Tag Archives: 737800

Westjet to fly its first trans-Atlantic route to Dublin, Ireland

WestJet (Calgary) starting on June 15, 2014* will be offering its first trans-Atlantic service from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Dublin, Ireland, with connecting service from several other Canadian destinations.

St. John’s is actually closer to Dublin than Calgary.

Schedule highlights:

Route	Frequency	Dates^
St. John’s – Dublin	Daily	June 15, 2014 to October 5, 2014
Toronto (direct same plane) – Dublin**	Daily	June 15, 2014 to October 5, 2014
Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Hamilton, Kelowna, Montreal, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Vancouver, Victoria, Winnipeg – Dublin**	Daily	June 15, 2014 to October 5, 2014

*Subject to government approval.
^Schedule is subject to change without notice.
**Available daily through connections. Guests flying from Toronto will stop in St. John’s but will have the same plane to Dublin.

WestJet:

Boeing and Gol to work on a sustainable biofuel in Brazil

Boeing (Chicago) and Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. (Gol Transportes Aereos) (Sao Paulo) will work together to speed the research, development and approval of new sources of sustainable aviation biofuel in Brazil. Their collaboration will support Gol’s plans to use this lower-carbon jet fuel on more flights during upcoming major sporting events and also will benefit long-term development of a new sustainable aviation biofuel industry in Brazil.

Paulo Sergio Kakinoff, chief executive officer of Gol, and Van Rex Gallard, vice president of Sales for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, signed a memorandum of understanding for biofuel collaboration at the Latin America and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) Airline Leaders Forum 2013.

Gol plans to use sustainable biojetfuel on 200 flights during the major sporting event in Brazil in 2014 and to incorporate biofuel into 20 percent of its flights during the major sporting event taking place in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Boeing will work with Gol to identify and select the most promising feedstocks and refining technologies and then will play a leading role in the approval process for new fuel pathways to ensure the fuel meets safety and performance standards.

The agreement between Boeing and Gol is a significant new step in efforts to advance an aviation biofuel industry in Brazil. On October 23, Brazil’s Aviator’s Day, Gol conducted Brazil’s first commercial biofuel flight in a Boeing 737-800 powered in part by sustainable aviation biofuel made from waste cooking oil and blended by Petrobras, with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Following the flight, aviation industry stakeholders including Gol and Boeing, as well as Brazilian officials and research institutions, announced a national effort called the Brazilian Biojetfuel Platform to establish a sustainable biojetfuel industry with research and development in several regions of the country. If the Platform is successful, Brazil, which has already established a biofuel industry could be the first nation to establish a sustainable aviation biofuel industry from biomass production to flight.

Copyright Photo: Rodrigo Cozzato/AirlinersGallery.com. Gol’s Boeing 737-809 PR-GIT (msn 28403) in the striking Smiles special livery departs from Sao Paulo (Guarulhos).

Gol:

Xiamen Air takes delivery of its 100th Boeing jet

Xiamen Air (Xiamen Airlines) (Xiamen) has reached a significant milestone. On November 12 in Seattle, Boeing delivered a brand new 737-800 airplane to Xiamen Airlines, a SkyTeam member. It is the 100th plane in the airline’s all-Boeing fleet. Boeing 737-85C B-5688 (msn 41792) was handed over at the special event (pictured).

Xiamen Airlines commenced service in 1985 with two Boeing 737-200s serving three cities. The carrier is now China’s sixth-largest, serving 218 domestic routes as well as 26 international and regional routes. With delivery of the Boeing 737-800, Xiamen Airlines’ fleet now consists of 100 aircraft. It is China’s only all-Boeing fleet and one of the world’s youngest, with an average age of 5.08 years.

Over the next two years, Xiamen Airlines plans to add 30 more Boeing 737-800s and six more Boeing 787s, expanding its fleet to 136 airplanes, and to expand globally by gradually forming a route network that radiates across the Asia Pacific region and connects with Europe and the U.S.

Xiamen Airlines’ expects to keep growing of its Boeing fleet beyond 2016. The carrier has just signed Letters of Request to buy 70 Boeing 737NGs and Boeing 737MAXs. By 2020, the fleet will grow to more than 200 airplanes.

Xiamen Airlines’ rapid growth is a testament to the tremendous growth of China’s airline business. In 1972, China established the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) as the only player in aviation, with only nine registered aircraft in the fleet. At the end of 2012, China had more than 40 airlines, with an industry-wide fleet exceeding 2,000 aircraft.

Boeing projects investments of nearly $800 billion in China for the purchase of 5,580 new commercial aircraft during the next 20 years. It would account for 16% of global demand, and reflects an average requirement of nearly 200 single-aisle and over 60 wide-body aircraft each year.

Top Copyright Photo: Boeing.

Xiamen Airlines:

Bottom Copyright Photos: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. B-5688 passes through Honolulu on the long delivery flight.

Second Photo: A close-up of the special markings.

Norwegian to open a new base at Madrid next summer

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) continues its expansion in Europe and opens new base in Madrid for the summer of 2014. Norwegian will open six new routes from Madrid to Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki, Hamburg, Warsaw and London.

The base in Madrid is Norwegian’s fifth Spanish base along with Alicante, Malaga, Las Palmas and Tenerife.

Six new routes from Madrid from June 2014:

Norwegian will have two Boeing 737-800 aircraft at the base in Madrid. In addition, 100 employees will be recruited locally and six new routes launched.

Madrid – Stockholm
Four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, starting June 4, 2014

Madrid – Oslo
Three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, starting June 3, 2014

Madrid – Helsinki
Three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting on June 4, 2014

Madrid – Hamburg
Four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, starting June 4, 2014

Madrid – Warsaw
Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, starting June 3, 2014

Madrid – London
Daily from June 2, 2014

Madrid – Copenhagen
Increases from three to four times a week between April and June 2014. As of July 2014 there are flights daily between Madrid and Copenhagen.

Copyright Photo: Richard Vandervord/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-86N LN-NOQ (msn 32658) departs the runway at London (Gatwick).

Norwegian:

United joins JetBlue and Delta in offering electronics-friendly cabins

United Airlines (Chicago) has joined JetBlue Airways and Delta Air Lines in now offering electronics-friendly cabins. The airline issued this statement:

United Airlines is now offering its customers electronics-friendly cabins on all domestic mainline flights. The airline received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to begin allowing passengers use of their portable electronic devices during all phases of flight. United will immediately implement the benefit for its customers.

With this change, United customers can safely use their lightweight, hand-held electronic devices – such as tablets, e-readers, games and smartphones – in non-transmitting mode from gate-to-gate, unless instructed otherwise by a crew member. Larger electronic devices, like laptops, must still be stored securely in an overhead bin or another approved stowage area during takeoff and landing.

Currently, only United customers traveling on mainline flights arriving or departing within the 50 United States may operate portable electronic devices below 10,000 feet. However, the airline is working with its regional partners to extend the benefit, and expects to allow customers gate-to-gate use of their electronic devices across all United Express flights operating within the 50 United States by the end of the year as well.

Passengers may still be asked to turn off their electronic devices in certain situations, such as low-visibility operations, and are reminded to carefully follow crew member instructions at all times. Voice calls from cell phones or VoIP-enabled devices are also still prohibited during taxiing, takeoffs, landings and while the aircraft is in flight.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. United Airlines’ Boeing 737-824 WL N73276 (msn 31594) taxies to the runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

United Airlines:

WestJet reports 3Q net earnings of C$65.1 million

WestJet (Calgary) today announced its third quarter 2013 results, with net earnings of $65.1 million, or $0.50 per diluted share. This compares with the net earnings of $70.6 million, or $0.52 per diluted share reported in the third quarter of 2012. Based on the trailing twelve months, the airline achieved a return on invested capital of 13.8 per cent, compared with the 14.4 per cent reported in the previous quarter, and one of the best third quarters in WestJet history.

“We had a strong third quarter in which we flew a record number of guests, exceeded our 12 per cent ROIC target for the fifth consecutive quarter, and reached our initial business transformation initiative milestone one year early by implementing and identifying various opportunities which we believe will result in approximately $100 million in future cost savings in 2014,” said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. “With the market launch of our Plus product in August, we are now providing our business and leisure guests with even more flexibility, comfort and convenience, and my thanks go to WestJetters for their ongoing efforts to take care of our guests.”


	Q3 13	Q3 12	Change	YTD 2013	YTD 2012	Change
Net earnings (millions)	$65.1	$70.6	(7.8%)	$200.9	$181.4	10.7%
Diluted earnings per share	$0.50	$0.52	(3.8%)	$1.51	$1.33	13.5%
Total revenues (millions)	$924.8	$866.5	6.7%	$2,735.8	$2,566.8	6.6%
Operating margin	10.7%	12.5%	(1.8 pts)	10.9%	11.1%	(0.2 pts)
ASMs (billions)	6.109	5.498	11.1%	18.029	16.576	8.8%
RPMs (billions)	5.059	4.654	8.7%	14.823	13.770	7.6%
Load factor	82.8%	84.6%	(1.8 pts)	82.2%	83.1%	(0.9 pts)
Segment guests	4,940,943	4,611,315	7.1%	13,927,538	13,109,328	6.2%
Yield (cents)	18.28	18.62	(1.8%)	18.46	18.64	(1.0%)
RASM (cents)	15.14	15.76	(3.9%)	15.17	15.48	(2.0%)
CASM (cents)	13.52	13.80	(2.0%)	13.52	13.77	(1.8%)

During the third quarter, WestJet continued the roll-out of WestJet Encore, beginning service to Brandon, Manitoba on September 3 and announcing Terrace, B.C. as a new community that will welcome its first Encore flight on November 25, 2013. WestJet Encore also added new non-stop routes joining the dots in WestJet’s network, including flights between Winnipeg and Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Regina and between Vancouver and Kamloops, B.C. “We are very pleased with the overwhelming community support WestJet Encore has received, as we give even more Canadians access to lower fares, stimulate demand in smaller communities, and repeat WestJet’s success in the regional space,” said Gregg Saretsky.

In the third quarter, WestJet entered into a definitive purchase agreement for 65 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with deliveries scheduled from 2017 through 2027. This order will enable the airline to enhance its inflight guest experience, support its low-cost business model, and contribute to its profitable growth by utilizing a lower operating cost aircraft that is expected to reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by 13 per cent, as compared with the most fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft currently available.

With the impact on demand caused by the summer flooding in Calgary, Alberta and the surrounding communities behind the airline, WestJet expects continued strong traffic and revenue growth in the fourth quarter of 2013. The airline anticipates its 2013 fourth quarter RASM to be roughly flat as compared to the same period in the prior year.

The airline expects jet fuel costs to range between 90 and 92 cents per liter for the fourth quarter of 2013, representing a down 1.0 to up 1.0 per cent year-over-year change. For the full year 2013, the airline now expects CASM, excluding fuel and employee profit share, to be down approximately 0.5 per cent year-over-year.

WestJet:

Norwegian’s pilots call off their strike today after reaching a new agreement

Norwegian Air Shuttle’s (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) 600 pilots called off their strike today after four days of government-sponsored mediation.

The airline issued this short statement (translated from Norwegian):

Norwegian’s management and Norwegian Pilot Union (NPU) have agreed on a new contract for the pilots. This means the normal operation in the future.

Both parties are very pleased that we have reached an agreement and we can now look forward and build a strong, competitive Norwegian. The most important thing for us is that our passengers can feel safe with our flight goes as usual, said CEO Bjørn Kjos.

Copyright Photo: SM Fitzwilliams Collection/AirlinersGallery.com. Norwegian Air Shuttle’s (Norwegian.com) Boeing 737-8JP WL LN-DYU (msn 39008) with Jorn Utzon on the tail and also painted in the special “Wireless Internet on Board” scheme passes through Dublin.

Norwegian:

Alaska Air Group reports 3Q net income of $289 million

Alaska Air Group, Inc., (Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air) (Seattle/Tacoma) reported third quarter 2013 GAAP net income of $289 million, or $4.08 per diluted share, compared to $163 million, or $2.27 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2012. Excluding the impact of mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments of $20 million ($12 million after tax, or $0.17 per diluted share), and a one-time special revenue item of $192 million ($120 million after tax, or $1.70 per diluted share) that primarily resulted from the application of new accounting rules associated with the modified affinity card agreement, the company reported record adjusted net income of $157 million, or $2.21 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $150 million, or $2.09 per diluted share, in 2012.

“These results represent our best quarter ever and mark Alaska’s 18th consecutive quarterly profit,” Alaska Air Group CEO Brad Tilden said. “This is noteworthy given significant additional competition in some of our core markets. The balance and strength of our network combined with the ability of our people to respond quickly to changing business conditions are enabling us to succeed in this highly competitive industry.”

The following table reconciles the company’s reported GAAP net income and earnings per diluted share (EPS) during the third quarters of 2013 and 2012 to adjusted amounts:

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2013				2012
(in millions, except per-share amounts)	Dollars		Diluted EPS		Dollars		Diluted EPS
Reported GAAP net income	$	289	$	4.08	$	163	$	2.27
Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, net of tax	(12)		(0.17)		(13)		(0.18)
Special revenue item, net of tax	(120)		(1.70)		—		—
Non-GAAP adjusted income and per-share amounts	$	157	$	2.21	$	150	$	2.09

Financial Highlights:

Reported record third quarter net income, excluding special items, of $157 million, or $2.21 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $150 million, or $2.09 per diluted share in the prior-year quarter. This quarter’s results compare to a First Call analyst consensus estimate of $2.14 per share.
Recorded net income for the third quarter under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of $289 million or $4.08 per diluted share, compared to net income of $163 million, or $2.27 per diluted share in 2012.
Achieved trailing 12-month return on invested capital of 13.0 percent compared to 12.7 percent in the 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2012.
Lowered adjusted debt-to-total-capitalization ratio by 7.0 percentage points, to 47.0 percent, from Dec. 31, 2012.
Paid a $0.20 per-share quarterly cash dividend on August 22 totaling $14 million. This is the first time since 1992 that Alaska Air Group has paid a dividend.
Repurchased 537,008 shares of common stock for $32 million in the third quarter. For the year, the company has repurchased 1,454,790 shares for $83 million.
Modified the affinity card agreement with Bank of America and extended it through 2017, estimated to generate $55 million in additional cash flows on an annual basis.
Held $1.4 billion in unrestricted cash and marketable securities as of Sept. 30, 2013.

Operational Highlights:

Held the No. 1 spot in U.S. Department of Transportation on-time performance among the 10 largest U.S. airlines for the 12 months ended August 2013.
Named most fuel-efficient airline in the U.S. in a report released by the International Council on Clean Transportation.
Named Airline Industry Leader in the 2013 Temkin Customer Service Rankings.
Surpassed 1 million customer downloads of the Alaska Airlines mobile apps.
Began new routes between Portland and Atlanta and between Portland and Dallas.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Alaska Airlines’ Boeing 737-890 WL N560AS (msn 35179) in the “Spirit of the Islands” motif departs from Los Angeles.

Alaska Airlines:

Alaska Horizon-Horizon Air:

Aerolineas Argentinas finalizes its order for 20 Boeing 737-800s

Aerolineas Argentinas (Buenos Aires) , the flag carrier of Argentina, and Boeing (Chicago) have completed an agreement for 20 Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes.

At a signing ceremony in Buenos Aires, Dr. Mariano Recalde, president of Aerolineas Argentinas and Austral Lineas Aereas, and Van Rex Gallard, vice president of Sales, Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, formalized the agreement, which will help Aerolineas build on a fleet of 26 Next-Generation 737s currently operated by the Argentine carrier.

Gallard noted that the agreement extends a long legacy of partnership between Boeing and Aerolineas Argentinas. “Our partnership with Aerolineas extends back to the days of the Douglas DC-3”.

Copyright Photo: Malcolm Nason/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured former Airberlin Boeing 737-86J D-ABBA (msn 30570) became LV-CTC with Aerolineas Argentinas.

Aerolineas Argentinas:

Norwegian establishes a new European airline subsidiary

Norwegian AIr Shuttle’s (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) Board of Directors today approved a new structure that will ensure the company’s international growth and the necessary traffic rights. Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA continues to be overall parent company. The parent company established two new wholly owned subsidiaries with their own operating certificate (AOC), one in Norway and one in Europe. The Company intends to establish hiring pilots at bases outside Scandinavia.

The most important changes:

New Norwegian operating company with its own AOC in Norway based on the current Scandinavian bases

All employees pilots in Scandinavia is transferred to the Norwegian operating company with current pay and working conditions. Other employees of Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA are not affected

Creation of a separate EU operational company that ensures the necessary traffic rights to fly from Europe

In line with the development of law in Europe established wholly owned resource company with roots in the countries where the bases are

Hired pilots are being offered permanent employment locally in the respective resource companies. The first is the base in Finland, where the pilots are being offered permanent employment in the first quarter of 2014. This is followed by the bases in Spain and England.

Norwegian goes from being a Scandinavian company into an international company. The organizational structure needs to be modernized and adapted accordingly.

The new structure provides a greater degree of equality regarding career opportunities, regardless of what country they have that base.

Copyright Photo: Karl Cornil/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-8JP LN-DYU (msn 39008) with the special “Wireless Internet on Board” markings arrives at London (Gatwick).

Norwegian: