Lufthansa to start Munich-Mexico City service

Lufthansa (Frankfurt) will launch a new route linking its Munich hub and Mexico City in April. The new route will be operated five days a week with Airbus A340-600s.

In other news, Lufthansa has stopped its humorous Swedish ad campaign for contestants to change their name to the gender-confusing “Klaus-Heidi” in return for a new life in popular destination of Berlin. 38 Swedes signed up in the contest for the false name change promotion before the airline decided to stop the ad campaign according to this report by RT.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Lufthansa has had a long tradition of naming its aircraft after cities. In this report by Lufthansa, the airline explains how it choses the aircraft names:

Lufthansa has been carrying the names of German cities around the world for over 50 years

An Lufthansa Airbus A319 is about to begin its life as a “flying ambassador” under the name of “Herborn.” On October 29, 2013, the jet with the registration D-AIBH was officially named “Herborn” at Frankfurt Airport by Ursula Benner, wife of the mayor. In accordance with the convention for Lufthansa aircraft naming ceremonies, Herborn’s Mayor Hans Benner then revealed the name on the fuselage and signed the naming certificate together with Karl Ulrich Garnadt, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Cargo AG.

Lufthansa naming conventions as a sign of our time

The “Herborn” brings the total number of aircraft named after German cities and states to over 300. This naming convention has a long tradition at Lufthansa. The first Lufthansa aircraft was named in 1960 (see inset). The idea was to express the company’s solidarity with its German homeland – not just with the major hubs and cities but also with the regions where a large portion of Lufthansa passengers and employees come from.

But 50 years later, the airline operates a much larger network. The increasing number of passengers from all over the world share a key Lufthansa characteristic – internationality. This is why the Airbus A380 will also bear the names of major international cities such as Beijing, Zurich and Johannesburg.

The size of the waiting list is a clear sign that there is still great interest in aircraft naming – even after 50 years. Lufthansa currently holds applications from 245 interested cities and the demand has led to extended waiting times of between 10 and 15 years. The name of your city on the body of a Lufthansa aircraft is still a desirable symbol.

The choice of partner cities – not an easy decision

When choosing names, Lufthansa is guided by the historical, social and economic relevance of the place. Cities may be considered if they have a special connection with aviation or with Lufthansa.

Size, on the other hand, is unimportant. Nevertheless, when choosing names, Lufthansa generally tries to match the population of the place to the size of the aircraft. A Boeing 747-8 carries the name “Brandenburg,” for example, and an Airbus A321 carries the name “Stade” all over the world.

So what happens when an aircraft is taken out of service? The towns and cities in question can relax, because aircraft naming has become an enduring tradition at Lufthansa. In other words, once a town has been accepted into the inner circle and had an aircraft named after it, the name is transferred to a new aircraft when the old one is taken out of the Lufthansa fleet. The motto is “Once Lufthansa, always Lufthansa.”

The history of the “Berlin,” 1960 to present.

The tradition of aircraft naming began on September 16, 1960 with the naming of the “Berlin” by the then mayor, Willy Brandt, who was later to become Chancellor of Germany. Five years after the refounding of the airline with its “crane” symbol, a Lufthansa aircraft began taking the name of a German city to all parts of the world. Over the next fifty years, the name “Berlin” would be passed on to five modern wide-bodied aircraft. At the present time an Airbus A380 bears the name of the German capital. The Lufthansa flagship was named at Berlin Tegel Airport by the mayor, Klaus Wowereit, in 2012. The “Berlin” now flies under the call sign “Mike India” along the east and west coasts of North America and to major cities in the Far East.

Top Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com (all others by Lufthansa). Airbus A340-642 D-AIHE (msn 540) arrives at the Frankfurt hub.

Lufthansa:

SkyWest announces quarterly income of $26.4 million

SkyWest, Inc. (St. George, Utah) today reported net income of $26.4 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, compared to net income of $20.9 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, for the same period last year.

SkyWest also reported net income of $50.3 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $37.2 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, for the same period last year.

Quarter Highlights

SkyWest experienced improved financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, compared to its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2012. SkyWest generated increased operating revenues (after giving effect to reduced fuel, certain engine overhaul and landing fee pass through amounts) primarily due to additional block hour production from increased aircraft utilization, larger fleet size and rate escalations in SkyWest contracts with its major airline partners. Following are selected highlights from SkyWest’s quarter ended September 30, 2013, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2012:

Increased pretax income 34.8% to $44.4 million, compared to $32.9 million
Increased fully-diluted EPS 25.0% to $0.50, compared to $0.40
Increased block hour production 2.8% to 613,821 block hours, compared to 596,901 block hours
Increased operating revenues by approximately $32.9 million (net of fuel, certain engine overhaul and landing fee pass through revenues), primarily related to rate escalations under SkyWest’s agreements with its major partners and increased block hour production
Made cash payments of $22.9 million consisting of $11.5 million for the repurchase of 800,000 shares of treasury stock and $11.4 million for deposits on new aircraft
Increased total aircraft fleet to 756 aircraft as of September 30, 2013, compared to 739 aircraft as of September 30, 2012

Commenting on the results, Jerry C. Atkin, SkyWest’s Chairman and CEO, said “We are pleased with the improved financial performance for the current quarter. However, in spite of current challenges we remain committed to further improvement in meeting our current and long-term operational and financial objectives.”

Financial and Operating Results

Operating revenues totaled $850.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, compared to $865.3 million for the same period last year or a decrease of $14.6 million. The decrease was due primarily to the reduction of approximately $47.5 million in fuel, certain engine overhaul amounts and landing fees which were directly reimbursed by SkyWest’s major partners and recorded as operating revenues. However, this reduction was mostly offset by recording approximately $32.9 million in additional operating revenues, primarily resulting from rate escalations under SkyWest’s agreements with its major partners and a 2.8% increase in total block hours for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2012.

Total airline expenses (consisting of total operating and interest expenses) decreased $18.2 million, or 2.2%, during the quarter ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. However, after excluding pass-through costs for fuel, certain engine overhaul expenses and landing fees, total airline expenses increased $29.3 million.

Under certain of its agreements with its major partners, SkyWest recognizes revenue at fixed hourly rates for mature engine maintenance on regional jet engines and SkyWest recognizes engine maintenance expense on its CRJ200 regional jet engines on an as-incurred basis as maintenance expense. During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, CRJ200 engine expense under these agreements decreased $4.0 million to $9.1 million, compared to $13.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, primarily as a result of decreased engine overhaul expense due to the timing of scheduled engine maintenance events. SkyWest was reimbursed approximately $12.8 million and $10.4 million for engine overhaul expense, under its agreements with its major partners, during the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Liquidity

At September 30, 2013, SkyWest had $727.8 million in cash and marketable securities, compared to $709.4 million as of December 31, 2012. The increase in cash and marketable securities of $18.4 million was primarily the result of increased profitability. Cash and marketable securities increased $62.2 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 compared to a balance of $665.6 as of June 30, 2013. SkyWest’s long-term debt was $1.35 billion as of September 30, 2013, compared to $1.47 billion as of December 31, 2012. The decrease in long-term debt for the nine-months ended September 30, 2013 was due primarily to SkyWest’s payment of normal recurring debt obligations. SkyWest has significant long-term lease obligations that are recorded as operating leases and are not reflected as liabilities on SkyWest’s consolidated balance sheets. At a 4.7% discount rate, the present value of these lease obligations was approximately $1.6 billion as of September 30, 2013.

Recent Business Developments

On August 2, 2012, SkyWest announced the award of 34 additional dual-class aircraft and the removal of 66 CRJ200 aircraft under its Delta Connection Agreements with Delta Airlines, Inc. As of May 2013, all 34 of these additional dual-class aircraft had been delivered. As of September 30, 2013 SkyWest had removed 30 (22 placed in contract with another partner; other 8 removed from fleet) of the 66 CRJ200 aircraft from service and currently anticipates removing another 18 CRJ200 aircraft between October 2013 and December 2013. SkyWest believes the remaining 18 CRJ200 aircraft will be removed at various times through 2014 and early 2015. Additionally, 41 of the 66 aircraft have been financed by Delta and will be returned to Delta with no further obligation by SkyWest.

On May 21, 2013, SkyWest announced it had entered into a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) with United Airlines, Inc. to operate 40 new Embraer ERJ 175 dual-class regional jet aircraft. The CPA is for 12 years and the new aircraft will be operated by SkyWest’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SkyWest Airlines, Inc. (United Express). Deliveries for these aircraft are scheduled to begin in March 2014 and continue through August 2015.

Additionally, on May 21, 2013 SkyWest announced it reached an agreement with Embraer S.A. for the purchase of 100 new ERJ 175 dual-class regional jet aircraft, 40 of which are considered firm orders and the remaining 60 aircraft remain conditional upon SkyWest entering into capacity purchase agreements with other major airlines. SkyWest intends to place the 40 new aircraft into service under the terms of the United CPA discussed above.

On June 17, 2013, SkyWest and Embraer jointly announced an aircraft purchase agreement covering 100 E175-E2 dual-class regional jet aircraft and an option to purchase an additional 100 of the same aircraft. Deliveries for these E2 aircraft are tentatively planned to start in 2020.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest Airlines’ Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N752SK (msn 10209) climbs away from the runway at Los Angeles.

Have you seen the “new look” AirlinersGallery.com photo library website?

United Express-SkyWest Airlines:

SAT Airlines + Vladivostok Avia = Aurora Airlines

Aurora Airlines (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk) was created today. The new airline name is the result of the merger of SAT Airlines (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Sakhalin, Russia) and Valdivostok Avia (Vladivostok Air) (Vladivostok). Aeroflot Russian Airlines (Moscow) issued this statement:

Aurora Airlines was established by the order of the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation on the basis of two Far Eastern air carriers – SAT Airlines and Vladivostok Avia (both in Aeroflot group since 2011). The main objective of a newly created airline is to contribute to Russia’s Far East social and economic development through the system of more efficient and accessible passenger traffic.

Aurora’s business plan envisages a dynamic boost of operational activities: from 2013 to 2018 the number of flights should increase from 172 to 534; the number of destinations – from 30 to 128; and the annual traffic will reach 2.4 million passengers.

Aurora’s fleet will be strengthened by modern aircraft. In addition to the existing medium-haul Boeing 737s, the fleet will receive three Airbus A319 airliners by the end of this year. By the end of 2014, the carrier’s fleet is expected to comprise seven aircraft of this type. The regional fleet will include turboprop airliners with a capacity between 50 and 78 seats. Local air transportation services will be provided on aircraft with up to 20 seats. The total size of fleet should reach up to 40 aircraft by 2018.

Konstantin Sukhorebrik was appointed Director General of Aurora.

Aeroflot’s share in the new company will be not less than 51%. The rest of the shares will be gradually transferred to the Far Eastern Federal District governments.

This project is supposed to be developed in active cooperation with the local authorities. The Agreement on joint participation in JSC Aurora signed today by Aeroflot and the Government of the Sakhalin region is one of the major important steps.

“The consolidated Far Eastern airline was a strategic idea for a long time, from now on it is a reality,” said Vitaly Saveliev, Director General of JSC “Aeroflot”. “Aurora airline will help to enhance the economic potential of the Far East, increase the mobility of its population and contribute to the growth and reinforcement of local aviation personnel. The new air carrier will be an important part of Aeroflot Group and will strengthen its synergy. We expect an effective cooperation with the federal and regional authorities in the further development of this project, essential both for the Far East and Russia.”

Image: Aeroflot.

Aeroflot:

SAT Airlines:

Valdivostok Avia:

Republic Airways Holdings extends the deadline for the sale of Frontier Airlines

Republic Airways Holdings (Indianapolis) has announced that it has agreed to a 48-hour extension of exclusivity of the sale process for Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver).

“Indigo Partners informed us they have made good progress but have not been able to resolve all the conditions to close the transaction,” said Republic Airways Chairman, President and CEO Bryan Bedford. “They requested and we agreed to extend the deadline by 48 hours.”

Republic Airways Holdings is an airline holding company that owns Chautauqua Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America.

Indigo Partners issued the following statement on the status of its pending acquisition of Frontier Airlines from Republic Airways Holdings:

“Indigo Partners has informed Republic Airways that its planned acquisition of Frontier Airlines will move forward. Major conditions, including agreements with FAPAInvest and Barclaycard are satisfied, as are other commercial and business arrangements. An agreement has not been reached with the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA); however, Indigo has informed Republic that it will waive that condition. The transaction is expected to be finalized later this month, subject to receipt of certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.”

William A. Franke, managing partner at Indigo Partners said, “We are pleased about the progress we have made to resolve major issues and move this acquisition toward closing. We look forward to completing the transaction and continuing to extend Frontier’s reach and service as a leading, nationwide ultra-low cost carrier (ULCC).”

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A319-111 N922FR (msn 2012) with the Red Fox exits the runway for the gate at Los Angeles International Airport.

Frontier Airlines (2nd):

FAA issues the final rule on pilot training

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (Washington) has issued this rule concerning flight crew training:

As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance safety and put the best qualified and trained pilots in the flight decks of U.S. airplanes, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today issued a final rule that will significantly advance the way commercial air carrier pilots are trained.

In addition, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta is inviting the nation’s commercial aviation safety leaders to Washington, D.C. on November 21, to discuss additional voluntary steps that can be taken to further boost safety during airline operations, including pilot training.

“Today’s rule is a significant advancement for aviation safety and U.S. pilot training,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “One of my first meetings as Transportation Secretary was with the Colgan Flight 3407 families, and today, I am proud to announce that with their help, the FAA has now added improved pilot training to its many other efforts to strengthen aviation safety.”

The final rule stems in part from the tragic crash of Colgan Air 3407 in February 2009, and addresses a Congressional mandate in the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 to ensure enhanced pilot training. Today’s rule is one of several rulemakings required by the Act, including the requirements to prevent pilot fatigue that were finalized in December 2011, and the increased qualification requirements for first officers who fly U.S. passenger and cargo planes that were issued in July 2013.

The final rule requires:

ground and flight training that enables pilots to prevent and recover from aircraft stalls and upsets. These new training standards will impact future simulator standards as well;
air carriers to use data to track remedial training for pilots with performance deficiencies, such as failing a proficiency check or unsatisfactory performance during flight training;
training for more effective pilot monitoring;
enhanced runway safety procedures; and
expanded crosswind training, including training for wind gusts.

“This pivotal rule will give our nation’s pilots the most advanced training available,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “While the rule marks a major step toward addressing the greatest known risk areas in pilot training, I’m also calling on the commercial aviation industry to continue to move forward with voluntary initiatives to make air carrier training programs as robust as possible.”

The FAA is focusing on pilot training for events that, although rare, are often catastrophic. Focusing on these events will provide the greatest safety benefit to the flying public. The recent rule to boost pilot qualifications for first officers has raised the baseline knowledge and skill set of pilots entering air carrier operations. Many air carriers have also voluntarily begun developing safety management systems (SMS), which will help air carriers identify and mitigate risks unique to their own operating environments.

The FAA proposed to revise the training rules for pilots in 2009, one month prior to the Colgan Flight 3407 accident. The FAA issued a supplemental proposal on May 20, 2011, to address many of the NTSB’s recommendations resulting from the accident, and incorporate congressional mandates for stick pusher, stall recovery and remedial training. A stick pusher is a safety system that applies downward elevator pressure to prevent an airplane from exceeding a predetermined angle of attack in order to avoid, identify, or assist in the recovery of a stall.

On Aug. 6, 2012, the FAA issued Advisory Circular (AC) Stall and Stick Pusher Training to provide best practices and guidance for training, testing, and checking for pilots to ensure correct and consistent responses to unexpected stall events and stick pusher activations. A copy of the AC is available at online.

Air carriers will have five years to comply with the rule’s new pilot training provisions, which will allow time for the necessary software updates to be made in flight simulation technology. The cost of the rule to the aviation industry is estimated to be $274.1 to $353.7 million. The estimated benefit is nearly double the cost at $689.2 million.

Delta to add more routes to Seattle/Tacoma

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will add new daily nonstop flights to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport from San Diego International Airport and Portland International Airport as well as an additional flight from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, beginning next year. The new service will provide customers with convenient connections to the airline’s growing international network from Seattle/Tacoma.

Delta’s new and expanded Seattle/Tacoma service includes:

Four new daily nonstop flights from San Diego beginning on June 2, 2014.
Four new daily nonstop flights from Portland, Ore. beginning on September 2, 2014.
One summer seasonal flight from Anchorage, Alaska beginning on June 5, 2014 in addition to returning seasonal service which begins on May 23, 2014.

Delta’s new service from San Diego and Portland will be operated by Delta Connection carrier SkyWest Airlines (St. George) using 76-seat, two-class Bombardier CRJ900s. The additional Anchorage-Seattle seasonal service will be operated with a Boeing 737-800. Each aircraft is equipped with First Class and Economy Comfort seating as well as onboard Wi-Fi.

What message does this SEA continued build-up send to partner Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma)?

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest Airlines’ Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) N810SK (msn 15093) in Delta Connection colors departs from Los Angeles.

Delta Air Lines:

Delta Connection-SkyWest Airlines:

IAM members to vote on a Boeing proposal to build the 777X wings and fuselage in the Puget Sound area

Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 751, District W-24 will vote on a proposal from the Boeing Company (Chicago) that, if approved, would guarantee the Boeing 777X wings and fuselage will be built by IAM members in the Puget Sound.

In exchange for the 777X guarantee, Boeing proposes a new eight-year labor agreement that will expire in September 2024, providing an unprecedented degree of labor stability in the volatile and competitive industry.

“Securing the Boeing 777X for the Puget Sound means much more than job security for thousands of IAM members,” said District 751 Directing Business Representative Tom Wroblewski. “It means decades of economic activity for the region and will anchor the next generation of wide-body aircraft production right here in its historic birthplace and will complement the 737MAX narrow body.”

According to estimates, the 777X could mean as many as 10,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs in the immediate vicinity, with the project also serving as a long-term hub for advanced technology in electronics, avionics and composite technology required by the 777X.

The proposal by Boeing includes additional modifications to the current labor agreement, including cessation of pension accruals for current employees and the establishment of an alternative company-funded retirement plan. Additionally, within 30 days of ratification, all members would be paid a $10,000 signing bonus.

Full details of all changes in the proposal will be provided directly by District 751 and W-24 to IAM members as soon as printing can be completed. A schedule of ratification voting is also being prepared and will be communicated directly to IAM members.

“Only a project as significant as the 777X and the jobs it will bring to this region warrants consideration of the terms contained in Boeing’s proposal,” said Wroblewski. “While not all will agree with the proposal’s merits, we believe this is a debate and a decision that ultimately belongs to the members themselves.”

The IAM represents more than 35,000 Boeing workers and is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America.

Boeing has issued this statement:

Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BA) has issued a statement from President and CEO Ray Conner in response to International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers District 751’s decision to proceed with its efforts to secure a historic long-term contract extension that would result in locating final assembly of the new 777X and fabrication and assembly of the airplane’s wing in Puget Sound.”

“I want to congratulate IAM District 751 Directing Business Representative Tom Wroblewski for his leadership, vision and determination to forge an agreement of historic proportion that, when ratified, will secure and extend thousands of high-wage, high-skilled aerospace jobs and expanded economic opportunity for residents of Puget Sound and Portland for many years to come,” said Conner. “Tom and his team pressed hard for an agreement that maintains market-leading pay and benefits for the members he represents, while also recognizing the critical importance of our efforts to achieve increasing competitiveness in order to win against a growing list of global competitors.

“This is important to everyone with a stake in Boeing – including our employees, the community and our customers – and we look forward to the ratification and a long successful future as the global leader in aerospace,” Conner said.

WestJet reports 3Q net earnings of C$65.1 million

WestJet (Calgary) today announced its third quarter 2013 results, with net earnings of $65.1 million, or $0.50 per diluted share. This compares with the net earnings of $70.6 million, or $0.52 per diluted share reported in the third quarter of 2012. Based on the trailing twelve months, the airline achieved a return on invested capital of 13.8 per cent, compared with the 14.4 per cent reported in the previous quarter, and one of the best third quarters in WestJet history.

“We had a strong third quarter in which we flew a record number of guests, exceeded our 12 per cent ROIC target for the fifth consecutive quarter, and reached our initial business transformation initiative milestone one year early by implementing and identifying various opportunities which we believe will result in approximately $100 million in future cost savings in 2014,” said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. “With the market launch of our Plus product in August, we are now providing our business and leisure guests with even more flexibility, comfort and convenience, and my thanks go to WestJetters for their ongoing efforts to take care of our guests.”


	Q3 13	Q3 12	Change	YTD 2013	YTD 2012	Change
Net earnings (millions)	$65.1	$70.6	(7.8%)	$200.9	$181.4	10.7%
Diluted earnings per share	$0.50	$0.52	(3.8%)	$1.51	$1.33	13.5%
Total revenues (millions)	$924.8	$866.5	6.7%	$2,735.8	$2,566.8	6.6%
Operating margin	10.7%	12.5%	(1.8 pts)	10.9%	11.1%	(0.2 pts)
ASMs (billions)	6.109	5.498	11.1%	18.029	16.576	8.8%
RPMs (billions)	5.059	4.654	8.7%	14.823	13.770	7.6%
Load factor	82.8%	84.6%	(1.8 pts)	82.2%	83.1%	(0.9 pts)
Segment guests	4,940,943	4,611,315	7.1%	13,927,538	13,109,328	6.2%
Yield (cents)	18.28	18.62	(1.8%)	18.46	18.64	(1.0%)
RASM (cents)	15.14	15.76	(3.9%)	15.17	15.48	(2.0%)
CASM (cents)	13.52	13.80	(2.0%)	13.52	13.77	(1.8%)

During the third quarter, WestJet continued the roll-out of WestJet Encore, beginning service to Brandon, Manitoba on September 3 and announcing Terrace, B.C. as a new community that will welcome its first Encore flight on November 25, 2013. WestJet Encore also added new non-stop routes joining the dots in WestJet’s network, including flights between Winnipeg and Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Regina and between Vancouver and Kamloops, B.C. “We are very pleased with the overwhelming community support WestJet Encore has received, as we give even more Canadians access to lower fares, stimulate demand in smaller communities, and repeat WestJet’s success in the regional space,” said Gregg Saretsky.

In the third quarter, WestJet entered into a definitive purchase agreement for 65 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with deliveries scheduled from 2017 through 2027. This order will enable the airline to enhance its inflight guest experience, support its low-cost business model, and contribute to its profitable growth by utilizing a lower operating cost aircraft that is expected to reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by 13 per cent, as compared with the most fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft currently available.

With the impact on demand caused by the summer flooding in Calgary, Alberta and the surrounding communities behind the airline, WestJet expects continued strong traffic and revenue growth in the fourth quarter of 2013. The airline anticipates its 2013 fourth quarter RASM to be roughly flat as compared to the same period in the prior year.

The airline expects jet fuel costs to range between 90 and 92 cents per liter for the fourth quarter of 2013, representing a down 1.0 to up 1.0 per cent year-over-year change. For the full year 2013, the airline now expects CASM, excluding fuel and employee profit share, to be down approximately 0.5 per cent year-over-year.

WestJet:

Xtra Airways is operating two Boeing 737-400s for One Airlines of Chile

Xtra Airways (Boise, Idaho) is now operating two of its Boeing 737-400s (N279AD and N42XA) for newcomer One Airlines of Chile.

One Airlines (Santiago) began charter operations on October 25 linking Santiago with Concepción in southern Chile and also to cities like Antofagasta and Calama in the northern part of the country, where the main mining investments are located.

Copyright Photo: Alvaro Romero/ModoCharlie.com. Boeing 737-4Q8 N279AD (msn 26279) rests between assignments at Santiago. The airliner is fully painted in the colors of the new charter airline. N279AD was formerly operated for DirectAir.

Xtra Airways:

Boeing delivers the 100th Next-Generation 737 to the Lion Group

Boeing (Chicago) and the Lion Group (Lion Air) (Jakarta), Indonesia’s largest airline group, yesterday (November 4) commemorated the delivery of the carrier’s 100th Next-Generation 737 at a special event.

The Lion Group’s 100th airplane, the pictured Lion Air 737-9GP ER (Extended Range) PK-LOF (msn 38741) features a special “100th Boeing Next-Generation 737 – Thank You Indonesia” livery commemorating the delivery.

Lion Air, which was established in 1999, was also the launch customer for the 737-900 ER. Lion Air mainline currently operates 67 737-900 ERs and 19 737-800s. The group’s other Next-Generation 737s are allocated to its full-service carrier in Indonesia, Batik Air, and to its overseas affiliates: Malindo Air in Malaysia and Thai Lion Air, a new carrier based in Bangkok.

All of the Lion Group’s new 737 deliveries feature the Boeing Sky Interior, the 787 Dreamliner inspired cabin.

Lion mainline and subsidiary Wings Air serve 76 destinations in Indonesia, giving the group the largest domestic network in Indonesia. Lion Air mainline has 580 flights a day and Wings Air has 180 flights per day.

Top Copyright Photo: The Boeing Company. Bottom Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com.