Tag Archives: Airbus A330

Air Canada and the flight attendant union reach a tentative agreement

Air Canada (Montreal) has issued this statement:

Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have announced they have reached a new agreement, subject to ratification, on collective agreement terms for ten years for the approximately 6,500 flight attendants at Air Canada and 700 at Air Canada rouge.

“This new, ten-year agreement with CUPE is an important development which will support long term profitable growth for the benefit of Air Canada, our stakeholders and our flight attendants at both mainline and Air Canada rouge,” said Benjamin Smith , President, Passenger Airlines, Air Canada. “This is a win-win agreement that will provide added stability and flexibility while acknowledging the important contribution of our flight attendants towards Air Canada’s future success. As the fifth collective agreement reached with unions representing our employees over the past year, it is further indication of the collaborative partnership that is building Air Canada into a Global Champion.”

“We are pleased that the company has agreed to many key improvements to our current collective agreement, including much-needed provisions on job security amongst other important gains. Following many months of hard work at the bargaining table, the eight members of our bargaining committee are unanimous in their joint endorsement of this tentative agreement. We look forward to a sustained period of growth at Air Canada. Our company’s global expansion in the months and years ahead will be mutually beneficial, and will have a tremendously positive impact on our membership,” said Michel Cournoyer , President, CUPE Airline Division.

The agreement is subject to ratification by CUPE’s membership as well as to certain openers over the 10 year period. Details of the agreement will not be released pending ratification by CUPE and approval by the Air Canada Board of Directors.

The union will recommend ratification to its members and the Company will seek the Air Canada Board of Directors’ approval for the agreement promptly.

This agreement with CUPE, subject to ratification, follows on the conclusion in October 2014 of a new agreement with Air Canada’s 3,000 pilots on collective agreement terms for ten years. It is the fifth collective agreement reached by Air Canada and its unions, including those with Unifor representing the airline’s 4,000 Customer Service and Sales Agents in Canada , the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) representing its U.S. unionized workforce and UNITE representing its U.K unionized workforce.

Copyright Photo: Chris Sands/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-343 C-GHKW (msn 408) is seen in action at a snowy Calgary.

Air Canada aircraft slide show:

Eurowings’ Airbus A330-203 D-AXGA arrives in Palma de Mallorca without its left engine panel

Eurowings (Dusseldorf) first Airbus A330-203 D-AXGA (msn 530), operated on behalf of Germanwings (2nd) (Cologne/Bonn) and performing flight 4U592 from Cologne/Bonn (Germany) to Palma de Mallorca (Spain) with 169 passengers and 13 crew, departed Cologne’s runway 14L when the engine access doors of the left hand engine (CF6) opened, separated and came to rest in the first third of the runway. The crew continued the flight and in absence of abnormal indications landed in Palma Mallorca without further incident about 2 hours later.

The airline confirmed that parts of the engine cowling separated, there were no abnormal indications, the crew received information when the aircraft was over southern France and continued the flight to Palma Mallorca. Lufthansa Technik as well as Germany’s BFU are investigating as to why the parts separated.

Germany’s BFU confirmed they were informed about the separation of parts of the cowling of the left hand engine and are currently undertaking a technical examination in coordination with Spain’s CIAIAC.

The Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS), Germany’s ATC provider, reported that tower did not observe parts separating from the engine, the parts were later reported by another crew, collected in a runway inspection and identified, which took about 45 minutes. The crew was informed about the parts of engine cowling having been found when the aircraft was over southern France about one hour after departure.

Assistant Editor Javier Rodriguez reporting from Palma de Mallorca.

Hawaiian announces a cabin redesign of its Airbus A330 fleet with lie-flat seating, reports 3Q adjusted net income of $78.4 million

Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu) has announced it plans to introduce new luxury design elements and enhanced service options in its Airbus A330 premium cabins, including the addition of 180-degree lie-flat seats. The airline has developed its new seats in partnership with Optimares, an Italian manufacturer focused on traveler-centric design.

The airline continued:

The 180-degree seats will use an innovative seat platform to fold into 76-inch beds, maximizing living space for travelers while providing options for both privacy and a shared flight experience. They will also feature an advanced in-flight entertainment experience powered by the next generation of large-format tablets and equipped with a telescoping tablet arm that adjusts to optimize viewing angle and comfort.

Hawaiian Airlines Announces Premium Cabin Redesign of its Airbus A330 Fleet with Lie-Flat Seating (PRNewsFoto/Hawaiian Airlines)

Hawaiian worked with West Coast-based brand and design consultancy PaulWylde to translate the airline’s signature design language, rooted in the natural colors and forms of the island landscape, into the cabin experience. The cabin design will incorporate flowing curves evocative of the winds and ocean, while marrying organic textures, pops of bright saturated color, and luxury materials like leather from Poltrona Frau.

Hawaiian, PaulWylde and Optimares collaborated intensively to ensure the seat and cabins are uniquely tailored to the needs of the Hawaii traveler. The seats will be installed in a 2-2-2 configuration ideally suited for couples and families traveling to the beautiful Hawaiian Islands.

The first newly outfitted aircraft is expected to enter Hawaiian’s long-haul network in the second quarter of 2016. The airline will begin installing lie-flat seats in the remaining 22 A330 aircraft in September of 2016 through 2017.

As part of the cabin redesign, Hawaiian also announced it will add 28 additional Extra Comfort seats on each A330 aircraft in response to growing demand for its popular premium economy service. The Extra Comfort option features 36 inches of seat pitch; priority boarding at the gate; complimentary on-demand in-seat entertainment; and a personal power outlet.

Today, Hawaiian’s wide-body, twin-aisle Airbus 330-200 aircraft seat 294 passengers, with 18 in Business/First Class, 40 in Extra Comfort and 236 in the Main Cabin. In the new configuration, the aircraft will seat 278 passengers, with 18 in Business/First Class, 68 in Extra Comfort and 192 in the Main Cabin. Seat pitch in the Main Cabin will remain a roomy 31 inches.

Hawaiian operates its A330 aircraft on the majority of its North American and international routes. Amenities include personal on-demand entertainment system, comfortable legroom, and a roomy interior.

On the financial side, Hawaiian reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2015:

GAAP net income of $70.0 million or $1.15 per diluted share.
Adjusted net income of $78.4 million or $1.29 per diluted share, an increase of $28.9 million or $0.50 cents per diluted share year-over-year.
Adjusted pre-tax margin of 20.0% compared to 12.6% in the prior year period.
Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $611 million.
Achieved leverage target at 3.1x.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-243 N375HA (msn 1606) carries special Oakland Raiders logo at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft slide show:

Air China to start Beijing – Kuala Lumpur flights, will also fly to Pakistan

Air China (Beijing) will start Beijing-Kuala Lumpur nonstop service on October 25, 2015.

The flights, CA871/872, are operated four times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 16:45 Beijing time and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 23:00 local time. The return flight departs from Kuala Lumpur at 00:20 and arrives in Beijing at 06:45. The flights are to be operated with Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

Air China will follow the launch of Beijing-Kuala Lumpur service with the introduction of Beijing-Mumbai, Beijing-Colombo and Beijing- Islamabad-Karachi routes. These new routes to be started will bring the number of destinations in the Asia Pacific region that the carrier serves up to 19.

In other news, Air China will start Beijing-Islamabad-Karachi service on October 26, 2015. The service will make Air China the first Chinese domestic carrier offering an air link between Beijing and Pakistan.

The flights, CA945/6, are operated 3 times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 18:30 Beijing time and arrives in Islamabad at 21:30 local time and in Karachi at 00:50 local time the following day. The return flight departs from Karachi at 02:20 local time and arrives in Beijing at 11:35. The flights are to be operated with Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Eurospot/AirlinersGallery.com. The first 242-ton Airbus A330-343 F-WWYC (msn 1658) for Air China became B-5977 when it was handed over on September 29, 2015. The airliner carries a special “50th A330 for Air China” emblem.

Air China aircraft slide show:

Eurowings operates the first Airbus A330-200 revenue flight

Eurowings (Dusseldorf) made its Airbus A330-200 commercial debut on October 14, 2015, initially operating service for Germanwings (2nd) (Cologne/Bonn). The new type entered service operating a flight from Cologne/Bonn to Palma de Mallorca as flight GWI588. The airline will also operate a flight from Hamburg to Palma de Mallorca from October 19. Services from both German cities to Palma will end on October 31.

On November 2, Eurowings will launch intercontinental Airbus A330 service to Veradero, Cuba, followed by the Caribbean destinations of Puerto Plata and Punta Cana. In addition, the airline will offer nonstop service to Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, as well as Dubai.

The airline have two A330s which are wet leased from the Lufthansa-Turkish Airlines joint venture SunExpress. The Eurowings A330s are formerly EVA Air aircraft. The new Eurowings Europe GmbH was launched in Vienna on August 10, 2015.

The Eurowings A330s have 21 premium seats and 289 in economy, including a 46-seat economy “More Comfort” zone. This 310 seat configuration is a major change compared to Lufthansa’s three-class A330s which have 217-221 seats.

Assistant Editor Javier Rodriguez reporting from Palma de Mallorca.

Copyright Photo: Javier Rodriguez/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-203 D-AXGA (msn 530) D-AXGA it pictured on its final approach runway 06L at Palma de Mallorca with the nice autumn light.

Eurowings aircraft slide show:

Finnair extends the Miami route to the summer season, adds frequencies to Chicago for summer 2016

Finnair (Helsinki) has announced, starting in April 2016, it will extend its Miami service to be year-round, and will operate to Miami with three weekly frequencies in summer 2016.

“The Miami route has proven to be popular both for our Northern European customers as well as for Miami based customers, for whom we offer excellent connections to Scandinavia via Helsinki. The new schedule will also enable excellent connections from Miami to our Asian destinations. Our oneworld partner, American Airlines, has a large hub in Miami, which enables good connections further to the Caribbean, Central and South America.”

Finnair also adds frequencies to its Chicago service, increasing the weekly flights from three in summer 2015 to five in summer 2016. This will further improve connectivity beyond Chicago to American Airlines’ extensive network in the Americas. This five-weekly service connects well also to Finnair’s Asian network beyond Helsinki.

Both destinations are served with Finnair Airbus A330 aircraft. The flights to Miami International Airport are operated on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays, and the flights to Chicago O’Hare are operated from Helsinki on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Finnair’s Chicago and Miami services are included in the joint business on transatlantic traffic with fellow oneworld alliance partners British Airways, Iberia, American Airlines and American’s merger partner US Airways. Miami and Chicago are hubs for American, which allows Finnair’s customers quick codeshare connections to destinations throughout the United States, including San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Miami and Chicago timetables connect well with passengers transferring to and from Finnair destinations in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and the Baltics, including Stockholm, Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, St Petersburg, Moscow and Warsaw as well as with Finnair’s Asian destinations, including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Seoul, Chongqing, Xi’an, Beijing, Shanghai, Delhi and Bangkok.

In addition to Miami and Chicago, Finnair operates daily to New York JFK and, together with its joint business partners, offers over 120 daily departures over the Atlantic.

Copyright Photo: OSDU/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-302 OH-LTO (msn 1013) in the special Unikko (poppy) color scheme departs from the Helsinki (HEL) hub.

Finnair aircraft slide show:

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SAS is the first airline in Europe to place the new Airbus A330-300 Enhanced into service

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) today places its newly-delivered 242-ton Airbus A330-343 LN-RKR (msn 1660) into revenue service. The pictured LN-RKR IS named “Tore Viking” and was delivered on September 16 and is the first enhanced version in Europe. The airline issued this statement:

SAS is the first European airline to fly the new long-haul Airbus A330-300 Enhanced. The first commercial flight leaves today (September 21) from Copenhagen to Chicago (O’Hare). SAS continues to strengthen its intercontinental offering with new aircraft and the launch of new routes to destinations with high demand.

SAS’s thirteenth and newest long-haul aircraft, Tore Viking, is flying from Copenhagen to Chicago on Monday, September 21, with a departure time of 3.40 pm. This is the first of four new A330-300 Enhanced that will be added to the SAS fleet over the next six months. Another aircraft will be delivered in September and the remaining two in 2016.

From 2018, deliveries will also commence of SAS’s new Airbus A350-900. The new aircraft enable SAS to improve its offering to customers and to fly longer distances with lower fuel consumption.

The materials and color scheme in the cabin of the new aircraft have been carefully chosen to create a calm and welcoming atmosphere. All through the cabin, mood lighting provides a pleasant environment throughout the journey. The seats in SAS Go and SAS Plus are designed to provide good storage and create extra space. SAS Business has direct access to the aisle and seats that can be fully reclined into a bed position. The beds feature linen from Hästens, ensuring passengers sleep well. There is also a new in-flight entertainment system throughout the cabin, offering HD screens and wireless Internet access. SAS is also updating its existing long-haul aircraft with the same new cabin interior in 2015 and 2016.

The first new A330-300 Enhanced will the first month operate the route between Copenhagen and Chicago and will then fly from Stockholm to Hong Kong and Chicago.

On September 10, SAS launched a new route between Stockholm and Hong Kong, and in March 2016 SAS will be launching a new route between Stockholm and Los Angeles. In the fall of 2016, the new route to Miami from Oslo and Copenhagen will begin operating.

Facts about the Airbus A330-300 Enhanced

Delivery of four A330-300 Enhanced in 2015/2016; two aircraft in September 2015, one in February 2016, and one in May 2016
Significantly improved range compared with the A330 (10,400 km compared with 9,600 km)
Maximum weight 242 tonnes
262 seats: 32 SAS Business, 56 SAS Plus and 174 SAS Go
2% lower fuel consumption than the A330

Photo: F. Lancelot/Airbus.

SAS aircraft slide show:

SAS launches a new route to Hong Kong today

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) first departure from Stockholm (Arlanda) to Hong Kong takes off today, making it the only airline to fly direct between Scandinavia and Hong Kong. At the same time, SAS is reopening its lounge at Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport following extensive refurbishment, which will provide SAS customers with an even better experience.

The new route is SAS’s fourth direct connection between Scandinavia and Asia, and SAS is the only airline to fly direct between Scandinavia and Hong Kong. Hong Kong is one of the world’s busiest airports and is the largest in the world in terms of freight.

Timetable Arlanda – Hong Kong

Departures from Arlanda on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays on flight SK963 at 3 pm (1500), arriving in Hong Kong at 7.20 am (0720) local time.

Departures from Hong Kong on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays on flight SK964 at 9.05 am (0905) local time, arriving at Arlanda at 2.35 pm (1435).

SAS currently offers long haul flights from Scandinavia to New York, Washington DC, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

During 2016 SAS will open three more routes; Stockholm to Los Angeles, Oslo to Miami and Copenhagen to Miami.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-343 LN-RKH (msn 497) departs from the Arlanda hub in this winter view.

SAS aircraft slide show:

RwandAir firms up its order for one Airbus A330-200 and one A330-300

RwandAir (Kigali), the national flag carrier of the Republic of Rwanda, has signed a firm contract with Airbus for an A330-200 and a larger A330-300, at a signature ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda. With this order RwandAir becomes a new Airbus customer and is the first East African customer for the long-haul airliner. This agreement firms up a commitment announced earlier this year.
Aircraft deliveries will begin in the second half of 2016, enabling the country’s carrier to deploy its new flagship aircraft on medium and long-haul routes serving destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

The two aircraft will feature a three class cabin layouts. The A330-200 will have 244 seats (20 business class, 21 premium and 203 economy class) and the A330-300 will have 274 seats (30 business class, 21 premium and 223 economy class). The aircraft will be equipped with Rolls Royce Trent 772B engines.

To date the A330 Family, which spans 250 to 300 seats, has attracted more than 1,500 orders and around 1,200 A330s are flying worldwide with over 100 operators. Ever since the original A330-300 entered service, its hallmarks are its very efficient operating economics, innovative cabin features, while offering passengers much wider economy-class seats than any competing aircraft. Moreover, with numerous product improvements and with an operational reliability of 99.4 percent, the A330 is the most cost-efficient and capable aircraft in its class.

Image: Airbus.

RwandAir aircraft slide show:

Airbus starts production of the first A330neo

Airbus (Toulouse) has issued this statement:

Airbus’ first A330neo is coming to life one year after the program was launched, with the first ‘cutting of metal’ underway at its production facilities in Toulouse and Nantes. Machining of the first engine pylon started during the summer at Airbus’ facility in Saint-Eloi (Toulouse), while Airbus’ Plant in Nantes began production of the first A330neo center wing box.

The first A330neo Center Wing Box rib 1 (above) produced in Nantes uses an innovative Isogrid design with 330 triangular pockets which enables the part to meet all our rigidity, strength and low weight requirements.

The all-new pylon produced in Saint-Eloi is a key element in the A330neo’s innovative design, attaching the latest generation, fuel-efficient Trent 7000 engines to the wings. Made out of light weight titanium, the A330neo pylon uses cutting-edge aerodynamics, materials and design technologies derived from the A350 XWB. The A330neo pylon will be fitted with a new A350 XWB inspired fairing made from composite materials and titanium for ensuring optimised aerodynamics.

The A330-800neo and the A330-900neo are two new members of the Airbus Widebody Family with first deliveries scheduled to start in Q4 2017. The A330neo incorporates latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, aerodynamic enhancements and new cabin features.

Photo: Airbus.