Tag Archives: airbus a320 aircraft

Wizz Air Ukraine evolves and moves its assets to Kiev and western Ukraine

Wizz Air Ukraine (Kiev) has announced a new route that will connect the Ukrainian capital of Kiev with Naples in Italy. The route will be operated with Airbus A320 aircraft starting on June 14 2014.

Wizz Air Ukraine’s route network from Kiev will now consist of a total of 14 routes to six different countries.

Meanwhile the company is suspending flights from the eastern Russian-speaking city of Donetsk (above map) in the Ukraine to Budapest, Rome (Fiumicino), Bergamo (Orio al Serio, near Milan), Larnaca and Dortmund.

The low-fare carrier is moving based aircraft from Donetsk to the ethnic Ukrainian city of Lvov in western Ukraine (above map) given the tension in the Ukraine between the eastern and western portions of the Ukraine.

Wizz Air (Ukraine):

Wizz Air to open its 19th base in Craiova, Romania

Wizz Air (Budapest) has announced its 19th base to be opened in Craiova, Romania in July 2014 with one based aircraft. A new Airbus A320 aircraft will be delivered in Craiova on July 23, 2014.

The new aircraft will support operations of a total of six Craiova routes and increase seat capacity in the first 12 months of based operations to over 260,000 seats. The airline believes this will also stimulate the local job market in aviation and tourism sectors as consumers will have access to more low cost routes. Wizz Air announced more weekly flights on the existing services to Milan Bergamo and London Luton, and announced four new routes to Barcelona, Bologna, Dortmund and Rome Ciampino, that will start operating from July 23, 2014.

WIZZ AIR’S NEW ROUTES FROM CRAIOVA:

To	Days	Starts	Fares from**
Bologna	Wed, Sun	23 July	RON 99
Rome Ciampino	Wed, Sun	23 July	RON 99
Dortmund	Tue, Thu, Sat	24 July	RON 129
Barcelona	Mon, Fri	25 July	RON 129

WIZZ AIR’S INCREASED FREQUENCIES FROM CRAIOVA:

To	Days per week
London Luton	from 2 to 4
Milan Bergamo	from 2 to 3

Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 WL HA-LWV (msn 5660) with Sharklets lands at EuroAirport serving Basel/Mulhouse/Freiburg.

Wizz Air:

Routes from the new base:

JetBlue and Aviation Technical Services sign an agreement to install Wi-Fi connectivity on 130 Airbus A320s

JetBlue Airways (New York) has signed a contract with Aviation Technical Services (ATS) for the Washington state-based company to install super-fast next-generation Ka-band satellite Wi-Fi technology on JetBlue’s fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft.

The agreement covers up to 130 A320 aircraft at ATS’s maintenance facility in Everett, Washington. Additional Ka-band installations will be accomplished at JetBlue’s LiveTV subsidiary in Orlando. The technology was designed by LiveTV, which will be conducting training and technical support to ATS to ensure a quality installation. All Airbus A320 installations are expected to be completed by the end of 2014.

Fly-Fi, JetBlue’s brand for wireless inflight internet, will use satellite-based connectivity, while most other carriers use ground-based systems, known as Ku-band. Subsequently, JetBlue’s Fly-Fi system is expected to be significantly faster than others.

Ka-band is the next generation of high-bandwidth satellite technology, with eight times more bandwidth than Ku-band. Ka-band satellites are better suited to support high-throughput capacity that cannot be met by more congested Ku-band frequencies. Ka-band also allows smaller end-user antennas.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N566JB (msn 2042) in the Bubbles scheme arrives at Long Beach.

JetBlue Airways:

JetBlue Airways receives FAA approval for its new Airbus A320 Ka-band system, ushering in a new generation for LiveTV online services

JetBlue Airways (New York) has been granted a FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its new Airbus A320 for a new inflight connectivity and streaming entertainment system. FAA approval was needed before JetBlue could begin installing “Fly-Fi” on its its A320 fleet. In fact, aircraft N804JB on which the first system was installed, has been out of service following some test flights. JetBlue’s subsidiary, LiveTV, has issued this statement:

LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways, has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Airbus A320 aircraft from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the first-of-its-kind Ka-band system, a satellite-based inflight connectivity and streaming entertainment solution, paving the road for next generation commercial inflight broadband. LiveTV provides system design, certification, installation and turnkey support services including line maintenance to airline customers and expects to roll out this product on three additional aircraft types by the end of the year.

“This is game-changing technology, and JetBlue is honored to be the first airline to offer this great new service to our customers,” said Robin Hayes, chief commercial officer for JetBlue. “We expect to have a number of JetBlue aircraft installed with Wi-Fi by the end of this year, and will aggressively roll it out across our Airbus fleet over the next 18 months, followed by our Embraer fleet. We believe this product will redefine customer expectations with the fastest in-flight Wi-Fi in the industry. This is especially important to our customers on coast-to-coast flights, where time spent in the air can now be as productive as on the ground.”

The satellite-based Wi-Fi system has completed testing on the initial Airbus A320 aircraft for JetBlue and is currently being certified for United Airlines’ Boeing 737-900 aircraft. LiveTV has also initiated European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification for the Ka-band system for the Aer Lingus Airbus A320 fleet. In addition to superfast Wi-Fi, LiveTV offers its airline customers a customizable portal and an on-board streaming content server as part of the system.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N599JB (msn 2336) in the Barcode motif climbs away from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Video: The first JetBlue A321 with a new tail design:

JetBlue Airways:

Nepal Airlines signs a contract for two Airbus A320s with Sharklets

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has signed a firm order for two Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklet fuel saving wing tip devices, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed in April.

The A320 was chosen for its unique performance capability required for high altitude airport operations and its flexibility that enables it to be deployed on a wide variety of routes. Equipped with Sharklets to deliver unbeatable economics and up to four percent reduction in fuel burn, the aircraft will be the cornerstone of NAC’s modernized fleet.

Nepal Airlines currently flies to four international destinations and 25 spectacular domestic locations in the heart of the Himalayas. The new A320s are fully equipped with latest Required Navigation Performance (RNP) technologies, allowing the aircraft to fly precisely along predefined routes using state-of-the-art onboard navigation systems. This is particularly beneficial for operations at high altitude airports which are constrained by mountains such as the carrier’s main base in Kathmandu.

Image: Airbus.

Finnair to continue to fly to Tel Aviv year-round, rumors of a possible merger with SAS

Finnair (Helsinki) will continue to operate its new route to Tel Aviv also during the winter season. As of November 1, Finnair will continue to fly to Tel Aviv with the similar frequency as during the on-going summer season, twice a week on Mondays and Fridays, but with new timetables that better fit Finnair’s Asian and European connections.

Finnair flights arriving from Asia on Mondays will have a good connection to Tel Aviv. The connecting flight from Helsinki departs at 3.40 p.m. (1540) and arrives in Tel Aviv at 8.05 p.m.(2005) The return flight from Tel Aviv departs at 8.55 p.m. (2055) and arrives in Helsinki at 1.35 a.m. (0135) the next day.

On Fridays the flight departs from Helsinki at 6 a.m. (0600) and arrives in Tel Aviv at 10.25 a.m. (1025). The return flight from Tel Aviv is well connected to Finnair’s Asian flights in the afternoon.

The flights to Tel Aviv are operated with an Airbus A320 aircraft.

Finnair will also operate five scheduled flights a week from Helsinki to Dubai during the winter season. In addition, a charter service is provided on Tuesdays.

In other news, there are media reports of a possible merger with Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm). According to this report by Reuters, new Finnair CEO Pekka Vauramo sees both advantages and disadvantages with a possible merger. other than that, both airlines are not commenting on the reports.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Finally, Finnair has leased three Embraer ERJ 170s to AeroMexico Connect.

Top Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Finnair’s Airbus A320-214 OH-LXF (msn 1712) arrives at Amsterdam.

Finnair:

Bottom Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Finnair’s Embraer ERJ 170-100STD OH-LEL (msn 17000139) in now dressed in full AeroMexico connect colors. The airliner is pictured passing through Toronto (Pearson) on June 15 and will become XA-SAC with the Mexican carrier.

Virgin America arrives in Austin, Texas

Virgin America (San Francisco) today celebrated the launch of its new daily roundtrip service to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) from San Francisco with an onboard concert.

In keeping with Austin and the Virgin brand’s musical roots, guests onboard the inaugural flight were also treated to a live, in-flight acoustic performance onboard the Airbus A320 aircraft by the award-winning Austin-based psychedelic rock band, The Bright Light Social Hour. En route from SFO to the “live music capital of the world,” the band surprised guests and performed in the aisles on the commercial flight (see video below).

Virgin America:

Video:

China Eastern Airlines takes delivery of the first Airbus A320 with Sharklets

China Eastern Airlines (Shanghai) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklet fuel saving wing-tip devices, becoming China’s first carrier to do so. The aircraft is also the first Sharklets equipped A320 assembled and delivered in Tianjin, China.

The A320, powered by IAE V2500 engines, features a comfortable two class cabin, seating 158 passengers with eight in business class and 150 in economy. The A320 will make its first commercial flight from Shanghai to Dalian on May 18.

Sharklets are made from light-weight composites and are 2.4 meters tall. They are an option on new-build A320 Family aircraft and standard on all members of the new A320neo family. They offer operators up to four per cent fuel burn reduction on longer range sectors and provide the flexibility of either adding an additional 100 nautical miles range or increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms.

China Eastern is one of the largest airlines in China and is the first Chinese airline operating Airbus aircraft in 1985. Now it operates an Airbus fleet of over 230 aircraft including A300s, A319s, A320s, A321s, A330s and A340s.

Airbus Tianjin Delivery Centre has delivered 126 aircraft since June 2009 and it plans to deliver 46 aircraft in total in 2013.

China Eastern Airlines:

Nepal Airlines jumps to Airbus for its fleet renewal

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) (Kathmandu) has jumped from Boeing to Airbus and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to acquire two Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with the Sharklet fuel saving wing tip devices. Sharklets deliver up to four percent savings in fuel consumption making the aircraft a cornerstone of NAC’s fleet modernization.

Nepal Airlines currently operates two Boeing 757-200s for its international routes.

Image: Airbus.

Wizz Air Ukraine takes delivery of its first Airbus A320 with Sharklets

Wizz Air Ukraine (Wizz Air Ukraine Airlines) (Kiev) has taken delivery of an Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklet fuel saving wing tip devices, becoming the first Ukrainian carrier to do so. Sharklets are newly designed wing-tip devices that improve the aircraft’s aerodynamics and significantly cut the airline’s fuel burn and emissions by four per cent on longer sectors.

Sharklets are an option on new-build A320 Family aircraft, and standard on all members of the NEO Family. They offer the flexibility to A320 Family operators of either adding around 100 nautical miles more range or allowing an increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms.

Wizz Air Ukraine is the only low-fare, low-cost airline serving the Ukrainian market and will operate a fleet of 4 Airbus A320 aircraft from 5 airports in Ukraine to 19 destinations in 10 countries by summer 2013.

Top Copyright Photo: Eurospot. The pictured Airbus A320-232 with Sharklets with the temporary test marks of F-WWDS was handed over to the carrier as UR-WUC (msn 5539) on March 15.

Bottom Copyright Photo: Airbus. Another view of F-WWDS (UR-WUC).

Wizz Air (Ukraine):

Routes from Kiev: