Tag Archives: A320214

Starflyer takes delivery of its first purchased A320 from Airbus

Starflyer (Kitakyushu) has taken delivery of its first ever directly purchased aircraft, an Airbus A320, during a delivery ceremony in Toulouse, France. A320-214 JA08MC (msn 5393) was handed over to the carrier on December 12.

The aircraft is the first of three A320s ordered by the company in 2011, and is powered by CFM56-5B4/P engines. It will accommodate 150 passengers in a single-class configuration.Starflyer will deploy the new aircraft to strengthen its network in Japan and to regional destinations.

Starflyer already operates an all-Airbus fleet of seven leased A320s, the first of which was delivered in Toulouse exactly seven years ago. With this aircraft, the airline’s fleet will rise to eight A320s, with another six to be delivered both via lease and direct purchase.

Starflyer commenced operations on March 16, 2006.

Copyright Photo: Shige Sakaki.Airbus A320-214 JA05MC (msn 4555) taxies across the airfield at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo. A “I fly KIX” sticker promotes Kansai International Airport near Osaka.

Starflyer:

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Iberia is facing new holiday strikes by its ground and cabin crews

Iberia (Madrid) is facing a new round of strikes by its ground and cabin crews. The unions have called for a full-day strike on December 14 and the five days of walkouts from December 17 to December 21 during the Christmas rush. Spain is becoming a country of strikes. The unions are protesting the jobs cuts. The losses at Iberia are bleeding IAG.

Read the full story from Reuters: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Paul Denton. Iberia is not soaring these days but continuously navigating through its devastating labor relations. Airbus A320-214 EC-HDK (msn 1067) climbs away from Geneva.

Iberia:

The fly is dead, Niki starts repainting its fleet in Airberlin’s colors

Niki (flyniki.com) (Vienna), as planned, has started repainting its fleet in the 2008 livery of parent Airberlin (Berlin). The distinctive large fly logo (as in flyniki) is being retired. The first to be repainted is the pictured Airbus A320-214 OE-LEU (msn 2902) which still retains the Niki oval logo with an added “The Spirit of Niki” inscription.

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EasyJet to fly nonstop Manchester-Moscow flights in the Spring

EasyJet (easyJet.com) (UK) (London-Luton) plans to launch the first ever scheduled flights between Manchester and Moscow starting in the Spring of 2013. EasyJet will operate four flights each week.

In other news, the company reported a full-year pretax profit of $504.4 million, an increase of 28 percent.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

EasyJet (UK):

Ryanair is still optimistic about its proposed takeover of Aer Lingus after the EC ruling

Ryanair (Dublin) is still optimistic about final European Commission approval of its proposed takeover of rival Aer Lingus (Dublin). The European Commission has raised concerns about competition in Ireland despite Ryanair’s offer to surrender European routes from Ireland to allow for other carriers to add Irish service.

Ryanair issued the following statement:

Ryanair, Europe’s only ultra-low cost airline, confirmed on November 14 that its discussions continue with the European Commission about its radical package of remedies designed to address the Commission’s competition concerns in relation to Ryanair’s June 19 offer for Aer Lingus. This comprehensive remedies package includes a number of new airline bases in Dublin, new entrant competitors on over 40 routes to/from Dublin, Cork and Shannon, as well as specific competition solutions that guarantee increased price competition on routes to and from Ireland.

Following receipt of the Commission’s statement of objections last evening (November 13), a standard procedural step in Phase II EU merger reviews, Ryanair expects that the Commission will shortly market test this transformational remedies package, and remains confident that its offer for Aer Lingus will receive competition clearance following any fair assessment by the Commission. A detailed process of engagement with the EU Commission is now underway.

Ryanair’s offer for Aer Lingus is being reviewed while dramatic changes take place across the EU airline industry, including: (1) a large restructuring of Iberia with 4,500 job losses; (2) the takeover of Vueling by IAG, combining the Number 2 and Number 3 airlines in Spain; (3) a major restructuring of SAS including 6,000 job losses and state backed loan guarantees; and (4) the planned merger of Aegean and Olympic, the Number 1 and Number 2 airlines in Greece.

It is against this backdrop that Ryanair is proposing a merger that provides secure jobs, growth opportunities and financial benefits for all shareholders in a larger Ireland based EU carrier.

Read the local media analysis of this proposed merger from The Irish Times: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. Boeing 737-8AS EI-DCL (msn 33806) in the Dreamliner livery lands at London (Luton).

Ryanair:

Aer Lingus:

Bottom Copyright Photo: SM Fitzwilliams Collection. Airbus A320-214 EI-DEJ (msn 2364) taxies at the Dublin base.

Virgin America posts an operating profit in the third quarter, defers deliveries of 30 new A320neo aircraft to 2020-2022

Virgin America (San Francisco) today reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2012. The airline achieved a $15.8 million operating profit for the quarter, resulting in a four percent operating margin. Despite the continued dual financial pressure of high fuel prices and Virgin America’s industry-leading capacity growth, the airline reported an operating profit for the quarter, improved unit costs, and an increase in average fares. For the third quarter, the carrier reported a 24 percent improvement year-over-year in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and aircraft rental expense (EBITDAR). Year-to-date, the airline reported a record high EBITDAR of $135.7 million, an improvement of 23 percent year-over-year. Cost per available seat mile excluding fuel (ex-fuel CASM) decreased year-over-year by three percent in the three months ended September 30, 2012. A privately-held company, the carrier is additionally forecasting an operating profit for the fourth quarter of 2012.

From the third quarter of 2010 through the third quarter of 2012, the airline increased available seat miles (ASMs) by 73 percent, significantly outpacing the industry ASM growth average of 0.4 percent. Virgin America’s rate of growth was necessary to establish the airline’s core network and to achieve economies of scale. However, as the airline absorbed the tail-end of this growth cycle, its entry into new markets created margin pressure which offset gains in more mature markets. The airline’s core markets (those operated more than 24 months) achieved an operating margin of eight percent in the third quarter and were profitable year-to-date. This strong performance in mature markets was offset by weaker performance in newer destinations added during the airline’s rapid two-year growth phase. This phase of accelerated growth is now largely complete, as the airline plans to take delivery of just one additional aircraft in 2013—and today announces a deferred growth plan with respect to aircraft on order. This reduction in growth will allow the carrier to continue to improve profitability, as new markets develop to match the performance of its core established network.

Virgin America announces today that it has reached an agreement to modify its Airbus aircraft order. Under the revised agreement, Virgin America’s order for current engine option A320 aircraft will be reduced from 30 positions to ten, with delivery of those aircraft occurring in 2015 and 2016. In addition, the airline announces it will defer its 30 Airbus A320neo positions to new delivery dates in 2020 through 2022. Average ASM growth will decelerate from the 28 percent annual growth rate the airline has driven over the past three years, to mid single-digit annual ASM growth over the next several years. The Company has taken delivery of 24 aircraft since the first quarter of 2010 – growing to a fleet of 52 Airbus A320 Family aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Airbus A320-214 N840VA (msn 4616) climbs to cruising altitude after departing from Dulles International Airport near Washington.

Virgin America:

Interjet signs a firm order for 40 Airbus A320neo aircraft

Interjet (Mexico City) has signed a purchase agreement for 40 A320neo aircraft. Interjet will announce the aircraft’s engine selection at a later date. The A320neo has over 95 percent airframe commonality making it an easy fit for Interjet’s current fleet of 36 A320s. Later this month, Interjet will receive an additional A320 aircraft.

In only seven years of operations, Interjet has become a leading domestic airline in Mexico, having quickly expanded their network throughout the country and into the United States, Central America and the Caribbean. The new A320neo will support their continued network expansion and fleet renewal plans. Interjet has a backlog of 45 A320 Family aircraft, including this order.

Interjet:

ILFC delivers an Airbus A320 to Myanmar Airways International

International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), a wholly owned subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. (AIG), announced it has delivered an Airbus A320-200 aircraft to MAI-Myanmar Airways International (Yangon). This A320 is the first commercial jet aircraft of its type to be provided on an operating lease to an airline in Myanmar by a global aircraft leasing company.

“ILFC is very pleased to be the first international leasing company to lease an A320 in Myanmar. We look forward to supporting MAI’s growth and that of the aviation industry in Myanmar,” said ILFC’s Head of Asia Pacific, David Nixon. “ILFC believes MAI will succeed on their plan to offer the region a preferred premium carrier. The A320 delivered to MAI will modernize and expand MAI’s current A320 fleet and offer increased takeoff weight, greater range and improved fuel economy.”

Si Thu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Myanmar Airways International, commented, “ILFC is one of the best brands in aviation, providing advanced total aircraft fleet solutions to its global partners. ILFC is the right partner for MAI, and the timing of this first ILFC A320 aircraft delivery to our airline will help us expand our fleet and extend our routes in this new era in Myanmar.”

Copyright Photo: Greenwing. This former OLT Express (Poland) Airbus A320-214 EI-EYH (msn 973, ex SP-IAC) became XY-AGO on its lease from ILFC on October 27.

MAI-Myanmar Airways International:

HNA Group purchases a 48% equity interest in Aigle Azur

HNA Group Company, Ltd. (Hainan Airlines) (Haikou and Beijing) has announced the completion of the acquisition of a 48% equity interest in Aigle Azur Transports Aeriens (Paris-Orly), becoming the second largest shareholder of Aigle Azur, after Go Fast Transport, and the first Chinese aviation enterprise to invest in a European airline.

Under the agreement, Aigle Azur will be governed by the Executive Committee composed of five representatives, two of which will be named by HNA Group. In addition, HNA Group also has the right to assign an executive member to be the vice president and appoint a Deputy Chief Financial Officer.

During the investment ceremony, Mr. Adam Tan, Board Director of HNA Group, said investing in Aigle Azur and cooperating with Go Fast, a large group with a focus on the major industries of logistics, aviation and tourism, is a milestone in HNA’s internationalization, demonstrating the success between Chinese and French companies.

After the discussion with major shareholders of Aigle Azur, according to HNA, two wide-body aircrafts have been decided to be introduced by Aigle Azur, while air routes from Paris to Beijing and other destinations will be opened. Aigle Azur will continue to expand routes from France to North and West Africa and other places throughout Africa, integrating resources by utilizing advantages of both parties and building a flight network connecting Asia, Europe and Africa.

Other than Aigle Azur, Africa World Airlines (AWA), which was co-invested by HNA and other shareholders in Ghana, and that made a successful maiden voyage on September 21st in Accra, is also committed to create an aviation hub in West Africa.

HNA Group has made internationalization the top priority of its development in recent years. Taking the aviation industry for example, the Group has invested in Turkey and Hong Kong with business covering passenger transport, cargo transport, maintenance and flight schools. Together with other efforts around the world, the investment in Aigle Azur and the establishment of AWA, as part of the international strategy of HNA Group, will surly enhance the Group’s competitiveness.

Founded in 2000, HNA Group offers services in air transportation, logistics, financial solutions, tourism, real estate, retailing, airport management and other sectors. By the end of 2011, HNA Group reached $46 billion of total assets and about $15.4 billion of total revenue. It provides about 120,000 job opportunities to society.

HNA Aviation, as a core industrial group of HNA, manages HNA’s subsidiaries in air transportation related businesses. Now, the company has a total asset of USD18.5 billion, over 270 aircraft and 500 flight routes to 130 cities.

Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth. Airbus A320-214 F-HBII (msn 3852) arrives at Basel/Mulhouse/Freiburg (EuroAirport), an airport that serves three countries – Switzerland, France and Germany.

Aigle Azur:

Hello suspends all operations and files for bankruptcy

Hello (Zurich) today (October 21) suspended all operations and filed for bankruptcy protection. Previously the company launched operations on August 6, 2004. The charter airline issued the following statement:

The airline Hello has temporarily stopped its flight operations. Reasons are the cancellation of large contracts, a dwindling tourism business and high fuel costs. Additionally there were serious errors of an executive manager in the finance department. Hello operated 4 Airbus A320 aircraft with approximately 140 employees. A social plan is in place.

The management and board of Hello AG have decided, to temporarily cease operation of the airline on Sunday night, 23.00 on 21^st of October. Up until that point, all efforts to recapitalize the company have failed. All aircraft are currently on the ground in Switzerland. The management was able to avoid an uncontrolled breakdown of the operation. Tour Operators are informed and are already looking for alternative travel opportunities for their clients. For the approximately 140 employees a social plan in place. Also a care team is ready to support them.

The reason for the bankruptcy is the financial implosion of two large French customers, ever higher fuel costs and the strong Swiss Franc, which led to the cancellation of a large contract with TUI Germany. Also there is an increasingly fierce competition in the tourism business.

Additionally, there were serious booking keeping errors by the former Chief Financial Officer. He has left the company at the end of September. All the business figures supplied to the board and the management on a weekly and monthly basis turned out to have been incorrect. Therefore, management and board were convinced that there was sufficient funding available. However, this was not the case. A detailed assessment of the figures by the new CFO uncovered this situation. All efforts to find additional liquidity yielded no results.

The board of directors and the management are very disappointed and are regretful of this situation.

Hello:

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