aha! Airlines has issued this notice about filing for Chapter bankruptcy protection and also shut down all operations.
The airline commenced operations on October 24, 2021.
Parent, ExpressJet Airlines, filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection in the State of Delaware.
CommutAir leadership and ALPA are excited to announce sweeping increases to our shared pilot compensation program. Incoming first officers will now start at $72.00/hr and Captains will start at $100.00/hr. Additionally, new sign-on & retention bonuses are now available up to a total of $25,000 for First Officers and $50,000 for Captain qualified pilots.
The opportunities offered by these updates will enable sustained growth for all of our employees. CommutAir pilots will now receive enhanced levels of scheduling, commuting expenses, health insurance, vacation, sick leave and 401k benefits that are among the best in the industry:
Compensation benefits of the agreement include:
United Express-CommutAir aircraft photo gallery:
TAP – Air Portugal issued this financial report:
TAP is recovering from the crisis, with ASK, number of passengers and number of departures reaching between 81% and 92% of pre-crisis 2019 levels, while revenues reached 99% of their pre-crisis level in the second quarter of 2019 (“2Q19”).
PRASK increased by 80.7% and 8.5% compared to 2Q21 and 2Q19, respectively, with Load Factor increasing by 32 percentage points compared to 2Q21 to 80.4%, reaching 96% of pre-crisis 2019 levels.
There was a strong operating result in 2Q22, with positive EBIT and Recurring EBIT amounting to EUR 66.4 million and EUR 47.9 million, respectively, above pre-crisis levels.
The cumulative Net Income for H1 2022 was EUR -202.1 million, still clearly negative, but EUR 291.1 million better than in the same period of 2021 and improving quarter-on-quarter.
There is an increase in the liquidity position to EUR 889.8 million, guarding against the fact that the second semester is seasonally the largest consumer of liquidity.
Christine Ourmiรจres-Widener, TAP Chief Executive Officer,ย said: “The second quarter saw very healthy demand and higher revenue per passenger, which allowed us to offset the increase in costs. Prospects for the fourth quarter and next year remain uncertain. The execution of the restructuring plan remains key.”
An analysis of operations in the second quarter of 2022 shows that the number of passengers carried quadrupled, compared to the same period of 2021, reaching 82% of 2Q19 levels. Additionally, during this period, TAP operated more than twice as many flights as in 2Q21, or 81% of 2Q19 departures.
Capacity (measured in ASK) increased by nearly three times compared to 2Q21, with the Load Factor improving by 32 p.p. when compared to the same period of 2021, reaching 80.4%. Compared to 2Q19, ASK are at 92% and Load Factor at 96% of pre-crisis levels.
Operating revenues were almost four times higher than in the same period last year, increasing by EUR 597.4 million to EUR 830.6 million, representing 99% of 2Q19 operating revenues. This was predominantly driven by increased fares and higher capacity, resulting in an increase in passenger segment revenues by EUR 586.4 million vs. 2Q21 to EUR 740 million and generating a PRASK of EUR 6.16 cents – an 80.7% improvement compared to 2Q21 and 8.5% compared to the same quarter in 2019.
The Maintenance and Cargo areas contributed to the increase in revenues with EUR 7.8 million and EUR 7.3 million, respectively. The Maintenance area ended the second quarter with revenues of EUR 18 million, up 76.9% on 2Q21. In turn, revenues in the Cargo area amounted to EUR 67.4 million, up 12.2% compared to 2Q21.
Recurring operating costs amounted to EUR 782.7 million, increasing by 92.5% compared to 2Q21. This significant increase reflects the higher level of activity, given an ASK increase of 166.5% during this period. Compared to the same period of 2019, recurring operating costs were 4.1% lower, despite an increase in fuel costs of EUR 71.6 million.
The CASK of recurring operating costs recorded a 27.8% reduction compared to 2Q21 to EUR 6.52 cents, which also compares to EUR 6.25 cents in 2Q19 (i.e., +4.4%). Excluding fuel, the reduction in unit costs is even more visible, with CASK ex-fuel reducing by 45.4% vs. 2Q21 and 9.9% vs. 2Q19.
Fuel costs increased by EUR 217.5 million vs. 2Q21, or close to five times, to EUR 277 million. There was, nevertheless, a positive hedging effect of EUR 54.5 million, which partially offset the sharp increase in the market price of jet fuel observed during the quarter.
Recurring EBITDA, recorded for the fourth consecutive quarter a positive figure and reached EUR 156.8 million in 2Q22. This represents an increase of EUR 211.7 million compared to the same period in 2021.
Recurring EBIT reached EUR 47.9 million, an increase of EUR 221.4 million compared to 2Q21. Considering non-recurring items, EBIT was positive by EUR 66.4 million (up EUR 216.1 million vs. 2Q21). Compared to 2Q19, Recurring EBIT and EBIT improved by EUR 29 million and EUR 50 million, respectively.
Non-recurring items, predominantly related to a release of provisions due to a reduced cost estimate for litigation and settlement risks related to the closure of M&E Brazil, in total had a positive impact of EUR 18.5 million on results.
Net Profit improved by EUR 47.6 million compared to 2Q21 to EUR -80.4 million, despite the negative net impact of foreign exchange differences of EUR 58.2 million resulting from the unfavorable evolution of the Euro versus USD.
The Balance Sheet showed a strong cash and cash equivalents position of EUR 889.9 million at the end of the quarter, increasing liquidity levels compared to both 4Q21 and 1Q22.
The cash position on 30 June 2022 was more than 1.5 times higher than at the same date in 2021, reflecting an increase of EUR 347 million. The EUR 990 million contribution approved by the European Commission in TAP’s restructuring plan is still pending and is expected to be executed by the end of the year.
From an operational perspective, a total of seven destinations that were temporarily suspended were reopened (of which four are seasonal from the summer season), such as: Ibiza, Tangier, Djerba, Monastir, Alicante, Boa Vista and Caracas.
With the relaunch of Boa Vista, TAP Air Portugal resumes operations to all international airports in Cape Verde, and with the relaunch of Caracas, operations to all long-haul destinations are now restored. Regarding the operational fleet, during the quarter, TAP recorded a net increase of three aircraft to 96. On 30 June 2022, 66% of the medium and long-haul operational fleet consisted of NEO family aircraft (compared to 63% on 30 June 2021 and 27% on 30 June 2019).
First Half
Looking at the first half year-to-date, revenues reached EUR 1 321.2 million in the period, an increase of 245% compared to 1H21. Together with the higher level of activity (ASK increased by 217%), operating costs also recorded a significant increase of 73% to EUR 1 316.8 million, leading to a positive EBIT of EUR 4.4 million, an increase of EUR 381.7 million compared to 1H21.
Recurring EBIT, excluding non-recurring items of EUR -3 million, was also positive at EUR 1.4 million. Net interest and unfavorable currency developments, particularly in the second quarter, led to a Net Profit at EUR -202.1 million, still EUR 291.1 million better than in the same half of 2021 (“1H21”).
TAP aircraft photo gallery:
PLAY, a low-cost airline operating flights between the United States and Europe, today announces the expansion of its U.S. footprint with a new destination, Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), offering affordable, convenient flights for both Icelandic and European tourists to explore the Washington D.C. area and for Americans traveling to popular European destinations.
When flights begin in 2023, PLAY will be the only low-cost option for flights from IAD to Europe. IAD represents the fourth largest U.S.-Reykjavik passenger market and the premiere gateway for international travel for the national capital region, making the airport a key opportunity for the Icelandic airline. This new route follows PLAYโs first summer of operations in the U.S. which have been strong thus far, having increased the airlineโs load factor by 25% in July for a total of 109,956 passengers flown, more than the total number of PLAY passengers in 2021. As the eighth largest city in North America, Washington D.C. is an important foothold for PLAY as it continues to expand its U.S. presence.
PLAYโs hub-and-spoke model enables the airline to offer affordable rates that will stand out among competitors as passengers plan travel for the upcoming spring and summer months. Flights from IAD will complement PLAYโs flights from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), giving passengers two options for affordable travel between Iceland, Europe, and the U.S.
To serve the local market, PLAY will operate Airbus A321 and A320 aircraft from IAD. PLAYโs passengers will also benefit from the Washington Metroโs Silver Line extension, which will connect the airport to Washington D.C. beginning this fall.
Keflavik base:
PLAY aircraft photo gallery:
British Airways made this announcement:
Renewable fuels company Aemetis, Inc. has announced a multi-year agreement with International Airlines Group (IAG) to supply sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to help power both British Airways and Irish flag carrier Aer Lingusโ flights from San Francisco Airport from 2025.
IAG, parent company of both British Airways and Aer Lingus, will purchase a total of 78,400 tons of SAF over seven years, enough to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 248,000 tons (the equivalent of taking over 16,000 cars off the road) across the same time period.
The SAF will be produced at the Aemetis Carbon Zero plant currently under development in Riverbank, California. This plant will be powered by 100% renewable electricity and is designed to sequester CO2 from the production process, significantly reducing the carbon intensity of the fuel.
International Airlines Group was the first airline group in the world to commit to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and the first European airline group to commit to using SAF for 10% of its fuel by 2030.
British Airways is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions through a series of short, medium- and long-term initiatives as part of its BA Better World sustainability program.ย In the short-term this includes improving operational efficiency, flying more fuel efficient aircraft, funding carbon offset and removal projects to mitigate emissions on UK domestic flights, and progressively introducing sustainable aviation fuels manufactured using carbon capture technology and waste feedstocks. In the medium to longer term the airline is continuing to invest in the development and scale up of sustainable aviation fuel and accelerating the growth of new technologies such as zero emissions hydrogen-powered aircraft and carbon capture technology.
Aer Lingus is committed to a lower-carbon future. A key focus of delivering Aer Lingusโ sustainability programme, in addition to SAF, is investment in new generation and more fuel-efficient aircraft such as the Airbus A320neo and A32l neo LR. Other significant efforts include establishing a robust carbon offsetting programme, driving operational fuel efficiencies, waste reduction and electrifying our ground operations fleet.
British Airways aircraft photo gallery (Boeing):
Mesa Air Group, Inc. reported its third quarter fiscal 2022 financial and operating results.
Fiscal Third Quarter Highlights:
Jonathan Ornstein, Chairman and CEO, said, โWhile demand remained resilient for the quarter, our financial results continue to be impacted by industry-wide, elevated pilot attrition and the significant reduction in the commercial pilot pipeline, exacerbated by the 1,500-hour rule. Looking forward, we intend to take dramatic action to address the pilot shortage through increased recruiting, additional simulator capacity, and expansion of our pilot pipeline. We are also pleased that United Airlines has expanded the Aviate program to include all of our pilots.โ
Fiscal Third Quarter Details:
Total operating revenues in Q3 2022 were $134.4 million, an increase of $9.2 million (7.4%) from $125.2 million for Q3 2021. Contract revenue increased $9.2 million, or 8.4%. This was due to the return to normal rates from our partners, which were temporarily reduced last year related to the PSP program. These were partially offset by a reduction in block hours. Mesaโs Q3 2022 results include, per GAAP, the recognition of $6.8 million of previously deferred revenue, versus the deferral of $1.9 million of revenue in Q3 2021. The remaining deferred revenue balance of $22.7 million will be recognized as flights are completed over the remaining terms of the contracts.
Mesaโs Adjusted EBITDA1 for Q3 2022 was $20.1 million, compared to $35.3 million in Q3 2021, and Adjusted EBITDAR1 was $29.4 million for Q3 2022, compared to $44.9 million in Q3 2021.
Mesaโs Q3 FY22 results reflect a net loss of $10.0 million, or $(0.28) per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.3 million, or $0.11 per diluted share for Q3 FY21. Mesaโs Q3 FY22 adjusted pre-tax loss1 was $8.7 million versus an adjusted pre-tax income1 of $5.8 million in Q3 FY21. The year over year decrease in adjusted pre-tax income of $14.5 million was primarily due to lower block hours, the net impact of the PSP program, and the change in deferred revenue.
Operationally, the Company ran a controllable completion factor of 98.8% for American and 99.8% for United during Q3 2022. This is compared to a controllable completion factor of 99.4% for American and 99.9% for United during Q3 2021. This excludes cancellations due to weather and air traffic control.
With respect to a total completion factor that includes all cancellations, Mesa reported a total completion factor of 97.7% for American and 98.8% for United during Q3 2022. This is compared to a total completion factor of 97.6% for American and 99.2% for United during Q3 2021.
Liquidity and Capital Resources:
Mesa ended the quarter at $54.4 million in unrestricted cash and equivalents. As of June 30, 2022, the Company had $653.4 million in total debt secured primarily with aircraft and engines.
Fleet:
For the three months ended June 30, 2022, 46% of the Companyโs total revenue was derived from our contracts with United, 47% from American, 2% from DHL, and 5% from leases of aircraft to a third party.
Below is our current and future fleet plan by partner and fleet type for FY22:
| Fleet Plan (FY22) | Q1 (Dec ’21) | Q2 (Mar ’22) | Q3 (Jun ’22) | Q4 (Sep ’22) |
| Actual | Actual | Actual | Forecast | |
| E-175 โ UA | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| CRJ-900 โ AA | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| 737-400F โ DHL | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Sub-total | 122 | 123 | 123 | 123 |
| CRJ-700 leased | 17 | 18 | 20 | 20 |
| CRJ-700 to be leased to third party |
3 | 2 | – | – |
| CRJ spares or parked | 25 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| CRJ held for sale | – | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Total fleet | 167 | 168 | 168 | 168 |
Happy Airways (Strasbourg) is a proposed airline seeking investors.
The upstart hopes to connect its Strasbourg home with 14 destinations in the rest of Europe.
The new airline is planning to commence operations with two ATR 72-600s if funding can be secured.
The airline also wants a low carbon footprint and plans to use electric vehicles on the ground.
The project is looking for investors and will also crowdfunding to raise the necessary capital.
Eurowings has made this announcement:
Business travel is back. Against the backdrop of rising demand for business flights, Eurowings is significantly increasing its offer for business travelers and from September will be offering around 30 percent more flights compared to the previous year. This is Eurowings’ response to the strong growth in demand for business destinations such as Vienna, Zurich, London and Milan. At the same time, the Lufthansa subsidiary is expanding the capacity of its BIZclass product on numerous routes.
“We see very clearly that after the end of the summer holidays in some German states, the demand for business flights has increased significantly,” says Eurowings CEO Jens Bischof. “Many business travelers want to attend their meetings in person again and are booking their flights now. Even though we have not yet reached the pre-Corona level, the incoming bookings clearly show us the progressive normalization in this segment as well. We are responding to this with a 30 per cent increase in services and more BIZclass capacity.”
Eurowings is also observing a progressive normalization of the processes on the ground and in the air. For weeks now, the airline has been bringing its passengers to their destinations with a reliability of 99 per cent – a high value widely recognized in the industry.
From its largest base in Dรผsseldorf, Eurowings serves more than 30 classic business destinations in around ten countries. As part of the expansion of the programme, the highly popular connections to Berlin, Zurich and Milan will be increased with up to 10,000 additional seats on offer. In addition, Eurowings will offer twice-daily connections to Stockholm, Prague, Dresden, Birmingham, Geneva, Lyon and Salzburg. Other business destinations from Dรผsseldorf include Athens, Belgrade, Bologna, Budapest, Gdansk, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Krakow, Rome, Gothenburg, Graz, London, Lisbon, Linz, Manchester, Marseille, Newcastle and Vienna. In total, Eurowings passengers can choose from more than 100 direct connections from the NRW state capital.
From Cologne/Bonn, Eurowings is particularly increasing its capacity on the highly demanded route to Berlin: for example, more than 6,000 additional seats will go on sale for this route in September. Business travelers will then be able to choose from up to six daily departures to the German capital. In total, Eurowings serves more than 60 direct destinations throughout Europe from Cologne/Bonn, including Stockholm, Athens, Bologna, Budapest, Hamburg, Rome, London, Lisbon, Milan, Munich, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna and Zurich, all of which are important destinations for business travel.
From Hamburg, Eurowings is doubling its services on the route to Amsterdam. The connection to Milan will also be significantly increased. From September, the Hanseatic city will again be connected three times daily with the destinations Vienna and Munich. Eurowings’ services from Hamburg include the important destinations for business travelers Cologne/Bonn, Dรผsseldorf, Stuttgart, Munich, Stockholm, Budapest, Paris, Rome, London, Lisbon, Oslo, Salzburg, Vienna and Zurich. In total, travelers with Eurowings can choose from 50 destinations from Hamburg.
At the Stuttgart base, Eurowings is increasing its offer by more than 150,000 additional seats for business destinations. For example, after the summer break, the connection to Bremen is back in the programme. Eurowings is offering a third more flights on routes to Budapest, Hamburg and Milan. The market leader at Stuttgart Airport offers more than 60 destinations – including business connections to Amsterdam, Athens, Belgrade, Berlin, Rome, Graz, London, Lisbon, Tbilisi and Vienna.
From Berlin, business travelers will have access to a daily Eurowings connection to Stockholm for the first time – making Berlin the fourth direct connection from Germany that Eurowings offers to the Swedish capital. Business travelers from the German capital benefit from the high-frequency connections to Cologne/Bonn, Dรผsseldorf and Salzburg with Eurowings. To these destinations alone there are more than 200 flights a week to and from Berlin in the Eurowings flight schedule.
On other news, Eurowings has announced it is adding Currywurst:
From now on, French fries and German currywurst will complete the culinary pleasures on Eurowings flights / More sustainability in the selection thanks to organic packaging
A new addition to the Eurowings menu: Eurowings customers can now enjoy hot currywurst during their flight. In keeping with the summer season, the currywurst expands the in-flight product range and can be combined particularly well with crispy French fries with vegan mayo, which have already been available on board since May and are enjoying great popularity: in July alone, more than 4,000 servings of fries were sold on board. All the ingredients of the currywurst are sourced from regional German suppliers. The specialty is available on all flights that are in the air for more than an hour.
Currywurst is one of Germanyโs favorite dishes: every year, around 800 million servings are eaten nationwide. The iconic snack is so popular, in fact, that Currywurst Day is celebrated across the country in its honor on September 4. The sausage is more commonly found in stadiums, outdoor pools and snack bars โ Eurowings is pleased to be the only German airline to now offer its customers the popular classic sausage dish on board in addition to the “Fries in the Skies”. Customers can order a currywurst for 7.50 euros.
In addition to the currywurst, Eurowings offers its guests many other attractive snacks above the clouds, so there is something for every taste. At the same time, Germany’s leading leisure airline is focusing more and more on sustainability. For example, the sandwiches offered by Eurowings are now available in fully recyclable packaging. The “Nature-flex” film made of renewable raw materials is fully compostable and biodegradable. Its introduction on board avoids several tons of plastic waste per year.
Eurowings aircraft photo gallery:
Flybe (Birmingham) has announced its 2022-2023 winter schedule.
The reborn airline will fly to 12 destinations.
Starting on October 30, 2022, Flybe will add additional routesย and frequencies from London Heathrow to Newquay and also from Birmingham toย Belfast City, Belfast City to East Midlands and Southampton to Glasgow.
Flybe will continue toย offer international flights from Belfast City, Birmingham, East Midlands and London Heathrowย to Amsterdam.
Route Map:
Southwind Airlines (Antalya) launched the Antalya – Tbilisi charter route on August 21.
According to TAV Airports,ย Southwind Airlines will run charter flights to Antalya on a weekly basis, with an Airbus A21 aircraft every Sunday until September 25.
The new describes its mission:
Southwind Airlines is headquartered in Antalya and will continue its operations with a total of 4 aircraft, 2 wide body Airbus A330 and 2 narrow body Airbus A321 in the first stage.
In order to take an important position in Turkey and in global civil aviation, we combine our vision and mission with our global, young and dynamic perspective, and we are actively working to carry our country’s flag in the skies on the routes of Germany, England, France, Russia, Scandinavian countries and Israel.
We aim to increase the number of tourists who will visit our country by concentrating on charter flights to contribute to Turkish tourism by cooperating with tour operators in these countries and evaluating today’s dynamics.
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