Tag Archives: Airberlin

Airlines and airline brands we lost in 2017

Note – Our list also includes name changes and ownership changes.

Adria Swizterland (Darwin Airline) – Ceased operations on November 28, 2017 and was declared to be insolvent on December 12, 2017 and was liquidated.

Copyright Photo Above: Adria Switzerland SAAB 2000 HB-IYD (msn 059) (Etihad Regional colors) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 939524.

Aeropostal (Alas de Venezuela) – The long-time airline of Venezuela ceased all operations on September 24, 2017 due to the on-going financial situation in the country.

Above Copyright Photo: Aeropostal (Venezuela) McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 YV137T (msn 47771) CCS (Orlando Jose Suarez). Image: 905671.

Air Carnival – The short-lived Indian carrier shut its doors and ceased operations with its single ATR 72-500 on April 5, 2017.

Above Photo: Air Carnival (India) ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) M-IBAI (VT-CMA) (msn 767) (Air Carnival). Image: 940401.

Air Costa – The Indian airline suspended operations on February 28, 2017.

Photo Above: Air Costa.

Air India Regional – Reverted back to its original name of Alliance Air in March 2017. The airline continues operations under the Alliance Air (Air India) brand.

Above Copyright Photo: Air India Regional ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-600) F-WWEZ (VT-AIT) (msn 1226) TLS (Olivier Gregoire). Image: (26253.

Airberlin (Air Berlin) – AB filed for insolvency on August 15, 2017 and ceased all operations on October 27, 2017 after Etihad Airways announced it would no longer financially support the carrier. AB was the second largest scheduled passenger airline in Germany.

Above Copyright Photo: Airberlin (airberlin.com) Airbus A330-322 D-AERQ (msn 127) JFK (Ken Petersen). Image: 900466.

Belair (Airberlin) – Belair, like Airberlin, shut down and ceased all operations on October 28, 2017.

Above Copyright Photo: Airberlin (airberlin.com) (Belair Airlines) Airbus A321-211 WL HB-JOV (msn 6629) BSL (Paul Bannwarth). Image: 938111.

Bluebird Cargo – Became Bluebird Nordic in 2017 as a brand and name change only.

Above Copyright Photo: Bluebird Cargo Boeing 737-36E (F) TF-BBF (msn 25264) CDG (Christian Volpati). Image: 913697.

Borajet Airlines – Suspended operations on April 24, 2017. The carrier has hopes to return in 2018 but its aircraft were seized.

Above Copyright Photo: Borajet Airlines Embraer ERJ 190-200LR (ERJ 195) TC-YAU (msn 19000088) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 935050.

Eastern Air Lines (2nd) – The second version using the famous name had its AOC cancelled. The last revenue flight was operated on September 14, 2017 although one Boeing 737-800 (N277EA) operated by Swift Air still carries Eastern titles.

Above Copyright Photo: Eastern Air Lines (2nd) Boeing 737-8AL WL N276EA (msn 35070) MIA (Jay Selman). Image: 403415.

Etihad Regional (Darwin Airline) – Became Adria Swizterland in July 2017 when Etihad Airways withdrew its financial support.

Above Copyright Photo: Etihad Regional-Darwin Airline ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) HB-ACB (msn 662) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 922532.

Florida West International Airways (2nd) – The AOC was cancelled. Operations ended on February 28, 2017 as parent Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings decided to consolidate operations under the ATI banner.

Above Copyright Photo: Florida West International Airways (2nd) Boeing 767-346F ER N422LA (msn 35818) MIA (Brian McDonough). Image: 905972.

Flugfelag Islands – Air Iceland – Became Air Iceland Connect on May 24, 2017 (name change).

Above Copyright Photo: Flugfelag Islands-Air Iceland de Havilland Canada DHC-8-202 Dash 8 (Q200) TF-JMK (msn 446) AEY (Wingnut). Image: 925729.

Flybe (Loganair) – The two airlines cancelled their agreement and Loganair reverted back to its own Loganair brand on August 31, 2017. On September 1, 2017 Loganair signed a code share agreement with British Airways.

Above Copyright Photo: Flybe-Loganair de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter G-BVVK (msn 666) BRR (Robbie Shaw). Image: 907742.

GLO AIrlines – Filed for Chapter 11 reorganization on April 24, 2017 and ceased operations on July 15, 2017.

Above Copyright Photo: GLO Airlines (flyGLO.com) (Corporate Flight Management) SAAB 340B N9CJ (msn 224) LIT (Jason Hamm). Image: 938894.

InselAir (Aruba) – InselAir Aruba was declared bankrupt on July 7, 2017 after ceasing operations on June 7, 2017. However InselAir (Curacao) reorganized and downsized and continues to operate in the ABC Islands.

Above Copyright Photo: InselAir (Aruba) McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) P4-MDI (msn 49847) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 104316.

Island Air – The long-time inter-island airline in Hawaii shut down operations on November 10, 2017. The assets are being sold to Hawaiian Airlines for its ‘Ohana by Hawaiian division.

Above Copyright Photo: Island Air (Hawaii) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N682WP (msn 4546) HNL (Ivan K. Nishimura). Image: 939613.

Kan Air – The regional carrier in Thailand suspended operations on April 21, 2017.

Photo Above: Kan Air.

LGW (Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter) (Airberlin) – As part of the Airberlin Group, LGW also ceased operations on October 27, 2017. However it has now been purchased by the Lufthansa Group and will continue to operate as a company under the Eurowings brand.

Above Copyright Photo: Airberlin (airberlin.com) (LGW) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) D-ABQB (msn 4226) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 928479.

Mega Maldives Airlines – The airline suspended operations on May 2, 2017. It hopes to restructure.

Above Copyright Photo: Mega Maldives Airlines (Mega Global Air) (Travel Service Airlines) Boeing 737-86N SSWL OK-TVT (msn 39394) HKG (Javier Rodriguez). Image: 935872.

Monarch Airlines – The long-time British carrier shut down all operations on October 2, 2017.

Above Copyright Photo: Monarch Airlines Boeing 737-82R WL TC-AAY (G-ZBAV) (msn 40874) BHX (Ian Bowley). Image: 937834.

Naft Airlines – Became Karun Airlines in September 2017 (name change).

Above Copyright Photo: Naft Airlines Fokker F.28 Mk. 0100 EP-MIS (msn 11503) DXB (Paul Denton). Image: 940409.

Niki Luftfahrt (flyniki) – As part of the Airberlin Group, the Austrian carrier suspended operations on December 13, 2017. However the airline has been acquired by the IAG and will be operating again under Vueling.

Above Copyright Photo: Niki Luftfahrt (flyNiki.com) Embraer ERJ 190-100LR OE-IXG (msn 19000435) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 921621.

Starbow Airlines – Suspended operations on November 25, 2017 after the ATR 72-500 accident. The airline hopes to restore operations.

Above Copyright Photo: Starbow Airlines BAe 146-300 9G-SBB (msn E3123) SEN (Keith Burton). Image: 908647.

Thomas Cook Airlines (Belgium) – Operated its last flight on October 27, 2017.

Above Copyright Photo: Thomas Cook Airlines (Belgium) Airbus A320-214 OO-TCH (msn 1929) AMS (Tony Storck). Image: 935351.

Thomson Airways – Officially became TUI Airways (UK) on October 1, 2017 (name change).

Above Copyright Photo: Thomson Airways Boeing 737-8K5 SSWL G-FDZW (msn 37254) TFS (Paul Bannwarth). Image: 927490.

Tigerair (Singapore) – The Tigerair of Singapore was merged into Scoot on July 25, 2017.

Above Copyright Photo: Tigerair (Singapore) Airbus A320-232 WL 9V-TRL (msn 5721) PEN (Rob Finlayson). Image: 925825.

VECA Airlines – Suspended operations on January 16, 2017.

Above Copyright Photo: VECA Airlines Airbus A319-132 N1821V (msn 2383) SJO (Andres Meneses). Image: 929694.

VIM Airlines (VIM Avia) – Suspended all operations on October 15, 2017. The AOC was cancelled on November 4, 2017.

Above Copyright Photo: VIM Airlines (VIM Avia) Boeing 777-2H6 ER VP-BVA (msn 28413) DME (OSDU). Image: 933003.

Welcome Air – The last revenue flight was operated on December 26, 2017.

Above Copyright Photo: Welcome Air Dornier 328-110 OE-GBB (msn 3078) CFU (Antony J. Best). Image: 928724.

Yangtze River Express – Became Suparna Airlines on July 7, 2017 (name change).

Above Copyright Photo: Yangtze River Express Boeing 747-481 (BCF) B-2432 (msn 28283) ANC (Michael B. Ing). Image: 928002.

Yemenia (Yemen Airways) – The flag carrier of war-weary Yemen suspended operations on November 6, 2017 due to the on-going civil war and military air strikes. The carrier hopes to operate some flights in the future, war conditions permitting.

Above Copyright Photo: Yemenia (Yemen Airways) Airbus A330-243 7O-ADT (msn 632) FRA (Pascal Simon). Image: 904599.

easyJet receives approval for the Airberlin Berlin Tegel acquisition

easyJet (UK) issued this statement:

easyJet is pleased to confirm that it has received European Commission approval for its recent agreement to acquire part of Air Berlin’s operations at Berlin Tegel Airport. The acquisition will result in easyJet operating 25 aircraft from Berlin Tegel Airport. The agreement includes easyJet leasing former Air Berlin aircraft, taking over other assets including slots, and offering employment to Air Berlin flying crews. The Commission has confirmed that there are no competition concerns relating to this agreement and easyJet now expects to complete the transaction in the near future.

easyJet signs agreement with Airberlin for Berlin Tegel operations and 25 Airbus A320s

easyJet on October 27, 2017 signed an agreement with Airberlin to acquire part of its operations at Berlin Tegel Airport for a purchase consideration of €40 million. This excludes potential start-up and transitional operating costs. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in December 2017.

The acquisition will result in easyJet entering into leases for up to 25 A320 aircraft, offering employment to Airberlin flying crews and taking over other assets including slots. easyJet has launched a recruitment campaign to attract around 1000 of Airberlin’s pilots and cabin crew who will be recruited over the coming months and will then be trained on easyJet’s safety and operating procedures. In line with easyJet’s business model they will be employed on local, German contracts under collective labor agreements negotiated with ver.di.

This agreement is consistent with easyJet’s strategy of purposeful investment in strong number one positions in Europe’s leading airports (or number two to a legacy incumbent). This will enable easyJet to operate the leading short haul network at Tegel connecting passengers to and from destinations across Germany and the rest of Europe. This is in addition to easyJet’s existing base at Berlin Schönefeld and would mean that easyJet would be the leading airline in Berlin.

easyJet will make announcements on the new routes and services to be flown to and from Tegel in due course. easyJet will operate a reduced timetable at Tegel during the winter season but plans to operate a full schedule from the summer season 2018.

easyJet looks forward to building on the strong, customer focussed platform it already has in Berlin to fly more passengers, employ more people and support more economic growth in both Berlin and Brandenburg.

With Brexit, its is likely the new Tegel operation will be put under easyJet (Europe).

Top Copyright Photo: easyJet (UK) Airbus A320-214 G-EZTG (msn 3946) PMI (Ton Jochems). Image: 933720.

Airberlin sells Niki and LGW to Lufthansa

Airberlin issued this statement on October 12, 2017:

Air Berlin PLC and Air Berlin PLC & Co. Luftverkehrs KG have reached an understanding with Deutsche Lufthansa AG on October 12, 2017 that entities of the Deutsche Lufthansa group will acquire certain business units from entities of the Air Berlin group, including in particular NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH as well as Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter mbH (LGW). The combined purchase price of approximately EUR 210 million will be subject to adjustments upon closing of the transaction.

The transaction is, amongst others, subject to regulatory approvals.

The negotiations with easyJet Airline Company Limited and other bidders, in each case in respect of different units of the Air Berlin group, are still continuing.

Lufthansa issued this statement:

After intense negotiations over the past few weeks, Deutsche Lufthansa AG and the Air Berlin Group have signed a contract on October 13, 2017 regarding the purchase of NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH (NIKI) and Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter mbH (LGW).

These two carriers are projected to increase the capacity of the operational fleet at Eurowings as follows:

LGW with 870 employees, as well as 17 Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 and 13 Airbus A320 aircraft
NIKI with 830 employees, as well as 20 Airbus A320 type aircraft

This means that the wet-lease operation that is currently still provided for Eurowings by Air Berlin Group will be taken over by Eurowings’ own operational fleet. Eurowings also plans to acquire additional aircraft on the market and hire 1,300 more employees.

Eurowings remains the fastest-growing airline in Europe

“Our strategic modernization initiatives have paid off. We have regained the capacity to invest and grow, in order to play an active role in the consolidation of the European airline market with Eurowings. As the fastest-growing airline in Europe, Eurowings can now expand the range of services it offers customers,” says Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Deutsche Lufthansa AG.

Eurowings expands its market position in Germany and Europe

The fleet marketed by Eurowings (program fleet) is projected to grow from 160 to 210 aircraft with the finalization of the transaction and purchase of additional aircraft, with 189 short- and medium-haul aircraft and 21 long-haul aircraft, making Eurowings the third-largest in European point-to-point traffic. The number of flight operations will grow to a total of eight, including the aircraft operated by TUIfly and Sun Express on a wet-lease basis. With its platform concept, Eurowings is oriented towards the integration of flight operations and is predestined to actively advance the consolidation of the European aviation market.

At the same time, the number of employees is expected to grow from currently around 7,000 to roughly 10,000. Eurowings has approximately 50 new short-haul and medium-haul connections planned for the summer of 2018 and – not related to the transaction with Air Berlin – additional long-haul connections in North Rhine-Westphalia, Berlin and Munich. The airline will be growing particularly strongly at these locations. Eurowings is anticipating a total of 80,000 additional flights and 12 million additional passengers per year. This would increase the point-to-point traffic sales volume of the Lufthansa Group by up to 40 percent. Eurowings is expanding its competitive position in the German and European market with this. It will be able to produce at competitive costs with the acquired capacity and generate positive profit contributions as soon as the integration is complete.

The finalization of the transaction is subject to approval by the relevant committees and the competition authorities. Lufthansa expects the transaction to be finalized by the end of the year.

Top Copyright Photo: Niki-The Spirit of Niki (flyniki.com) Airbus A320-214 OE-LEX (msn 2867) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 922611.

Bottom Copyright Photo: Airberlin (airberlin.com) (LGW) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) D-ABQI (msn 4264) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 907142.

TUI and Niki move one step closer to a joint venture based in Vienna

TUI AG‘s Supervisory Board has given the green light on November 23, 2016 for further steps with the goal to create a new European airline joint venture with Etihad Aviation Group. TUI Group’s supervisory body approved the plan to contribute its German leisure airline subsidiary TUI fly GmbH (TUIfly-TUI Airlines Germany) to a joint venture with Etihad. Etihad is in negotiations with Airberlin to acquire its touristic operations primarily in Southern Europe and North Africa, and including Airberlin’s participation in Niki, with the objective to contribute it to the joint venture.

The new airline joint venture, headquartered in Vienna, is planned to serve a broad route network with its two airlines, TUI fly and Niki, a total fleet of around 60 aircraft and a seat capacity of 15 million seats per year, operating from key departure airports in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

TUI AG is to hold a stake of 24.8% in the joint venture, with Etihad holding 25% of the interests. The remaining 50.2% would be held by the existing private foundation Niki Privatstiftung.

The commitments made to the TUI fly employees remain in place and are currently being further negotiated and specified. This includes the commitments to the Hanover location.

The contractual negotiations between all involved stakeholders are expected to be finalized in the next few weeks. Details regarding the future joint venture will be jointly presented by Etihad and TUI after successful completion of the negotiations.

The planned joint venture is subject to approval by the relevant antitrust and aviation authorities.

In the summer of 2007, Hapag-Lloyd Express (HLX) and Hapagfly merged to form TUIfly. The airline is a wholly-owned enterprise of the TUI Group, the world’s leading tourism troup with headquarters in Hanover, Germany. TUIfly flies to the classic holiday regions all around the Mediterranean, the Canary and Cape Verde Islands, Madeira and Egypt for TUI and other tour operators. By the summer of 2014, TUIfly used 40 Boeing 737 aircraft to fly to these destinations. TUIfly headquarters are at the Hanover Airport.

Top Copyright Photo: TUI Airlines (Germany) Boeing 737-86J SSWL D-ABKI (msn 37748) PMI (Ton Jochems). Image: 933944.

TUI:

Niki:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Niki Luftfahrt (flyNiki.com) Airbus A320-214 OE-LEF (msn 4368) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 927323.

Airberlin retires its last “own” Boeing 737-700, delivers it to Ruili Airlines

Airberlin (Berlin) is marching towards an all-Airbus fleet in the near future. However TUIfly is likely to operate the Boeing 737 type for Airberlin until at least 2019.

The company retired their last “own” Boeing 737-700 (D-ABLD) with the delivery to Ruili Airlines (Kunming) this month as B-6110 via Azur Aviation as N317AB.

The last AB revenue service for D-ABLD was from Milan (Linate) to Berlin (Tegel) on August 9, 2015 as flights BER 725C / AB 8739.

Delivery to Ruili Airlines via Azur Aviation was conducted on September 22-23 (Budapest – Almaty – Tianjin – Kunming).

The remaining six 737-700s (D-AGEC, D-AHXC, D-AHXE, D-AHXF, D-AHXG and D-AHXJ are leased from and operated by TUIfly.

Copyright Photo: Günter Mayer. Boeing 737-76J D-ABLD (msn 36117) is pictured at night on the gate at Nuremberg on March 17, 2009.

Thank you to Günter Mayer reporting from Nuremberg, Germany.

Airberlin aircraft slide show:

Etihad Airways and partners raise $500 million in international markets

Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi), its airport services business and five of its equity partners have successfully completed an innovative new platform financing transaction, raising $500 million on the international markets.

According to the group, “Etihad Airways, Etihad Airport Services, Airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia and Jet Airways have together taken a new step forward in their strategic business development through this unique fund-raising initiative.”

The group continued:

“At a series of roadshow meetings, held in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and London, the shared vision and strategies of the airlines were laid out to financial institutions. These highlighted the growing network coordination and revenue development initiatives, coupled with joint procurement and business synergy projects, across the airlines.”

Allocation of the funds raised will be nearly 20 percent each to Etihad Airways, Etihad Airport Services, Airberlin and Alitalia; 16 percent to Jet Airways; and the remainder to Air Serbia and Air Seychelles.

The funds raised by the transaction will be used largely for capital expenditure and investment in fleet, as well as for refinancing, depending on each individual airline’s needs.

The transaction marks the first time that Etihad Airways and its partners have raised funds together. To date, Etihad Airways has already raised in excess of $11 billion (US) from more than 80 financial institutions, to help fund its expansion strategy.

The funds have been raised through a special purpose vehicle, EA Partners IBV. Goldman Sachs International, ADS Securities and Anoa Capital are acting as joint lead book-running managers for the offering.

Copyright Photo: SPA/AirlinersGallery.com. Etihad Airways’ Airbus A380-861 A6-APA (msn 166) departs from London (Heathrow).

Etihad Airways aircraft slide show:

Airberlin’s second quarter and first half loss widens

Airberlin (airberlin.com) (Berlin) has not stemmed its losses. The airline reported a second quarter net loss of €37.5 million ($41.8 million). This represents a 2Q widened net loss from €8.6 million ($9.5 million) reported in the same period a year ago.

The company’s first half net loss was also reported as €247.6 million ($276 million), widened from the €201.2 million net loss ($224.4 million) previously reported for the same period a year ago.

The airline issued this financial report:

Revenue performance in the second quarter of 2015 was characterized by tactical capacity adjustments. At 1.07 billion euros in Q2 2015, revenue fell by 7.0 percent compared to the same period last year (Q2 2014 1.15 billion euros). Accordingly, Group revenue also declined by -2.3 percent (from 1.91 billion euros to 1.87 billion euros) in the first half of 2015. As a result of capacity consolidation, revenue decreased compared to last year, but capacity utilisation and revenue per available seat kilometre (RASK) improved.

Stefan Pichler, CEO airberlin:

“Following a good first quarter, the second quarter was a transition quarter in line with the market trend, as expected and announced. We are optimistic about the outlook for the second half of the year. I am convinced that airberlin is well positioned, thanks to the efficiency improvement measures we have introduced. The noticeable 2.1 percent load factor improvement in July to 87.3 percent shows that we’re on the right track. In the fourth quarter, we will begin the consistent transformation of our business model.”

Operating earnings (EBIT) were -15.9 million euros in Q2 2015 (Q2 2014: -6.9 million euros). This year’s shift in the Easter holidays and last year’s Lufthansa strike affected earnings performance during Q2 2015. Benefits due to the low oil prices were offset by fuel hedging and the US dollar development. Over the half-year, however, airberlin improved its operating earnings (EBIT) by 7.3 percent compared to last year (HY 2014: -189.7 million euros, HY 2015: -175.8 million euros).

Net profit in the second quarter is -37.5 million euros (Q2 2014: 8.6 million euros). In the first half-year, net profit was -247.6 million euros (HY 2014: -201.2 million euros), which was primarily due to pronounced currency effects when evaluating derivates.

Positive RASK performance thanks to efficient capacity and revenue management

In a competitive market environment, Airberlin slightly increased revenue per available seat kilometer (RASK) in the second quarter, which coincided with the system-driven realignment of its revenue management. Total revenue per available seat kilometre (RASK) was 7.20 eurocts (Q2 2014: 7.16 eurocts), which represents a 0.6 percent increase. In terms of half-year results, RASK also increased by 1.2 percent, from 6.90 eurocts to 6.99 eurocts. In terms of yield performance, the average yield fell by -1.6 percent, from 120.5 euros to 118.5 euros. Compared to the same half-year period last year, the yield improved by 0.7 percent, from 119.0 euros to 119.8 euros.

In the second quarter, Airberlin offered 15.0 billion available seat kilometers (ASK), which, in accordance with its capacity planning, represents a fall of 7.1 percent (Q2 2014: 16.0 billion). Cost per ASK (CASK) rose by 1.5 percent from 7.20 eurocts to 7.31 eurocts.

Realignment of business model

During the first phase of the realignment, the management structure and management processes of the Airberlin Group were more closely aligned to operational airline processes. In addition to the short-term capacity consolidation, the airberlin group continues to focus its efforts on the redesign of its revenue management and sales.

A fundamental review of the current network operated by Airberlin is nearing completion and is aimed at significantly improving both the starting position of the operating costs per ASK (CASK) and the revenue per available seat kilometre. Optimising internal business processes and increasing focus on core business will continue during the 2nd half of 2015.

Outlook

The second half of the current financial year will aim at implementing the optimisation measures initiated during the first half year. Considerable improvements in yield, capacity utilisation and RASK are expected.

Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner/AirlinersGallery.com. Airberlin is phasing out its Boeing 737 fleet and is going to an all-Airbus fleet. The last 737 should be retired by the end of next year unless the carrier decides to cut additional loss-making routes. Boeing 737-86J D-ABME (msn 37766) painted in the Oneworld scheme taxies at Zurich.

Airberlin aircraft slide show:

Air Serbia applies for codeshare service to the U.S. via partner Airberlin

Air Serbia (Belgrade) hopes to serve the United States again. Formerly as Jat Airways, the company previously flew to the USA starting in 1970 with Boeing 707s. Later McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30s were deployed on those routes starting in 1978 (below).

Above Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner/AirlinersGallery.com. JAT-Yugoslav Airlines (later Jat Airways) McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 YU-AMA (msn 46981) approaches Zurich.

Now as Air Serbia, the airline has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to serve the U.S. via a codeshare agreement with partner Airberlin (Berlin) using Airbus A330s (above).

If approved, the Air Serbia code would be shown on Airberlin flights to Chicago (O’Hare), Miami and New York (JFK) via Berlin (Tegel) and Dusseldorf according to Airline Route.

Top Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Airberlin’s Airbus A330-223 D-ALPC (msn 444) approaches the runway at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Air Serbia aircraft slide show:

Jat Airways aircraft slide show:

Airberlin aircraft slide show:

Airberlin to restore Berlin – Miami service this winter

Airberlin (Berlin) has announced it will restore the Berlin (Tegel) – Miami route again on November 5. Every Thursday and Saturday, Airberlin will fly an Airbus A330-200 Airbus to Florida.

Airberlin is also expanding its existing US services from Berlin this winter: Airberlin will fly to Chicago (O’Hare) every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday this winter, once more than last year. The number of flights to New York (JFK) from Berlin will also be expanded this winter, with two additional services. This winter, Airberlin will therefore offer daily service to the Big Apple for the first time.

Airberlin operates daily service from Dusseldorf to Miami and New York (JFK) and three flights a week to Fort Myers.

Copyright Photo: AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-223 D-ABXB (msn 322) taxies from the gate at Los Angeles International Airport.

Airberlin aircraft slide show: