Tag Archives: A330-200

Etihad Airways posts its fourth consecutive profitable year

Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) posted a fiscal year net profit of $73 million on total revenues of $7.6 billion, up 52.1 percent and 26.7 percent respectively over the previous year.

The airline continued:

The record performance, which marked the airline’s fourth consecutive year of net profitability, also saw earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) up 32.5 per cent to $257 million. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortization and rentals (EBITDAR) were up 16.2 percent to $1.1 billion, representing a 15 percent margin on total revenues.

James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said, “Our shareholder has set a clear commercial mandate for this business and we continue to deliver against that mandate. Our focus is on sustainable profitability and our fourth year of net profits, at a time when we continue to invest in the new routes, new aircraft, new product and new infrastructure needed to compete effectively, shows we are serious about that goal.

Etihad Airways carried a total of 14.8 million passengers in 2014, an increase of 22.3 percent year-on-year. Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPKs) – measuring passenger journeys – increased by 23.6 percent to 68.6 billion (55.5 billion), while Available Seat Kilometers (ASKs) – representing capacity – grew by 21.8 percent to 86.6 billion (71.1 billion). The growth in passenger demand and revenue over the 12-month period continued to outstrip Etihad Airways’ capacity increase, highlighting the strength of its long-term growth strategy.

Passenger numbers were strengthened by the continued enhancement of Etihad Airways’ global network last year. The airline launched services to 10 new destinations in eight countries – Los Angeles, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Francisco, Rome, Zurich, Medina, Yerevan, Jaipur, Phuket and Perth – and increased capacity on 23 existing routes. By the end of the year, the average network-wide seat load factor was 79.2 per cent, compared to 78.0 per cent in 2013.

A key driver of Etihad Airways’ growth in 2014 was its partnership strategy, based on wide-ranging codeshares and its unique approach of minority equity investments in strategically important airlines. This has accelerated network growth, giving Etihad Airways the largest route network of any Middle Eastern carrier, reaching more than 500 destinations. It has boosted sales and marketing opportunities in key markets, as well as allowing significant business synergies and cost savings.

This strategy delivered revenues of $1.1 billion in 2014, an increase of 37.7 per cent (US$ 820 million), and represented 24 per cent of Etihad Airways’ total passenger revenues.

In 2014, Etihad Airways received final approval for its 49 percent investment in Air Serbia. It also invested €560 million to acquire a 49 per cent shareholding in new Alitalia, a 75 percent interest in Alitalia Loyalty, which operates the MilleMiglia frequent flier program, and the future purchase of five pairs of London Heathrow Airport slots for lease back to Alitalia. The transaction became effective on December 31, 2014, after receiving European Commission merger clearance.

Air Serbia and Alitalia are the latest additions to Etihad Airways’ equity partner network. Etihad Airways also owns minority stakes in Airberlin, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus (stake increased to 4.99 percent in 2014), Jet Airways and Virgin Australia (stake increased to 22.9 percent in 2014). An investment in Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline, has now been formalized after Swiss Government approval earlier this year.

Etihad Airways launched new codeshare agreements with Air Europa, jetBlue Airways, Philippine Airlines, Gol, SAS, Hong Kong Airlines and Aerolineas Argentinas, while Etihad Airways’ existing codeshares with South African Airways, Alitalia and Jet Airways were significantly expanded.

In addition, Etihad Airways Partners was unveiled last year, using a partnership cooperation model to offer passengers more choice through improved networks and schedules, plus enhanced frequent flyer benefits. The partnership also builds greater synergies for participating airlines, which currently include airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Airways, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI.

Etihad Airways’ fleet consisted of 110 aircraft at the end of 2014 (up 23.6 per cent year-on-year), with an average age of 5.5 years, one of the youngest in the sky. The airline took delivery of its first Airbus A380 and its first Boeing 787-9 in December, with both state-of-the-art aircraft offering new industry leading standards in cabin interiors, together with considerable fuel efficiency and environmental improvements.

An additional nine Airbus aircraft (two A330-200s, three A321s, three A320s and one A330-200F) and six Boeing aircraft (one 777-300 ER, five 777-200 LRs) were received in 2014, while further leased capacity was also added to enhance the airline’s rapid growth.

More than 200 aircraft are currently on firm order, together with options and purchase rights for 66 additional aircraft. In 2015, Etihad Airways plans to introduce 16 aircraft into its fleet, including nine wide-bodies (one Boeing 777-300 ER, four Boeing 787 Dreamliners and four Airbus A380s) and seven narrow-body Airbus A320 family aircraft (six A321s and one A320).

Mr Hogan added: “Our ability to provide guests with the best possible service was strengthened by a number of important developments last year, including the arrival of our first Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 aircraft, the introduction of our ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ livery, the launch of The Residence by Etihad™ and our next-generation First, Business and Economy products, and a sophisticated new uniform, as showcased to the world last year.”

In January 2014, the airline conducted a milestone demonstration flight with a Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, powered in part by the first UAE-produced aviation biofuel.

Mr Hogan said, “Although our growth continued strictly to plan in 2014, we are currently faced with unprecedented external challenges. Of particular concern has been the rise in aggressive protectionist sentiment in Europe and the US, where both Etihad Airways and its partner airlines are being targeted. These attempts to limit competition are detrimental to consumer choice. They threaten to damage the significant progress that our airline has made in offering improved travel connections, product and service standards, and value for money.

“Despite these hurdles, Etihad Airways will continue to grow as planned in 2015, working with our equity and codeshare partners around the world to serve the destinations that our guests want to visit and at the times they want to travel.”

Etihad Airways employed 24,206 people from 144 nationalities by the end of 2014, an increase of 37.5 per cent compared to the previous year.

Etihad Airways aircraft slide show:

Air France to resume services to Freetown, Sierra Leone

Air France (Paris) on June 30, 2015, is resuming services to Freetown with three weekly frequencies from Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

Flights will be operated by Airbus A330-200 aircraft with 208 seats: 40 in the Business cabin, 21 in Premium Economy and 147 in Economy.

In other news, Air France will close its Toulouse, Nice and Marseille pilot bases by October which will result in the reassignment of approximately 200 pilots to Paris according a report by Midi-Pyrenees.

Read the full report (in French): CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo below: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-203 F-GZCI (msn 502) approaches the runway at New York (JFK).

Air France aircraft slide show:

Azul to debut nonstop Belo Horizonte – Orlando flights

Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras (Azul Brazilian Airlines) (Sao Paulo-Campinas) is expanding its service between the U.S. and Brazil, with a new route to Belo Horizonte, the first-ever nonstop flight on the route, starting on November 16, 2015.

Belo Horizonte is Azul’s second hub destination, where Orlando travelers will be able to connect to more than 80 Azul flights daily, to more than 30 destinations.

Starting November 16 through December 13, the new flight will operate five days per week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays), departing Orlando (MCO) at 8:15 pm, arriving in Belo Horizonte at 7:35 am the next morning. The return flight will operate the same days, departing Belo Horizonte at 12:30 pm, arriving at MCO at 5:50 pm. From December 14, the new service will operate daily on the same schedule.

Azul began service from Orlando International Airport in December last year with daily nonstop service to Sao Paulo (Campinas), the airline’s main hub. Between July 1 and August 9, Azul also will add an additional three weekly flights for a total of 10 roundtrips per week from Orlando. Azul also plans to add three additional weekly roundtrip on a regular basis between Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood to Sao Paulo (Campinas) to its daily nonstop service staring on July 1.

Copyright Photo below: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-243 PR-AIW (msn 462) is pictured at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Azul aircraft slide show:

Thomas Cook announces new U.S. routes from Manchester, cancels London Gatwick-Reno plans

Thomas Cook Airlines (UK) (Manchester) has announced that it is expanding its services to the United States from its Manchester hub. From May 2016, the carrier will fly to Los Angeles and Boston. Thomas Cook’s fleet of Airbus A330-200s will most likely serve the routes, which, as previously reported, already serve routes to New York (JFK) and Miami as well as seasonal services to Las Vegas and Orlando.

Unfortunately, if you are one of the people eagerly waiting for Thomas Cook to open its seasonal service from London Gatwick to Reno, Nevada beginning on December 19, your luck may be out. The Reno Gazette is reporting that the carrier has abandoned its plans for the route, citing U.S. Customs’ inability to process London arrivals at Reno-Tahoe International Airport in a timely manner.

Assistant Editor Oliver Wilcock reporting from Manchester.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-243 G-OMYT (msn 301) in the old 2002 livery with the Sunny Heart tail logo prepares to land at Stockholm (Arlanda).

Thomas Cook Airlines aircraft slide show:

Air France-KLM to increase the number of flights to North America this summer

Air France-KLM Group (Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines) (Paris and Amsterdam) have issued this statement:

This summer, in response to high market demand, Air France-KLM is strengthening its network in North America with new seasonal service between the United States and Europe. Starting May 4, Air France will operate nonstop flights between Minneapolis-Saint Paul and Paris-Charles de Gaulle. In addition, beginning May 8, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will operate nonstop flights between Dallas-Fort Worth and Amsterdam-Schiphol.

Air France Service from Minneapolis-Saint Paul

For the third consecutive year, Air France is offering nonstop flights between Minneapolis-Saint Paul and Paris-Charles de Gaulle. From May 4 until September 27, 2015, Air France will operate up to 14 flights a week connecting Minneapolis-Saint Paul and Paris, seven of which will be operated in codeshare by its joint-venture partner Delta Air Lines (Atlanta). The Air France flights will operate on an Airbus A340-300 (above), featuring a capacity of 275 seats (30 seats in Business, 21 in Premium Economy and 224 in Economy).

Flight schedules (local times)

AF673: Departure from Minneapolis at 7:55 p.m., arrival at 11:25 a.m. the next day
AF694: Departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 1:45 p.m., arrival in Minneapolis at 3:50 p.m.

From May 4 to June 7, 2015, flights are scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. From June 8 to August 30, flights are scheduled daily. From August 31 to September 27, flights are scheduled every day except Tuesdays and Thursdays.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Service from Dallas-Fort Worth

From May 8 until October 24, 2015, nonstop flights operated by KLM will connect Dallas-Fort Worth and Amsterdam-Schiphol. Over this period, the airline will operate up to five flights per week. An Airbus A330-200 (below) will be used for the flights, with a capacity of 243 seats (30 seats in Business and 213 in Economy). KLM has been flying to this seasonal destination since March 2008.

Flight schedules (local times)

KL670: Departure from Dallas-Fort Worth at 3:30 p.m., arrival at Amsterdam-Schiphol at 7:55 a.m. the next day.
KL669: Departure from Amsterdam-Schiphol at 10:35 a.m., arrival at Dallas-Fort Worth at 1:40 p.m.

From May 8 to October 4, 2015, flights are scheduled every day except Tuesdays and Thursdays. From October 5 to October 24, flights are scheduled on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

19 Destinations in North America

During the 2015 summer season, Air France-KLM will serve 19 destinations in North America. In addition to the two new seasonal connections to Minneapolis and Dallas, the group is increasing its flights from Vancouver, Canada, with Air France operated flights to Paris-Charles de Gaulle that started on March 29, 2015. Starting May 19, 2015, KLM will begin service between Edmonton, Canada, and Amsterdam-Schiphol. Air France-KLM’s network is further strengthened by the transatlantic joint-venture between Air France, KLM, Alitalia, and Delta Air Lines – a partnership that represents 25% of total airline capacity between Europe and North America.

Top Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner/AirlinersGallery.com. Air France Airbus A340-313 F-GLZO (msn 246) lands in Zurich.

Air France aircraft slide show:

KLM aircraft slide show:

Bottom Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. KLM’s Airbus A330-203 PH-AOF (msn 801) taxies at the Amsterdam hub.

Alitalia returns to China with a nonstop Milan – Shanghai route

Alitalia (3rd) (Rome) has announced new intercontinental nonstop service from Milano (Malpensa) to Shanghai (Pudong), which marks the return of the airline in China and a further stage in the development of Malpensa airport’s intercontinental connections.

The flight, launched with the inauguration of Expo Milano 2015, represents another major investment of Alitalia in Milan, following the introduction of the nonstop flight to Abu Dhabi on March 29.

In addition to the new flights to Shanghai and the daily flights to Abu Dhabi, Alitalia has also strengthened its connections on the Milan – Tokyo route, which are now daily as daily are the flights to New York’s JFK airport.

Alitalia has become the leading airline out of Malpensa in number of intercontinental destinations and, over the next three years, Alitalia aims to increase by 130% the number of passengers on intercontinental flights departing or arriving at Milan Malpensa Airport.

Copyright Photo: Jacques Guillem Collection/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-202 EI-EJM (msn 1308) in the special promotional “Expo Milano 2015” livery taxies at the Milan (Malpensa) hub.

Alitalia aircraft slide show:

Monarch retires its last Airbus A330, becomes a completely scheduled airline

Monarch Airlines (London-Luton) officially retired its last Airbus A330 from revenue service on April 30. The last flight, operated by the pictured Airbus A330-243 G-EOMA (msn 265), was a short trip between the carrier’s two bases of London Gatwick and Birmingham and arrived to the signature water canon salute. Collectively, the A330 racked up over 30 million miles for the UK carrier. But as one door closes, another opens. The ending of A330 operations marked the beginning of a new age for Monarch, as it has completed it’s transition to a fully scheduled airline.

The airline said through it’s Facebook page on April 30:

“Today the last remaining Airbus A330 in Monarch’s fleet operated its last flight for the airline, leaving the London Gatwick airport at 2.20 pm (1420) and landing at Birmingham Airport at 3.20 pm (1520).

This special day also marks a new chapter for us, as we become a completely scheduled airline.

We are very excited to see what the future holds and look forward to flying you to the best city and sun destinations in Europe!”

Report by Assistant Editor Oliver from Manchester.

Monarch Airlines aircraft slide show:

Hainan Airlines starts Chongqing – Rome flights

Hainan Airlines (Haikou and Beijing) initiated nonstop flight service between Chongqing and Rome on April 27, 2015. Flight HU 7991, the inaugural flight took off from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport at 1:30 am on April 27 Beijing Time and landed at Rome’s Fiumicino-Leonardo da Vinci International Airport at 7:50 am local time. Rome has been added to the roster of Hainan Airlines’ destinations in Europe following Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Moscow and Saint Petersburg. As one of the gateway cities to western China, Chongqing now has its first direct flight to Western Europe.

On the afternoon of April 26, Hainan Airlines held a brief inaugural ceremony in Chongqing. When flight HU 7991 landed in Rome, airport staff greeted the passengers arriving from China with the traditional water cannon salute.

Photo Above: Hainan Airlines.

Following the opening of the Chongqing-Rome route, Hainan Airlines plans to shortly open several more international routes, including Beijing-San Jose, Shanghai-Boston and Shanghai-Seattle/Tacoma.

Hainan Airlines’ Chongqing-Rome route is serviced by the twin-aisle Airbus A330-200 capable of transporting 260 passengers.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-243 B-6089 (msn 919) arrives at the Beijing hub.

Hainan Airlines aircraft slide show:

Hawaiian Holdings produces record GAAP net income of $25.9 million for the first quarter

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (Honolulu), parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. (Honolulu), reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2015:

GAAP net income of $25.9 million or $0.40 per diluted share.

Adjusted net income, reflecting economic fuel expense and excluding loss on extinguishment of debt, of $24.7 million or $0.38 per diluted share, an increase of $25.6 million or $0.40 cents per diluted share year-over-year.

Adjusted pre-tax margin of 7.4% compared to (0.2)% in the prior year period.

Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $488 million.

Lowered leverage ratio to 3.6x.

The board of directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the Company to buy back up to $100 million of its common stock.

“Producing these record results for the seasonally weak first quarter demonstrates the growing strength of our business,” said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian Airlines president and chief executive officer. “Low fuel prices and strong demand across our network combined to more than offset the impact of a strengthening U.S. dollar, declining fuel surcharges in some markets and an increase in industry capacity between North America and Hawai’i. Reflecting this performance we have announced a $100 million share repurchase program today. As always, our employees are at the forefront of our successes. Their performance makes our financial success possible and they have my undying thanks.”

Statistical data, as well as a reconciliation of the reported non-GAAP financial measures, can be found in the accompanying tables.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2015 the Company had:

Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $488 million.

Outstanding debt and capital lease obligations of approximately $962 million consisting of the following:

$693 million outstanding under secured loan agreements to finance a portion of the purchase price for 11 Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

$132 million outstanding under secured loan agreements to finance a portion of the purchase price for 15 Boeing 717-200 aircraft.

$100 million in capital lease obligations to finance the acquisition of an Airbus A330-200, two Boeing 717-200 aircraft and aircraft-related equipment.

$29 million outstanding under floating rate notes to finance the acquisition of two Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft.

$8 million of outstanding Convertible Senior Notes.

In the first quarter, the Company repurchased $63 million (principal balance) of convertible notes outstanding. Repurchases to date have totaled $78 million (principal balance) or 91%, thereby eliminating the need to issue 10 million shares when the notes may have otherwise converted to common stock.

First Quarter 2015 Highlights:

Product and loyalty

Introduced the first of its 18 refurbished Boeing 717 aircraft with a comprehensive interior retrofit and a standard consistent layout of 128 seats in March 2015. The refurbishment will provide more seats for the peak demand period and eliminate operational complexity arising from different seat counts. To date, seven aircraft have completed the refurbishment program with all remaining Boeing 717 aircraft in the Company’s fleet expected to be retrofitted by the end of the year.

Fleet and financing

Added one new A330-200 aircraft under lease financing.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-243 N391HA (msn 1309) taxies at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft slide show:

TAP Portugal is facing a 10-day strike by its pilots

TAP Portugal’s (Lisbon) pilots union, SPAC, has announced a 10-day strike starting on May 1. The pilots, as previously reported, are unhappy with the ongoing privatization process.

TAP Portugal issued this statement:

The Pilots’ Union announced a strike from May 1st to May 10th, which, to be held, will strongly affect TAP operation.

Therefore, TAP will now allow passengers, with confirmed bookings on flights scheduled for the announced dates, to change to TAP flights outside the strike period, within the same cabin.

The establishment of minimum services – flights whose implementation has to be ensured by the Union – will be expected in the forthcoming days.

Any updated information concerning this situation will be published as soon as possible in all of our communication channels.

TAP will make all efforts in order to minimize the impact of the strike on our passengers.

TAP regrets all the inconveniences caused by this decision of the Pilots’ Union and will do everything in its power to ensure that this strike does not take place.

Copyright Photo: Chris Sands/AirlinersGallery.com. TAP Portugal’s Airbus A330-203 CS-TOR (msn 486) arrives at Miami International Airport.

TAP Portugal aircraft slide show: