Tag Archives: Airbus A320200

JetBlue’s pilots to use Electronic Flight Bags (iPads) in the cockpit

JetBlue Airways (New York) has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval to give all pilots custom-equipped iPads that will add more real-time capabilities in the cockpit and save fuel by eliminating the heavy paper manuals that all pilots carry.

Following a successful trial phase with approximately 60 pilots over several months, JetBlue already has begun giving all 2,500 pilots a fourth-generation 16 GB Wi-Fi capable Apple iPad. While JetBlue has been approved for a decade to use a PC-based laptop in the cockpit – called an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) – the iPads will offer new capabilities and conveniences, especially as JetBlue implements Ka-Band satellite Wi-Fi.

“We are one step closer to a paperless cockpit,” said Jeff Martin, senior vice president of operations for JetBlue. “The iPads will have real-time weather capability and the ability to update safety and flight documents securely,” Martin said. “We expect to add digital chart capability, once it is approved.” With JetBlue’s coming Ka-band satellite capability enabled by LiveTV, pilots will be able to download weather imagery in seconds, while the same download might take several minutes with other systems.

“Our pilots will have the fastest real-time images in the air,” Martin said. JetBlue’s pilots will use WSI Optima application for weather briefings, the Comply365 app for digital documents and the AeroData DFP app for aircraft performance and weight and balance calculations. The Comply365 solution will be used throughout JetBlue. JetBlue is currently evaluating digital charting providers for implementation at a later date.

“Pilots will be able to make decisions to help improve the customer experience, such as having a more robust weather briefing that can be used to update customers during the flight about what to expect en route,” Martin said. JetBlue will implement iPad use during the next three months to ensure a safe transition.

Top Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N598JB (msn 2314) with the Plaid tailfin departs runway 27R at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Jet Blue Airways:

Allegiant Air takes delivery of its first Airbus A320

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) yesterday (June 18) took delivery of its first Airbus A320 (N219NV).

In other news, Allegiant introduce twice weekly nonstop service on June 7 between Provo International Airport (PVU) and Oakland International Airport (OAK).

Copyright Photo: Greenwing/AirlinersGallery.com. Sister-ship and former Iberia A320-214 EC-HUL (msn 1347) is awaiting delivery at Dublin as N217NV.

Allegiant Air:

EasyJet commits to 135 Airbus A320 aircraft, subject to shareholder approval

EasyJet (UK) (easyJet.com) (London-Luton), subject to shareholder approval, intends to place a firm order with Airbus for 100 A320neo aircraft. These will be preceded by 35 A320ceo aircraft equipped with Sharklets. Of the 135 aircraft, 85 will be for replacement.

Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 G-EZUI (msn 4721) in the special 200th Airbus livery departs from Zurich.

EasyJet:

Air New Zealand takes delivery of the first Airbus A320 with Sharklets

Air New Zealand (Auckland) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320-200 equipped with fuel saving wing tip devices, or Sharklets, at a ceremony during the 50th Le Bourget Paris Airshow. The aircraft was handed over to the airline’s Chief Flight Operations and Safety Officer David Morgan.

Airbus launched the Sharklet during the November 2009 at the Dubai Air Show. Air New Zealand was the first customer to commit to the fuel saving devices.

Air New Zealand will take delivery of a total of 10 Sharklet equipped A320s.

Copyright Photo: Eurospot/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured Airbus A320-232 F-WWBH (msn 5629) was officially handed over to the carrier on June 15 as ZK-OXA (please click on the photo for the full-size view).

Air New Zealand:

Is AirAsia ready to give up on its ANA joint venture AirAsia Japan?

AirAsia (AirAsia.com) (Malaysia) (Kuala Lumpur) may be getting ready to quit its AirAsia Japan (Tokyo-Narita) joint venture with ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo) according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The WSJ is reporting there is management “tension” and different approaches between the two main carriers.

One report has AirAsia selling all of its stock to ANA. ANA in return will merge AirAsia Japan with Peach Aviation. However this has not been confirmed by any of the parties which are reportedly exploring their options. Can the marriage between a fast-growing low fare airline and a mainline legacy flag carrier be saved?

AirAsia Japan commenced operations on August 1, 2012.

Read the full story from the Malaysian Insider: CLICK HERE

The CEO of AirAsia Japan issued this statement on June 11:

In regards to the recent media announcements on the dissolution of AirAsia Japan Co., Ltd., a joint venture between ANA Holdings Inc. and AirAsia Berhad; please be informed that our shareholders are still exploring all available options and any decision will be further subject to respective corporate approvals.

Rest assured that with the strong support from our major shareholder, ANA Holdings Inc., AirAsia Japan will continue to operate flights as usual.

As a Japan-based Low Cost Carrier (LCC), our goal is to make your dreams of travel a reality.
Your support is truly appreciated.

See you in the clouds!

Yours sincerely,

Yoshinori Odagiri
CEO, AirAsia Japan

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. The only way to tell it is AirAsia Japan is the small “Japan” inscription by the nose and the JA Japanese aircraft registration. Airbus A320-216 JA03AJ (msn 5325) climbs away from the Tokyo (Narita) base.

Current Route Map:

AirAsia Japan:

Spirit Airlines launches new routes from Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston Bush Intercontinental

Spirit Airlines (Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood) has launched these new routes:

Thursday, June 13, 2013: four weekly nonstop seasonal service between Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Los Cabos, Mexico (SJD) with flights on Tuesday, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Thursday, June 13, 2013: daily nonstop service between Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and Denver (DEN).
Thursday, June 13, 2013: daily nonstop service between Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and Detroit (DTW).
Thursday, June 13, 2013: resumption of daily nonstop seasonal service between Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Toluca/Mexico City (TLC).
Friday, June 14, 2013: three weekly nonstop flights between Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Latrobe/Pittsburgh (LBE) with service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

DALLAS/FORT WORTH

Just two years after starting service at DFW, Spirit has grown to offer nonstop service to 26 destinations from the Metroplex, including Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, Boston, Cancun (Mexico), Chicago-O’Hare, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Fort Myers, Houston-Bush Intercontinental, Las Vegas, Latrobe/Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Los Cabos (Mexico), Minneapolis/St. Paul, Myrtle Beach, New Orleans, New York-LaGuardia, Oakland/San Francisco, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix/Mesa, Portland (Oregon), San Diego, Tampa, Toluca/Mexico City.

HOUSTON

Spirit offers nonstop service from Houston Bush Intercontinental to Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Orlando, as well as a variety of connections throughout the Americas.

DENVER

Spirit offers nonstop service from Denver to Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Houston, Las Vegas, Phoenix/Mesa (seasonal) and Minneapolis/St. Paul (seasonal), as well as a variety of connections throughout the Americas.

DETROIT

Spirit offers nonstop service from Detroit to Atlantic City, Cancun, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Myrtle Beach, New York and Orlando, as well as a variety of connections throughout the Americas.

LATROBE/PITTSBURGH

Spirit offers nonstop service from Latrobe/Pittsburgh to Dallas/Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Myrtle Beach and Orlando. As an excellent alternative to Pittsburgh International Airport, Latrobe’s Arnold Palmer Regional Airport is conveniently located along Routes 30 and 981 in Western Pennsylvania.

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N615NK (msn 5159) prepares to land at Baltimore/Washington (please click on the photo for the full size view).

Spirit Airlines:

Video: ABC 15 asks is Spirit Airlines that cheap?

CBS examines the ultra low fare strategy of Spirit Airlines and interviews CEO Ben Baldanza: CLICK HERE

The Expanding Route Map:

Sky Airline of Chile to expand to Brazil in 2014

Sky Airline (Santiago) on June 7 received new authorization from the Brazilian aviation authorities for new route authority rights to operate between Chile and Brazil. The airline will start Brazilian flights in 2014.

Meanwhile the airline continues to convert its Boeing 737-200 fleet to more modern Airbus A319s and A320s. The company during May scrapped two more Boeing 737-200s (CC-CTI and CC-CTX).

Top Copyright Photo: Alvaro Romero/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 CC-ABV (msn 1400) arrives at the Santiago hub (please click on the photo for the full size view). All others by Sky Airline.

Sky Airline:

Route Map:

Air New Zealand further clarifies its new black livery

Air New Zealand (Auckland) has issued this statement its new partnership with Tourism New Zealand:

Air New Zealand has unveiled its new aircraft livery which features the iconic official New Zealand Fern Mark, the use of which is managed by Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

Under the MOU, Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand will each invest more than $10 million over the next 12 months in co-operative marketing activity in the key markets of Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, North America, the United Kingdom and Europe as well as increased activity in emerging markets such as India and Indonesia.

Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand have a strong track record of working together to market New Zealand as a destination. Recent collaboration includes high profile leverage activity to market New Zealand in association with The Hobbit trilogy; joint advertising campaigns in Australia, Japan, China, North America and Europe, hosting over 180 international media to New Zealand and activity to educate the trade on New Zealand including a recent familiarisation for 140 travel agents from North America, the United Kingdom and Europe.

Over the next 12 months, the organizations will continue to jointly promote New Zealand to travellers through advertising, PR activity, working closely with trade partners and on campaigns that actively target business events.

In the coming year, Air New Zealand will also introduce its new aircraft livery which features the iconic New Zealand Fern Mark.

“We are delighted to reveal our new aircraft livery which would not have been possible without the support of Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. The new-look livery is distinctive and iconic and we believe will inspire a sense of pride in New Zealanders,” says Mr Luxon.

The livery design process involved extensive consumer testing including focus groups both in New Zealand and offshore. A clear preference was established for the New Zealand Way Fern Mark to be incorporated into the design with 78 per cent of those surveyed believing it fits with the Air New Zealand brand and represented New Zealand.

The new livery will be progressively rolled out across the Air New Zealand fleet from later this year. The majority of the airline’s fleet will eventually feature the white version of the new livery and a limited number will feature the distinctive black version of the new design (see new Boeing 787-9s designs below).

Air NZ black livery. Air NZ white livery.

Poll: Do you like the new two-version “Black Fern” livery?

Top Copyright Photo: Colin Hunter/AirlinersGallery.com (all others by Air New Zealand). The new fern livery reminds us of the special All Blacks-Crazy About Rugby livery worn by this Airbus A320. A320-232 OAB (msn 4553) arrives back at Auckland.

Air New Zealand:

Air New Zealand increases its share of Virgin Australia to 22.99%, goes with the “black” look

Air New Zealand (Auckland) has entered into an agreement to acquire a further three percent of the shares of Virgin Australia Airlines (Brisbane), taking its interest to 22.99 percent.

The company issued this statement:

The agreement is subject to customary Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) conditions and Air New Zealand has filed the required Substantial Shareholder Notice.

Air New Zealand will consider acquiring up to a further 3% of the shares in Virgin Australia, to the extent it is permitted to do so under the Australian Corporations Act, and has made an application to FIRB on that basis.

As part of its usual process, FIRB seeks the views of the ACCC on any competition related issues. The ACCC has advised Air New Zealand that it intends to conduct public enquiries to enable it to form a view in relation to these potential shareholdings.

The additional interest affirms Air New Zealand’s strong belief and confidence in Virgin Australia and the strategy it is pursuing under the leadership of John Borghetti and his team.

Air New Zealand is not seeking a position on the Board of Virgin Australia nor does it have the intention of obtaining control of Virgin Australia.

Top Copyright Photo: Colin Hunter/AirlinersGallery.com (all others by Air New Zealand). As planned, Air New Zealand is going to this very simplistic black and white “color scheme”. The airline is now promoting its new look. The first Airbus A320 to be repainted is the pictured A320-232 ZK-OJQ (msn 4584) pictured departing from the Auckland hub. In the past ANZ has had very colorful liveries (please click on the Slide Show below for a history of ANZ color schemes).

Air New Zealand:

Virgin Australia:

Video: An unusual Airbus A320 Safety Video:

Delta to drop Memphis as a hub this fall, will cut 230 jobs

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) is planning to de-hub the money-losing Memphis hub this fall. Delta reached a high 0f 240 flights a day in June 2009. MEM is a former hub of Northwest Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul).

Memphis will be looking for other airlines to fill the vacant routes.

Read the full report from The Washington Post: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen/AirlinersGallery.com. Delta is concentrating on its largest and most profitable hubs like New York (JFK). Airbus A320-212 N376NW (msn 1812) prepares to depart the runway at JFK.

Delta Air Lines:

MEM Airport Map (Memphis International Airport):