Tag Archives: Airbus A330-243

Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines seek antitrust immunized joint venture

Hawaiian Airlines and Japan Airlines have filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) seeking immunity from antitrust laws to create a joint venture (JV) that promises significant advantages for consumers.

If approved, this will be Hawaiian’s first JV, and the first JV in the United States that does not involve one of the three largest U.S. carriers.

The antitrust immunized joint venture (ATI-JV) will build upon the codeshare partnership that the two carriers initiated in March, allowing them to coordinate marketing and sales efforts and share costs and revenue on their joint venture routes. In their application, Hawaiian and JAL demonstrate that the resulting efficiency will create a cascade of consumer benefits including lower fares, increased capacity and enhanced consumer choice.

Hawaiian and JAL estimate that the JV will bring an additional 162,000 to 350,000 passengers to Hawai’i and contribute between $184.5 million and $402.3 million to the U.S. economy annually, while generating between 1,855 to 4,049 U.S. jobs.

“We have long admired JAL’s excellent service, which corresponds well with the authentic Hawaiian hospitality we offer,” said Peter Ingram, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines. “This joint venture will combine two premier brands in the highly competitive Japan–Hawaii market, and travelers from both of our countries will benefit.”

“Through our new partnership with Hawaiian Airlines, we hope to boost travel of not only Japanese visitors to and through the beautiful Hawaiian Islands, but also that of Hawaii residents seeking to travel to and beyond Japan to Asian countries on our seamless networks,” said Yuji Akasaka, president of Japan Airlines.

If approved, the ATI-JV would facilitate Hawaiian Airlines’ enhanced access to 34 destinations throughout Japan, including Nagoya and Okinawa, as well as 11 points in Asia beyond Japan. Japan Airlines, in turn, will have improved access to Hawaiian’s Neighbor Island network as well as its non-stop flights to Honolulu from Haneda and Sapporo.

Top Copyright Photo: Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330-243 N361HA (msn 1823) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 940251.

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft slide show:

JAL aircraft slide show:

Bottom Copyright Photo: JAL-Japan Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner JA872J (msn 35428) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 941936.

Air China launches a new Chengdu – London route

Air China Ltd. launched a new, nonstop service between Chengdu and London on July 3, 2018. The nonstop route will carry Air China passengers from China’s “Land of Abundance” to the beautiful banks of the river Thames.

In recent years, Air China has been expanding its international and domestic route networks, centered around its main hub in Beijing, and supported by its three regional bases in Chengdu, Shanghai and Shenzhen. As part of this effort, Air China has recently launched international routes between Chengdu and Frankfurt, Paris, Sydney and Bangkok. Given its geographical advantage, this year Air China will continue to develop Chengdu as a hub and expand its route coverage there, stepping up passenger throughput to European destinations.

Currently, Air China operates 82 routes out of Chengdu. These include 14 international/regional routes to destinations such as Frankfurt, Paris, Sydney, Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore, Rangoon, Kathmandu, Colombo, Hong Kong and Taipei, covering the continents of Asia, Europe and Oceania. As a member of the Star Alliance network, Air China also offers convenient routes to 1,330 airports in 192 countries.

Flight information:

The Chengdu – London route is operated under flight numbers CA423/4 on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays every week. Outbound flights depart from Chengdu at 15:45 and arrive in London at 20:00; return flights depart from London at 22:00 and arrive in Chengdu at 15:40 the following day (all times are local). The new route is operated by Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Business Class travellers enjoy lie-flat seats, while all booking classes enjoy personal in-flight entertainment, ensuring passengers can stretch out and travel in comfort.

Air China aircraft slide show:

Etihad Airways to launch new service to Barcelona

Etihad Airways has announced the introduction of a new scheduled service linking Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, and Barcelona, Spain, effective November 21, 2018. The route will initially be operated five times a week by a two-class Airbus A330-200 before becoming a daily operation from March 31, 2019.

Barcelona will become the second city in Spain served by Etihad Airways, complementing the airline’s existing daily service to the capital Madrid.

The new service is being launched in time for the start of the 2018 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Middle East’s largest sporting event, held from November 23-25 at the capital’s 5.55 kilometre Yas Marina Circuit.

Etihad Airways operates an extensive codeshare partnership with Air Europa (UX), on the Spanish airline’s scheduled services from Madrid to Barcelona and 18 other major European cities.

Flight schedule: Abu Dhabi – Barcelona, effective November 21, 2018:

Flight No.	Origin	Departs	Dest.	Arrives	Freq	Aircraft
EY 49	Abu Dhabi	2:20	Barcelona	06:45	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun	Airbus A330-200
EY 50	Barcelona	09:50	Abu Dhabi	20:00	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun	Airbus A330-200

Note: All departures and arrivals are listed in local time.

Etihad Airways aircraft slide show:

Introducing oneworld connect – a new way for airlines to link to the world’s premier alliance – Fiji Airways to be first oneworld connect partner

Oneworld® has launched a new platform for linking up to the world’s premier airline alliance – enabling customers to enjoy more services and benefits across an even more extensive global network.

The first airline to join in the new capacity as a oneworld connect partner will be Fiji Airways.

A date will be announced in due course for when Fiji Airways will start offering oneworld connect services and benefits (see below).

oneworld connect is the first new membership platform unveiled by oneworld since the alliance was originally announced 20 years ago.

Introducing oneworld connect – a new way for airlines to link to the world’s premier alliance (PRNewsfoto/Fiji Airways)

oneworld is in discussion with other carriers interested in participating in the program, from various parts of the world including the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe.

Each oneworld connect partner will need to have a minimum of three oneworld members as its sponsors to be initiated into the program. The initial oneworld sponsors of Fiji Airways will be all four of oneworld’s original founding members – American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas. The Australian carrier will additionally mentor Fiji Airways through its oneworld connect implementation process.

American Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Qantas already code-share and have frequent flyer links with Fiji Airways. British Airways and Fiji Airways are currently discussing areas for potential bilateral cooperation.

What oneworld connect means for customers

oneworld connect partners will provide select alliance benefits to frequent flyers from any oneworld member airline travelling on their flights, with a more extensive range of benefits offered with their oneworld sponsors.

Customers with Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby status in any oneworld member airline’s frequent flyer program will be able to use priority check-in desks, where available. Also, customers with Emerald or Sapphire status will be offered priority boarding.

The additional benefits offered by oneworld connect partners to customers from their oneworld sponsors and vice versa include:

Through check-in of passengers and their baggage for journeys including connections between a connect carrier and any of its oneworld sponsors.
The ability to earn and redeem frequent flyer rewards, and earn frequent flyer status points, for eligible flights. (For customers from oneworld connectairlines, these benefits depend on the oneworld connect partner offering a frequent flyer programme.)
Access to select lounges at key airports for First or Business Class passengers or those with eligible top-tier frequent flyer status.

Select other customer benefits may also be offered between oneworld connectpartners and their oneworld sponsor airlines.

All oneworld connect partners will make their networks available via Global Explorer, the round-the-world fare offered by all oneworld members and select other airlines. Fiji Airways already does so.

All oneworld connect partners will be required to maintain IATA IOSA safety certification.

oneworld’s regular range of services and benefits remain in place for customers flying with the alliance’s full member airlines and their affiliates.

CEOs explain oneworld connect’s strategic rationale

oneworld Governing Board Chairman Pekka Vauramo, CEO of Finnair, said: “In the 20 years since oneworld’s conception in 1998, global airline alliances have expanded their breadth to the extent that they now account for 60 per cent of total industry revenues and capacity globally, and 70 per cent of revenues between the world’s top 125 business city airports.

“With most of the world’s biggest airlines already signed up, global airline alliances have reached maturity, In the future, oneworld will target as full members large airlines that have a significant presence in the alliance’s prime target market, providing connections between the world’s leading business centres. Meantime, oneworld connect enables us to bring together more airlines to complement the alliance’s global leaders, so customers can earn rewards and feel recognised while travelling even further.”

oneworld CEO Rob Gurney added: “oneworld’s current network of more than 1,000 destinations in 150 plus territories offers far-reaching global coverage, but there are still some regions where we would like to strengthen our presence further. With fewer potential new candidates available to recruit based on our established membership criteria, oneworld connect enables us to link up with other airlines whose networks are relevant to a subset of our members, who cannot meet oneworld’s full membership requirements at this stage or who are not interested in full membership at present.

“This enables us and them to offer our customers more services and benefits across an even wider network and strengthen our relationship going forward, with a streamlined and rapid path to full membership later on where it makes sense for all parties.”

Fiji Airways CEO Andre Viljoen stated: “Fiji Airways is thrilled and honoured to be the first oneworld connect partner globally. We are delighted to link Fiji, and the South Pacific to the world’s premier airline alliance and further deepen our relationships in particular with Qantas, American Airlines, British Airways and Cathay Pacific. This important step for our airline enables us to offer more services and benefits to our own customers along with the others in the oneworld family, to achieve a greater presence for our airline internationally and to build on the in-bound tourism that is so vital to our home nation and our region.”

QANTAS Group CEO Alan Joyce said: “As a oneworld founding member, it is great to see the alliance evolve to bring additional benefits to more customers and expand its joint network. We’ve worked closely with Fiji Airways for many years and are pleased to serve as its mentor as it comes on board as the first oneworld connectpartner.”

American Airlines Chairman and CEO Doug Parker added: “As another oneworld founding member, American Airlines is excited to be playing our part in this latest key development for what has become the world’s premier airline alliance, now making access to the South Pacific more attractive than ever.”

British Airways Chairman and CEO Alex Cruz stated: “British Airways looks forward to developing links with Fiji Airways as a oneworld connect partner and sponsor, for the benefit of both our airlines, our customers and the wider oneworld community.”

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer Rupert Hogg concluded: “Cathay Pacific was proud to play our part in founding oneworld 20 years ago and establishing it as the leading quality alliance – and we are proud today to be playing our part again in getting this exciting new membership platform oneworld connect off the ground, as a sponsor of our long-term code-share partner Fiji Airways.”

Copyright Photo: Fiji Airways (2nd) Airbus A330-243 DQ-FJV (msn 1465) (COP23 Fiji – UN Climate Change Conference) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 942224.

Fiji Airways aircraft slide show:

Air China to launch new Beijing-Hanoi service

Air China will launch a new service between Beijing and Hanoi on June 1, 2018.

In recent years, Air China has opened routes between Beijing and Ho Chi Minh, Hangzhou and Nha Trang, and Chongqing and Nha Trang.

Flight information:

The new route between Beijing and Hanoi will be operated under flight numbers CA741/742 four times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Outbound flights will depart from Beijing at 01:25 and arrive in Hanoi at 04:15; inbound flights will depart from Hanoi at 05:45 and arrive in Beijing at 10:25 (all times are local).

Air China aircraft slide show:

Air Transat details its winter schedule

Air Transat has unveiled its flight program for winter 2018–2019, offering travellers a choice of 34 Sun destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America as well as Florida, along with an even more diversified selection of European cities, which are increasingly appreciated by Canadians during the winter season.

Air Transat, the leading leisure carrier in Canada, is also pleased to announce the return of flights from Toronto and Montreal to Saint-Martin/St-Maarten and San Juan, Puerto Rico, both of which are embarkation ports for Transat’s all-in-one cruise packages.

Winter 2018–2019 also marks the start of a transitional period for Air Transat’s operations, namely the fleet upgrades, which will see the company introduce gradually this winter the shorter-range Airbus A321s, and then later, in May 2019, the newer A321neo LR.

Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Florida remain Canadians’ top picks

Extra flights to Cancún, Mexico, will be added, departing from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Hamilton, Montreal and Quebec City. Vancouver residents will enjoy daily connections to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and more flights to the Pacific resort destination will be available to holidayers in and around Edmonton. The Dominican Republic is also prominent in the program, with flights added out of Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax to Punta Cana, whose magnificent white sand beaches need no introduction. With the beaches of Floridaenjoying a resurgence in popularity, Air Transat is boosting its direct flights to Fort Lauderdale from Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax, as well as to Tampa out of Toronto.
From major Canadian cities, a total of 29 weekly flights will be offered to Florida. Note also that Transat offers several all-in-one cruise package itineraries sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Miami.

In recent years, Costa Rica has emerged as an increasingly popular tourism destination, with its unbeatable blend of off-the-beaten-path natural wonders and relaxing beaches. Air Transat has responded to demand by adding more direct flights from Toronto to San José and Liberia.

The carrier is also pleased to announce that it is boosting its number of direct flights from Montreal to Cartageña, Colombia, and Fort-de-France, Martinique.

Europe year-round with Air Transat

For growing numbers of Canadians, a winter escape is now synonymous with Portugal or Spain. Accordingly, Air Transat is increasing capacity on its Lisbon and Porto routes out of both Toronto and Montreal, as well as to Málaga, Spain out of Montreal—and, thanks to Faro connection, also puts the Algarve region of Portugal within easy reach.

Air Transat also remains dedicated to offering Canadians year-round travel to Europe, with its popular daily direct flights from Montreal to Paris, France, and from Toronto to London in the UK, as well as frequent flights to Manchester and Glasgow.

Even more domestic and connecting flights

This winter, Air Transat is enriching its program of domestic flights, connecting many of Canada’s largest cities and opening up a wider choice of Sun and transatlantic destinations to travellers in those markets.

The carrier is strongly developing its offer in Western Canada’s largest cities (Vancouver, Calgaryand Edmonton) to Toronto and Montreal, which significantly increases the number of South and Europe destinations available as well as the number of flights departing Western Canada. There will also be more flights between Montreal and Toronto, providing more flexibility to passengers looking to travel to a larger number of European destinations.

Air Transit aircraft slide show:

Tianjin Airlines launches its London Heathrow – Xi’an flight

Tianjin Airlines launched a new nonstop flight from London (Heathrow) to Xi’an on Monday, May 7, 2018, connecting the UK capital to the eastern departure point of the ancient Silk Road for the first time. Xi’an is the capital city of Shaanxi province.

The Airbus A330-200 aircraft, departs at 3:15 pm from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport and will arrive at London Heathrow Airport after a 14-hour journey.

Flight GS7987 offers a twice-a-week service on every Monday and Friday, carrying up to 260 passengers.

The service is the airline’s second Britain–China air route after Tianjin–Chongqing–London flight that started in June 2017, linking Beijing’s neighboring megacity Tianjin and Chongqing to Britain.

The airline connects Xi’an to more than 40 cities and operates over 200 flights per week with 15 aircrafts. Tianjin Airlines is the 4th largest airline by market share in Xi’an. Connecting Europe and Asia is only part of the airline’s global expansion plan. It also launched a cross-hemisphere service from Xi’an to New Zealand in December 2017. Flights to America are also planned.

Tianjin Airlines will celebrate its 9th anniversary on June 8.

Tianjin Airlines aircraft slide show:

United Airlines increases its economic stake in Azul to 8.0%

Azul S.A. issued this statement:

Today (April 27, 2018), Azul is announcing that current shareholder United Airlines has just concluded a private preferred share transaction with Hainan Airlines. The transaction increased United’s economic stake in Azul from 3.7% to 8.0%.

Azul and United today connect via their gateways in Sao Paulo – Guarulhos (GRU), Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Florida (FLL) and Orlando, Florida (MCO).

In Brazil connecting customers have access to the largest domestic network in the country, serving more than 100 cities.

Copyright Photo: Azul Brasil (Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras) Airbus A330-243 PR-AIV (msn 532) (Brazilian flag livery) FLL (Brian McDonough). Image: 940993.

Azul aircraft slide show:

Hawaiian Holdings reports 2018 first quarter financial results

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2018.

First Quarter 2018 – Key Financial Metrics
	GAAP	YoY Change	Adjusted	YoY Change
Net Income	$28.5M	($5.1M)	$55.8M	+$3.1M
Diluted EPS	$0.56	($0.06)	$1.09	+$0.11
Pre-tax Margin	5.6%	(2) pts	11.0%	(1.6) pts

“2018 is off to a great start,” said Peter Ingram, Hawaiian Airlines president and CEO. “Despite an uptick in competitive capacity in the first quarter, we generated more revenue and carried more guests than any first quarter in our history. No one should be surprised that Hawaiian rose to the challenge. My colleagues on the ground and in the air are without peer – delivering operational excellence coupled with authentic Hawaiian hospitality. Our outstanding first quarter results would not have been possible without the passion and excellence they bring to this airline. It is an honor to serve with them.”

“We are excited for the year ahead, and look forward to continuing to demonstrate that Hawaiian is now, and will remain, the carrier of choice to Hawai’i.”

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

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 12 cents per share to be paid on May 25, 2018, to all shareholders of record as of May 11, 2018.

The Company repurchased approximately 549,000 shares of its common stock for approximately $20 million in the first quarter, which leaves approximately $80 million remaining under its share repurchase program.

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had:

Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $524 million
Outstanding debt and capital lease obligations of $558 million

First Quarter 2018 Highlights

Leadership and People

Effective March 1, 2018, welcomed Peter Ingram as its new president and chief executive officer (CEO) following the retirement of former president and CEO Mark Dunkerley.
Strengthened its senior leadership team with the promotions of John Jacobito Senior Vice President, Information Technology; Jim Landers to Senior Vice President, Technical Operations; and Brent Overbeek to Senior Vice President, Revenue Management and Network Planning.
Celebrated record-setting results in 2017 by rewarding its more than 6,700 employees with $23.8 million in profit sharing, the largest annual payment in Hawaiian’s history.

Operational

Carried nearly 2.9 million guests across its network, a record for the first quarter.

Partnerships

Deepened its reach into Japan by commencing code-share operations with Japan Airlines (JAL) under a new comprehensive partnership between the two airlines.

New Routes

Expanded its routes to the Pacific Northwest with the launch of new daily non-stop service between Portland International Airport (PDX) and Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG).
Expanded its routes to Southern California with the announcement of new daily nonstop flights between Long Beach Airport (LGB) and Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) beginning in May 2018.

Fleet and Financing

Selected its wide-body aircraft of the future by executing a non-binding letter of intent with Boeing for the purchase of 10 new 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft (above) for delivery starting 2021, with purchase rights for an additional 10 aircraft.

Top Copyright Photo: Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330-243 N361HA (msn 1823) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 940253.

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft slide show:

Etihad Airways and EgyptAir expand their codeshare partnership

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, and Egyptian national airline EgyptAir, have announced a significant expansion of their successful codeshare partnership, widening their horizons to cover more destinations in Africa, North Asia and Australia for the benefit and convenience of their customers. Sales on the expanded agreement will come into effect from today, for travel from May 2, 2018.

The initial phase of the agreement was launched in March 2017 and saw both Etihad Airways and EgyptAir place their codes on each other’s flights operating between Abu Dhabi and Cairo. The second phase of expansion of the current codeshare partnership will see Etihad Airways place its ‘EY’ code on EgyptAir flights to a number of African destinations including Ndjamena in Chad, Nairobi in Kenya, Khartoum in Sudan, Entebbe in Uganda, Johannesburg in South Africa, and subject to government approvals, on flights to Nigeria, Eritrea and Tanzania, through the Star Alliance carrier’s Cairo hub.

The expanded partnership will also see EgyptAir place its ‘MS’ code on Etihad Airways flights from Abu Dhabi to Seoul, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, and subject to government approvals, on flights to China.

Etihad Airways has been serving the Abu Dhabi – Cairo route since 2004, and currently operates five daily flights between the two capitals. EGYPTAIR operates up to three daily services on the route.

Top Copyright Photo: Etihad Airways Airbus A330-243 A6-EYH (msn 729) BRU (Ton Jochems). Image: 941607.

Etihad Airways aircraft slide show: