Cathay Pacific completes acquisition of Hong Kong Express Airways

Cathay Pacific Airways has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Hong Kong Express Airways (HK Express). HK Express is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Cathay Pacific.

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer and HK Express Chairman Rupert Hogg said: “We are very excited to welcome HK Express into the group. We strongly believe that the acquisition is good for the travelling public, good for HK Express, good for the Cathay Pacific Group, and good for the development of Hong Kong as a global aviation hub.

“HK Express will continue to operate as a stand-alone airline using the low-cost carrier business model. I would also like to reassure HK Express customers that there is no change to the airline’s operating model and that business will continue as usual. There will be more value fares and more destinations available to travellers.

“We look forward to working with the HK Express teams to ensure a smooth transition and to continue to grow the airline in order to better serve its customers.”

Leading the HK Express team as CEO is Ronald Lam who has worked with the Cathay Pacific Group and HAECO for more than twenty years, most recently as Cathay Pacific Director Commercial & Cargo.

Mr Hogg explained that the acquisition of HK Express is an attractive and practical way for the Cathay Pacific Group to develop and grow its aviation business over the long term, while also enhancing the competitiveness of its Hong Kong home base as a leading aviation hub.

He said: “Our respective businesses and business models are largely complementary. HK Express captures a unique market segment that, together with the extensive network offered by the Cathay Pacific Group, could multiply connection opportunities through Hong Kong. This will bring tremendous benefits to the travelling public with more choices and greater convenience for their travel experience.”

Emirates ‘scores a try’ with new Dubai Rugby Sevens A380 livery marking the flagship event’s 50th anniversary

Emirates has made this announcement concerning Airbus A380 A6-EEV:

Emirates, the title sponsor of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, has revealed a brand new livery dedicated to the milestone 50th staging of Dubai’s flagship sporting event, and one of the key tournaments on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens series.

The new livery serves as a symbol of the airline’s commitment to the long-standing Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens and features a large scale version of male and female rugby players in action against a red backdrop.

As a nod to the multi-cultural makeup of rugby-loving nations that compete in the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, the airline called on its own cabin crew rugby teams, the Flying Muppets and EK Firebirds, to welcome the new livery.

The two squads ran through drills and scrums around the aircraft as it was being pushed out of the Emirates Engineering hangar.

The Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens themed A380 livery took flight to Glasgow on 20th July, and is scheduled to visit rugby loving nations over the course of the next few months.

Gary Chapman, President of Emirates Group Services & dnata said: “This livery is one of the many ways we are celebrating the milestone 50th anniversary of the Emirates Airline Rugby Sevens. For the rest of the year it will fly across the world, inspiring both new and diehard rugby fans everywhere to share in the excitement. With three days of exhilarating rugby action, fantastic family activities and incredible entertainment from pop icon Kylie Minogue, it’s going to be the perfect celebration of Dubai’s favourite sporting event.”

As the longest running sports event in the Middle East, the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, taking place from December 5-7, 2019, has grown to become one of the world’s premier rugby events, hosting the first leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and the second leg of the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series. It also plays host to an ever-popular and growing international Invitation Tournament, featuring rugby and netball teams from all over the world, with over 300 teams participating across all age groups. This year, over 100,000 fans and spectators will pass through the Sevens gates across the three days. The 50th edition of Dubai’s largest sporting and social event will also see international pop star Kylie Minogue headlining a concert on Friday, December 6, 2019.

Emirates connection to the game of rugby goes back to 1987, when the airline became the Dubai Rugby Sevens event’s Official Sponsor. Emirates has focused its efforts on supporting rugby as a valuable way of engaging with customers and fans of the sport.

In 2019, Emirates will be celebrating another highlight on the rugby calendar, as the official worldwide partner and official airline of the Rugby World Cup, being staged in Japan. Emirates currently sponsors the World Rugby Referee’s and Match Officials in addition to our partnership with the UAE Rugby Association.

All photos by Emirates.

Aerolineas Argentinas expects to carry 20% more passengers this winter season

Aerolineas Argentinas is seeing a significant uptick in passengers for this winter season in the Southern Hemisphere.

During the past weekend it was expected that 40,000 customers flew each day.

For both days, the airline operated 700 flights to and from 56 destinations.

According to projections, during this winter season, the company estimates it will transport up to 20% more passengers than the same period last year.

The average load factor for the entire network during the next 15 days will reach a peak of 88% and will be around 80% by the end of the winter season.

The load factors on the 10 most popular domestic routes are expected to be:

Buenos Aires –Mendoza (99%)

Buenos Aires – Bariloche (96%)

Buenos Aires – San Rafael (98%)

Buenos Aires – Trelew (97%)

Iguazú – Rosario (97%)

Buenos Aires – Tucumán (96%)

Buenos Aires – San Martín de los Andes (96%)

Mar del Plata – Córdoba (95%)

Bahía Blanca – Ushuaia (94%)

Buenos Aires – Esquel (94%)

The load factors on the following popular international routes are expected to be:

Buenos Aires – Rome (100%)

Buenos Aires – Cancún (100%)

Córdoba – San Salvador de Bahía (99%)

Buenos Aires – Puerto Seguro (99%)

Buenos Aires – Río de Janeiro (98%)

Buenos Aires – Madrid (97%)

Buenos Aires – Santiago de Chile (97%)

Buenos Aires – San Pablo (96%)

Buenos Aires – Punta Cana (96%)

Buenos Aires – Lima (96%).

Aerolineas Argentinas, during July and August, will offer 1,800,000 seats for the winter season. This exceeds the schedule for last year by 10%.

Aerolineas Argentinas, transported during June, 2019, 1,005,248 passengers, which represents an increase of 17% on domestic flights and 16% on international flights.

Martin Ortiz reporting from Argentina.

Flybondi adds another Boeing 737-800

Flybondi received from Aercap its newest airplane, Boeing 737-800 LV-HKN (msn 30734).

The new leased 737 arrived on July 9 at El Palomar International Airport.

LV-HKN is a replacement for Boeing 737-800 LV-HKR which will now be operated by Southern Air as N5179A.

The new addition was built in 2008 and has 189 seats.

Martin Ortiz reporting for Argentina.

All photos by the airline.

Wizz Air expands its Chisinau operations

Wizz Air has announced the allocation of a third aircraft to Chisinau. The new Airbus A320 will join the fleet in December, enabling the increase of frequencies of the airline’s existing 8 routes and the start of four new routes from Chisinau. Passengers can already plan their trips to picturesque Prague, beaches and sun in Larnaca, business and cultural centre in northern Italy – Turin or to South Yorkshire county in England.

Wizz started operations from Chisinau International Airport in 2013 and established a base there in March 2017.

WIZZ AIR’S NEWEST ROUTES FROM CHISINAU

New routes	Frequency	Start date	Fares from*
Prague	Wednesdays, Sundays	18 December 2019	24.99 EUR / 629 CZK
Larnaca	Mondays, Fridays	20 December 2019	EUR 24.99
Doncaster/Sheffield	Mondays, Fridays	20 December 2019	29.99 EUR / 25.99 GBP
Turin	Tuesdays, Saturdays	21 December 2019	EUR 24.99

WIZZ AIR’S FREQUENCY INCREASES FROM CHISINAU

VERONA, ITALY	2x-4x
ROME-CIAMPINO , ITALY	3x-5x
LONDON LUTON, UNITED KINGDOM	10x-12x
BOLOGNA, ITALY	3x-4x
BRUSSELS CHARLEROI, BELGIUM	2x-3x
DORTMUND, GERMANY	2x-3x
VIENNA, AUSTRIA	2x-3x
MEMMINGEN/MUNICH WEST, GERMANT	2x-3x

All images by the airline.

British Airways and the Red Arrows meet again

Spectators at the world’s largest military air show delighted at a fly-past by a specially decorated British Airways jumbo jet and The Red Arrows.

Flight BA100 lead the display at the Royal International Air Tattoo on Saturday, July 20 and was flanked by nine Hawk jets belonging to the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, who trailed British Airways’ signature red, white and blue colours.

The special Boeing 747 has been painted in the airline’s predecessor British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) livery to mark British Airways’ centenary this year.

Watch the fly-past here.

http://mediacentre.britishairways.com/videolibrary/details/86/873

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, and a British Airways Boeing 747 delighted the crowds with a flypast at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford. The Boeing 747 has been painted in the airline’s predecessor British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) livery to mark British Airways’ centenary this year. This weekend, the Red Arrows are performing in the UK for the final time this season – before embarking on their biggest-ever tour of North America.
Imagery taken from Red 10’s aircraft piloted by Red 10, Sqn Ldr Adam Collins with Circus 10, Cpl Ashley Keates, Photographer in the rear seat.

Senior First Officer Tom Perrins was at the controls, while Captain Richard Allen-Williams was in command of the aircraft. They were joined on the flight deck by Captain Simon Scholey and Captain Jonny Lutton.

Also on board was cabin crew member, Julia Lowes, whose brother Flight Lieutenant Dan Lowes is Red 9. Julia, who was in the cabin during the fly-past, waved to her older brother who was flying behind.

Julia Lowes said: “I only joined British Airways four months ago and this is Dan’s last year flying in the Reds so the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Dan and I have both pursued our dream careers, but to fly together is something I’d never have imagined. It was fantastic watching Dan in action from the BOAC aircraft. Aviation is a very much a family affair as our Dad was a 747 Captain and our younger brother is a First Officer.”

Captain Richard Allen-Williams said: “We hope the sight of our BOAC liveried Boeing747 provided a wonderfully nostalgic moment for the Air Tattoo audience today. It was a huge honour for us to fly alongside the Red Arrows at RAF Fairford and to do so in our centenary year is even more special.”

Squadron Leader Martin Pert, Red 1 and Team Leader of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, said: “Flying alongside this British Airways Boeing 747 is an incredibly memorable moment for our pilots and those watching on the ground. The Royal Air Force’s own centenary celebrations – marked a year ago – demonstrated the importance of using these high-profile occasions to inspire the next generation and we hope this flypast did exactly that. It was a truly best of British flypast.”

The airline has a long history of displaying in the Air Tattoo and first joined the flying programme in 1985 when Concorde and the Red Arrows flew together in a dramatic display. In the early 2000s several British Airways 747s and 777s performed a fly past, and in 2013, the airline performed with the Red Arrows once again, to the delight of the large Air Tattoo crowd.

All photos by British Airways.

Austrian Airlines to add six Airbus A320s, will phase out its DHC-8-402s

Austrian Airlines has made this announcement:

The fleet development announced in January 2019 is taking shape now: Austrian Airlines has now secured six additional A320 aircraft. The first of these jets is scheduled for delivery in August. Within the next few days, it will already receive the red-white-red Austrian color scheme in Jacksonville, FL.

A total of ten additional jets are to replace the 18 DHC-8-400 turboprop aircraft by 2021.

Austrian will thus increase its Airbus fleet from 36 to 46 aircraft.

As of June 30, 2019, the entire Austrian Airlines fleet consisted of 82 aircraft.

Four A320 aircraft from Avianca Brasil, two from Juneyao

Four of the six additional A320 jets are leased from Aviation Capital and previously flew at Avianca Brasil. In part, these aircraft are already being subject to the necessary delivery check.

The first A320 plane is expected to be transferred to Austrian Airlines in the middle of August. Additional planes will be supplied at the end of August as well as in September and October. Following the necessary modifications and adaptations, the first aircraft should be put into operation on Austrian Airline’s behalf in December of this year. Austrian Airlines will take possession of two other Airbus jets purchased from CDB Aviation, which are currently operated by Star Alliance Connecting Partner Juneyao.

In 2019 Austrian Airlines has already decommissioned two DHC-8-400 aircraft. The hand over of a further DHC-8-400 turboprop is planned this year. Nine other Dash turboprops are scheduled to be phased out from the Austrian Airlines fleet in the course of 2020, the remaining six will follow in 2021.

Details on the six A320:

Registration   Year                     Type          Engine             Delivery (planned)   Prior/current Operator
OE-LZA         September 2007    A320-214   CFM56-5B4/P    January 2020          Juneyao
OE-LZB         October 2007        A320-214   CFM56-5B4/P    January 2020          Juneyao
OE-LZC         September 2012    A320-214   CFM56-5B4/3    August 2019           Avianca Brasil
OE-LZD         October 2012        A320-214   CFM56-5B4/3    August 2019           Avianca Brasil
OE-LZE         September 2013    A320-214   CFM56-5B4/3    September 2019      Avianca Brasil
OE-LZF         November 2013     A320-214   CFM56-5B4/3    October 2019          Avianca Brasil

Top Copyright Photo: Austrian Airlines Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) OE-LGH (msn 4075) BSL (Paul Bannwarth). Image: 947071.

Austrian Airlines aircraft slide show:

Swiss to offer new service to Marsa Alam from Geneva

Swiss International Air Lines has made this announcement:

Swiss International Air Lines will be expanding its range of services from Geneva in the Winter 2019/2020 timetable period by adding a new route to Marsa Alam in Egypt.

The new weekly service will be provided on Wednesdays October 16 and 23 and then every Thursday from October 31 to March 26, 2020. The flights will be operated with Airbus A220-300 aircraft.

Located on the Red Sea coast, Marsa Alam is a beach vacation destination that is particularly popular among divers. The new route further expands Swiss’ services to Egypt, which already include regular Geneva-Hurghada flights. Swiss will be the only airline serving Marsa Alam from Geneva.

Geneva-Munich and Geneva-Frankfurt services to be retained in winter schedules

Swiss will continue to operate its daily services from Geneva to Munich and Frankfurt in the coming winter timetable period. Munich will receive five Swiss flights from Geneva a day, while Frankfurt will receive a total of eight daily services, four operated by Swiss and four by Lufthansa.

Top Copyright Photo: Swiss International Air Lines Airbus A220-300 (Bombardier CS300 – BD-500-1A11) HB-JCQ (msn 55040) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 947070.

Swiss aircraft slide show:

American Airlines and QANTAS Airways receive final approval to form joint business

American Airlines made this announcement:

American Airlines welcomes the U.S. Department of Transportation’s final approval of a joint business agreement with QANTAS Airways. American and QANTAS now have the opportunity to jointly offer more products that will better serve customers flying between the United States and Australia and New Zealand. This has been a longstanding business objective of the partnership.

“We look forward to working closely with our valued partner, QANTAS, on this new joint business,” said American’s Chairman and CEO Doug Parker. “We now have the opportunity to launch new routes and provide enhanced service with better schedules, additional frequent flyer benefits and continued investments in the overall customer experience. We are grateful to Secretary Chao and the DOT team, as we welcome this fantastic news for our customers and team members.”

Final approval follows the DOT’s tentative approval of the joint business in June.

EASA issues warnings to Airbus A321neo operators about excessive pitch attitude under certain conditions

EASA has issued this Airworthiness Directive concerning the new Airbus A321neo:

Manufacturer(s):

Airbus

Applicability:

Airbus A321-251N, A321-252N, A321-253N, A321-271N, A321-272N, A321-251NX, A321-252NX, A321-253NX, A321-271NX and A321-272NX aeroplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers.

Definitions:

For the purpose of this AD, the following definitions apply:

Affected ELAC: Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC) unit having Part Number (P/N) 3945129100 with L102 software P/N 3945129114 (data-loadable); or ELAC unit having P/N 3945128220 (non-data-loadable).

The applicable AFM TR: Airbus Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) Temporary Revision (TR) 766, TR 767, TR 768, TR 769, TR 770, TR 771 issue 2 and TR 772 issue 2, as applicable.

EASA AD No.: 2019-0171

Groups:
Group 1 aeroplanes are those that have affected ELAC installed.
Group 2 aeroplanes are those that do not have affected ELAC installed.

Reason:

Analysis of the behavior of the ELAC L102 installed on A321neo revealed that excessive pitch attitude can occur in certain conditions and during specific manoeuvres.

This condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced control of the aeroplane.

To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued the applicable AFM TR to provide operational limitations.

For the reason described above, this AD requires amendment of the respective AFM, with AFM TR, as applicable.

This AD is considered to be an interim action and further AD action may follow.

Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

AFM Change:

(1) For Group 1 aeroplanes: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, amend the applicable AFM to incorporate the applicable AFM TR, inform the flight crews, and, thereafter, operate the aeroplane accordingly.
(2) For Group 2 aeroplanes: From the effective date of this AD, before next flight after modification of an aeroplane to install affected ELAC, amend the applicable AFM to incorporate the applicable AFM TR, inform the flight crews, and, thereafter, operate the aeroplane accordingly.
(3) For Group 1 and Group 2 aeroplanes: Amending the applicable AFM of an aeroplane to incorporate later AFM revisions, which include the same content as the applicable AFM TR, is acceptable to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1) or (2) of this AD, as applicable, for that aeroplane.