Tag Archives: 737-700

WestJet’s pilots vote against union representation

WestJet (Calgary) has issued this statement:

WestJet today issued the following statement from President and CEO Gregg Saretsky regarding the outcome of the unionization vote among its Boeing 737 pilots.

“We are pleased that the majority of our pilots who voted have voted against union representation. Our model of cooperation and employee representation through the WestJet Pilots’ Association has allowed for the continued success of our pilots and our airline. Despite the positive outcome, there is continued work that needs to take place to better understand some of the issues for our pilot group and we can now turn our efforts to that goal.”

Meanwhile WJPA issued this statement:

Today the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) released the official results of the vote to unionize WestJet pilots. The results demonstrate decisive support for the WJPA: over 684 eligible pilots, representing 55 per cent of WestJet pilots who voted, showed their support for the WJPA by voting no to the WestJet Professional Pilots Association acting as their bargaining agent in matters of collective bargaining with their employer.

“WestJet pilots were offered a clear choice—continued representation by the WJPA or unionization,” said Captain Paul Ysselmuiden and Captain Michael Wesolowski , co-chairs of the WJPA. “These results demonstrate decisive support for the WJPA to continue to lead more than 1,500 pilots into the future.”

The WJPA strongly believes that WestJet and WestJet Encore pilots are stronger when they are part of one team. Moving forward, the WJPA will continue to effectively advocate on behalf of all WestJet and WestJet Encore pilots.

Copyright Photo: Robbie Shaw/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-7CT C-GQWJ (msn 35505) with the Tartan tail is pictured on the taxiway at Glasgow, Scotland.

WestJet aircraft slide show:

NTSB blames the Southwest Airlines captain for his “failure to comply with standard operating procedures” for the July 22, 2013 hard landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) (Washington) has issued this statement and report on the July 22, 2013 hard landing of a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-7H4 (N753SW) at New York’s LaGuardia Airport:

The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the captain’s failed attempt to recover from an unstabilized approach by transferring airplane control at low altitude instead of performing a go-around, caused a hard landing at LaGuardia International Airport (LGA) in Queens, New York.

On July 22, 2013, a Boeing 737, operated as Southwest Airlines flight 345, landed hard, nose-first, on runway 4 at LGA. Of the 144 passengers and five crewmembers on board, eight sustained minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged.

Contributing to the accident was the captain’s failure to comply with standard operating procedures during the approach. NTSB found that the first officer was conducting the approach, and the captain took control away from the first officer, but not until the plane was 27 feet above the ground. This late transfer of control from the first officer to the captain resulted in neither pilot being able to effectively monitor the airplane’s altitude and pitch attitude. According to the Southwest Airlines Flight Operations Manual, the captain should have called for a go-around well before this point in the approach instead of trying to salvage the landing.

For example, Southwest’s stabilized approach criteria require an immediate go-around if the airplane flaps are not in the final landing configuration by 1,000 feet above the ground. In this case, the flaps were not correctly set until the airplane was 500 feet above the ground.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

WestJet increases nonstop service from Edmonton

WestJet (Calgary) today announced new nonstop service between Edmonton and Nanaimo, British Columbia, as well as more flights between Edmonton and Grande Prairie, Kelowna, Regina and Saskatoon.

This winter, WestJet will fly nonstop from Edmonton to 26 destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean including Orlando, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Maui, Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.

WestJet’s popular nonstop seasonal service between Edmonton and Maui begins on December 11, 2015, on board the airline’s Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft.

In other news, WestJet will also offer daily winter seasonal Boeing 767-300 ER service from Toronto (Pearson) to Montego Bay, Jamaica from December 5, 2015 through April 30, 2016 per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-7CT C-GQWJ (msn 35505) with the special Tartan Tail taxies at the Calgary hub.

WestJet aircraft slide show:

Southwest’s flight attendants vote down the tentative agreement

Southwest Airlines‘ (Dallas) flight attendants have turned down the tentative contract by a large 87 percent margin. The airline issued this statement:

Southwest Airlines (LUV) has announced that its Flight Attendants have voted down a tentative agreement that would have ended two years of negotiations. Representatives for Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 556 say Flight Attendants rejected the deal by 87 percent of those casting ballots. Nearly 89 percent of eligible Flight Attendants voted.

“This agreement ensured that our Flight Attendants would stay atop the industry in pay and benefits,” said Randy Babbitt, Southwest Senior Vice President Labor Relations. “It improved the Company’s competitiveness with certain work-rule changes and supported our evolving network, both domestically and in international markets. So naturally we’re disappointed that it didn’t pass.”

The deal was slated to run through May 2019 and contained fixed wage increases, cash bonuses, and quality of life improvements. Southwest says it remains committed to reaching an agreement that best serves the interests of both the Company and its Flight Attendants.

“Knowing how volatile our industry can be, I can’t imagine a better time to secure an agreement,” said Vice President Cabin Services Mike Hafner. “But together we will find a way to move forward. Southwest Flight Attendants are the finest in the industry, and I am continuously proud of their consistent efforts and the caring service they provide our Customers.”

Southwest expects TWU leadership will take some time to evaluate the results prior to returning to direct bargaining. But for now, Southwest Flight Attendants will continue working under the terms of their current agreement, which became amendable May 31, 2013.

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-76N N7718B (msn 32665) approaches the runway at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI).

Southwest Airlines aircraft slide show:

Southwest Airlines reports a record second quarter net profit

Southwest Airlines (Dallas) today reported a record second quarter GAAP net profit of $608 million.

The airline issued this statement:

Southwest Airlines today reported its second quarter 2015 results:

Record quarterly net income, excluding special items1, of $691 million, or $1.03 per diluted share. This represented a $206 million increase from second quarter 2014 and exceeded the First Call consensus estimate of $1.02 per diluted share.
Record quarterly GAAP2 net income of $608 million, or $.90 per diluted share.
Record quarterly GAAP operating income of $1.1 billion. Excluding special items, record quarterly operating income of $1.1 billion, resulting in an operating margin3 of 22.5 percent.
Returned $430 million to Shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during second quarter 2015, and $811 million during first half 2015.
Return on invested capital, before taxes and excluding special items (ROIC)1, for the 12 months ended June 30, 2015, of 28.2 percent, compared with 17.1 percent for the 12 months ended June 30, 2014.
Subsequent to June 30, 2015, the Company amended and extended its co-branded credit card agreement with Chase Bank USA, N.A. (Chase), which is expected to provide generous rewards to the Company’s co-branded credit cardholders and significant future value to the Company’s Shareholders. The Company currently estimates its second half 2015 GAAP operating revenues will increase approximately $400 million from the combined impact of the amended agreement and the effect of a change in accounting methodology4.

Gary C. Kelly, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are delighted to report another strong quarter of earnings. Our net income, excluding special items, of $691 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, is an all-time quarterly high and represents our ninth consecutive quarter of record profits. Operating income, excluding special items, increased 40.2 percent year-over-year, producing a strong 22.5 percent operating margin. We significantly expanded our margins and generated very strong cash flows during first half 2015, allowing us to return $811 million to Shareholders through dividends and share repurchases so far this year. In addition, we intend to launch a $500 million accelerated share repurchase program soon. We have a solid investment grade balance sheet, and we are pleased with the recent upgrade to Baa1 by Moody’s. For first half 2015, our record profits have earned our outstanding Employees a record $308 million profitsharing accrual, nearly doubling first half 2014’s contribution. For the 12 months ended June 30, 2015, our ROIC was an outstanding 28.2 percent, far surpassing our cost of capital. Our 2015 results, thus far, are exceptional, and our current outlook for the second half of 2015 is also strong, laying a solid foundation to surpass 2014’s ROIC.

“Fuel savings5 in second quarter 2015 were nearly $500 million, which led to a reduction in our second quarter 2015 unit costs, excluding special items, of almost 12 percent year-over-year. Second quarter 2015 economic fuel costs were $2.02 per gallon, compared with $3.02 per gallon in second quarter 2014. Based on our existing fuel derivative contracts and market prices as of July 20, 2015, we expect significant year-over-year fuel savings again in third quarter 2015, with economic fuel costs currently estimated to be approximately $2.20 per gallon, as compared with third quarter 2014’s $2.94 per gallon.

“We also were very pleased with our overall cost performance. Our cost control efforts, ongoing fleet modernization, and improved aircraft utilization resulted in a 1.8 percent year-over-year decline in our second quarter 2015 unit costs, excluding fuel and oil expense, special items, and second quarter 2015’s record profitsharing expense of $182 million. Based on current cost trends, and excluding fuel and oil expense, special items, and profitsharing, we expect third quarter 2015 unit costs to decline approximately one percent and full year 2015 unit costs to decline approximately two percent, both compared with the same year-ago periods.

“Our second quarter 2015 operating unit revenue performance was impacted by challenging year-over-year comparisons, longer average stage length, higher average seats per trip (gauge), and a softer yield environment. Still, we grew second quarter 2015 operating revenues 2.0 percent to a record $5.1 billion on a year-over-year increase in available seat miles (ASMs) of 7.0 percent. Demand for our popular low fares remained strong throughout the quarter resulting in a record 84.6 percent load factor. Our second quarter 2015 unit revenues declined 4.7 percent, as expected, driven largely by the 5.4 percent decline in passenger revenue yields, both as compared with second quarter last year. The year-ago results included $47 million in additional passenger revenue due to a change to previously recorded estimates of tickets expected to spoil in the future, which impacted second quarter 2015 year-over-year unit revenue comparisons by approximately one percent. Another two to three percent of the second quarter 2015 year-over-year unit revenue decline was driven by a 4.6 percent increase in average stage length and a 2.4 percent increase in gauge, both as compared with second quarter 2014.

“We continue to be extremely pleased with our development markets in Dallas. They are remarkably strong, surpassing system average margins and returns. In April, we launched nine additional daily nonstop flights, bringing our total daily flights out of Love Field to 166. By August 2015, we are scheduled to operate 180 weekday departures to 50 nonstop destinations.

“Our international expansion is also progressing, as planned, and producing expected results. We began service to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) in June and announced daily service between PVR and Denver beginning in November 2015, pending foreign government approval. We are excited to begin service by the end of this year between eight international cities and Houston (Hobby), including inaugural service to Belize City, Belize in October 2015, and Liberia, Costa Rica in November 2015, both pending foreign government approvals.

“Earlier this month, we were delighted to amend and extend our long-standing partnership with Chase for our co-branded credit card agreement. Beginning in third quarter 2015 and continuing thereafter, we expect to realize significant revenue enhancements. Since we re-launched our award-winning frequent flyer program in 2011, we have nearly doubled the size of our program, in terms of membership, and grown our credit card program, proportionately.

“While some yield softness has continued into July, demand thus far remains strong. Based on current bookings and revenue trends, and including the estimated benefit to operating revenues from our amended co-branded credit card agreement, we are currently estimating third quarter 2015 unit revenues to decline a modest one percent from third quarter 2014. Taking into consideration the ongoing impact of increased stage and gauge, as well as 18 percent of our network under development in third quarter 2015, we are very pleased with our third quarter revenue outlook.

“Overall, our network performance is exceptional. For this year, we are growing our ASMs approximately seven percent, year-over-year. The annualized impact of our 2015 expansion is expected to contribute the majority of 2016’s year-over-year capacity growth. As we continue to optimize our network, we are currently planning to grow our total 2016 ASMs in the five to six percent range, year-over-year, with the goal to sustain strong margins and ROIC levels in line with 2015.”

Fleet

During second quarter 2015, the Company’s fleet increased by ten to 689 aircraft at period end. This reflects the second quarter delivery of six new Boeing 737-800s and five pre-owned Boeing 737-700s, as well as the retirement of one Boeing 737 Classic aircraft. The Company continues to manage to roughly 700 aircraft in 2015 and continues to expect to grow its net fleet approximately two percent, year-over-year, in 2016. As an extension of its fleet modernization initiatives, during second quarter 2015, the Company designated its 31 Boeing firm orders in 2016 as 737-800s rather than 737-700s and added 31 pre-owned 737-700 aircraft scheduled for delivery through 2018. In addition, subsequent to June 30, 2015, the Company canceled the 12 737NG options scheduled for delivery in 2016.

Additional information regarding these revisions to the Company’s aircraft delivery schedule is included in the accompanying table:

Notes:

(1) A revenue passenger mile is one paying passenger flown one mile. Also referred to as “traffic,” which is a measure of demand for a given period.

(2) An available seat mile is one seat (empty or full) flown one mile. Also referred to as “capacity,” which is a measure of the space available to carry passengers in a given period.

(3) Revenue passenger miles divided by available seat miles.

(4) Seats flown is calculated using total number of seats available by aircraft type multiplied by the total trips flown by the same aircraft type during a particular period.

(5) Seats per trip is calculated using seats flown divided by trips flown. Also referred to as “gauge.”

(6) Calculated as passenger revenue divided by revenue passenger miles. Also referred to as “yield,” this is the average cost paid by a paying passenger to fly one mile, which is a measure of revenue production and fares.

(7) RASM (unit revenue) – Operating revenue yield per ASM, calculated as operating revenue divided by available seat miles. Also referred to as “operating unit revenues,” this is a measure of operating revenue production based on the total available seat miles flown during a particular period.

(8) PRASM (Passenger unit revenue) – Passenger revenue yield per ASM, calculated as passenger revenue divided by available seat miles. Also referred to as “passenger unit revenues,” this is a measure of passenger revenue production based on the total available seat miles flown during a particular period.

(9) CASM (unit costs) – Operating expenses per ASM, calculated as operating expenses divided by available seat miles. Also referred to as “unit costs” or “cost per available seat mile,” this is the average cost to fly an aircraft seat (empty or full) one mile, which is a measure of cost efficiencies.

(10) Aircraft in the Company’s fleet at period end, less Boeing 717-200s removed from service in preparation for transition out of the fleet.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-7H4 WL N909WN (msn 32458) with the special “Beats Music – Don’t miss a beat” markings arrives in Los Angeles.

Southwest Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery only):

WestJet announces new winter routes to Florida, Mexico and Costa Rica, WestJet Encore to fly to Boston

WestJet (Calgary) has announced it is launching new nonstop service to Florida, Mexico and Costa Rica, as well as adding more than 85 flights across its growing domestic and international network as part of its winter 2015-2016 flight schedule. WestJet’s regional airline, WestJet Encore (Calgary), will also begin service three times a day to Boston, its first U.S. destination.

WestJet will launch new nonstop service between Toronto (Pearson) and West Palm Beach and Toronto (Pearson) and Sarasota/Bradenton, as well as between Toronto (Pearson) and Boston and Halifax and Boston.

The airline will also introduce new service to Mexico between Toronto (Pearson) and Huatulco, Toronto (Pearson) and Merida, and Toronto (Pearson) and Cabo San Lucas, as well as additional service to Costa Rica between Toronto (Pearson) and San Jose (SJO). WestJet already serves Liberia.

Guests flying from the Region of Waterloo International Airport and Charlottetown Airport will see new weekly nonstop flights to Orlando.

Details of WestJet’s new routes from Central and Eastern Canada for the winter of 2015-2016:

WestJet is also increasing service from a number of destinations within Central and Eastern Canada including Toronto (Pearson), Halifax, St. John’s, Deer Lake and Charlottetown, as well as from Toronto (Pearson) to Liberia, Turks and Caicos, Puerto Plata and Punta Cana.

The airline will also add new nonstop flights between Calgary and Florida, Costa Rica and Mexico, and between Vancouver and Orlando.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. WestJet’s Boeing 737-76N C-GWSH (msn 29886) taxies to the gate at the Calgary hub.

WestJet aircraft slide show:

WestJet Encore aircraft slide show:

Southwest to hire an additional 650 customer service representatives

Southwest Airlines (Dallas) has issued this statement:

Southwest Airlines is on a mission to hire an additional 650 Customer Service Representatives at call centers in Albuquerque, N.M.; Phoenix; and San Antonio. Southwest Airlines Customer Service Representatives provide the legendary Customer Service Southwest Airlines is known for while resolving Customer concerns, providing information, and assisting with reservations.

“A passion for helping people is a key to success in Southwest’s Customer Service Representative role,” said Julie Weber, Vice President People. “We are looking for hardworking, fun-loving, and caring people who will give their all to help connect our Customers to what’s important in their lives.”

Southwest is frequently recognized as a best place to work. Most recently: 21 consecutive years on FORTUNE’s list of World’s Most Admired Companies (#7 in 2015); ranked as the top airline employer and one of the top 20 best employers overall on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers; and named One of the Best Places to Work in 2015 by Glassdoor.

More than just a paycheck, a career at Southwest Airlines comes with several perks, from Southwest’s legendary Culture to travel privileges for Employees and their eligible dependents. Southwest offers an excellent benefits package, including a very generous dollar-for-dollar match in the 401(k) plan, subject to vesting requirements, as well as a ProfitSharing Plan, which, for 2014, contributed approximately five weeks of pay toward retirement accounts for eligible Employees.

Experience working in customer service is preferred. Interested applicants should apply now at Southwest.com/careers.

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-790 N560WN (msn 30542) approaches the runway at Baltimore/Washington (BWI).

Southwest Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):

Gol and Delta Air Lines strengthen their strategic alliance

Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes (Sao Paulo) has agreed to enter into several strategic transactions with the Constantino Family, Gol’s controlling shareholder, and Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) to strengthen the airlines’ strategic alliance and enhance Gol’s financial position and liquidity.

The airline continued;

As part of the agreement, Gol’s controlling shareholder will invest up to $90 million (US) in newly issued preferred shares of Gol and Delta will invest up to $56 million in newly issued preferred shares of Gol. Delta also will guarantee a term loan to be entered into by Gol with third party lenders of up to $300 million. In connection with these transactions, Gol and Delta will extend their commercial cooperation arrangements.

The consummation of each of the strategic transactions is subject to the execution and delivery of definitive documentation and customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals.

Copyright Photo: Rodrigo Cozzato/AirlinersGallery.com. Gol’s Boeing 737-76N PR-GOH (msn 32440) departs from Sao Paulo (Guarulhos).

Gol aircraft slide show:

KLM to pull back on growth, will cut capacity for the winter season

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Amsterdam) has announced a pull back on its planned expansion for this coming winter season. The airline issued this statement:

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will reduce the number of flights it had planned and, in so doing, curtail the growth it had intended for the 2015/2016 winter season. The adjustments will result in a half-million fewer seats than were previously planned. The winter season will run from October 25, 2015 to March 26, 2016.

KLM will reduce flight frequencies to ten European destinations. Furthermore, frequencies to Africa, Japan, and Brazil will also be curtailed. KLM will do all it can to minimise any inconvenience to passengers.

The adjustments result from the fact that KLM’s revenues are under pressure. The pressure will force Air France-KLM to accelerate its plans to implement its Perform 2020 program. KLM has introduced a broad range of initiatives to improve its competitive position, and speed is of the essence.

KLM has already reached an accord with the cabin crew and ground crew unions concerning a collective labour agreement. Further implementation depends on an accord with the pilots’ union (VNV), which has not yet agreed to much-needed productivity increases.

KLM aircraft slide show:

Southwest Airlines increases its Florida flights with the new early 2016 schedule

Southwest Airlines (Dallas) is giving its customers a first look at its early 2016 flight schedule by extending it from January 6 through March 8, 2016.

The schedule extension brings new seasonal nonstop service, including once-daily flights connecting Phoenix with Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood, and Grand Rapids with Tampa.

For the first time, the carrier will offer new daily seasonal service between Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers and Nashville, as well as new Saturday-only seasonal service between RSW and four cities: Buffalo, Dallas Love Field, Providence, and Washington (Reagan National). Daily seasonal nonstop service between Grand Rapids and Fort Myers also returns with this schedule release.

Southwest is offering seasonal Saturday-only nonstop service connecting Orlando with Omaha, Detroit and Orlando, as well as Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood with Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-7H4 N905WN (msn 36617) with the special “Kidd’s Kids – Kidd Kraddick in the Morning” emblem arrives at Baltimore/Washington.

Southwest aircraft slide show (current livery only):