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Nordwind Airlines takes delivery of its 8th Airbus A321

Nordwind Airlines (Moscow) of Russia successfully took delivery of its eighth Airbus A321-200 aircraft as part of its on-going fleet and network expansion. Airbus A321-232 VQ-BRU (msn 2933) was ferried to Nordwind’s main base at Sheremetyevo Airport on the north side of Moscow on December 29. This is the ninth Airbus aircraft received by Nordwind.

Nordwind’s Airbus fleet now consists of eight A321-200s and the one A320-232 delivered between December 2011 and December 2013.

The new A321, powered by IAE V2500 engines, features a comfortable two class cabin. The new aircraft will be used to increase frequencies to existing destinations on short- and medium-haul routes.

Nordwind Airlines is still expecting to receive two additional A321s by the end of 2014 and will continue to add more in 2015 per its expansion plans.

Currently Nordwind has the fleet of 41 aircraft – 3 Boeing 777-200 ERs, 16 Boeing 767-300 ERs, 8 Boeing 757-200s, 1 Airbus A320-200, 8 Airbus A321-200s and 5 Boeing 737-800s and expects to end 2014 with a consolidated fleet of 50 aircraft.

“With this eighth Airbus 321 aircraft, Nordwind will continue to expand the fleet with more frequencies and destinations for the convenience of our passengers,” said Oguz Senol Yuce, Deputy General Director, Head of Fleet, of Nordwind Airlines. “Along with two expected deliveries in 2014, we plan to operate 10 A321 in total in 2014 which will allow us to continue our capacity growth at a time when we see positive demand trends. It provides best-in-class efficiency, economics, reliability and passenger comfort that Nordwind needs for its fleet renewal initiative.”

Copyright Photo: Nordwind Airlines. A beautiful capture of the new addition, namely the former Kingfisher Airlines Airbus A321-232 VQ-BRU (msn 2933, ex N933AG and VT-KFR). The airliner is being leased from ACG.

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The IAM declines to celebrate the “new” American Airlines opening bell ceremony

US Airways (Phoenix) as we mentioned yesterday, it is still technically two separate airlines – East and West operating under the US Airways name with separate contracts, crews and assigned aircraft. As the US Airways management led by CEO Doug Parker gets ready to take over the “new” merged American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth), the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has reminded US Airways management that not all is well in the current US Airways, let alone a new larger airline. The IAM today issued this statement:

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today announced it declined management’s invitation to participate in the “new” American Airlines’ opening bell ceremony in New York City celebrating the carrier’s first day of stock trading on the NASDAQ.

“Make no mistake, this airline has ignored and disrespected IAM members at US Airways by its shameless refusal to settle a fair contract,” said IAM District 142 President Tom Higginbotham. “To stand there with American’s management and pretend there are no labor problems and celebrate ‘one airline’ would be an outright lie.”

IAM members at US Airways have been in contract negotiations for almost three years. The carrier’s management, headed by Doug Parker, who will assume the reins at the “new” American, has refused to settle new accords with IAM members at pre-merger US Airways. Earlier this year, the IAM requested a release from contract talks from the National Mediation Board (NMB), a federal agency, which, if granted, could lead to a strike.

“This is a merger in name only,” said IAM District 141 President Rich Delaney. “As long as this management team refuses to settle a fair contract, approximately 32,000 employees will remain separated and the merger’s synergies will not be realized.”

The IAM and Transport Workers Union (TWU) formed an alliance earlier this year, the TWU-IAM Employee Association, to jointly represent mechanic & related, fleet service and stockroom employees at the new airline. The agreement stipulates the TWU-IAM Association will request a single carrier determination from the NMB, a pre-requisite to integrating unionized workforces. This request will only occur once contracts are settled for IAM-represented workers at pre-merger US Airways. Workforce integration will be delayed for approximately 32,000 workers at the carrier, by far the largest percentage of the combined workforce, until the airline settles agreements with the IAM.

The IAM represents approximately 14,000 mechanic and related, fleet service, maintenance training specialist and stockroom employees at US Airways.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. US Airways’ Airbus A321-231 N552UW (msn 4957) with the “7000th Airbus” sticker by the L1 front door arrives at Los Angeles.

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US Airways joins the PED airline list

US Airways (Phoenix) customers as of yesterday (November 7) can now use certain portable electronic devices (PEDs), including e-books, tablets and smartphones, during taxi, takeoff and landing while in “airplane mode” – a departure from the previous Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restriction on use below 10,000 feet. Customers on US Airways domestic mainline flights will now be permitted to use small PEDs during all phases of flight.

In approving the use of PEDs, the FAA ensured that all US Airways mainline aircraft are equipped to safely handle implementation of the new recommendations. US Airways continues to work with all partner airlines operating as US Airways Express to ensure timely implementation of their individual programs which require separate FAA approval.

Travelers should keep in mind the following details with regard to the new policy:

The FAA’s new recommendations regarding onboard PED use apply only to domestic flights flown by US Airways mainline aircraft.
Phone calls are not permitted once the main cabin door is closed or before a flight attendant makes an announcement upon arrival.
Customers should adhere to all crewmember safety instructions and refrain from using PEDs during pre-flight safety announcements.
During takeoff and landing, customers are now permitted to secure items lighter than two pounds by holding them (with the option of securing them in seatback pockets). PEDs heavier than two pounds must be secured for taxi, takeoff and landing in an overhead bin or underneath the seat in front of them.
PEDs must be operated in “airplane mode” or with cellular services disabled.
In-flight Wi-Fi is available on most aircraft once it reaches an altitude of 10,000 feet and an onboard announcement has been made.

US Airways’ adoption of the new policy is the latest step in the company’s effort to upgrade its customers’ in-flight experience. Earlier this year, the airline installed Gogo Wi-Fi In-flight internet on 270 Airbus A319, A320, A321 and Embraer 190 aircraft along with 58 Embraer 170 and 175 US Airways Express aircraft – outfitting 90 percent of the company’s domestic aircraft with wireless internet capabilities. US Airways’ Airbus A319, A320 and A321 planes are equipped with Gogo’s ATG-4 (air-to-ground) technology, which strengthens the wireless internet capacity and increases the available data rate for customers.

US Airways:

EVA Air takes delivery of its first Airbus A321 with Sharklets

EVA Air (Taipei) of Taiwan has taken delivery of its first Sharklet equipped Airbus A321 aircraft, on lease from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). The aircraft was handed over during a ceremony in Hamburg attended by Chang Kuo Wei, Chairman of EVA Air, and Norman Liu, President and CEO of GECAS.

This A321 is the first of eight A321s with Sharklets that will be operated by EVA Air under lease agreement from GECAS.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A321-211 D-AVZG (msn 5806) painted in the Star Alliance color scheme became B-16206 when it was handed over to the carrier on October 22.

EVA Air:

JetBlue Airways is set to introduce a new tail fin design with the first Airbus A321

JetBlue Airways (New York-JFK) is getting ready to take delivery of its first Airbus A321. Besides introducing a new upscale cabin for the competitive trans-con routes next year, JetBlue will also introduce a new tail fin design.

The airline has 40 copies on order with 11 aircraft featuring 16 seats in first class which will arrive in the first quarter of 2014.

The carrier will launch the new Airbus A321 on December 19. The first three A321 routes will be from New York (JFK) to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Barbados (Bridgetown) and San Juan.

As announced last month, JetBlue unveiled its new, fully customized lie-flat seat which will be available on the highly popular trans-continental routes next year.

New lie-flat seats are expected to debut in the market on new Airbus A321 aircraft beginning in the second quarter of 2014 on the two most popular nonstop routes in the United States – New York to Los Angeles and New York to San Francisco. In addition, JetBlue will be the first and only airline in the market to offer customers the option of a completely separate single suite seat that includes a closable door for increased privacy.

The new lie-flat seat, created in a partnership with Northern Ireland-based Thompson Aero Seating, will be displayed in a unique 2-1 configuration. Rows 1, 3 and 5 will offer 2-by-2 seating, and rows 2 and 4 will offer private suites, with one seat on each side of the aisle.

The new seats also offer air cushions with adjustable firmness, a massage function, a 15-inch widescreen television featuring the most live entertainment in the skies, and a unique “wake-me-for-service” indicator if the customer chooses to sleep in, putting more control back into the customer’s hands. In addition, JetBlue will refresh the core JetBlue Experience in 2014 which will include a comfortable seat design with movable headrests, a new entertainment system with up to 100 channels of DirecTV® programming on 10.1-inch wide screens, and 110-volt and USB power ports accessible to all customers. And of course, more legroom throughout coach than any other U.S. airline.

JetBlue’s wholly owned subsidiary LiveTV will begin installing Fly-Fi on JetBlue’s fleet by the end of the year, a new high-speed, satellite-based wi-fi product that will offer true broadband speeds and serve as the fastest internet access at altitude. JetBlue expects to increase frequencies on JFK-LAX and JFK-SFO with new Airbus A321 aircraft next year to offer even more options, convenience and comfort for customers. There will be a dedicated sub-fleet of 11 aircraft initially used for the two core transcontinental routes. Additional markets are possible, based on customer response and demand for more service.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/Airlinersgallery.com. Appearing today taxiing around Finkenwerder Airport in Hamburg, Germany is JetBlue’s first Airbus A321. The pictured A321-231 D-AVZA (msn 5783) with a tail design that now includes green, will become N903JB on delivery.

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Philippine Airlines takes delivery of its first Airbus A321

Philippine Airlines (PAL) (Philippines) (Manila) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321. The aircraft was handed over at the Airbus delivery center in Hamburg (Finkenwerder), Germany on August 6 and is the first of 64 new Airbus aircraft ordered by the airline in 2012 under a major fleet modernization program. These include 44 single aisle A321s and 20 widebody A330s.

Philippine Airlines has specified a two class layout for its A321s, with 12 seats in Business Class and 187 in Economy. The airline will operate its new A321s primarily on international routes across the Asian region, as well as on selected domestic flights.

The A321 joins an Airbus fleet at Philippine Airlines that already includes 22 A320 Family aircraft flying on domestic and regional routes, as well as nine in service with its budget subsidiary PAL Express. The carrier also operates eight widebody A330s on higher capacity routes across Asia and seven A340-300s on its longest services to the United States.

Following the introduction of the A321, Philippine Airlines will take delivery of the first of its 20 new A330s in the third quarter of the year. The carrier is also currently adding four A340-300s to its fleet for deployment on new non-stop services to Europe, scheduled to begin next month.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured Airbus A321-231 D-AZAS (msn 5715) on a test flight at Hamburg (Finkenwerder) on August 5 became RP-C9901 on the hand over the following day.

Update: PAL introduced the new A321 on August 9 between Manila and Cebu and Manila and Davao.

Philippines-Philippine Airlines:

American Airlines and US Airways receive European Commission approval to merge

The European Commission has cleared American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) and US Airways (Phoenix) to merge. AMR Corporation issued this statement:

AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines, Inc., and US Airways Group, Inc. have announced that they have received clearance from the European Commission under the EC Merger Regulation for their proposed merger.

Tom Horton, chairman, president and CEO of AMR, and incoming Chairman of the Board of the combined company, said, “We are very pleased that the EU has approved the merger between American Airlines and US Airways. This represents one of the final milestones on our path to becoming the new American Airlines.”

Doug Parker, chairman and CEO of US Airways, and incoming CEO of the combined company, said, “The clearance by the European Commission is an important step toward closing this merger. The new American will benefit customers in the United States, Europe and across the world by enhancing connectivity within the oneworld alliance and creating more options for travel both domestically and internationally. We look forward to providing access to the best destinations in the world as the new American Airlines.”

As previously announced, AMR and US Airways agreed to combine to create the new American Airlines, a premier global carrier. Headquartered in Dallas/Fort Worth, the new American Airlines will become a highly competitive alternative for consumers to other global carriers and is expected to offer more than 6,700 daily flights to 336 destinations in 56 countries. The combined airline will offer customers more choices and increased service across a larger worldwide network and through an enhanced oneworld alliance. Together, American Airlines and US Airways are expected to operate a mainline fleet of almost 950 aircraft and employ more than 100,000 team members worldwide.

The merger is subject to regulatory approvals, other customary closing conditions and confirmation of AMR’s Plan of Reorganization by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The companies continue to expect to complete the combination in the third quarter of 2013.

Top Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-823 N967AN (msn 29545) prepares to land at Washington’s Reagan National Airport.

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Bottom Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. The final (U.S.) merger approvals will come down to the issue of DCA Slots. American-US Airways are fighting to preserve their dominating number of arrival and departure slots at Washington’s Reagan national Airport. US Airways’ Airbus A321-231 N556UW (msn 5244) banks after completing the “River Approach” into DCA.

UTair takes delivery of its first Airbus A321

UTair Aviation (Khanty-Mansiysk) took delivery of its first Airbus aircraft. The brand-new A321-211 VP-BPS was handed over at a ceremony held at Airbus in Hamburg (Finkenwerder), Germany. The aircraft is part of a firm order for 20 A321s signed by UTair in July 2012, which is today the largest single order for this type in Russia.

UTair’s A321, powered by CFM56 engines, features a single-class cabin layout seating 220 passengers. The airline is planning to operate its A321s to further develop its high density route network.

UTair:

ALC to lease two Airbus A321-200s with Sharklets to Monarch Airlines

Air Lease Corporation (Los Angeles) has announced long term lease agreements with Monarch Airlines (London-Luton) for two new Airbus A321-200 aircraft with Sharklets and powered by IAE V2533 engines. Both aircraft are scheduled for delivery in April and May of 2015.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A321-231 G-ZBAE (msn 5606) taxies at Palma de Mallorca in the updated 2011 livery.

Monarch Airlines:

Spirit Airlines orders 20 Airbus A321s

Spirit Airlines (Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood) has placed a firm order for 20 Airbus A321 aircraft and additionally has opted to convert 10 of its existing A320 orders to the larger A321. All of these aircraft are current engine option (ceo) models. Spirit’s A321ceos will accommodate increasing passenger numbers in the airline’s network in the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America. All of the A321ceo aircraft will be fitted with fuel-saving Sharklets and will seat 219 passengers in a single-class layout.

The announcement was made today during the Paris Air Show.

The new Spirit A321s will also be the first North America-based aircraft to feature the Space-Flex cabin option. This rear lavatory and galley combination optimizes use of the available space at the very back of the aircraft. The configuration also allows for the first lavatory in the single-aisle market to be accessible to people with reduced mobility.

With this order announced today, Spirit’s firm orders total: 7 A319s, 98 A320s (including 45 A320 new engine option aircraft) and 30 A321s. The airline currently operates a fleet of some 50 A320 Family aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Surprisingly Spirit Airlines has been reducing its Airbus A321 fleet. Now the expanded A321 fleet will be painted in the new colors. A321-231 N587NK (msn 2476) climbs away from the FLL base painted in the old 2004 black and silver livery.

Spirit Airlines: