United States Postal Service celebrates 100th Anniversary of air mail service

The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the 100th anniversary of the beginning of regular airmail service with a Forever stamp. This stamp celebrates the courage of the pioneering airmail carriers and the foresight of those who fostered the new service and made it a success.

The first-day-of-issue ceremony for the blue United States Air Mail Forever stamp, pictured above, took place today, May 1, at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum.

A second stamp, red and pictured left, will be issued in College Park, MD on Aug.11, 2018. The stamp will commemorate United States Air Mail as an official function of the Post Office Department.

Both stamps, printed in the intaglio print method — a design transferred to paper from an engraved plate — depict the type of plane typically used in the early days of airmail, a Curtiss JN-4H biplane. The biplane was also featured on the 24-cent stamps originally issued in 1918 to commemorate the beginning of regularly scheduled airmail service.

The stamp design evokes that earlier period. The stamp designer and typographer was Dan Gretta; Greg Breeding was the art director.

Background
On May 15, 1918, in the midst of World War I, a small group of Army pilots delivered mail along a route that linked Washington, Philadelphia, and New York City — initiating the world’s first regularly scheduled airmail service. The blue stamp, released May 1, 2018, commemorated the pioneering spirit of the brave pilots who first flew the mail in the early years of aviation.

The United States Post Office Department, the predecessor to the U.S. Postal Service, took charge of U.S. Air Mail service later that summer, operating it from Aug. 12, 1918, through Sept. 1, 1927. Airmail delivery, daily except Sundays, became part of the fabric of the American economy and spurred the growth of the nation’s aviation industry. The red stamp commemorated this milestone.

Both stamps, printed in the intaglio print method — a design transferred to paper from an engraved plate — depict the type of plane typically used in the early days of airmail, a Curtiss JN-4H biplane. The biplane was also featured on the stamps originally issued in 1918 to commemorate the beginning of regularly scheduled airmail service. The stamp design evokes that earlier period.

For airmail service to succeed in the early days of flight, the Post Office had to develop profitable routes, such as between New York and Chicago, and establish the infrastructure for safely making night flights. It set up lighted airfields and erected hundreds of airmail guide beacons between New York and San Francisco so that by 1924 regularly scheduled, transcontinental flying was possible, day and night.

Airmail delivery, daily except Sundays, became part of the fabric of the American economy and spurred the growth of the nation’s aviation industry.

The United States Air Mail stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp that will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one ounce price.

Air Transat unveils its 2018-2019 winter line-up

Air Transat made this announcement:

Air Transat today unveiled its flight program for winter 2018–2019, offering travellers a choice of 34 sun destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America as well as Florida, along with an even more diversified selection of European cities, which are increasingly appreciated by Canadians during the winter season. Air Transat, the leading leisure carrier in Canada, is also pleased to announce the return of flights from Toronto and Montrealto Saint-Martin/St-Maarten and San Juan, Puerto Rico, both of which are embarkation ports for Transat’s all-in-one cruise packages.

Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Florida remain Canadians’ top picks

More than ever, Air Transat is there for Canadian vacationers looking to escape to their favorite trio of destinations, with an increase in the number of its direct flights and new travel opportunities via Toronto. Extra flights to Cancún, Mexico, will be added, departing from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Hamilton, Montrealand Quebec City. Vancouver residents will enjoy daily connections to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and more flights to the Pacific resort destination will be available to holidayers in and around Edmonton. The Dominican Republic is also prominent in the program, with flights added out of Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax to Punta Cana, whose magnificent white sand beaches need no introduction. With the beaches of Florida enjoying a resurgence in popularity, Air Transat is boosting its direct flights to Fort Lauderdale from Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax, as well as to Tampa out of Toronto.

From major Canadian cities, a total of 29 weekly flights will be offered to Florida. Note also that Transat offers several all-in-one cruise package itineraries sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Miami.

In recent years, Costa Rica has emerged as an increasingly popular tourism destination, with its unbeatable blend of off-the-beaten-path natural wonders and relaxing beaches. Air Transat has responded to demand by adding more direct flights from Toronto to San José and Liberia.

The carrier is also pleased to announce that it is boosting its number of direct flights from Montreal to Cartageña, Colombia, and Fort-de-France, Martinique.

Europe year-round with Air Transat

For growing numbers of Canadians, a winter escape is now synonymous with Portugal or Spain. Accordingly, Air Transat is increasing capacity on its Lisbon and Porto routes out of both Toronto and Montreal, as well as to Málaga, Spain out of Montreal—and, thanks to Faro connection, also puts the Algarve region of Portugalwithin easy reach.

Air Transat also remains dedicated to offering Canadians year-round travel to Europe, with its popular daily direct flights from Montreal to Paris, France, and from Toronto to London in the UK, as well as frequent flights to Manchester and Glasgow.

Even more domestic and connecting flights

This winter, Air Transat is enriching its program of domestic flights, connecting many of Canada’s largest cities and opening up a wider choice of Sun and transatlantic destinations to travellers in those markets. The carrier is strongly developing its offer in Western Canada’s largest cities (Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton) to Torontoand Montreal, which significantly increases the number of South and Europedestinations available as well as the number of flights departing Western Canada. There will also be more flights between Montreal and Toronto, providing more flexibility to passengers looking to travel to a larger number of European destinations.

Air Transit aircraft slide show:

Alaska Airlines successfully migrates Virgin America into their Sabre passenger services system

Sabre Corporation and Alaska Airlines have successfully migrated Virgin America to Alaska’s passenger services system (PSS), hosted by Sabre. The recently completed migration will allow Alaska and Virgin America to move forward using Sabre systems as one unified airline while offering a seamless, end-to-end guest experience.

Sabre and Alaska have been engaged for the last year building the foundation for Alaska’s growth and superior customer experience. The successful migration is an example of the companies’ deeply collaborative relationship. Now that the integration is complete, Alaska will expand its use of Sabre’s customer management technology across the enterprise to fulfill its brand promise, enhance retailing capabilities and offer guests the best options in an ultra-competitive environment.

In December 2017, Alaska Airlines renewed its longstanding partnership with Sabre, including access to full content through the global distribution system (GDS) and an expansion of Alaska’s passenger services system. Alaska Airlines and its regional partners fly 44 million guests a year to more than 115 destinations, with an average of 1,200 daily flights across the United States, Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica.

Saratov Airlines becomes Ivolga Airlines

Saratov Airlines announced on April 28, 2018 it operated its first flight (Saratov-Dalaman) as Ivolga Airlines.

The airline stated (translated from Russian):

“On April 28, 2018, the pictured Embraer 190 VQ-BRY aircraft, under the Ivolga Airlines brand, returned to the Saratov Central Airport after performing basic maintenance in Rzeszow, Poland.

The Еmbraer190, VQ-BRY, on the same day operated the first charter flight on the route Saratov-Dalaman (Turkey).”

This change came after Russian authorities has extended its AOC for one month through May 30.

For now, the livery remains the same with new titles.

The airline suffered an image crisis when flight 6W 703, a domestic passenger flight from Moscow Domodedovo Airport to Orsk Airport in Russia, crashed. On February 11, 2018, the Antonov An-148-100B, crashed shortly after take-off, killing all 71 people on board — 65 passengers and 6 crew members.

Photo: Saratov Airlines.

The newest tail from Norwegian

From Norwegian Air Shuttle:

Today is 46 years of the death of Clara Campoamor (1888 – 1972), writer, politics and feminist Spanish, and one of the main drivers of female suffrage in Spain, achieved in 1931.

Thai celebrates 58 years of flying

Thai Airways International is celebrating 58 years of flying on social media:

58 years connecting Thailand to the world and the world to Thailand. 58 years at your service, endeavouring to create legendary journeys. Wherever and whenever you fly with us, we will always aim to make your journey as Smooth as Silk.

Southwest to serve four destinations in Hawaii

Southwest Airlines on April 26 announced its intention to serve Honolulu, HI (Oahu); Kahului, HI (Maui); Kona, HI (Island of Hawaii); Lihue, HI (Kauai).

Additional details will be coming soon, so continue to check back for announcements on mainland gateways, future schedules, and more! Mahalo!

Uzbekistan Airways orders another Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

Uzbekistan Airways and the Boeing Company have signed an agreement for the delivery of another Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The airline will have six in service by 2020.

The third Dreamliner, which is expected to be delivered in the middle of May, 2018. It differs from the previous two Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. The number of seats is increased – the total number of seats will be 270 (business class 24, economy class 246).

Uzbekistan Airways became the first customer of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Central Asia.

On July 27, 2017 the 787 performed the first nonstop flight from Tashkent to New York.

Top Copyright Photo (all other by the airline): Uzbekistan Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner UK78701 (msn 38363) BKK (Michael B. Ing). Image: 940632.

Uzbekistan Airways aircraft slide show:

Frontier pilots say negotiations are at an impasse, ask NMB to impose deadline on talks

ALPA has issued this statement:

The union representing Frontier Airlines pilots has petitioned the federal government to release them from mediation, which could start the clock for a potential pilot strike 30 days later.

In a letter submitted to the National Mediation Board (NMB), the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) said it believes further mediation would be futile and requested that the NMB make a proffer of arbitration. If the NMB does so and either the union or the company declines arbitration, the two sides would enter a 30-day cooling-off period, after which time the parties would be free to engage in self-help—such as a strike by the pilots or a lockout by the company.

Frontier’s 1,200 pilots are the lowest-paid narrowbody pilots in the United States, with captain pay rates falling 40 percent below the industry average. They are the last pilots in the United States flying under a contract negotiated while their airline was in bankruptcy. Since the last contract was ratified in 2007, the Denver-based carrier has become one of the nation’s most profitable airlines.

ALPA’s letter to the NMB explains that management has engaged in bad-faith bargaining, continues to seek bankruptcy-like concessions, has offered below-average industry pay, and can be expected to continue to resist concluding an agreement without decisive action by the Board.

“Despite its industry-leading financial performance, Frontier Airlines has insisted upon a substantially discounted pilot contract,” said ALPA’s president, Capt. Tim Canoll. “The company has made it plain that it is unwilling to pay market rates, make industry-standard retirement contributions, or enter into job-security provisions that other companies accept and negotiate routinely. ALPA believes this dispute will only be resolved by proffering arbitration.”

In a strike-authorization vote taken last August, 100 percent of participating Frontier pilots gave their leadership the go-ahead to declare a legal strike at the conclusion of the cooling-off period if the NMB releases ALPA to self-help. The two sides have been in negotiations for more than two years and in federal mediation since November 2016. The two sides’ last mediation session concluded on April 20 with no further sessions scheduled.

“Frontier pilots have been working under the same contract for more than 10 years while our peers at other airlines have negotiated big increases with their companies,” said Capt. Tracy Smith, chairman of ALPA’s Frontier Airlines group. “We are absolutely unwilling to work at a discount when our airline pays market rates for fuel, aircraft, gates, and everything else. We demand a market-rate agreement and we are 100 percent ready to strike if that’s what it takes to get one.”

Photo: ALPA.

Frontier Airlines (2nd) aircraft slide show:

Jazeera Airways to launch three weekly flights to Tbilisi

Jazeera Airways has announced the launch of its three weekly flights to Tbilisi, capital and largest city in Georgia from June 13, 2018.

Additionally, Jazeera Airways will be adding the fourth destination in India after Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Kochi recently, Jazeera Airways will now fly to Mumbai starting May 9.