Silver Airways to start frequent service between Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and Jacksonville

Silver Airways (Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and Gainesville) has announced today it is adding multiple daily nonstop flights between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). The new service starts on August 19, 2014, with up to three flights per day, and increases to up to six daily flights on November 2, 2014.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. SAAB 340B N412XJ (msn 412) taxies at Washington’s Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Silver Airways:

Route Map:

Qatar Airways today starts full operations at the new Hamad International Airport in Doha

Qatar Airways (Doha) today (May 27) commenced full operations at its new state-of-the-art hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA), at 09:00 local time.

With the first Qatar Airways commercial flight QR 1113 from Bahrain landing at HIA at 09:10 local time, all operations for all airlines have now been transferred to HIA. The new airport adjacent to the old Doha International Airport.

Above: The first commercial flight of Qatar Airways touching down at Hamad International Airport, marking the commencing of full operations of the national airline at Doha’s new airport.

Above: His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways during his meeting with the local media at Hamad International Airport.

“The moment we have all been building towards for many years arrived today as QR 1113 touched down, marking the historic start of our full operations at the world-class Hamad International Airport,” said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker. “This is yet another milestone in the rich history of Qatar Airways, and one that will allow us to fully realise our ambitions, and to offer our passengers the very best of services, both in the air and on the ground.

“Qatar Airways will be able to offer an exceptional passenger experience, as HIA has been designed with passengers foremost in mind. The airport will also be able to accommodate the world’s largest aircraft, such as our much-anticipated Qatar Airways Airbus A380 which will commence operations to the UK in June and France in July.”

Passengers travelling on today’s historic day were greeted with roses, dates, coffee, chocolate and Qatari flags. They were also able to take advantage of the many new services available at Hamad International Airport, from the free Wi-Fi to play areas for children, multiple quiet areas to relax, and the amazing array of shopping and eating options. With more than 70 retail outlets offering an unprecedented selection of designer labels, high street fashion, electronics, gourmet foods and much more, Qatar Duty Free at HIA also has more than 30 cafes and restaurants with a sumptuous selection of global and local cuisine.

All passengers travelling via HIA are advised to arrive three hours before their flight, with check-in closing one hour before departure for Economy Class, and 45 minutes before departure for First and Business Class. e-Gates are already operational in both the departures and arrivals areas, offering holders of an e-Gate Card a swift journey through the new airport. Helpful HIA staff will also be readily available to assist at information desks and throughout the airport.

Google Maps. The new airport is located on the East coast of the peninsula, just 16 km from the center of Doha and 4 km from DIA. Due to an elaborate newly-built road infrastructure surrounding HIA, arrival time to the airport is around 25 minutes, depending on traffic. Qatar Airways’ passengers can travel to HIA via car, bus, taxi or limo services.

Qatar Airways:

Top Copyright Photo: Hamad International Airport. An aerial view of the new airport with the main terminal at the top center right. Downtown Doha is to the left in the upper-center center in the background. The new Emiri Terminal is located closest in the center-right area. Below: An interior photo of the main terminal (all other photos by Qatar Airways).

United to end its regional routes to Las Vegas on September 2

United Airlines (Chicago) will end its Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia regional routes to Las Vegas on September 2 per Airline Route. SkyWest Airlines (St. George) currently operates its United Express Brasilias to both Fresno and Palm Springs from LAS.

Additionally United is starting nonstop United Express Bombardier CRJ200 regional jet service from its San Francisco hub to Kelowna, British Columbia on September 20.

United Airlines (current):

United Express-SkyWest:

Jetstar Airways celebrates 10 years with a new A320 logo jet

Jetstar Airways (Melbourne) on May 25 celebrated its 10th anniversary. The low-cost subsidiary of QANTAS Airways had a special ceremony at its Melbourne hangar to unveil a special orange and white 10th anniversary logo jet scheme on the pictured Airbus A320-232 VH-VGF (msn 4497).

Copyright Photos: Jetstar Airways. The unveiling ceremony at Melbourne. The left side carries #jetstargeneration titles. On the right side the A320 has “low fares forever” titles.

Jetstar Airways:

Video: 10th Birthday – Pass the Parcel:

Video: Low fares are just part of the Jetstar story:

How to test an airliner to -40 degrees (C and F) in Florida

Airbus (Toulouse) has completed hot and cold testing of its new Airbus A350-941 F-WWCF (msn 002) in Florida. The new airliner has completed this extreme weather testing at the McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base in northwest Florida (Florida Panhandle). Airbus issued this statement and photo:

The first-ever testing of an Airbus aircraft at the U.S. Air Force’s McKinley Climatic Laboratory subjected the A350 XWB and its various systems and cabin installations to a full range of conditions for further maturity and operability verifications prior to this new jetliner’s delivery start-up later this year.

Airbus brought A350 XWB msn 2 to the facility at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida for more than two weeks of evaluations this month, during which this developmental aircraft was subjected to multiple climatic and humidity settings from a high of 45 degrees C (113 degrees F) to as low as -40 degrees C (-40 degrees F).

Flight test director Philippe Foucault said the A350 XWB’s various systems – from in-flight entertainment and air conditioning to its galleys, water and waste systems – were validated while the A350 XWB was enclosed in the laboratory’s large hangar. Testing included operations with the engines running, which required the A350 XWB to be securely chained in place.

The A350 XWB is one the largest aircraft ever tested at the McKinley Climatic Laboratory, requiring the teams to start their preparations six months prior to arrival. “This is a one-of-a-kind tool, and the laboratory’s operators are masters of it,” Foucault said. “They made everything seem possible.”

WestJet to apply to Transport Canada for a PED exemption

WestJet (Calgary) has announced it will apply to Transport Canada for an exemption to allow guests greater use of their portable electronic devices (PEDs) during flights. The move follows word that the regulator will allow expanded use of PEDs in Canada.

The announcement by Transport Canada effectively allows airlines to begin the process of meeting conditions required to receive permission to allow guests to use PEDs in all phases of flight including taxi-in and out, take-off and landing, providing the device is in non-transmitting or flight mode.

WestJet has completed comprehensive testing of its Boeing Next-Generation 737 fleet in connection with efforts to certify its recently-announced inflight entertainment system and connectivity, which will support the expanded use of PEDs. However, the airline must still demonstrate through its exemption application that radio frequency emissions from PEDs do not pose a risk to aircraft systems and equipment and that all hazards are mitigated before allowing the use of PEDs on board. This is in addition to training flight crews and amending operating manuals.

WestJet expects Transport Canada approval to allow guests greater use of PEDs early this summer.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-8CT C-GWSZ (msn 37092) in the special Walt Disney World “Magic Plane” color scheme taxies at the Toronto (Pearson) hub.

WestJet:

Ethiopian Airlines to bring the Boeing 787 to Paris and Brussels starting on June 1

Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa) starting on June 1 will introduce the Boeing 787 on the Addis Ababa-Paris (CDG)-Brussels route, replacing a Boeing 767-300 per Airline Route with six weekly flights.

Top Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 ET-AOS (msn 34747) taxies at Toronto (Pearson). ET-AOS is named “Lucy”.

Ethiopian Airlines:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Ethiopian Airlines.

Delta to start again the Dallas/Fort Worth-Los Angeles route on November 3

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will re-institute Dallas/Fort Worth-Los Angeles service on November 3. The restored route will be operated as a Delta Connection route with Embraer 175s according to Airline Route.

In addition, Delta continues to add feeder and long-range routes to the Seattle/Tacoma market in addition to what has already been reported. According to Airline Route, the carrier will add three new routes on December 20 adding further competition to Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma): Bozeman, Montana (ERJ 175), Kahului, Maui, Hawaii (757) and Los Cabos, Mexico (A319).

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N608CZ (msn 17000195) of Compass Airlines taxies from the gate at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

Delta Air Lines (current):

Delta Connection-Compass Airlines:

The search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH 370 may be put on hold until August

Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur) missing flight MH 370, the greatest aviation mystery, may be entering a new phase in the search. So far the search has resulted in nothing being found. According to CNN, the search for the pictured Boeing 777-2H6 ER 9M-MRO (msn 28420) and the 239 passengers and crew members may not resume until August.

According to CNN:

“The underwater search for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane will effectively be put on hold this week, and may not resume until August at the very earliest, according to Australia’s top transport safety official.

The new timeline means that once Bluefin-21, the American underwater drone operated by a team on board the Australian Defense Vessel Ocean Shield, wraps up its work in a couple of days, it will be up to two months, if not longer, until new underwater vehicles are contracted and deployed in the hunt for MH 370.”

Read the full story: CLICK HERE

Is Inmarsat correct in its assumptions of where WH 370 went down? CNN explores this question: CLICK HERE

On May 20 Malaysia Airlines issued this statement:

Following the announcement by the Malaysian Minister of Defence and Acting Minister of Transport on May 19, 2014, the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) is pleased to provide further information on the discussion with Inmarsat, assisted by the AAIB, to get a common descriptor for the Inmarsat satellite data which had been provided to Malaysia Airlines when MH 370 first went missing.

It must be noted that previously where reference has been made to “data communication logs” and “raw data”- they refer to the same set of data.

In moving forward, it is imperative for us to provide helpful information to the next of kin and general public – which will include the data communication logs as well as relevant explanation to enable the reader to understand the data provided. It must also be noted that the data communication logs is just one of the many elements of the investigation information.

In line with our commitment towards greater transparency, all parties are working for the release of the data communication logs and the technical description of the analysis for public consumption.

DCA notes Inmarsat’s full support for the ongoing MH 370 investigation.”

Malaysia Airlines:

Chautauqua to phase out its Embraer ERJ 140s, parent Republic will not cancel its Bombardier CSeries order

Chautauqua Airlines (Indianapolis) is phasing out its Embraer ERJ 140 regional jets it operates for American Airlines. According to ch-aviation, the company will operate the last ERJ 140 flight for AA on August 18. Pilots are being switched to the new Embraer 175s which will be operate under the American Eagle brand.

Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Indianapolis) is an airline holding company that owns Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America. The airlines operate a combined fleet of about 250 aircraft and offer scheduled passenger service on about 1,300 flights daily to about 100 cities in the U.S., Canada and the Bahamas through fixed-fee flights operated under our major airline partner brands, including American Eagle, Delta Connection, United Express, and US Airways Express.

In other news, Republic Airways Holdings CEO Bryan Bedford has stated the company has no intention of canceling its order for the new, but delayed, Bombardier CSeries aircraft. Republic has 40 CS300s on order. Republic has made the decision to phase out its 50-seat aircraft and will concentrate on the Embraer 170 and 175 series of aircraft and the Bombardier Q400 besides the the CS300s on order according to this interview in the Financial Post.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 140LR (EMB-1135KL) N376SK (msn 145578) arrives in Minneapolis/St. Paul.

American Connection-Chautauqua:

Route Map of the Republic Airways’ airlines: