Tag Archives: Airbus A320-271N WL

Qingdao Airlines takes delivery of first Airbus A320neo aircraft

Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp. and Qingdao Airlines celebrated delivery of the airline’s first Airbus A320neo aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines. Pratt & Whitney will also provide Qingdao Airlines with engine maintenance through a long-term EngineWise® Comprehensive service agreement. Qingdao Airlines is the eighth GTF engine operator in China.

Qingdao Airlines, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Qingdao, Shangdong, China, announced its selection of the GTF engine to power an order of 18 firm A320neo family aircraft in November 2016. The airline offers domestic and international flight services to destinations across China and Northeast Asia.

Top Copyright Photo: Qingdao Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL D-AXAH (B-302P) (msn 8478) XFW (Gerd Beilfuss). Image: 943666.

Qingdao aircraft slide show:

Scoot takes delivery of its first Airbus A320neo

Scoot, the low cost wing of Singapore Airlines, has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320neo (9V-TNA) in Toulouse, France.

Scoot has placed orders for 39 A320neo aircraft under its fleet renewal programme. The new addition complements the airline’s existing fleet of 27 A320ceo Family aircraft.

Powered by Pratt and Whitney PurePower engines, the new aircraft features 186 seats in Scoot’s configuration. Selected for its outstanding operational efficiency, comfort and range, the A320neo will be deployed by Scoot on its services across Asia.

Featuring the widest single aisle cabin in the sky, the A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver at least 15 percent fuel savings at delivery and 20 percent by 2020. With more than 6,100 orders received from over 100 customers, the A320neo Family has captured nearly 60 percent share of the market.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Scoot): Scoot-flyscoot.com (Singapore Airlines) Airbus A320-271N WL F-WWIX (9V-TNA) (msn 8441) TLS (Eurospot). Image: 943669.

Scoot aircraft slide show:

Lufthansa Group converts purchase options for 24 Airbus A320neo and three A321neo aircraft into firm orders

Lufthansa Group has made this announcement:

On September 28, 2018 the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG approved the purchase of 27 short- and medium-haul aircraft.

Purchase options for 24 Airbus A320neo and three A321neo will be converted into firm orders.

With this decision, the Lufthansa Group is reacting to the positive market and earnings development and thus ensuring the necessary fleet size in the coming years. The total investment of this order amounts to a list price of about three billion US dollars.

This increases the total number of A320neo and A321neo orders to 149 for the Group, 13 of them are already operating with Lufthansa.

The A320neo and A321neo (short for “New Engine Option”) are scheduled for delivery in 2023 and 2024.

Ten of the 27 new aircraft are intended for Swiss, the remaining aircraft will be in service by other flight operations within the Aviation Group. One part of the order will be equipped with Pratt & Whitney engines (PW1100G), the other with LEAP-1A engines from CFM International. This means that both engine types will continue to be available to the Lufthansa Group in roughly equal proportions for the “Neo” family.

The innovative engine technologies developed by Pratt & Whitney and CFM International as well as the aerodynamic wingtips (sharklets) with which the aircraft are equipped reduce fuel consumption significantly by up to 20 percent per seat kilometer. As all Lufthansa A320 Family aircraft, the A320neo and A321neo are serially equipped with noise-reducing vortex generators. An A320neo taking off has a noise carpet that is around 50 percent smaller than that of other aircraft of this type.

Top Copyright Photo: Lufthansa Airbus A320-271N WL D-AINM (msn 8456) FRA (Marcelo F. De Biasi). Image: 943646.

Lufthansa aircraft slide show:

Lufthansa Group optimizes hub management of the network airlines and prepares for moderate growth in summer 2019

Lufthansa Group has made this announcement:

Lufthansa Group continues to consistently optimize the management of its hubs in Munich, Frankfurt, Zürich and Vienna. The main focus is on the flexible multi-hub system: newly integrated processes mean that Lufthansa Group is increasingly able to move fleets and traffic wherever the conditions are best for quality, growth and cost effectiveness.

Specifically, the Lufthansa Executive Board decided to accelerate its growth at the Munich location and develop the Bavarian capital into a hub with a focus on Asia. Lufthansa Group anticipates high single-digit year-over-year growth for the network airlines at this hub for 2019. In addition to increased frequencies in the flights offered from Munich to Seoul and Singapore, Summer 2019 will see the first ever daily connection from Munich to Bangkok. These flights can be booked as of 4 October 2018. And to further strengthen the portfolio of flights to Asia, the connection to Osaka (Japan) will be moved from Frankfurt to Munich.

The transfer of five Airbus A380 aircraft from Frankfurt to Munich in Summer 2018 was very well received on the market and has been a resounding success. In view of these results, Lufthansa is considering transferring additional A380 aircraft from Frankfurt to Munich in 2020. Three Airbus A320 are being moved from the Frankfurt hub to Munich to support the expansion of feeder traffic while three smaller Bombardier CRJ900 will be transferred from Munich to Frankfurt in exchange.

As a “5-Star” location, Munich will also be reinforced with additional First Class offerings. To support this, the majority of the Frankfurt-based A340-600 fleet will be moved to Munich.

The strategic focus of the Frankfurt hub will continue to be on optimising the destination mix in terms of increased quality. Lufthansa will curb its growth at this hub in order to improve on-time ratings and operational stability. For 2019, Lufthansa Group anticipates low single-digit year-over-year growth for the network airlines at this hub. Lufthansa is starting into the 2018/19 winter season with four new destinations from Frankfurt. Eilat (Israel), Agadir (Morocco), Trieste (Italy) and Thessaloniki (Greece) are new additions to the flight program. Lufthansa is also further expanding its route network to the USA. Starting May 3, 2019, the airline will offer its first connections from Frankfurt to Austin (USA).

There are plans to expand on the growth trajectory at the Lufthansa Group hub and home base of Swiss International Air Lines in Zürich. Due to its very successful development over the past years, the aim here is to continue to bank on moderate growth. The main focus in this is on the expansion of activity in Europe. The 2018/19 winter flight schedule includes a new destination: Bremen. And SWISS is now offering Bordeaux (France), Kiev (Ukraine), Brindisi (Italy) and the German island of Sylt as attractive year-round destinations.

Austrian Airlines in Vienna will be significantly expanding its European route network in the upcoming 2018/19 winter flight schedule. Beginning in late October 2018, more than 40 additional flights per week will be taking off for 14 destinations, including cities in Germany such as Berlin, Düsseldorf and Hamburg but also other European destinations such as Copenhagen (Denmark), Kiev (Ukraine), Athens (Greece) and Kraków (Poland). This increase is made possible by increased efficiencies in the route network. In addition to the new European flights, Austrian Airlines is also increasing some of its flight frequencies to North America, strengthening Vienna as a Lufthansa Group hub.

“Our multi-hub system, in which four hubs share a single centralized commercial management, functions well and is successful. This makes it possible for us to react to changing conditions with extreme speed and flexibility. Our key factors are quality, efficiency and cost effectiveness,” saysHarry Hohmeister, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG and Head of Hub Management, speaking on the occasion of these decisions. “The goal of the entire industry should be increased quality. This means that it is also essential for the infrastructure on the ground and in the air to keep pace with the growth of the industry. Existing deficits must be removed. We are growing where the cost and quality are right. This is also why we are waiting until next summer to decide, based on the development of the hubs, where the new Boeing 777-9 aircraft will be taking off from as of 2020. This plane will be taking off for the first time with new products in Business Class and Premium Economy and setting new standards for the industry,” Hohmeister adds in Frankfurt.

All above images by Lufthansa Group.

Below Copyright Photo: Lufthansa Airbus A320-271N WL D-AXAI (D-AINN) (msn 8491) XFW (Gerd Beilfuss). Image: 943668.

Lufthansa aircraft slide show:

GoAir to go international with new routes to the exotic islands of Phuket and Malé from Mumbai and Delhi

GoAir is all set to commence its international flight operations.

GoAir will offer India’s first ever direct service to Phuket, Thailand effective October 11, 2018 from Delhi and Mumbai.

This will be followed by its second international service connecting Mumbai and Delhi with Male, Maldives effective October 14, 2018. These destinations will also be connected from Bengaluru in the near future.

GoAir will mark its first foray into international skies after completing more than a decade of successful domestic operations.

GoAir will continue to operate its Airbus A320 aircraft in all operations and on both these international routes. With the introduction of these flights, the airline will increase its operations by 28 flights to a total of 1680 flights per week. GoAir aims to amplify and replicate its domestic success story, redefining its fly smart experience and value proposition in the aviation industry.

GoAir will operate three nonstop flight services per week between Mumbai – Phuket.

Similarly the airline will operate three nonstop flight services per week between Mumbai – Male.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by GoAir): GoAir (GoAir.in) (India) Airbus A320-271N WL F-WWBS (VT-WGR) (msn 8209) TLS (Paul Bannwarth). Image: 943381.

GoAir aircraft slide show:

Current Route Map:

Spirit Airlines to add 7 new routes

Spirit Airlines has announced it has extended its booking schedule through February 13, 2019, while adding seven new routes.

Guests living in Kansas City, Newark, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Atlanta will now have more options when planning their next vacation.

Philadelphia Gets More Florida Sunshine!
On December 13, Spirit will launch seasonal service to Fort Myers’ Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). The very next day, on December 14, flights will launch to Tampa International Airport (TPA). Guests can hop on a flight four times weekly to Tampa and three times weekly to Fort Myers.

New to Newark!
Beginning September 6, Spirit will provide daily year-round nonstop service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

Kansas City, Grab a Beach Umbrella and Go!
Starting November 9, Spirit will launch nonstop seasonal flights to sunny South Florida with service to and from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) four times weekly.

Detroit Gets More Sunny Options For Winter!
Starting December 21, Spirit will launch seasonal service running 4 times weekly between Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) in beautiful West Palm Beach, Florida.

Myrtle Beach Gets More Go!
Starting November 10, Spirit will add nonstop year-round service between Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) and Orlando International Airport (MCO), complementing existing service between Myrtle Beach and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood. Also on November 10, Spirit will now provide year-round service between Myrtle Beach and Baltimore–Washington International Airport (BWI), previously this route was seasonal. Both routes provide service 2 times weekly.

New Route Recap:	Starts:	Frequency:
Newark (EWR) to/from
Atlanta (ATL)	September 6	Daily, year-round
Kansas City (MCI) to/from
Fort Lauderdale (FLL)	November 9	4x weekly, seasonal
Myrtle Beach (MYR) to/from
Orlando (MCO)	November 10	2x weekly, year-round
Baltimore – Washington, DC (BWI)	November 10	2x weekly, year-round
Philadelphia (PHL) to/from
Fort Myers (RSW)	December 13	3x weekly, seasonal
Tampa (TPA)	December 14	4x weekly, seasonal
Detroit (DTW) to/from
West Palm Beach (PBI)	December 21	4x weekly, seasonal

Spirit Airlines aircraft slide show:

Spirit Airlines pilots ratify 5-Year agreement

Spirit Airlines and its pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), announced the ratification of a new five-year working agreement. Of the 98 percent of pilots who voted, 70 percent cast ballots in favor of the agreement.

“This agreement increases our annual compensation, delivers job protections, and maintains important quality-of-life protections,” said Capt. Stuart Morrison, chairman of the Spirit unit of ALPA. “The agreement also significantly improves the ability of Spirit Airlines to attract and retain the highest quality of pilots available.”

Spirit Airlines’ agreement with ALPA includes an average 43 percent increase in pay rates on date of signing, double-digit direct contributions to pilots’ retirement plans, and $75 million in ratification compensation.

“We are very pleased to reach this important agreement with our pilots,” said Robert Fornaro, Spirit’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our new contract will give our pilots a deserved increase in pay and benefits, and will allow the airline to operate more efficiently and reliably so we can even better serve our guests. I want to thank our mediators from the National Mediation Board and our negotiators from ALPA and Spirit.”

The ratification of this agreement represents three years of contract negotiations, including nearly two years at the bargaining table with the assistance of the NMB.

“I want to congratulate the Spirit bargaining team and the pilot group’s leadership for achieving much-needed improvements in the cornerstone areas of their contract,” said Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA president. “Under their leadership, this group emerged from mediated negotiations with the pay increases and job security provisions our pilots have long deserved.”

Spirit Airlines aircraft slide show:

West Air takes delivery of its first Airbus A320neo

West Air (Chongqing) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320neo. The pictured A320-271N F-WWIB became B-8867 (msn 7795) when it was handed over on December 21, 2017.

Copyright Photo: West Air (WestAir.cn) (China) Airbus A320-271N WL F-WWIB (B-8867) (msn 7795) TLS (Eurospot). Image: 940398.

West Air aircraft slide show:

Volaris Costa Rica will launch operations to the USA on March 15, 2018

Volaris, the ultra-low-cost airline serving Mexico, the United States and Central America, announced its affiliate, Vuela Aviación, S.A., was awarded by the Department of Transportation (DOT) of the United States of America a Foreign Air Carrier Permit to provide:

1) Foreign scheduled transportation of persons, property, and mail from points behind Costa Rica via Costa Rica and intermediate points to a point or points in the United States and beyond; and

2) charter air transportation between any point or points in Costa Rica and any point or points in the United States, and between any point or points in the United States and any point or points in a third country or countries, provided that, such service constitutes part of a continuous operation, with or without a change of aircraft, that includes service to the homeland for the purpose of carrying local traffic between Costa Rica and the United States.

Volaris Costa Rica will initiate operations to and from the United States of America on March 15, 2018.

Volaris Costa Rica operated its first revenue flight from San Jose to Guatemala City on November 30, 2016 using an Airbus A320 wet-leased from Volaris (Mexico).

Volaris seeks to replicate its ultra-low-cost model in Central America by offering low base fares and point-to-point service in the region.

Volaris Costa Rica initiated sales of four routes from Central America to the following U.S. destinations: Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), and Washington D.C.(IAD) from San Jose.

Volaris Costa Rica is expected to launch operations with two Airbus A319s and two Airbus A320s.

Volaris (Mexico):

S7 Airlines to add a new route to Alicante, Spain

S7 Airlines will add a new weekly seasonal Airbus A319 route linking St. Petersburg, Russia with Alicante, Spain starting on April 28, 2018 according to Airline Route.

In other news, S7 Airlines has announced the opening of scheduled flights between Novosibirsk and Minsk starting on May 2, 2018.

Nonstop flights from Tolmachevo Airport to Minsk will be carried out weekly on Wednesdays. Flights will depart from Novosibirsk at 11:10 and arrive in Minsk at 12:15 local time. Return flights will depart at 13:15 and arrive at Tolmachevo Airport at 22:00.

The flights from Novosibirsk to Minsk will be carried out on modern and comfortable Airbus A320neo (top) designed to carry 164 passengers: 8 business class passengers and 156 economy class passengers. Passengers will be able to appreciate the exceptional level of comfort on board the aircraft with its comfortable armchairs that are equipped with sockets with a USB port, as well as with holders for mobile devices. Airbus A320neo has an improved sound insulation, the most capacious overhead bins and more space under the armchairs to fit cabin baggage.

The airline has a wide internal route network, created on the basis of air transport hubs in Moscow (Domodedovo) and Novosibirsk (Tolmachevo). S7 Airlines also performs regular flights to countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Europe, the Near East, Southeast Asia and countries of the Asia-Pacific region.

Top Copyright Phoito (all others by S7 Airlines): S7 Airlines (Siberia Airlines) Airbus A320-271N WL VQ-BCF (msn 7629) PMI (Javier Rodriguez). Image: 939196.