China Southern Airlines is uncertain on whether it will take any more Boeing 737 MAX deliveries

China Southern Airlines has stated it has not yet confirmed a timetable for the delivery of its remaining Boeing 737 MAX jets on order from Boeing.

The airline has 24 Boeing 737-8 MAX 8s grounded in China although Chinese authorities has authorized the type to fly again.

Complicating the issue has been the dramatic downturn in traffic in China due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.

Previously the airline predicted 39 MAX jets would be delivered in 2022, 37 in 2023 and 27 in 2024. This is now in doubt.

Top Copyright Photo: China Southern Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 B-1122 (msn 43951) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 957667.

China Southern aircraft slide show:

China Southern aircraft photo gallery:

ATR evolves to the ATR ‘EVO’

ATR, the world leader in regional aviation, today announced its plans for the next generation of its best-selling family of regional aircraft by 2030, the ATR ‘EVO’.

The plan foresees advanced design features and a new power plant with hybrid capability to offer customers the next generation of ATR aircraft. It will encompass innovative technologies to enable significant improvements in performance, economics and sustainability. Incorporating a new eco-design that includes new propellers and enhanced cabin and systems, it will remain a two-engine turboprop that can be powered by 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

In the coming months, ATR will work with airlines, engine manufacturers and systems providers, with the aim to launch the program by 2023.

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Antonov Airlines temporarily relocates to Germany

Antonov Airlines, due to Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, is being forced to temporarily relocate to Leipzig, Germany from Hostomel Airport, near Kyiv.

Despite its aircraft losses, the company will continue to operate its five operational Antonov An-124-100 transports from Leipzig mainly in support of NATO and Ukraine.

Antonov Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

IAG orders 50 Boeing 737-8-200s and 737-10s, plus 100 options

Boeing and International Airlines Group (IAG) have announced an order for a combined total of 50 737-8-200s and 737-10s, plus 100 options.

The 737-8-200 will enable IAG to configure the airplane with up to 200 seats, increasing revenue potential and reducing fuel consumption.

(Boeing photo)

The largest model in the family, the 737-10 seats up to 230 passengers in a single-class configuration and can fly up to 3,300 miles. The fuel-efficient jet can cover 99% of single-aisle routes, including routes served by 757s.

The 737 incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. The 737 family of airplanes is on average 14% more fuel-efficient than today’s most efficient Next-Generation 737s and 20% more efficient than the original Next-Generation 737s when they entered service.

This announcement finalizes a commitment made by IAG for the 737 at the 2019 Paris Air Show and is subject to approval by IAG shareholders.

Note: IAG did not specify which airlines will operate the aircraft.

Rome Fiumicino Airport opens a new pier A

The new boarding area A for Schengen and domestic flights was inaugurated today at Leonardo da Vinci Airport. The event, attended by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, was also attended by the President of ENAC, Pierluigi Di Palma, the Mayor of Fiumicino, Esterino Montino, the Mayor of the Metropolitan City of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, the President of the Lazio Region, Nicola Zingaretti, and the Minister of Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility, Enrico Giovannini. Also present were Atlantia Chairman Giampiero Massolo together with Atlantia CEO Carlo Bertazzo as well as ADR Chairman Claudio De Vincenti and CEO Marco Troncone.

The new 37,000 m2 Boarding Area A, a testimonial to Italian excellence from an engineering and architectural point of view, was completed using the airport site as efficiently as possible (without consuming additional land) and built using the country’s best expertise. It is a state-of-the-art infrastructure for innovative and environmentally friendly solutions that will accommodate an additional 6 million departing passengers yearly at Fiumicino airport, thanks to 23 new gates, 13 of which are equipped with boarding bridges. The infrastructure, an important step in the project to upgrade the eastern area of the airport with a total investment of EUR 400 million, was completed despite the difficult years of the pandemic, which hit the air transport sector particularly hard. It is, therefore, part of Aeroporti di Roma’s airport development project and of the Atlantia Group’s sustainability and innovation-oriented path, whose focus is to make investments that enable the energy transition of its assets while at the same time activating its strong technological upgrade.

The work consists of two large structures connected by a linking body along which 7 masterpieces from the Ostia antica Archaeological Park are exhibited to promote Roman classicism and the historical and artistic value of the area where

Fiumicino airport operates an innovative pier dedicated to flights to Schengen and domestic destinations, which allows the docking of the most modern aircraft available and an exclusive shopping gallery with over 6,000 square metres of space dedicated to retail and excellent food & beverage. Outstanding services, in line with the record achieved by ADR in passenger appreciation, certified by Airport Council International and obtained by the Roman airport for five years in a row.

Marco Finelli reporting from Italy.

FAA clears United’s 52 P&W Boeing 777-200s to return to service

United Airlines has received FAA approval to gradually return its 52 Pratt & Whitney-powered Boeing 777-200s to service.

The FAA approved the service bulletins for the necesaary changes that will allow the aircraft to return to service.

The first 777 is expected to reenter service next week.

United’s 52 Pratt & Whitney-powered Boeing 777s have been grounded since an engine failure in Denver in February 2021.

Top Copyright Photo: United Airlines Boeing 777-222 ER N210UA (msn 30216) IAD (Brian McDonough). Image: 950647.

United Airlines aircraft photo gallery (Boeing):

Thai reports a smaller loss in the first quarter, increases flights

Thai Airways International issues this financial report for the first quarter:

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) announces results of its operational performance for the first quarter of 2022 of THAI and its subsidiaries with the total revenue excluding the one-time transactions at 11,181 million baht, higher than last year by 6,797 million baht or 155%, mainly due to an increase in both passenger and cargo revenue by 6,719 million baht or 255.7%. The total operating expenses excluding the one-time transactions amounted to 14,348 million baht which was 2,967 million baht higher than the previous year, mainly due to variable operating expenses and the rise in fuel price. This resulted in operating loss before the financial costs excluding the one-time transactions at 3,167 million baht, lower than last year by 3,830 million baht or 54.7%.

THAI and its subsidiaries reported 3,243 million baht of net loss in the Q1/ 2022, lower than the same period last year by 8,962 million baht. Loss attributable to owners of the parent company amounted to 3,247 million baht. Loss per share was 1.49 baht, while in Q1/2021 was 5.59 baht.

As of 31 March 2022, the total assets of THAI and its subsidiaries were 162,423 million baht, which increased by 1,204 million baht compared to the figure as of 31 December 2021. The total liabilities were 236,909 million baht, an increase by 4,439 million baht. Shareholders’ equity amounted to -74,486 million baht, which is a decrease of 3,235 million baht, due to THAI and its subsidiaries’ net loss.

From Q1/2022 to the first two months of Q2/2022, travel demand has significantly increased due to the Government’s Test and Go entry requirements. THAI and THAI Smile reported an increase of international and domestic passengers in average per day from 4,929 and 269 in October 2021 to 10,238 and 10,870 respectively in the first ten days of May 2021. THAI Cargo also reported its operational service per day at 50% of 2019 before COVID-19 pandemic.

From Q2/2022, THAI and THAI Smile will increase flight frequencies for operations on international and domestic routes in response to the significantly higher demand for air travel due to decreasing rate of COVID-19 infections and travel restrictions loosening in many countries. As for Thailand’s entry requirements, since 1 May 2022, the Government has cancelled COVID-19 testing measures for vaccinated travelers and required RT-PCR test from unvaccinated travelers on day 4-5 after their arrival date in the country.

THAI increases flight frequencies and resumes flight services with details as follows:

Flight frequencies are increased in the following destinations:

• Chennai (India) from five weekly flights to daily flight, starting 1 April 2022

• Bengaluru (India) from five weekly flights to daily flight, starting 1 April 2022

• Delhi from daily flight to twice daily flights, starting 1 April 2022

• Mumbai from five weekly flights to daily flight, starting 1 April 2022

• Lahore (Pakistan) from three to four weekly flights, starting 1 May 2022

• Karachi from two to three weekly flights, starting 1 May 2022

• Islamabad from two to three weekly flights, starting 1 May 2022

• Hanoi from daily flight to twice daily flights, starting 1 May 2022

• Ho Chi Minh from daily flight to twice daily flights, starting 1 May 2022

• Phnom Penh from daily flight to twice daily flights, starting 1 May 2022

• Melbourne from four weekly flights to daily flight, starting 17 May 2022

• London from eleven weekly flights to twice daily flight, starting 29 May 2022

• Jakarta from three weekly flights to daily flight, starting 1 June 2022

• Dhaka (Bangladesh) from daily flight to ten weekly flights, starting 1 June 2022

• Frankfurt from ten weekly flights to twice daily flights, starting 25 June 2022

• Taipei from four weekly flights to daily flight, starting 1 July 2022

• Singapore from 10 weekly flights to twice daily flights, starting 1 July 2022

• Copenhagen from five weekly flights to daily flight, starting 1 July 2022

• Munich from five weekly flights to daily flight, starting 1 July 2022

• Zurich from five weekly flights to daily flight, starting 1 July 2022

Additional flight adjustments are as follows:

• Penang: four weekly flights, starting 1 May 2022

• Vientiane: three weekly flights, starting 1 May 2022

• Bali (Denpasar): four weekly flights, staring 1 May 2022

daily flight, starting 18 June 2022

• Hyderabad: daily flight, starting 13 May 2022

• Yangon: daily flight, starting 1 June 2022

• Tokyo (Haneda): daily flight, starting 1 July 2022

• Kaohsiung (Taiwan): daily flight, staring 1 July 2022

• Brussels: three weekly flights, during 2 July – 30 August 2022

In addition, THAI Smile will operate twice daily flights from Don Mueang airport to Phuket International airport starting 20 May 2022.

The Company continues to improve customer experiences through the Royal First Class cabin on flights TG910/911 in London route and TG600/601 in Hong Kong route utilizing new Boeing 777-300ERs, which were equipped with wider seats and entertainment screens offering over 1,000 programs inflight entertainment. During the flight, Royal First passengers can enjoy a range of international cuisines prepared with high quality ingredients and various beverages menu. Meanwhile, Royal Silk passengers can enjoy Amuse-bouche as appetizer, All Day Dining service, popular Thai street food such as Pad Thai and mango sticky rice served on the THAI’s European routes, etc. Pre-Select Meal service on thaiairways.com is available for Royal First and Royal Silk passengers and ROP Platinum and Gold members.

THAI, as the national flag carrier, selects the local brand to encourage domestic employment especially for farmers by serving Doi Tung Development Project’s coffee and internationally recognized Kan Vela Craft Chocolate in First and business classes.

In addition to THAI’s new e-reading platform available onboard, in ticket offices, and check-in counters, the inflight Wi-Fi service will soon be resumed.

The recovery in travel demand and cargo delivery has contributed largely to a significant amount of revenue generation. As a result, the company’s liquidity reached the maximum level since the Central Bankruptcy Court approved the rehabilitation plan on 15 June 2021.

Landing in Suvarnabhumi Airport, runway 19R
FC Nitithorn Tantranont #777#thaiairways #smoothassilk #landing #bangkok #suvarnabhumi #captain #boeing pic.twitter.com/bJzLpUKFp1

— Thai Airways (@ThaiAirways) May 12, 2022

Thai aircraft photo gallery:

CMA CGM Group and Air France-KLM Group announced a long-term strategic partnership in the air cargo market

CMA CGM Group has made this announcement:

Industrial cooperation combines Air France-KLM’s air transport experience and know-how with CMA CGM’s global supply chain expertise and assets;
CMA CGM and Air France-KLM to jointly sell their air freight capacity, providing customers with more options for their transportation needs;
CMA CGM to become a reference shareholder in Air France-KLM.

The CMA CGM Group and Air France-KLM Group today announced that they have signed a long-term strategic partnership in the air cargo market[1]. This exclusive partnership will see both parties combine their complementary cargo networks, full freighter capacity and dedicated services in order to build an even more competitive offer thanks to the unrivalled know-how and global footprint of Air France-KLM and CMA CGM.

A 10-year exclusive strategic commercial partnership to strengthen their air cargo offering

CMA CGM and Air France-KLM share a strong ambition to invest and grow sustainably in the air freight business.

The agreement will have an initial duration of 10 years. Air France-KLM and CMA CGM will join and exclusively operate the full-freighter aircraft capacity of the respective airlines consisting initially of a fleet of 10 full-freighter aircraft, and an additional combined 12 aircraft on order:

4 full-freighter aircraft at CMA CGM Air Cargo (with outstanding orders for an additional 8 aircraft, 2 of which may be operated by Air France-KLM in the future),
6 full-freighter aircraft at Air France-KLM Group based at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (with outstanding orders for an additional 4 aircraft)[2].

This new commercial partnership also covers Air France-KLM’s belly aircraft capacity, including over 160 long-haul aircraft.

The partnership will leverage both partners’ respective global sales teams, presenting one voice to the customer.

The strategic commercial partnership is expected to generate significant revenue synergies including the joint design of the full freighter networks and enhanced products and services mix opportunities. It will help meet customers’ ever-increasing need for more integrated and resilient supply chains and will leverage Air France-KLM’s vast existing franchise, experience and capabilities in air freight, backed by a global cargo network. CMA CGM will mobilize its large commercial network and global logistics platform and will complete this offer with innovative logistics and multimodal solutions, particularly in sea and land transport.

CMA CGM Group to become a reference shareholder of Air France-KLM Group

As part of this long-term exclusive partnership, CMA CGM will reinforce its commitment in the air freight industry by becoming a new reference shareholder in Air France-KLM. CMA CGM has the firm intention to take up to 9% of Air France-KLM’s ex-post share capital, for a period consistent with the implementation of the strategic commercial partnership.

This investment could be made as part of the contemplated capital increase of Air France-KLM, as announced on February 17^th, 2022[3]. Air France-KLM’s main shareholders will support a resolution for the appointment of one board member representing CMA CGM at the next shareholders’ meeting (May 24^th, 2022). Such appointment, if approved by the shareholders’ meeting, would be subject to the completion of CMA CGM’s investment.

Air France-KLM and CMA CGM: two global players with European roots and strong sustainability commitments

CMA CGM and Air France-KLM are leaders in the transportation and logistics industry. They share an ambition to increase the sustainability and have both committed to Net Zero Carbon by 2050.

CMA CGM accelerates its strategic transformation into a global logistics leader

With this industrial cooperation, the CMA CGM Group is moving forward with its plan to develop and provide end-to-end shipping and logistics solutions in order to support its customers’ supply chains. The Group announced, during the last three years, the acquisitions of CEVA Logistics, Ingram Micro’s Commerce & Lifecycle Services (CLS), Colis Privé and GEFCO. With these operations, CMA CGM have accelerated its strategic development into a global logistics leader.
In March 2021, Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group, created CMA CGM Air Cargo, a whole new operational and commercial arm specialized in air freight. CMA CGM Air Cargo provides the Group’s customers with an offering that harnesses the tight fit between shipping and logistics. This air cargo division has been expanding rapidly, thanks in particular to the entry into service of several full-freighter aircraft, and orders for new aircraft which will significantly boost the capacity in the months and years to come.
The CMA CGM Group, a global leader in sea, land, air and logistics solutions, is present in 160 countries through its network of more than 400 offices and 750 warehouses. With its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics, which transports 400,000 tons of air freight and 2.8 million tons of land freight each year, and its air freight division CMA CGM Air Cargo, the CMA CGM Group is continually innovating to offer its customers a complete and increasingly efficient range of new shipping, land, air and logistics solutions.

Air France-KLM is one of the leading airline groups in the field of airfreight

It carries an extensive Full Freighter and Wide Body Belly (WBB) aircraft network built around two global hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, both fitted with state-of-the-art cargo facilities and serving 295 destinations across 110 countries.
Air France-KLM has teams present in 116 stations covering a total network of 390 handling stations spread over all continents, making its commercial network one of the strongest in the airfreight industry. Air France-KLM has a long-standing experience and know-how in the field of specialized cargo (pharmaceuticals, perishables, express, etc.) and has developed one of the most advanced digital service solutions in the air freight industry.
Air France-KLM runs a unique and industry-leading digital distribution platform where customers can make bookings and manage their business 24/7. It also leads the way in the field of sustainability, having introduced the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Program in December 2021.

[1] This deal remains subject to approval by the relevant regulators and consultation of employee representatives.

[2] Operated by Air France, KLM and Martinair.

[3] The launch of this potential capital increase remains subject to market conditions and necessary legal and regulatory approvals.

CMA CGM Air Cargo aircraft photo gallery:

Air France takes off for Quebec City

Air France on May 17 launched its new nonstop service between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Quebec City.

This new destination is Air France’s fourth in Canada after Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. It will support Quebec City’s economic and tourism activities and connect the region’s residents to Paris and to Air France’s global network of close to 200 destinations on all continents.

Air France will operate three weekly flights between Quebec City (YQB) and Paris (CDG) on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until October 27, 2022.

Flight schedules:

• AF352 Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Quebec City. Leaves at 13:25 and arrives at 14:55 the same day.
• AF353 Quebec City to Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Leaves at 17:00 and arrives at 5:45 the following day.

This new direct service is in addition to the daily Air France bus service linking Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau airport to Quebec City, which is accessible free of charge to all customers connecting from an Air France flight.

Flights are operated by Airbus A330-200 equipped with the new travel cabins and a Wi-Fi connection available throughout the flight. This aircraft offers:

In the Business cabin: a seat that transforms into a fully flat, 2 metre-long bed.
In the Premium Economy cabin: a fixed shell seat that reclines to 130° and which offers one of the widest seats on the market as well as lumbar support.
In the Economy cabin: a seat which reclines to 118° with ergonomic seat foam.

All seats are equipped with Air France’s latest-generation entertainment system, offering more than 1,000 hours of films, series and other programmes on large HD touch screens. Individual USB sockets are also available to allow passengers to recharge their electronic devices.

Quebec City, a fortified jewel on the banks of the St. Lawrence River

Quebec City is the capital of the Canadian province of the same name. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, its historic centre – Old Quebec – is the only fortified city in North America.

Once the gateway to New France, Quebec City is now a buoyant city where festivals and major cultural events take place throughout the year. The exceptional natural parks in its region and in the east of the province are opportunities to discover the beauty of Quebec’s great outdoors.

Air France aircraft photo gallery:

Air Europa opens summer flights to Athens and Alghero

Air Europa has made this announcement:

Air Europa faces the summer with the resumption of its routes to Athens and Alghero, with both expanding its network in Europe by operating in high season in a total of 35 European and national destinations, and in another 20 in America.

It will be in June when the airline opens its route to Athens, operated with its most modern and efficient fleet, the Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which combine the highest environmental performance with maximum comfort.

The company, which will cover this route until the end of October, will link the Madrid hub with the Greek capital two days a week, specifically on Wednesdays and Sundays; and makes more than 28,000 seats available to the customer, exceeding the capacity offered in the summer of 2019.

A month later, in July, Air Europa will open its second summer destination heading to Alghero, on the island of Sardinia, where it will also fly twice a week, on Thursdays and Saturdays. Open until the beginning of September, the route will connect Madrid with this city in northwestern Sardinia with more than 30 flights.

With Athens and Alghero, Air Europa expands its presence in Europe during the summer and reinforces the expansion announced and initiated by the airline last April, and which is based on a notable increase in sales since the end of last year.

Over the next few months, Air Europa will increase its offer with the incorporation of eleven new aircraft, five of them Boeing 787 Dreamliner and six Boeing 737, with which it advances in its fleet unification process that allows it to increase the number of seats per plane, optimizing the number of flights and increasing the offer in both economy and business class.