LATAM projects an operation of 46% in July, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic

LATAM Group has issued this statement:

LATAM’s passenger operation for July 2021 is estimated to reach 46% (measured in available seat kilometers – ASK) compared to the same month in 2019, in a pre-pandemic context. This figure represents the largest operation projected since the beginning of the health crisis caused by SARS-CoV-2 and a significant increase from Juneโ€™s operation of 36.9%. The challenge going forward, however, is the reactivation of markets like Chile and Ecuador, which register the lowest operational recovery of all of the countries in which the group operates. LATAM estimates approximately 880 domestic and international flights daily during July, connecting 116 destinations in 16 countries. Meanwhile, the Cargo division has scheduled 1,030 cargo freighter flights during the period, 20% more than in the same month of 2019. All of these projections are subject to the evolution of the pandemic, as well as travel restrictions in the countries where LATAM operates. During June 2021, passenger traffic (measured in revenue passenger-kilometers – RPK) was 32.1% compared to the same period of 2019, based on an operation measured in ASK (available seat-kilometers) of 36.9% compared to June 2019. Therefore, the load factor decreased 10.8 percentage points, reaching 72.2%. With regard to the cargo operations, the load factor was 62.8%, which corresponds to an increase of 7.7 percentage points compared to June 2019.

LATAM Group Operational Estimate – July 2021 (measured in ASK)

Brazil โ— 48% projected operation (versus July 2019) โ—‹ 75% domestic and 20% international โ— Total July destinations: 44 domestic (equivalent to 418 daily flights on average) and 13 international. โ—‹ Updates: โ–  Domestic: 10 new routes: Rรญo/Santos Dumont-Recife, Rรญo/Santos Dumont-Maceiรณ, Rรญo/Santos Dumont-Natal, Sรฃo Paulo/Congonhas-Fortaleza, Sรฃo Paulo/Congonhas-Maceiรณ, Sรฃo Paulo/Congonhas-Natal, Sรฃo Paulo/Congonhas-Recife, Fortaleza-Belรฉm, Fortaleza-Manaus, Fortaleza-Teresina. โ–  International: Restart routes Sรฃo Paulo/Guarulhos-Paris and Sรฃo Paulo/Guarulhos-Bogotรก.

Chile โ— 35% projected operation (versus July 2019) โ—‹ 68% domestic and 21% international โ— Total July destinations: 15 domestic (equivalent to 122 daily flights on average) and 14 international. โ—‹ Updates: Restart route Santiago-New York (direct)

Colombia โ— 76% projected operation (versus July 2019) โ—‹ 98% domestic and 50% international โ— Total July destinations: 15 domestic (equivalent to 136 daily flights on average) and 4 international. โ—‹ Updates: โ–  Domestic: New route Medellรญn-Cรบcuta. โ–  International: Restart route Bogotรก-Sรฃo Paulo/Guarulhos.

Ecuador โ— 23% projected operation (versus July 2019) โ—‹ 82% domestic and 7% international โ— Total July destinations: 7 domestic (equivalent to 22 daily flights on average) and 2 international.

Peru โ— 45% projected operation (versus July 2019) โ—‹ 66% domestic and 38% international โ— Total July destinations: 19 domestic (equivalent to 126 daily flights on average) and 17 international. โ—‹ Updates: โ–  Domestic: New route Arequipa-Cusco. โ–  International: Restart Lima-Madrid and Lima-Orlando operations.

Cargo โ— 75% projected operation (versus July 2019) โ—‹ 63% domestic belly and 50% international belly* โ—‹ 126% dedicated cargo * Belly: merchandise transported in the cargo hold (lower deck) of the aircraft

JetBlue expands use of sustainable aviation fuel as part of its strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040

JetBlue Airways has entered into a new relationship with World Energy and World Fuel Services for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). JetBlueโ€™s LAX flights using SAF started this month. This increase in the airlineโ€™s usage of SAF includes 1.5 million gallons of blended SAF a year for at least three years, accounting for approximately five percent of JetBlueโ€™s LAX fuel.

Renewable fuel options will play a critical role in the aviation industryโ€™s transition to lower-carbon operations. This is the latest step for JetBlue as the airline works to achieve its ambitious and comprehensive environmental social governance (ESG) targets, including a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. Last year, JetBlue became the first majorย U.S.ย airline to achieve carbon neutrality on all domestic flying, today primarily through carbon offsets while the SAF industry continues to grow, and lower-carbon technologies to reduce direct emissions.

โ€œJetBlue is facing climate change head on and preparing our business for a new climate reality,โ€ said Sara Bogdan, director of sustainability and environmental social governance. โ€œSustainable aviation fuel is one of the most promising ways to rapidly reduce air travel emissions and help our industry move toward our net-zero goals. We are focused on growing our use of sustainable aviation fuel to replace conventional fossil-based jet fuel in our focus cities as it becomes available. It has not historically had the same policy support as other low carbon fuels and comes at a premium today. Weโ€™re excited by the prospect of additional policy support to help grow and scale sustainable aviation fuel, helping to usher in a lower-carbon future for aviation.โ€

This follows JetBlueโ€™s move to fuel flights fromย San Franciscoย International Airport (SFO) with SAF with another fuel provider. World Energy, a zero-now solutions provider for transport and the industryโ€™s first commercial-scale producer of SAF, is supplying JetBlue fuel at LAX from its facility inย Paramount, Calif.ย JetBlue is World Energyโ€™s secondย U.S.ย commercial airline partner to incorporate SAF into its regular operations. Made from inedible agricultural waste, World Energyโ€™s SAF is certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials to reduce emissions by up to 80 percent per gallon before being blended with petroleum jet fuel. Delivery of the fuel into LAX will be managed by World Fuel Services, JetBlueโ€™s fuel management company.

โ€œJetBlue is taking aggressive action utilizing tools available today to deliver on their net-zero carbon emissions goals,โ€ said Bryan Sherbacow, chief commercial officer, World Energy. โ€œExpanding commercial use of sustainable aviation fuel is critical in changing the industryโ€™s carbon outcomes. World Energy is excited to partner with JetBlue in fueling their success in transitioning to a zero-carbon aviation industry.โ€

โ€œWe are honored to support JetBlueโ€™s comprehensive sustainability strategy through our steady supply of sustainable aviation fuel,โ€ said Brad Hurwitz, senior vice president โ€“ supply and trading, World Fuel Services. โ€œSince 2014, World Fuel Services has delivered more than 22.1 million gallons of cleaner-burning, low-carbon sustainable aviation fuel. With World Energy, we continue to focus on increasing sustainable aviation fuel availability and supply chain efficiency for aviation.โ€

JetBlue views robust oversight of key ESG issues as good for business and for generating long-term value, and recognizes that customers expect clean, efficient, and affordable travel. Thatโ€™s why JetBlue is helping lead the path in sustainable aviation.

LAX is one of JetBlueโ€™s most successful and busiest markets, climbing to 40 flights per day to 23 markets this summer, allowing significant growth opportunities for the airlineโ€™s network. With support from Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), JetBlue plans to embark on meaningful expansion at LAX over the next five years โ€“ both domestically and internationally into multiple markets with plans to reach about 70 flights per day by 2025.

โ€œLos Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is committed to achieving ambitious sustainability goals, including net-zero carbon emissions and 100% renewable energy for LAX facilities by 2045,โ€ said Justin Erbacci, chief executive officer, LAWA. โ€œWe are thrilled that JetBlue is supporting this bold agenda to help combat climate change through the use of sustainable aviation fuel.โ€

JetBlueโ€™s Decarbonization Strategy

Carbon neutrality on its domestic flights is just one way JetBlue is preparing for a changing climate and ensuring a more sustainable business for its crewmembers, customers, shareholders and communities. JetBlueโ€™s carbon reduction efforts focus on decreasing emissions through fuel-efficient operations and aircraft, growing usage of SAF, and supporting the next generation of low-emissions aircraft technologies.

Earlier this year the airline announced emission reduction targets, including efforts to:

Reduce direct emissions:

  • Decrease aircraft emissions 25 percent per available seat mile (ASM) by 2030 from 2015 levels, excluding offsets

Increase usage of sustainable energy:

  • Convert 10 percent of total jet fuel to be from blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030
  • Convert 40 percent of three main ground service equipment vehicle types to electric by 2025 and 50 percent by 2030

JetBlueโ€™s focus on climate leadershipย โ€“ JetBlueโ€™s environmental social governance (ESG) strategy focuses on issues that have the potential to impact its business and the industry in the long-term. Customers, crewmembers and community, as well as stakeholders, are key to JetBlue’s climate and sustainability strategy. Demand from these groups for responsible service is one of the motivations to further reduce the airlineโ€™s environmental impact. Shareholders, including many crewmembers, have demanded that JetBlueโ€™s ESG strategy benefit stakeholders and the airlineโ€™s financial position. Tying ESG to its treasury function, including cash investments and a sustainability-linked loan with some terms dependent on the airlineโ€™s ESG scores, further demonstrates JetBlueโ€™s commitment to combat climate change.

Photos: JetBlue.

Alitalia flies home the Italian football team from London as the winner of Euro 2020

This morning, Alitalia Airbus A319-112 EI-IMC flew home the Italian football team for the UEFA Euro 2020 championship (played in 2021). Italy defeated England for the championship.

Alitalia flight AZ9001 took off from Luton Airport at 3:02 am and landed at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport at 6:03 am.

Photo: Alitalia. The cup is pictured in the middle seat 1E. Coach Roberto Mancini is in seat 1D, and team manager Gabriele Oriali in seat 1F.

Marco Finelli reporting from Italy.

Porter Airlines is expanding service across North America by ordering 30 firm Embraer E195-E2s, will fly out of Toronto Pearson

Porter Airlines is extending its destinations throughout North America with the introduction of up to 80 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft into its fleet. The planes have transcontinental range and will enter into service with Porter starting in the second half of 2022.

Porter is Embraerโ€™s North American launch customer for the E2. The total aircraft order is valued at up to USD $5.82 billion at current list prices, with 30 firm commitments and 50 purchase right options. The aircraft are being acquired by Porter Aircraft Leasing Corp., a sister company of Porter Airlines. This investment enhances competition, elevates passenger service levels and creates as many as 6,000 new jobs based on 80 aircraft deliveries.

Porter intends to operate the E2s to popular destinations from Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and Toronto Pearson International Airport. The introduction of specific routes will be determined in advance of aircraft deliveries.

While establishing service at Pearson Airport for the first time, flights from Porterโ€™s existing hub at downtown Torontoโ€™s Billy Bishop Airport (below) remain core to its business and will continue with high-frequency regional service on turboprop aircraft.

Service is confirmed to restart at Billy Bishop on Sept. 8, 2021 following a temporary shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions.

Photo: Q400s in storage at Billy Bishop.

The airport is essential to the airlineโ€™s immediate plans for re-establishing flights and developing future routes. The E2s will not operate at this airport.

The E195-E2โ€™s range allows for the creation of a continental route network. Potential markets reach coast to coast in Canada and the United States, including U.S. sun destinations, plus Mexico and the Caribbean. A possible destination map with initial routes to be announced in 2022:

The E195-E2 accommodates between 120 and 146 passengers. The interior complements Porterโ€™s traditional service offering, with a passenger-focused design emphasizing space and comfort. Features include aisle or window seating for every passenger, with no middle seats, plus large windows and overhead bins, and cabin mood lighting. Porter is currently finalizing its preferred configuration and additional passenger experience details, such as in-flight entertainment and onboard service.

The E2 is the most environmentally-friendly single-aisle aircraft family, measured by sound and CO2 emissions. The E195-E2 is certified to the strictest international standard for aircraft noise, at 65% quieter than previous generation types. Carbon emissions are nearly 10% lower per trip, with up to 25% less CO2 emissions per seat. Combined with Porterโ€™s existing De Havilland Dash 8-400s (below), the airline will have one of the worldโ€™s most environmentally sustainable commercial aircraft fleets.

Canada-based aerospace companies contribute greater than 37% of the E2โ€™s main systems. The engines are produced by Pratt & Whitney Canada in Quebec, with revolutionary geared-turbofan technology being the most significant component of the aircraftโ€™s incredible fuel efficiency and minimal sound profile. Additionally, Ontario-based Thales produces select avionics and Quebec-based Alta Precision the main landing gear. Porterโ€™s purchase supports skilled jobs and ongoing innovation within this important economic sector.

Funds for the aircraft purchase are being raised privately from shareholders, as well as through aircraft sale-leaseback agreements.

Air Serbia increases flight frequencies to several European destinations after traffic was up 68% in June

Air Serbia has made this announcement:

Due to increased demand, Air Serbia, the Serbian national airline, will in the period from July 13 to September 29 increase the number of flights to several European destinations – Amsterdam, Stockholm, Oslo and Vienna.

By adding one weekly flight on Tuesdays, the number of flights to Oslo will reach up to four a week in the period between July 13 and August 17. Along with the aforementioned changes, passengers will have access to an additional 1,728 seats on the flights to the Norwegian capital – a destination which, despite the pandemic, became one of the most popular destinations in Air Serbiaโ€™s network very quickly after its introduction in July 2020.

By introducing 12 round-trip flights to Amsterdam in the period from July 14 toย  September 29, Air Serbia will offer its passengers an additional 3,456 seats on this route. Along with the planned increased frequency of flights, the Serbian national airline will be operating up to six weekly flights to the Dutch capital.

On the Belgrade-Stockholm route, six round-trip flights will be added in the period between July 15 and August 19, providing an additional 1,728 seats. In the aforementioned period, Air Serbia will operate up to four flights a week to the capital and largest city of Sweden.

In the period from July 17 to September 25, with the introduction of 11 additional flights, i.e. 3,168 additional seats, Air Serbia will operate up to seven weekly flights to Vienna.

The increase in the number of flights is a result of increased traffic in June:

In June 2021, Air Serbia increased its market share at Nikola Tesla Airport, carrying a total of 54.1 percent of passengers who used the services of Belgrade Airport during that month. In addition, the Serbian national airline carried 170,413 passengers in June, which is the largest number of passengers since December 2019 and an increase of 68 percent compared to May this year.

Carefully monitoring the changes in travel restrictions and demand, Air Serbia operated up to 38 destinations in scheduled traffic during June. The most popular destinations of the Serbian national airline last month were Tivat, Podgorica, Paris, Moscow, Zurich and New York.

โ€œThe results we accomplished in June are a product of strategic planning, efficient recognition of business opportunities, and a quick reaction to changes within the market. We are pleased the situation is slowly heading towards a positive direction and the demand for air transport is constantly increasing. As a regional leader, we remain committed to intensifying the volume of air traffic wherever we can, in order to continue to provide strong connections between cities in the region, in Europe, as well as the entire world,โ€ stated Jiri Marek, General Manager Commercial and Strategy at Air Serbia.

During the previous month, record-breaking results were also reported in regards to the number of visits to the Air Serbia Premium Lounge. The lounge of the Serbian national airline welcomed 3,252 guests in June, which is a growth of 33 percent compared to the same month in 2019. In this record-breaking month, there were on average 108 passengers a day in the Premium Lounge, while the absolute record was achieved on 21 June, when 177 passengers used lounge services.

Thanks to record results during May and June this year, Air Serbia recorded a market share of 52% at Belgrade airport in Q2 2021. This represents a growth of as much as 9 percentage points compared to Q2 2019, which by all parameters represented a record year for the Serbian national airline, when Air Serbia recorded a 43 percent share at its hub.

KLM’s old 747s live on in AMS M Corridor

KLM and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol made this announcement on social media:

Planters made from an old KLM Boeing 747 and windmills from old information desks – you can find all this and more in the renovated M corridor.

Motley Fool: Delta Air Lines returns to its used-jet roots

Analysis from the Motley Fool:

Delta Air Lines Returns to Its Used-Jet Roots | The Motley Fool

CBS News: United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby on “Face the Nation,” July 11, 2021

From CBS News and “Face the Nation” interview:

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby on “Face the Nation,” July 11, 2021 – CBS News

First Look: The Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 Boeing ecoDemonstrator

Boeing ecoDemonstrator, will become N979AK

Alaska Airlines is getting ready to take delivery of a new MAX 9. Previously destined to go to Corendon Dutch Airlines as PH-CDK, the airframe is now being prepared for Alaska as N979AK. The aircraft is painted in this special Boeing ecoDemonstrator livery. Pictured is the right side.

As previously reported, Boeing and Alaska Airlines announced they are partnering on the latest Boeing ecoDemonstrator program and will flight test about 20 technologies on a new 737-9 to enhance the safety and sustainability of air travel.

In flights beginning this summer, Boeing andย Alaskaย will test a new halon-free fire-extinguishing agent that significantly reduces effects on the ozone layer, evaluate an engine nacelle designed to reduce noise and assess cabin sidewalls made from recycled material, among other projects.

Since 2012, the ecoDemonstrator program has accelerated innovation by taking nearly 200 promising technologies out of the lab and testing them in the air to address challenges for the aviation industry and improve the passenger experience.

In five months of ecoDemonstrator flight tests, Boeing andย Alaskaย will work with nine other partners to test new technologies. After tests are complete, the airplane will be configured for passenger service and delivered toย Alaska. The program’s technologies include:

  • Testing a new fire extinguishing agent for aircraft that significantly reduces effects on the ozone layer. This material is intended to replace Halon 1301, which is no longer being produced.
  • Collaborating with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to measure greenhouse-gas levels in the atmosphere to support the agency’s climate modeling and long-term forecasting.
  • Evaluating acoustic lining concepts within the engine nacelle that may reduce noise on current engines and will inform designs for next-generation models.
  • Recycling carbon composite material from Boeing 777X wing production into a cabin sidewall panel. This durable, light material would reduce fuel use and carbon emissions, and supports Boeing’s goals for sustainable manufacturing.

Boeing’s current and future airplanes leverage a number of technologies evaluated in previous ecoDemonstrator testing, including:

  • Advanced Technology winglets on the 737 MAX family that reduce fuel use and emissions.
  • iPad apps that provide real-time weather and other data to pilots, improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2ย emissions. These apps complement digital analytics services Boeing offers to help airlines optimize fleet utilization.
  • A camera system on the new 777X that will enhance safety by helping pilots avoid obstacles on the ground.

ecoDemonstrator test flights are flown on a blend of petroleum-based and sustainable aviation fuel. SAF is in regular use today, reduces life-cycle CO2ย emissions by up to 80%, and offers the most immediate and greatest potential to reduce emissions over the next 20 to 30 years in all commercial aviation markets.

In January this year, Boeing committed to make sure its commercial airplanes are capable and certified to fly on 100% SAF by 2030. The company also plans to work with regulatory authorities and across the industry to raise the current 50% blending limit for expanded use of SAF. Boeing’s 2018 ecoDemonstrator 777 Freighter made history as the world’s first commercial airliner to fly on 100% sustainable fuel.

Top Copyright Photo: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 N60436 (N979AK) (msn 43393) (Boeing ecoDemonstrator) BFI (Joe G. Walker). Image: 954398.

Aliansa Douglas DC-3 HK-2820 crashes in Colombia

Aliansa Douglas DC-3 (HK-2820) performing a local test flight from Villavicencio, Colombia on July 8, 2021 crashed after taking off.

The aircraft was located and was destroyed by the impact. The three crew members on board died.

From Wikipedia:

Aliansa – Aerolineas Andinasย is a Colombian airline based atย Vanguardia Airport. The airline was founded by Jorge รlvarez and his family on August 29, 1989, and commenced operations in 1995.

Aliansa operates cargo, and passenger charter flights, mainly from Vanguardia Airport, and to the Amazon and eastern plains regions of Colombia. The airline serves approximately 95 percent of airports in Colombia.