United Airlines introduces “Connection Saver”

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United Airlines is introducing ConnectionSaver, a new tool dedicated to improving the experience for customers connecting from one United flight to the next. ConnectionSaver is powered by new technology that automatically identifies departing flights that can be held for connecting customers, while ensuring those who have already boarded the aircraft arrive at their destination on time. ConnectionSaver also sends personalized text messages to every connecting customer (who has opted in to receive notifications) with clear directions to the gate for their connecting flight and information about how long the walk will take.

United’s ConnectionSaver technology automatically scans flights for customers who are making tight connections to determine if the connecting flight can be held without inconveniencing other customers. The ConnectionSaver tool takes into account factors such as the time it will take for late connecting customers to travel gate-to-gate as well as the impact the hold may have on other flights and customers.

United launched its ConnectionSaver tool on all flights at Denver International Airport in February, and then expanded it to Chicago O’Hare International Airport – two of the airline’s busiest hubs with thousands of connecting customers every day. During the past four months, more than 14,400 customers, who would have otherwise missed their connections, were able to make their flights thanks to ConnectionSaver. Flights that were held for connecting customers were delayed an average of six minutes. This ConnectionSaver technology will expand to the airline’s hubs by this fall and to all other airports that United operates at in the future.

The ConnectionSaver program also includes text notifications personalized for customers making connections through the airline’s hub airports, that will help them navigate and travel efficiently to the gate for their next flight. Once customers land at their connecting airport, they will receive a text message that tells them the gate where they are arriving, the gate where they will depart and the expected travel time between the two gates. The texts will also include a link with step-by-step directions to the next gate and a map of nearby amenities.

Earlier this year United added more detailed and helpful connection information to its reimagined mobile app. Customers using the latest version of the app will be prompted with information about their arrival and departing gates and a map of the airport once they land.

Top Copyright Photo: United Airlines Boeing 737-824 SSWL N37267 (msn 31586) IAD (Brian McDonough). Image: 946413.

United Airlines aircraft slide show:

Video: Filming the new livery.

YanAir’s AOC is revoked, hopes to fly again

YanAir Airlines issued this statement:

Inform our passengers that at the time of checking the airline YanAir, the State Aviation Service of Ukraine decided to terminate the air operator’s certificate.

We expect renewal of the certificate in the near future and we are in a hurry to assure that all our flights are completed by partner aircraft for the period of the specified termination of the certificate.

Top Copyright Photo: YanAir Airbus A321-112 UR-COJ (msn 765) (Allrise) (Jacques Guillem Collection). Image: 939479.

YanAir aircraft slide show:

NPR Podcast: How David Neeleman built JetBlue

In the mid-1990s David Neeleman felt there was a need for a different kind of airline and the concept for JetBlue Airways was born.

Read the full article and listen to the podcast.

American Airlines expands in Santo Domingo

American Airlines, has expanded its network footprint in the Dominican Republic, launching two new weekly connections to Santo Domingo from its hubs at Dallas/Fort Worth and Charlotte Douglas in the US. As a result, the oneworld carrier will double its direct flights to Santo Domingo Las Américas International Airport from two destinations to four.

The new route duo started on June 8, 2019, and both will be flown on a weekly basis.

Operated year-round, American will fly Saturdays with its 150-seat A320s on its route from Charlotte Douglas. Services depart the US at 18:00 and arrive at Las Américas at 21:29. Flights leave Santo Domingo at 06:38 on Sundays, before landing in North Carolina at 10:20. To be operated initially as seasonal service, the 1,965-mile sector from Dallas/Fort Worth will also be flown on Saturdays until 17 August. These flights, using the carrier’s 160-seat 737-800 aircraft, will leave Texas at 12:20, before touching down in the Dominican Republic at 17:50. The returning sector utilises a Miami-originating aircraft allowing it to depart Santo Domingo at 13:50 the same day, before landing back in the US at 17:39.

American already flies four times daily to Las Américas from its Miami hub, as well as offering a weekly service from Philadelphia. In total, the carrier will operate 31 weekly frequencies from the airport during S19, and a weekly capacity of nearly 5,000 seats. Dallas/Fort Worth and Charlotte Douglas are also the airline’s biggest hubs in terms of its weekly seats and frequencies, so passengers will be able to connect onto American’s massive US and international networks too, further increasing the travel options available for those wishing to get to and from Santo Domingo, and indeed the Dominican Republic.

Photo: Santo Domingo.

Transport Canada cancels Wabusk Air’s Air Operator Certificate

On June 8, 2019, Transport Canada cancelled Wabusk Air’s Air Operator Certificate, which prohibits the company from providing commercial air services.

Transport Canada took this serious safety action because of Wabusk Air’s demonstrated inability to safely operate in accordance with the Canadian Aviation Regulations.

Prior to this action taken by Transport Canada, the Department has used various measures such as certificate action and enhanced monitoring to ensure Wabusk Air operated its commercial air service safely.

Transport Canada takes its aviation safety oversight role seriously and expects every air operator to operate in accordance with the applicable aviation safety regulations. When air operators fail to do this, Transport Canada takes appropriate action in the interest of public safety.

Air passengers in the communities of northeastern Ontario previously serviced by Wabusk Air can continue to use the other available air operators in this area which provide commercial air services.

Delta retires the last Boeing 767-300 on the domestic network

Delta Air Lines on June 2, 2019 operated the last Boeing 767-300 on a domestic route. According to Airways, flight DL 1802 was operated with N1402A between the Salt Lake City hub and the Atlanta hub.

SMBC Aviation Capital delivers the first Boeing 787-9 to Avianca

SMBC Aviation Capital has announced the delivery of one Boeing 787-9 aircraft (N797AV, msn 43983) equipped with Trent 1000 engines to Avianca.

This aircraft is the first delivery of a three Boeing 787-9 sale and lease back PDP financed transaction with the airline. The second and third aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2021

Ryanair to set up a subsidiary airline in Malta – Malta Air

Ryanair is planning to set up a new airline based in Malta called Malta Air. Ryanair will transfer its routes to the island to the new company once established.

The airline made this announcement of its purchase of Malta Air:

Ryanair Holdings on June 11 announced it has agreed to purchase Malta Air, a Maltese start up airline, into which Ryanair will move and grow its Malta based fleet of 6 Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

This investment in Malta Air will allow Ryanair to grow its already sizable presence in Malta (3 million customers a year), and access non-EU markets (North Africa) from Malta. Completion is planned for the end of June, following which Ryanair Holdings will;

Switch 6 Malta based aircraft (worth over $600m) onto the Maltese register
200 Malta based crew move onto local contracts paying local Maltese taxes
Increase its Malta based fleet to 10 aircraft within three years and create over 350 jobs
Brand its Malta based fleet in Malta Air colors (below) for Summer 2020
Move Ryanair based aircraft from France, Italy and Germany onto the Malta AOC which will allow these crews to pay their income taxes locally in France, Italy and Germany instead of Ireland where they are currently required to pay income taxes under Ryanair’s Irish AOC.

Speaking in Malta today, Ryanair CEO, Michael O’Leary said:

“Ryanair is pleased to welcome Malta Air to the Ryanair Group of airlines which now includes Buzz (Poland), Lauda (Austria), Malta Air, and Ryanair (Ireland).

Malta Air will proudly fly the Maltese name and flag to over 60 destinations across Europe and North Africa as we look to grow our Maltese based fleet, routes, traffic and jobs over the next three years.

Ryanair’s continued partnership with the Malta Tourism Authority will help drive forward the vision of Prime Minister Muscat and Minister Mizzi to grow year round connections to all corners of Europe which will support increased tourism, business and jobs in Malta.

Ryanair appreciates the expertise of the Maltese Civil Aviation Directorate (CAD) in licencing Malta Air to operate the Boeing 737 aircraft and we look forward to working closely with the Maltese authorities over the coming years as we hope to add over 50 more aircraft to the Maltese register.”

Malta Minister for Tourism, Konrad Mizzi, said:

“The relationship between Ryanair and Malta has evolved into a successful collaboration. We welcome Ryanair’s commitment to operate and grow a fully fledged Malta-based airline which will contribute in a large way to the country’s development.”

Photo: Ryanair.

American Airlines issues an update on the Boeing 737 MAX

American Airlines has issued this update:

Cancellations extended through September 3, 2019.

American Airlines remains confident that impending software updates to the Boeing 737 MAX, along with the new training elements Boeing is developing in coordination with our union partners, will lead to recertification of the aircraft soon. We have been in continuous contact with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and other regulatory authorities, and we are pleased with the progress to date.

In April, American extended cancellations for the MAX through Aug. 19. We are now extending those cancellations through September 3. By extending the cancellations, our customers and team members can more reliably plan their upcoming travel on American. In total, approximately 115 flights per day will be canceled through September 3.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): American Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 N326RP (msn 44456) FLL (Andy Cripps). Image: 945359.

American aircraft slide show:

The Denver Post: United Airlines will now fly at least 500 flights out of Denver three days a week

From the Denver Post:

United Airlines has announced it has exceeded the 500 flights a day threshold on certain days during the summer season. This is a new record for the carrier at DEN (both airports).

Read the full story.