Tag Archives: A320232

Spirit launches new routes from Minneapolis/St. Paul and Phoenix

Spirit Airlines (Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood) yesterday (November 7) started daily nonstop seasonal service between Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and four new cities, including Los Angeles (LAX), Orlando (MCO), Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) and Tampa (TPA). In addition, Spirit’s nonstop seasonal service from MSP to Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers has also resumed.

Spirit has continued to grow since starting service at MSP in June 2012. The ultra-low fare airline now offers nonstop service from MSP to Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver (summer seasonal) and Las Vegas, as well as nonstop winter seasonal service to Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Los Angeles, Orlando, Phoenix and Tampa.

Spirit’s Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) — Los Angeles (LAX) seasonal schedule effective November 7, 2013:
	Depart	Arrive	Flight #	Stops	Frequency
Minneapolis/St. Paul — Los Angeles	4:15 PM	6:15 PM	323	0	Daily
Los Angeles — Minneapolis/St. Paul	8:05 AM	1:45 PM	424	0	Daily

Spirit’s Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) — Orlando (MCO) seasonal schedule effective November 7, 2013:
	Depart	Arrive	Flight #	Stops	Frequency
Minneapolis/St. Paul — Orlando	7:50 AM	12:05 PM	135	0	Daily
Orlando — Minneapolis/St. Paul	12:55 PM	3:25 PM	250	0	Daily

Spirit’s Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) — Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) seasonal schedule effective November 7, 2013:
	Depart	Arrive	Flight #	Stops	Frequency
Minneapolis/St. Paul — Phoenix	9:25 AM	11:50 AM	345	0	Daily
Phoenix — Minneapolis/St. Paul	3:10 PM	7:15 PM	342	0	Daily

Spirit’s Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) — Tampa (TPA) seasonal schedule effective November 7, 2013:
	Depart	Arrive	Flight #	Stops	Frequency
Minneapolis/St. Paul — Tampa	3:00 PM	7:10 PM	427	0	Daily
Tampa — Minneapolis/St. Paul	7:55 PM	10:20 PM	428	0	Daily

Additionally, Spirit Airlines started daily nonstop seasonal service from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to three new cities, including Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Denver (DEN) and Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP).

Spirit also recently started daily nonstop service between Phoenix Sky Harbor and Dallas/Fort Worth on October 24, 2013.

Spirit’s Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) — Chicago (ORD) seasonal schedule effective November 7, 2013:


	Depart	Arrive	Flight #	Stops	Frequency
Phoenix Sky Harbor — Chicago O’Hare	1:25 am	5:50 am	168*	0	Daily
Chicago O’Hare — Phoenix Sky Harbor	9:15 pm	12:10 am +1	167	0	Daily

*effective 11/8/13

Spirit’s Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) — Denver (DEN) seasonal schedule effective November 7, 2013:


	Depart	Arrive	Flight #	Stops	Frequency
Phoenix Sky Harbor — Denver	12:35 pm	2:23 pm	906	0	Daily
Denver — Phoenix Sky Harbor	12:40 pm	2:30 pm	939	0	Daily

Spirit’s Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) — Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) seasonal schedule effective November 7, 2013:


	Depart	Arrive	Flight #	Stops	Frequency
Phoenix Sky Harbor — Minneapolis/St. Paul	3:10 pm	7:15 pm	342	0	Daily
Minneapolis/St. Paul — Phoenix Sky Harbor	9:25 am	11:50 am	345	0	Daily

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Spirit Airlines has changed its website URL from Spiritair.com to Spirit.com and the aircraft are now starting to reflect this change. Airbus A320-232 N620NK (msn 5624) with Sharklets and the new web address lands at Las Vegas.

Spirit Airlines:

JetBlue becomes the first U.S. airline to implement personal electronic devices from gate to gate

JetBlue Airways (New York) received approval for gate-to-gate personal electronic device (PED) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at 4:15 p.m. ET on November 1, and implemented the policy immediately. The very first commercial flight of any U.S. airline to allow gate-to-gate PED use was JetBlue’s flight 2302 from New York’s JFK to Buffalo, scheduled departure time 4:30 p.m. All JetBlue customers were immediately allowed to start using personal electronic devices (PEDs) during all phases of flight, on all flights.

Prior to the new policy, customers had to turn off and stow all electronic devices during taxi, takeoff, landing and when the aircraft was below 10,000 feet. The new policy allows JetBlue customers to use smart phones, tablets, games and other smaller electronic devices at any time during taxi, takeoff and during flight, unless otherwise instructed by a crew member. Laptops must be stowed for taxi, takeoff and landing.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 N586JB (msn 2160) in the special “I Love NY” scheme arrives at Washington (Reagan National).

Have you see the “new look” AirlinersGallery.com photo library website?

JetBlue Airways:

Spirit Airlines’ Third Quarter adjusted net income increases 130.3% to $57.9 million

Spirit Airlines, Inc. (Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood) today reported third quarter 2013 financial results.

Adjusted net income for the third quarter 2013 increased 130.3 percent to $57.9 million1 ($0.79 per diluted share) compared to $25.2 million1 ($0.35 per diluted share) for the third quarter 2012. GAAP net income for the third quarter 2013 was $61.1 million ($0.84 per diluted share) compared to $30.9 million ($0.43 per diluted share) in the third quarter 2012.
Spirit achieved an adjusted pre-tax margin of 20.3 percent1, the highest quarterly adjusted pre-tax margin in the Company’s history. On a GAAP basis, pre-tax margin for the third quarter 2013 was 21.4 percent.
Spirit ended the third quarter 2013 with $540 million in unrestricted cash.
Spirit’s return on invested capital (before taxes and excluding special items) for the last twelve months ended September 30, 2013 was 31.3 percent. See “Calculation for Return on Invested Capital” table below for more details.

“I want to say thanks to our team members that contributed to our strong third quarter results. It is becoming clear that Spirit’s customers understand that our ultra-low fares plus optional services offer them a total price that’s tough to beat,” said Ben Baldanza, Spirit’s Chief Executive Officer. “Spirit is known for doing things differently than other air carriers, and we celebrate those differences because they allow us to offer our customers the freedom to pay for only what they value while earning a return for our shareholders.”

Revenue Performance

For the third quarter 2013, Spirit’s total operating revenue was $456.6 million, an increase of 33.4 percent compared to the third quarter 2012.

Total revenue per available seat mile (“RASM”) for the third quarter 2013 was 12.55 cents, an increase of 8.9 percent compared to the third quarter 2012 as a result of higher load factors and higher average passenger yields.

Passenger flight segment (“PFS”) volume for the third quarter 2013 grew 19.9 percent year over year. Average revenue per PFS for the third quarter 2013 increased 11.3 percent year over year to $135.34 primarily driven by an increase in ticket revenue per PFS.

Cost Performance

Total operating expenses for the third quarter 2013 increased 22.6 percent year over year to $358.8 million on a capacity increase of 22.4 percent.

Spirit reported third quarter 2013 cost per available seat mile excluding special items and fuel (“Adjusted CASM ex-fuel”) of 5.86 cents, a decrease of 2.7 percent year over year, primarily driven by lower aircraft rent and other operating expense per ASM. During the second quarter 2013, the Company negotiated lease extensions at reduced rates for 14 of its A319 aircraft which was the primary driver of the decrease in aircraft rent per ASM. The decrease in other operating expense per ASM, as compared to the same period in 2012, was primarily driven by the in-sourcing of certain contract work and a decrease in software consulting costs associated with the implementation of the Company’s ERP system. Partially offsetting the benefit of these items was higher depreciation and amortization expense related to the amortization of an increased number of heavy maintenance events.

Selected Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Items

As of September 30, 2013, Spirit had $540 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, no restricted cash, no debt on its balance sheet, and total shareholders’ equity of $724 million.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Spirit incurred capital expenditures of $17.0 million. The Company paid $41.3 million in pre-delivery deposits for future deliveries of aircraft, net of refunds, and recorded an increase of $10.2 million in maintenance deposits, net of reimbursements.

Fleet

In the third quarter 2013, Spirit took delivery of one new A320 aircraft, ending the quarter with 51 aircraft in its fleet. The Company also took delivery of one new A320 in October 2013 and has two more new A320 aircraft scheduled for delivery by year-end 2013.

Third Quarter 2013 and Other Current Highlights

Recently added/announced new service between (service start date):

— Dallas/Fort Worth – Phoenix Sky Harbor (10/24/13)

— Phoenix Sky Harbor – Chicago (11/7/13)2

— Phoenix Sky Harbor – Denver (11/7/13)2

— Minneapolis/St. Paul and Los Angeles (11/7/13)

— Minneapolis/St. Paul and Orlando (11/7/13)2

— Minneapolis/St. Paul and Phoenix Sky Harbor (11/7/13)2

— Minneapolis/St. Paul and Tampa (11/7/13)2

Ratified a new five-year contract with its dispatchers which are represented by the Transport Workers Union.
Executed an agreement with Pratt and Whitney and IAE for the provision and servicing of engines to power its fleet of A320-family aircraft.
Elected H. McIntyre (Mac) Gardner as Chairman of the Board of Directors following the resignation of William A. Franke.
Maintained its commitment to offer low fares to its valued customers (average ticket revenue per passenger flight segment for the third quarter 2013 was $82.84).

Copyright Photo: Eddie Maloney/AirlinersGallery.com. The first Airbus A320 with Sharklets, Airbus A320-232 WL N620NK (msn 5624) touches down in Las Vegas.

Spirit Airlines:

JetBlue starts service between Hartford and both Fort Myers and Tampa

JetBlue Airways (New York) today launched new nonstop flights from Hartford Bradley International Airport to both Fort Myers and Tampa.

JetBlue will serve eight airports in New England: Boston, Burlington, Hartford, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Portland and Providence, with new service to Worcester, starting November 7. Hartford service will peak in December 2013 at 10 daily departures from Hartford Bradley to six destinations. Service on the Hartford-Fort Myers route is seasonal.

JetBlue’s schedule between Hartford (BDL) and Fort Myers (RSW), effective October 27, 2013:

BDL to RSW:	RSW to BDL:
Depart – Arrive	Depart – Arrive
11:55 a.m. – 3:12 p.m.	3:53 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.

JetBlue’s schedule between Hartford (BDL) and Tampa (TPA), effective October 27, 2013:

BDL to TPA:	TPA to BDL:
Depart – Arrive	Depart – Arrive
9:10 a.m. – 12:22 p.m.	12:25 p.m. – 3:07 p.m.

JetBlue Airways:

Aegean Airlines receives EC approval to acquire Olympic Air

Aegean Airlines (Athens) today won approval from the European Commission to acquire rival Olympic Air (3rd) (Athens). The company issued this statement:

The European Commission announced today its decision to approve the acquisition of Olympic Air by Aegean.

The rationale of the European Commission decision supports the absolute necessity of economies of scale to achieve viability within the Greek aviation market. The acquisition creates the conditions for the establishment of a sustainable Greek carrier, competitive within the Region and capable of supporting a growth momentum which will benefit Greek Tourism and the local economy.

Following EU approval, the acquisition of the shares of Olympic Air and the assumption of management by Aegean is expected to be completed by October 18, 2013. The total consideration for the transaction has been set at €72 m., of which €20 m. have already been paid. Upon the completion of the acquisition, Olympic Air will become a subsidiary of the listed Aegean, while the process of unification of the support functions will begin immediately. The two brands and logos of the companies will remain with each one retaining distinct aircraft and flight activity.

The Chairman of Aegean Mr. Theodore Vassilakis said:

“As of today our obligation and commitment to serve our passengers and our country become even greater. While growing in size we also have to further improve our services to be more effective in the support of all Greek regions and ensure competitive access even to the smallest Greek island. The economies of scale will allow us to offer more competitive fares on our domestic network, especially for the small islands. At the same time, the synergies will allow us to support an improved growth rate for our international network, both from Athens and the periphery, contributing substantially to the development of Tourism and the Economy “.

The company will host a press conference on October 23, 2013, following the share purchase, to present its customer offering and development plan as well as its 2014 network plans.


	AEGEAN	Olympic Air	Total
Fleet (10/2013)	30	15	45
Personnel (10/2013)	1480	610	2090

Passenger traffic ( 2013 estimation in million)	6,50	1,90	8,40
Domestic	2,50	1,65	4,15
International	4,00	0,25	4,25

Turnover (in million € – 2013 estimation)	630	170	800

Top Copyright Photo: Robbie Shaw/AirlinersGallery.com. Aegean’s Airbus A320-232 SX-DVQ (msn 3526) painted in the Star Alliance colors departs from London (Heathrow).

Aegean Airlines:

Olympic Air (3rd):

Bottom Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Olympic Air has been reduced down to mainly a Bombardier DHC-8/Q400 operator. Operated by Flybe, DHC-8-402 (Q400) G-JECV (msn 4148) prepares to land at London (Heathrow).

Air New Zealand to operate a demonstration flight to McMurdo Station, Antarctica on October 5

Air New Zealand (Auckland) is planning to operate a demonstration flight to the Pegasus ice runway near the McMurdo Station in Antarctica on October 5 per Wired Magazine. ANZ will operate a Boeing 767-300 to the ice runway. Currently the United States Air Force (using C-17S) and the Royal New Zealand Air Force (using a Boeing 757) operate regular flights to the station, mainly during the Southern Hemisphere summer. If feasible, the airline will operate charter flights to the southern continent.

Air New Zealand has a long history with Antarctica. In the 1970s the company operated sightseeing charter flights to the continent the overflew the rugged terrain. Tragically on November 29, 1979 while operating flight NZ 901, DC-10-30 ZK-NZP (msn 46910) with 257 passengers and crew members on board crashed into Mount Erebus killing all on board.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Meanwhile on the livery front, following the announcement on June 12, 2013, Air New Zealand, in cooperation with the national tourism agency, Tourism New Zealand, is going to the pictured “New Zealand Fern Mark” as the airline’s official color scheme to also promote tourism to the nation.

As previously reported, there will be two livery versions. The first features a white fuselage with a black strip running diagonally on the rear fuselage from the tail, adorned with the iconic koru logo in white. The black and white “New Zealand Fern Mark” is vividly displayed on the fuselage. This livery will be used on most of the fleet. A few aircraft will be painted in a distinctive all black livery with the fern mark in silver. The first to display the new look, the pictured Airbus A320-232 ZK-OXB (msn 5682), was rolled out of the paint shop on September 24, 2013.

Have you seen the “new look” AirlinersGallery.com photo library?

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Air New Zealand:

Zest Air is grounded in the Philippines due to alleged safety violations

Zest Air (Zest Airways) (Manila) was grounded today for alleged safety violations by the Civili Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). Zest Air’s AOC is suspended until it can rectified the government’s concerns.

Read the full report from Inquirer Business: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 D-AXAK (msn 4533) became RP-C8991 when it was delivered on December 16, 2010.

Zest Air:

JetBlue Airways and British Airways start interlining, becomes the 25th partner for JetBlue

JetBlue Airways (New York) and British Airways (London) have announced an interline agreement to connect the carriers’ networks at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), creating new possibilities for travelers.

This marks the first partnership between JetBlue and British Airways, and the 25^th airline agreement for JetBlue. The carriers initially plan to interline on 18 daily trans-Atlantic British Airways flights, more than 50 U.S routes on the JetBlue network and more than 100 British Airways routes beyond London. British Airways’ intercontinental routes that are part of the interline agreement include Boston-London Heathrow (LHR), New York/JFK-London City Airport (LCY), New York/JFK- London Heathrow (LHR), New York/JFK-Paris Orly (ORY), Orlando-London Gatwick (LGW) and Washington/Dulles-London Heathrow (LHR). Tickets can be purchased through British Airways.

Customers will be able to enjoy access to a variety of British Airways destinations beyond London, including Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India, as well as non-stop access to Paris Orly Airport from New York. Meanwhile, British Airways customers can now book onward tickets to new U.S. destinations such as Burlington, Vermont (BTV); Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts (MVY); Nantucket, Massachusetts (ACK); and Portland, Maine (PWM).

At JFK Airport British Airways operates from Terminal 7. JetBlue operates from nearby Terminal 5, a quick ride away on the airport’s free AirTrain service.

At Boston Airport, where JetBlue is the largest carrier and offers nonstop service to 49 cities, more than any other airline, British Airways operates from Terminal E, while JetBlue operates from nearby Terminal C.

At Orlando, where JetBlue operates numerous routes to the Caribbean and Latin America, British Airways operates from Terminal B and JetBlue from Terminal A.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N645JB (msn 2900) in the Harlequin tail design lands at the focus city of Long Beach, California.

JetBlue Airways:

British Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Richard Vandervord/AirlinersGallery.com. British Airways’ Boeing 777-336 ER G-STBA (msn 40542) arrives at the London (Heathrow) hub.

IAG orders 30 Airbus A320ceo and 32 A320neo aircraft for Vueling Airlines

International Airlines Group (IAG) (London) has secured firm orders and options for up to 220 Airbus A320 family short-haul aircraft – up to 120 of these for its subsidiary Vueling Airlines (Barcelona). The new aircraft will enable the airline to replace some of its existing Airbus A320 fleet and expand its business.

The Vueling agreement comprises 62 firm orders – 30 A320ceo and 32 A320neo – plus 58 options. The firm orders will be delivered to Vueling between 2015 and 2020.

In addition, IAG has secured 100 A320neo options which could be used for any of the airlines in the Group – British Airways, Iberia or Vueling – for aircraft replacement requirements.

IAG chief executive, Willie Walsh, said: “Vueling has managed to successfully expand its business profitably by targeting both growth markets and those areas where weak competitors are reducing capacity. These new aircraft will enable Vueling to continue that expansion and replace some of its older fleet with modern, fuel efficient aircraft, leading to further unit cost reductions.

“The benefits that the merger brings to all our airlines are highlighted once again. In addition to the Vueling order, we have also been able to secure a further 100 A320neo options for all the airlines in the Group”.

The Vueling firm orders are subject to approval by IAG’s shareholders. This order will be reviewed alongside the recent IAG long-haul orders for Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s, at a shareholder meeting later this year.

Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured Airbus A320-232 EC-LVT (msn 5612) with Sharklets was handed over to Vueling on May 31, 2013.

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JetBlue Airways announces “Bags VIP”, a new bag concierge service

JetBlue Airways (New York) today announced Bags VIP, a new concierge service option, provided in partnership with Bags, Inc. This service provides hand-delivery of a customer’s checked luggage from the arrival airport to any doorstep at their destination for a minimal fee. The option is available seven days a week, including holidays.

Starting today, customers can place an order online for the Bags VIP service up to one hour prior to departure from all JetBlue domestic airports, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and select pre-cleared international airports arriving into Boston, Orlando and New York’s JFK airport.

For a limited time, pricing starts at $25 for the delivery of one bag, $35 for two and $40 for up to ten bags to a hotel, business, residential address or anywhere the customer chooses within a 40-mile radius of the airport.

Customers will receive an email with a confirmation number once the order has been finalized. Next, the customer checks their baggage upon arrival at the airport. A JetBlue crew member will apply a Bags VIP tag to identify the luggage. At the final destination, the customer can bypass baggage claim and go about their business. Their bags will be retrieved directly from baggage claim by a Bags VIP representative using the applied tag and customer provided information. Delivery will take place within four hours of flight arrival to locations within 40 miles of the airport and within six hours to locations 41-100 miles from the airport. Residential delivery times can also be scheduled in advance to accommodate the customer’s need.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N510JB (msn 1280) in the Dots design departs from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

JetBlue Airways: