrier has hopes to return in 2018 but its aircraft were seized.

Above Copyright Photo: Borajet Airlines Embraer ERJ 190-200LR (ERJ 195) TC-YAU (msn 19000088) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 935050.

Eastern Air Lines (2nd) – The second version using the famous name had its AOC cancelled. The last revenue flight was operated on September 14, 2017 although one Boeing 737-800 (N277EA) operated by Swift Air still carries Eastern titles.

Above Copyright Photo: Eastern Air Lines (2nd) Boeing 737-8AL WL N276EA (msn 35070) MIA (Jay Selman). Image: 403415.

Etihad Regional (Darwin Airline) – Became Adria Swizterland in July 2017 when Etihad Airways withdrew its financial support.

Above Copyright Photo: Etihad Regional-Darwin Airline ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) HB-ACB (msn 662) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 922532.

Florida West International Airways (2nd) – The AOC was cancelled. Operations ended on February 28, 2017 as parent Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings decided to consolidate operations under the ATI banner.

Above Copyright Photo: Florida West International Airways (2nd) Boeing 767-346F ER N422LA (msn 35818) MIA (Brian McDonough). Image: 905972.

Flugfelag Islands – Air Iceland – Became Air Iceland Connect on May 24, 2017 (name change).

Above Copyright Photo: Flugfelag Islands-Air Iceland de Havilland Canada DHC-8-202 Dash 8 (Q200) TF-JMK (msn 446) AEY (Wingnut). Image: 925729.

Flybe (Loganair) – The two airlines cancelled their agreement and Loganair reverted back to its own Loganair brand on August 31, 2017. On September 1, 2017 Loganair signed a code share agreement with British Airways.

Above Copyright Photo: Flybe-Loganair de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter G-BVVK (msn 666) BRR (Robbie Shaw). Image: 907742.

GLO AIrlines – Filed for Chapter 11 reorganization on April 24, 2017 and ceased operations on July 15, 2017.

Above Copyright Photo: GLO Airlines (flyGLO.com) (Corporate Flight Management) SAAB 340B N9CJ (msn 224) LIT (Jason Hamm). Image: 938894.

InselAir (Aruba) – InselAir Aruba was declared bankrupt on July 7, 2017 after ceasing operations on June 7, 2017. However InselAir (Curacao) reorganized and downsized and continues to operate in the ABC Islands.

Above Copyright Photo: InselAir (Aruba) McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) P4-MDI (msn 49847) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 104316.

Island Air – The long-time inter-island airline in Hawaii shut down operations on November 10, 2017. The assets are being sold to Hawaiian Airlines for its ‘Ohana by Hawaiian division.

Above Copyright Photo: Island Air (Hawaii) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N682WP (msn 4546) HNL (Ivan K. Nishimura). Image: 939613.

Kan Air – The regional carrier in Thailand suspended operations on April 21, 2017.

Photo Above: Kan Air.

LGW (Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter) (Airberlin) – As part of the Airberlin Group, LGW also ceased operations on October 27, 2017. However it has now been purchased by the Lufthansa Group and will continue to operate as a company under the Eurowings brand.

Above Copyright Photo: Airberlin (airberlin.com) (LGW) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) D-ABQB (msn 4226) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 928479.

Mega Maldives Airlines – The airline suspended operations on May 2, 2017. It hopes to restructure.

Above Copyright Photo: Mega Maldives Airlines (Mega Global Air) (Travel Service Airlines) Boeing 737-86N SSWL OK-TVT (msn 39394) HKG (Javier Rodriguez). Image: 935872.

Monarch Airlines – The long-time British carrier shut down all operations on October 2, 2017.

Above Copyright Photo: Monarch Airlines Boeing 737-82R WL TC-AAY (G-ZBAV) (msn 40874) BHX (Ian Bowley). Image: 937834.

Naft Airlines – Became Karun Airlines in September 2017 (name change).

Above Copyright Photo: Naft Airlines Fokker F.28 Mk. 0100 EP-MIS (msn 11503) DXB (Paul Denton). Image: 940409.

Niki Luftfahrt (flyniki) – As part of the Airberlin Group, the Austrian carrier suspended operations on December 13, 2017. However the airline has been acquired by the IAG and will be operating again under Vueling.

Above Copyright Photo: Niki Luftfahrt (flyNiki.com) Embraer ERJ 190-100LR OE-IXG (msn 19000435) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 921621.

Starbow Airlines – Suspended operations on November 25, 2017 after the ATR 72-500 accident. The airline hopes to restore operations.

Above Copyright Photo: Starbow Airlines BAe 146-300 9G-SBB (msn E3123) SEN (Keith Burton). Image: 908647.

Thomas Cook Airlines (Belgium) – Operated its last flight on October 27, 2017.

Above Copyright Photo: Thomas Cook Airlines (Belgium) Airbus A320-214 OO-TCH (msn 1929) AMS (Tony Storck). Image: 935351.

Thomson Airways – Officially became TUI Airways (UK) on October 1, 2017 (name change).

Above Copyright Photo: Thomson Airways Boeing 737-8K5 SSWL G-FDZW (msn 37254) TFS (Paul Bannwarth). Image: 927490.

Tigerair (Singapore) – The Tigerair of Singapore was merged into Scoot on July 25, 2017.

Above Copyright Photo: Tigerair (Singapore) Airbus A320-232 WL 9V-TRL (msn 5721) PEN (Rob Finlayson). Image: 925825.

VECA Airlines – Suspended operations on January 16, 2017.

Above Copyright Photo: VECA Airlines Airbus A319-132 N1821V (msn 2383) SJO (Andres Meneses). Image: 929694.

VIM Airlines (VIM Avia) – Suspended all operations on October 15, 2017. The AOC was cancelled on November 4, 2017.

Above Copyright Photo: VIM Airlines (VIM Avia) Boeing 777-2H6 ER VP-BVA (msn 28413) DME (OSDU). Image: 933003.

Welcome Air – The last revenue flight was operated on December 26, 2017.

Above Copyright Photo: Welcome Air Dornier 328-110 OE-GBB (msn 3078) CFU (Antony J. Best). Image: 928724.

Yangtze River Express – Became Suparna Airlines on July 7, 2017 (name change).

Above Copyright Photo: Yangtze River Express Boeing 747-481 (BCF) B-2432 (msn 28283) ANC (Michael B. Ing). Image: 928002.

Yemenia (Yemen Airways) – The flag carrier of war-weary Yemen suspended operations on November 6, 2017 due to the on-going civil war and military air strikes. The carrier hopes to operate some flights in the future, war conditions permitting.

Above Copyright Photo: Yemenia (Yemen Airways) Airbus A330-243 7O-ADT (msn 632) FRA (Pascal Simon). Image: 904599.

European Commission approves the Lufthansa Group’s acquisition of LGW – Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter

Lufthansa Group made this announcement:

The European Commission gave its formal approval on December 21, 2017 to the acquisition of Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter mbH (LGW) by the Lufthansa Group. The approval follows an extensive assessment of the planned transaction by the European Union’s competition authorities in their merger control capacity, after the Lufthansa Group concluded an agreement on October 13, 2017 to take over parts of the insolvent Air Berlin Group. The Lufthansa Group had made extensive concessions in advance of this approval.

All LGW personnel to be taken over

The acquisition of LGW will see 33 aircraft firmly added to the Eurowings Group fleet: 20 Bombardier DHC-8-400s (Q400s) (above) and 13 aircraft of the Airbus A320 family. All the employees of LGW will transfer to Eurowings with their current contracts of employment. With additional recruitments, the number of personnel in LGW’s flight operations should rise to up to 870 in 2018.

The formal transaction for the acquisition of LGW has been scheduled for January 2018.

Over the past few weeks, Eurowings has already hired over 500 employees, including a large number of pilots and flight attendants. By now, we have collective expansion agreements with all the unions ensuring that all flight operations of Eurowings, without exception, will be able to grow in the near term.

Copyright Photo: All LGW aircraft with now operate in the Eurowings livery, shedding the Airberlin color scheme. Airberlin (airberlin.com) (LGW) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) D-ABQB (msn 4226) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 928479.

LGW is hiring Airbus A320 pilots, starts operating for Eurowings

LGW ceased operations along with Airberlin on October 27, 2017 (ironically 10 years to the day it started operations).

Since then the carrier has been hiring Airbus A320 crews. It started operating its first Airbus A320 for Eurowings on December 5. 2017. LGW will eventually replace the Airberlin A320s which previously operated for Eurowings.

Ex-Airline D-ABNT (above) became the first Airbus A320 to join the LGW fleet.

As previously reported, the Lufthansa Group acquired LGW and Niki from Airberlin as part of the bankruptcy procceedings.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by LGW): Eurowings (Airberlin) Airbus A320-214 D-ABNT (msn 2562) PMI (Ton Jochems). Image: 939083.

Eurowings:

LGW:

Airberlin sells Niki and LGW to Lufthansa

Airberlin issued this statement on October 12, 2017:

Air Berlin PLC and Air Berlin PLC & Co. Luftverkehrs KG have reached an understanding with Deutsche Lufthansa AG on October 12, 2017 that entities of the Deutsche Lufthansa group will acquire certain business units from entities of the Air Berlin group, including in particular NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH as well as Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter mbH (LGW). The combined purchase price of approximately EUR 210 million will be subject to adjustments upon closing of the transaction.

The transaction is, amongst others, subject to regulatory approvals.

The negotiations with easyJet Airline Company Limited and other bidders, in each case in respect of different units of the Air Berlin group, are still continuing.

Lufthansa issued this statement:

After intense negotiations over the past few weeks, Deutsche Lufthansa AG and the Air Berlin Group have signed a contract on October 13, 2017 regarding the purchase of NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH (NIKI) and Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter mbH (LGW).

These two carriers are projected to increase the capacity of the operational fleet at Eurowings as follows:

LGW with 870 employees, as well as 17 Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 and 13 Airbus A320 aircraft
NIKI with 830 employees, as well as 20 Airbus A320 type aircraft

This means that the wet-lease operation that is currently still provided for Eurowings by Air Berlin Group will be taken over by Eurowings’ own operational fleet. Eurowings also plans to acquire additional aircraft on the market and hire 1,300 more employees.

Eurowings remains the fastest-growing airline in Europe

“Our strategic modernization initiatives have paid off. We have regained the capacity to invest and grow, in order to play an active role in the consolidation of the European airline market with Eurowings. As the fastest-growing airline in Europe, Eurowings can now expand the range of services it offers customers,” says Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Deutsche Lufthansa AG.

Eurowings expands its market position in Germany and Europe

The fleet marketed by Eurowings (program fleet) is projected to grow from 160 to 210 aircraft with the finalization of the transaction and purchase of additional aircraft, with 189 short- and medium-haul aircraft and 21 long-haul aircraft, making Eurowings the third-largest in European point-to-point traffic. The number of flight operations will grow to a total of eight, including the aircraft operated by TUIfly and Sun Express on a wet-lease basis. With its platform concept, Eurowings is oriented towards the integration of flight operations and is predestined to actively advance the consolidation of the European aviation market.

At the same time, the number of employees is expected to grow from currently around 7,000 to roughly 10,000. Eurowings has approximately 50 new short-haul and medium-haul connections planned for the summer of 2018 and – not related to the transaction with Air Berlin – additional long-haul connections in North Rhine-Westphalia, Berlin and Munich. The airline will be growing particularly strongly at these locations. Eurowings is anticipating a total of 80,000 additional flights and 12 million additional passengers per year. This would increase the point-to-point traffic sales volume of the Lufthansa Group by up to 40 percent. Eurowings is expanding its competitive position in the German and European market with this. It will be able to produce at competitive costs with the acquired capacity and generate positive profit contributions as soon as the integration is complete.

The finalization of the transaction is subject to approval by the relevant committees and the competition authorities. Lufthansa expects the transaction to be finalized by the end of the year.

Top Copyright Photo: Niki-The Spirit of Niki (flyniki.com) Airbus A320-214 OE-LEX (msn 2867) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 922611.

Bottom Copyright Photo: Airberlin (airberlin.com) (LGW) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) D-ABQI (msn 4264) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 907142.

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