British Airways announces its third route to Saudi Arabia

British Airways has announced it will fly from London Heathrow to global business hub, Dammam in Saudi Arabia from December 1, 2019.

The route will be the only direct flight from London and launch as a daily service via Bahrain.

Flights will be operated by a four-class Boeing 777-200 (below) departing year-round from Heathrow Terminal 5, landing into Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport.

Dammam is the capital of the Eastern Province and is known as the heart of the country’s petroleum industry. Dammam will be the third city in Saudi Arabia British Airways flies to with the airline already serving Riyadh and Jeddah with nonstop daily flights.

Dammam is one of five long-haul routes being launched by British Airways in 2019, its centenary year. The airline is also launching non-stop flights to Pittsburgh and Charleston in the US, Osaka in Japan and Islamabad in Pakistan alongside several short-haul routes.

As British Airways marks its centenary year, the airline is set to look to the future with the arrival in July of its first of 18 A350-1000s, complete with the new Club Suite. Forming a significant part of the airline’s current five year £6.5bn investment program for customers, the airline will receive four A350-1000s in 2019 and will begin a phased refit of its existing long-haul fleet with the next generation Club cabin. Two current Boeing 777s will also receive the Club Suite this year and the airline will be taking a phased approach to its roll-out.

As part of its £6.5bn investment over five years, the airline is revamping its First, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller cabins, rolling out industry-leading WiFi across its aircraft, opening new lounges and delivering great menus from the world’s leading airline caterers.

The flight time will be 8 hours 15 minutes from LHR to DMM, and 9 hours 10 minutes from DMM to LHR.
Timetable for the Winter season 2019:

Flight number	Frequency	Departure airport	Departure time	Arrival airport	Arrival time
BA125	Daily	LHR	11:30	BAH	20.55
BA125	Daily	BAH	21:55	DMM	22:45
BA124	Daily	DMM	00:30	BAH	01:10
BA124	Daily	BAH	02:20	LHR	06:40

Above Copyright Photo: British Airways Boeing 777-236 ER G-VIIR (msn 29322) FLL (Bruce Drum). Image: 105013.

British Airways aircraft slide show:

Letter from Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg to Airlines, Passengers and the Aviation Community

Boeing issued this statement:

We know lives depend on the work we do, and our teams embrace that responsibility with a deep sense of commitment every day. Our purpose at Boeing is to bring family, friends and loved ones together with our commercial airplanes—safely. The tragic losses of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Lion Air Flight 610 affect us all, uniting people and nations in shared grief for all those in mourning. Our hearts are heavy, and we continue to extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board.

Safety is at the core of who we are at Boeing, and ensuring safe and reliable travel on our airplanes is an enduring value and our absolute commitment to everyone. This overarching focus on safety spans and binds together our entire global aerospace industry and communities. We’re united with our airline customers, international regulators and government authorities in our efforts to support the most recent investigation, understand the facts of what happened and help prevent future tragedies. Based on facts from the Lion Air Flight 610 accident and emerging data as it becomes available from the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 accident, we’re taking actions to fully ensure the safety of the 737 MAX. We also understand and regret the challenges for our customers and the flying public caused by the fleet’s grounding.

Work is progressing thoroughly and rapidly to learn more about the Ethiopian Airlines accident and understand the information from the airplane’s cockpit voice and flight data recorders. Our team is on-site with investigators to support the investigation and provide technical expertise. The Ethiopia Accident Investigation Bureau will determine when and how it’s appropriate to release additional details.

Boeing has been in the business of aviation safety for more than 100 years, and we’ll continue providing the best products, training and support to our global airline customers and pilots. This is an ongoing and relentless commitment to make safe airplanes even safer. Soon we’ll release a software update and related pilot training for the 737 MAX that will address concerns discovered in the aftermath of the Lion Air Flight 610 accident. We’ve been working in full cooperation with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Transportation and the National Transportation Safety Board on all issues relating to both the Lion Air and the Ethiopian Airlines accidents since the Lion Air accident occurred in October last year.

Our entire team is devoted to the quality and safety of the aircraft we design, produce and support. I’ve dedicated my entire career to Boeing, working shoulder to shoulder with our amazing people and customers for more than three decades, and I personally share their deep sense of commitment. Recently, I spent time with our team members at our 737 production facility in Renton, Wash., and once again saw firsthand the pride our people feel in their work and the pain we’re all experiencing in light of these tragedies. The importance of our work demands the utmost integrity and excellence—that’s what I see in our team, and we’ll never rest in pursuit of it.

Our mission is to connect people and nations, protect freedom, explore our world and the vastness of space, and inspire the next generation of aerospace dreamers and doers—and we’ll fulfill that mission only by upholding and living our values. That’s what safety means to us. Together, we’ll keep working to earn and keep the trust people have placed in Boeing.

Dennis Muilenburg
Chairman, President and CEO
The Boeing Company

WestJet suspends 2019 financial guidance in light of Boeing 737 MAX grounding

WestJet has announced that following Transport Canada’s safety notice closing Canadian airspace to Boeing 737 MAX aircraft until further notice, the Federal Aviation Administration’s temporary grounding order and Boeing’s decision to suspend all MAX deliveries to airline customers, it is suspending all 2019 financial guidance provided on December 4, 2018 and February 5, 2019. The financial guidance provided with respect to earnings per share (EPS), return on invested capital (ROIC) and cumulative free-cash flow over the period of 2020-2022 remains in place until further information is known.

Through proactive planning and preparation for a variety of scenarios, including grounding, WestJet enacted its contingency plan immediately and grounded all thirteen of its MAX aircraft within 55 minutes of Transport Canada’s order with only three MAX aircraft outside of its Canadian jurisdiction. WestJet continues to implement and execute its contingency plan to minimize guest disruption and any financial impact. For the remainder of the first quarter WestJet expects it will be able to protect approximately 86 per cent of guests booked on MAX flights and cover approximately 75 percent of the flights that were intended to operate on the MAX with other aircraft.

Southwest Airlines launches its Hawaii service

Southwest Airlines on March 17 operated its first scheduled flight to Hawaii from the Mainland. Flight WN 6808, a 5.5-hour nonstop flight from Oakland, arrived in Honolulu with the traditional water cannon salute and leis.

The new route is operated with its Boeing 737-800 ETOPS. The first flight was operated with Boeing 737-8H4 N8329B.

Another inaugural flight from Oakland to Kahului Airport (OGG), Maui will start on April 7.

In subsequent weeks, the carrier will inaugurate additional service from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) to Honolulu on May 5 and to Kahului on May 26.

Southwest will operate its first interisland service within Hawaii between Honolulu and Kahului, four times daily in each direction, beginning April 28, followed by service between Honolulu and Ellison Onizuka International Airport at Keahole (KOA) on Hawaii Island, four times daily in each direction, beginning May 12. The additional interisland service will make possible connecting service between Kona and both Oakland and San Jose.

All photos by Southwest Airlines.

Video:

British Airways welcomes its new Airbus A350-1000 and unveils its new Business Class “Club Suite”

British Airways has unveiled its highly-anticipated new business class seat – ‘Club Suite’ – and confirmed it will arrive on the first of its Airbus A350 aircraft in July.

The airline’s sophisticated and newly-branded ‘Club Suite’ offers direct-aisle access, a suite door for greater privacy and luxurious flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Boasting 40 per cent more storage, including a vanity unit and mirror, WiFi, enviable 18.5-inch inflight entertainment screens*, high definition gate-to-gate programming, and PC / USB power; every aspect of British Airways’ Club Suite has been designed for today’s customer.

The A350 aircraft itself will also promote a feeling of well-being, space and calm due to its reduced noise levels, high ceilings and ambient lighting which is intended to compliment the time of day and outside light. Customers will leave their flight feeling rested thanks to higher levels of humidity and refreshed air as the cabin pressure is equivalent to an altitude of just 6,000 feet. There are also environmental benefits to flying on the state-of the-art A350 as 25 per cent lower fuel burn significantly reduces CO2 emissions.

As well as a new 56-seat Club World cabin, the three-cabin A350 will feature the latest World Traveller Plus cabin (56 seats) with new furnishings including a plush new pillow and warm quilt, new amenity kits and an enhanced service and an improved dining experience. The World Traveller (economy) cabin offers 219 seats. Customers will also benefit from high-speed WiFi, allowing travellers to browse the internet on their personal electronic devices.

The airline, which is marking its centenary this year, will roll out the new suites in a carefully managed programme designed to minimise disruption to customers.

During phase one, the first A350 aircraft will start some short-haul flying between London and Madrid to allow the airline’s teams to perfect their customer service delivery and familiarize cabin crew with the aircraft layout.

In phase two, from October 1, 2019, the aircraft will begin long-haul flying. During this period another three A350 aircraft will join the British Airways fleet and two Boeing 777 aircraft will also be retrofitted with the new cabin.

At the start of 2020 phase three will begin which will see British Airways rolling out its Club Suite on further long-haul aircraft across the network.

Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said: “The arrival of our first A350 featuring our new Club Suite is one of the most exciting developments in our £6.5 billion investment programme.

“Each new suite has direct aisle access and comes with a personal door – design features which were incorporated as a direct result of the feedback we’ve had from our customers. We’ve worked hard to ensure every aspect of the Club World experience from the lounges we’ve refreshed, to the new gourmet menus from Do&Co on flights from Heathrow, and the luxurious bedding we’ve introduced from The White Company exudes the very British style and quality customers expect from us.

“At British Airways we have one of Europe’s largest long-haul fleets and most far-reaching global networks, so it will take some time to make the cabin available to everybody. We hope that as more customers have the chance to experience it, they’ll enjoy travelling in it as much as we’ve enjoyed designing it.”

As part of British Airways’ £6.5 billion investment for its customers, the airline is also delivering changes to its First, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller cabins, delivering exceptional new restaurant-style catering from Do&Co, rolling out industry-leading Wi-Fi on board and opening new lounges across the world. New routes being launched this year include Osaka, Pittsburgh and Charleston.

Over the next five years British Airways will take delivery of 72 new aircraft, including four new types: The Airbus A350-1000, Boeing 787-10 for long-haul as well as A320 and A321 Neo aircraft for short-haul.

In addition to this the airline has also recently placed an order for 18 Boeing 777-9 aircraft.

Over the last four years the airline has taken delivery of 57 new, fuel efficient aircraft, including A380s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

By 2020 British Airways will have received 100 new aircraft in less than a decade.

Photos: British Airways Airbus.

Ethiopian Airlines: Clarification on the total flying time of the First Officer

Ethiopian Airlines issued this statement:

“The total flying time of the First Officer is 350 hours. Moreover; the Pilot in command is a senior pilot who has accumulated 8,100 hours.

According to ICAO regulations any CPL holder can act as F/O in multi engine jet commercial flight up on successful completion of the full Type Rating training on the type of A/C. According to ICAO, it only requires a maximum of 200Hrs to hold CPL. Ethiopian airlines in its effort to enhance safety established a crew pairing policy where by a less experienced F/O flies only with highly experienced Capt and vice versa.”

Boeing CEO Muilenburg issues statement on Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 accident investigation

Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Dennis Muilenburg issued the following statement regarding the report from Ethiopian Transport Minister Dagmawit Moges on March 17.

First and foremost, our deepest sympathies are with the families and loved ones of those onboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302.

Boeing continues to support the investigation, and is working with the authorities to evaluate new information as it becomes available. Safety is our highest priority as we design, build and support our airplanes. As part of our standard practice following any accident, we examine our aircraft design and operation, and when appropriate, institute product updates to further improve safety.

(PRNewsfoto/Boeing)

While investigators continue to work to establish definitive conclusions, Boeing is finalizing its development of a previously-announced software update and pilot training revision that will address the MCAS flight control law’s behavior in response to erroneous sensor inputs.

We also continue to provide technical assistance at the request of and under the direction of the National Transportation Safety Board, the U.S. Accredited Representative working with Ethiopian investigators.

In accordance with international protocol, all inquiries about the ongoing accident investigation must be directed to the investigating authorities.

El Al Israel Airlines reports its financial results for 2018 and fourth quarter 2018, Boeing 747-400s to be retired

El Al Israel Airlines issued this reported today:

Despite the increased competition at Ben Gurion Airport, the Company’s (TASE: ELAL) revenues from passenger increased by approx. USD $54 million.
However, in view of the increase in fuel prices, the Company lost approximately USD $52 million in 2018.
The Company’s revenues for 2018 amounted to approx. USD $2,142 million compared to approx. USD $2,097 million last year (reflecting an increase of USD $45 million).
The Company’s revenues for the fourth quarter of 2018 amounted to approx. $493 million compared to approx. USD $512 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 (reflecting a decrease of USD $19 million).
The Company recorded a loss before tax of approx. USD $68 million and a net loss of approx. USD $52 million for 2018 (compared to a profit before tax of USD $9 million and a net profit of USD $6 million for 2017, respectively).
The Company recorded a loss before tax of USD $41 million and a net loss of USD $32 million for the fourth quarter of 2018 (compared to a loss before tax of USD $38 million and a net loss of USD $30 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, respectively).

Gonen Usishkin, El Al’s CEO:

“Following the continued implementation of the Open Sky policy, in 2018 the competition at Ben Gurion Airport intensified, with an emphasis on European and Far East airlines. The number of passengers passing through Ben Gurion Airport grew from 20.2 million to 22.3 million. Particularly conspicuous is the Government’s decision to allow Air India to fly over Saudi Arabia using a short route, whereas the Company is not allowed to fly this route, thereby eroding the Company’s profitability from this route.

Notwithstanding the competition, the Company maintained a Load Factor of 84% and increased its revenues from passengers by USD 54 million. This year, a number of factors were joined together, in particular an approx. 30% increase in fuel prices (reflecting an expenditure increase of USD $97 million), which caused the said loss.

Upon completion of replacing the 767 and 747 aircrafts with the Dreamliners, the Company will be able to realize its operational efficiency potential (pilot expenses, saving fuel consumption and maintenance expenses) and significantly contribute to improve the product and upgrade the customer experience, alongside other steps taken by the Company.

Despite the results, the Company is in the process of implementing its business plan, and this is the place to thank all the Company’s employees who make effort to return El Al to profitability, improve all operational parameters and provide excellent service to its customers.”

In order to improve its business results, the Company established a strategic plan focusing on four core areas of operations:

The Company’s activities to improve the product and customer experience

The Company is going through a strategic process of improving customer experience and, for this purpose, invests considerable resources in most areas of operations, by means of the following activities:

Receiving five 787-9 Dreamliners. As of today, the Company operates eight 787-9 aircrafts.
Closing the 767 aircraft fleet, having been in the Company’s service for 36 years.
Launching a fast WI-FI system. Currently, the Company operates 18 airplanes with an internet system.
Recruiting the Michelin Star chef, Shahaf Shabtai, to act as the Company’s chef. Chef Shabtai devised a new high quality menu dedicated to El Al.

The Company’s activities in the commercial area

The Company continues to develop a route network adapted to the Israeli passenger and offers new products to the market, as follows:

Launching the route to Lisbon, adding activities on selected routes (such as Newark) and refreshing SunDor route network (both routine and seasonal activity).
Expanding the route network through new codeshare agreements with Vietnam Airlines and LOT (in early 2019) and expanding agreements with other airlines.
Launching price categories adapted to passengers flying to Europe, the Far East and Africa.
Extending the Branded Credit Card (FlyCard) Cooperation Agreement entered into with CAL, Diners and Poalim Express, and adding a new strategic partner – Mastercard.

The Company’s activities in the operational area

The Company is acting to strengthen its competitiveness through streamlining alongside improving operational excellence:

In 2018, the Company launched the “Ofek 2021” Program, aiming to enhance income resources while improving and streamlining operational processes within the Company.
The Company is in a multi-year process of replacing several operational and commercial IT systems, and this year successfully completed the implementation of a passenger revenue management system, automated marketing system and payroll system.
The Company has successfully implemented the new Flight Time Limitation regulations (FTL).

The Company’s Activities relating to people and processes

Investing in the Company’s personnel and the community contributes to the stability of the organization and forms a strategic basis for improving customer experience:

Stabilizing labor relations following the agreement entered into with the Company’s pilots, enabling operational efficiency and flexibility vis-à-vis pilots’ lifestyle, as well as optimal planning for aircrew personnel.
El Al takes particular pride in its PL+ rating assigned to it by “Ma’ala”, following an extensive activity for the community, inter alia, by raising money on flights for the benefit of “ALUT ALE” organization, adopting the Paratroopers Battalion 202, volunteering activities for the benefit of the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization, “Krembo Wings”, children with cancer, holocaust survivors, children communities across Israel, and more.

Focus in 2019 onwards

The Company has reported in the past a number of initiatives to enhance income and reduce expenses, along with actions intended to improve operational excellence:

Receipt of six additional 787 aircrafts (a total of 14 aircrafts by the end of 2019) to significantly improve the product and customer experience. The Company expects that by the end of 2019, the average age of the aircraft fleet will decrease for the first time below 10 years.
Closing the 747-400 aircraft fleet.
Additional expansion of the route network; by adding new routes to San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manchester and Niece, alongside expansion of existing routes.
Preparations for opening a route to Chicago in 2020.
Expansion of cargo transport in the belly of the 787 aircrafts.
A full-fleet interior renovation of the 737-800 aircraft fleet, including replacement of seats, improvement of luggage storage areas and replacement of interior lighting.
Start a project of renewal interior renovation of 777-200ER aircraft fleet, including replacement of seats, entertainment system, installation of WI-FI system and renovation of the overall appearance of the aircraft cabin.
Update to the Frequent Flyer Club program and upgrade of internet and mobile digital platforms.
Modification of the model of compensation to travel agents.
Expansion of activities under the “Ofek 2021” program, inter alia, the chain of logistics, maintenance array and passenger service.
Implementation of the collaboration agreement with CAL, Diners, Poalim Express and Mastercard.

Top Copyright Photo: The last Boeing 747-400 is due to be retired by late 2019. El Al Israel Airlines Boeing 747-412 4X-ELE (msn 26551) LHR (SPA). Image: 944783.

El Al aircraft slide show:

Delta to drop the Detroit – Sao Paulo route

Delta Air Lines will drop the Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) route from its Detroit hub on March 29. The route currently operates three days a week with Airbus A330-200s according to Airline Route.

Top Copyright Photo: Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-223 N859NW (msn 722) LHR (SPA). Image: 945992.

Delta aircraft slide show:

Southwest Airlines adds new nonstop routes

Southwest Airlines today announced several new nonstop flights linking cities across the United States as it extends its bookable flight schedule through Nov. 2, 2019.

New Daily Nonstop Routes Take Off

Effective August 10, 2019, Southwest will add weekend service between St. Louis and Salt Lake City. On October 2, 2019, this route will be offered with daily service between the two cities along with implementing twice-daily nonstop service between Baltimore/Washington and Newark*.

*Southwest previously served this route in March 2013.

Above Photo: First validation flight to Hawaii. Southwest Airlines.

New routes available on weekend days

Effective October 5, 2019, the carrier will add weekend service between Nashville and Buffalo, N.Y.; Sunday-only service between Houston (Hobby) and Amarillo; and Sunday-only service between Dallas Love Field and Cleveland.

Top Copyright Photo: Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 SSWL N8567Z (msn 36928) FLL (Bruce Drum). Image: 105006.

Southwest aircraft slide show: