Tag Archives: ARN

Dniproavia cancels four routes due to increased flying as a result of the fighting in eastern Ukraine

Dniproavia (Dnipropetrovsk) is dropping four routes due to the increased flying required to avoid the closed airspace of eastern Ukraine:

Kharkiv-Tbilisi-Kharkov – from September 7, 2014

Kharkiv-Yerevan-Kharkiv – from September 4, 2014

Kharkiv-Baku-Kharkov – from September 6, 2014

Odessa-Batumi-Odessa – from September 5, 2014

According to the airline, these forced cancellations are associated with the “increase in cost of flight”. The airline continued, “changing the route of the flight due to the closure of certain areas of airspace led to a significant increase in fuel consumption, the constant fluctuation of the dollar in the last month lowered the purchasing power of the passengers and confidence in the future – these factors have led to the fact that the fulfillment of these flights is unprofitable.”

Kharkiv is located in the eastern portion of the Ukraine near the on-going fighting.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 145EU (EMB-145EU) UR-DNF (msn 145404) departs from Stockholm (Arlanda).

Dniproavia:

SAS arrives in Houston from Stavanger, Norway

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) is now connecting Houston, Texas, with Stavanger in Norway through six days a week nonstop air service. The initiative is expected to significantly strengthen the economic and cultural ties that already exist within the oil and gas industry in the regions. The route will be operated by a business version of the Boeing 737-700 aircraft and will have a SAS Long Haul Business Class concept on board with just 44 comfortable business seats, in-flight entertainment and full-service meals.

Departures from Stavanger will be daily, except Tuesdays, at 4:00 pm arriving in Houston (Bush Intercontinental) at 7:40 pm (1940) the same day. SAS will depart from Houston to Stavanger daily except Tuesdays at 9:35 pm (2135) arriving the next day in Stavanger at 2.20 pm (1440). SAS will be the only airline with nonstop service between Scandinavia and Houston.

In addition to the Houston-Stavanger route, SAS also operates nonstop service from Newark to Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm, from Chicago (O’Hare) to Copenhagen and Stockholm, and from Washington, D.C. and San Francisco to Copenhagen.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-705 LN-TUD (msn 28217) arrives at the Stockholm (Arlanda) hub.

SAS:

Norwegian to launch nonstop Boeing 787 Copenhagen-Bangkok service on October 30

Norwegian Long Haul (Norwegian Air Shuttle) (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) on October 30 will launch a new Boeing 787 route between Copenhagen and Hong Kong. The new route will operate twice a week. Norwegian already offers nonstop routes between Bangkok and both Oslo and Stockholm.

Norwegian will have a fleet of 17 Dreamliners, with seven currently in service and one more will be delivered in 2014.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 EI-LNC (msn 34795) prepares to land in Stockholm (Arlanda).

Norwegian:

American Airlines Group to repaint the American and US Airways Boeing 757 fleets

American Airlines Group (American Airlines and US Airways) (Dallas/Fort Worth) has informed its employees about the repainting of the American Airlines and US Airways fleets into the 2013 American brand.

In the June 26 issue of Arrivals, the employees were briefed on the repainting process.

Highlights: As expected, the aging fleet of McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82s (MD-82s) and DC-9-83s (MD-83s) of American will not be repainted. This type is being phased out and will be gone in 2018. However the AAG has made the decision to repaint the 35 Boeing 757-200s of American and the 16 Boeing 757-200s of US Airways into the new livery. So far none have been repainted. We are likely to start seeing some soon, especially at US Airways. All will be repainted by the fourth quarter of 2016.

All of the American 777-200s have now been repainted (above).

US Airways has started repainting the Airbus A320 family aircraft: 700, 701, 702, 703, 809, 814, 819, and one other have been repainted. 579, 580, and 581 were all delivered new in American colors. The first Airbus aircraft to be repainted were the former Star Alliance liveried aircraft.

All new arrivals for both American and US Airways are of course, painted in the new American look.

We are likely to still see the American 1968 classic livery lingering on until the fourth quarter of 2017. The American Boeing 737-800s will be the last type to be fully repainted.

Here is the graph sent to the employees:

Top Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. All of the Triple Sevens have been repainted. Boeing 777-223 ER N790AN (msn 30251) arrives in New York (JFK).

American Airlines (current livery):

American Airlines (historic liveries):

US Airways:

Video: Painting a Boeing 777:

Middle Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. American currently operates 35 Boeing 757-200s as the type is gradually being retired. Boeing 757-223 N624AA (msn 24582) of American Airlines taxies to the gate at the Miami hub painted in the classic 1968 livery.

Bottom Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. US Airways is now down to just 16 Boeing 757-200s. Boeing 757-2B7 N938UW (msn 27246) prepares to land in Stockholm (Arlanda).

SAS to cut 300 additional jobs as its losses widen

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) is again back in a financial crisis mode. After reporting a net loss of over $120 million in its fiscal second quarter ending on April 30, the airline has announced it is again tightening its efforts to reduce costs. This time it will include another 300 jobs being axed. The airline is coming under intense pressure from lower cost airlines like Norwegian and Ryanair.

Read the full report from the company: CLICK HERE

Read the analysis from the Wall Street Journal: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-783 LN-RNU (msn 34548) arrives back at the Stockholm (Arlanda) hub.

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS:

Finnair to add three new routes to Russia this summer, celebrates 90 years of flying

Finnair (Helsinki) is expanding eastward into Russia this summer with three new routes to Kazan (August 18), Nizhniy Novgorod (July 25) and Samara (August 7). The new routes will be operates three days a week with Embraer 190s by Flybe Finland.

The airline issued this statement:

This summer we’ll start operating direct scheduled flights to Nizhny Novgorod, Samara and Kazan in Russia.

Flights to Nizhny Novgorod (airport code GOJ) begins on July 25, while flights to Samara (KUF) start on August 7 and to Kazan (KZN) on August 18. The flights will be operated by Flybe Finland three times a week with Embraer E190 aircraft.

On June 2, Finnair celebrated 90 years of the first flight between Helsinki and Stockholm. Finnair, former Aero OY, operated the flight on June 2, 1924. The flight was an adventure and the two and a half hour trip took in total 21 hours. Today, after 90 years of the first service, Finnair has up to 8 daily flights between Helsinki and Stockholm. The poster is from 1925 (see below).

Top Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100LR OH-LKP (msn 19000416) taxies at Sockholm (Arlanda).

Finnair:

1925 Poster (Finnair):

Icelandair is coming to Birmingham, England on February 5

Icelandair (Keflavik) has announced scheduled flights to Birmingham, England beginning on February 5, 2015. Birmingham is Icelandair’s fifth destination in Great Britain, and the 25th in Europe.

Flights to Birmingham Airport (BHX) will depart on Mondays and Thursdays from Keflavik International Airport (KEF) at 7:50 am (0750), with arrival in Birmingham at 10:25 am (1025). Return service departs Birmingham at 12:25 pm (1225), with an arrival at Keflavik at 3:10 pm (1510).

Icelandair currently offers service to Iceland from Boston, New York (JFK), Washington (Dulles), Seattle/Tacoma, Denver and Toronto (Pearson), with seasonal service from Newark, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Sanford (near Orlando), Edmonton, Vancouver, Halifax and Anchorage. Connections through Icelandair’s hub at Keflavik International Airport are available to more than 20 destinations in Scandinavia, the U.K. and Continental Europe. Only Icelandair allows passengers to stopover in Iceland for up to seven days at no additional airfare.

Icelandair:

SAS unveils its new long-haul upgraded cabins

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) is updating the interiors of its long haul fleet with new seats, new entertainment system and WiFi access. SAS has now released the first images of the new cabin.

According to the carrier, “seven SAS Airbus A330/A340s are having cabin upgrades. The interior design is ultra modern with greater cabin comfort in the shape of new seats in all classes. To make flights even more comfortable, a new on-demand entertainment system with HD large screens is being installed along with WiFi access”.

The airline continues:

“The materials and color scheme in the new cabins have been chosen to create a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere. The seating in SAS Go and SAS Plus is designed with good storage to create extra space. All seats in SAS Business have direct access to aisles and can be folded flat for maximum comfort. The bedding comes from Hästens, the oldest bed manufacturer in Sweden, to ensure that passengers enjoy a high class sleeping experience.

The first plane with the new cabin is expected to go into service in early 2015 and the majority of the SAS long haul fleet will have the new interior within 12 months. SAS currently flies long haul to New York, Chicago (O’Hare), Washington (Dulles), San Francisco, Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo (Narita) and Houston (from August 2014).

In June 2013, SAS announced that its entire long haul fleet would be renewed in the next few years. Certain aircraft in the current fleet would be upgraded and joined by new aircraft that would come into service from fall 2015. The changes are as follows:

– Cabin upgrade on seven Airbus A330/A340s
– Four new Airbus A330-300s to be delivered in 2015 and 2016
– Eight Airbus A350-900s to be delivered from 2018 onwards with an option on an additional six

About the new cabins:

WiFi access available in all classes.

The SAS Go Cabin

SAS Go (above)

Seat configuration: 2-4-2
Pitch: 31″/32″
On-demand entertainment system with 9″ HD screens
One power outlet per pair of seats plus individual USB port.

The SAS Go seat (above)

SAS Plus seat (above)

Seat configuration: 2-3-2
Pitch: 37″/38″
On-demand entertainment system with 12″ HD screens
Individual power outlet and USB port.

SAS Business cabin (above)

SAS Business

Seat configuration: 1-2-1
Direct access to aisle from all seats
Fully flat seats minimum 196 cm length
Massage seats
On-demand entertainment system with 15″ HD screens
Individual power outlet and USB port.

SAS Business seat (above)

SAS Business seat as a sleeper (above)

Top Copyright Photos: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com (all others by SAS). Airbus A330-343X LN-RKH (msn 497) lands at the Stockholm (Arlanda) hub.

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS:

Estonian Air reduces its loss by 83% in 2013 to $11 million

Estonian Air (Tallinn) is in the process of turning around its financial future through a restructuring plan. The company reported its net loss was reduced by 83 percent to $11 million for 2013.

The company issued this financial statement:

The results are in line with restructuring plan which is reflected by the positive operating result of 7.4 million euros. Estonian Air’s core business turned profitable in the second and third quarter, and in 2013 the airline managed to post its first positive monthly result in over three years. For the full year, the airline’s operating loss amounted to 4.2 million euros.

In 2013, the sales revenue of Estonian Air was 72.3 million euros. The company’s gross profit was 7.4 million euros and net loss 8.1 million euros ($11 million).

Compared to 2012, the sales revenue was 21% less. The gross profit increased by 147% and net loss was reduced by 83%. The loss of the airline in 2012 was 49.2 million euros.

“Estonian Air is in a much better position today than it was on November 1, 2012, when I took over as Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of Estonian Air. My mandate was to restructure the airline to sustainable operations. The airline has taken all the planned steps to reach that goal,” said Jan Palmér, the CEO of Estonian Air.

“The European Commission’s investigations into prior instances of state aid as well as the airline’s Restructuring Plan are ongoing. Together with our shareholder representatives, we are working to ensure that the decision expected in the near-term future will be positive,“ added Palmér.

According to Mr. Palmér, Estonian Air has downsized its operations to develop the airline into an efficient regional player focused on the Nordic and emerging nearest neighboring markets. “We have reduced the network to ten core destinations which is served with five aircraft, and turned the service concept to a regional model during the restructuring process,“ explained Palmér.

The total number of Estonian Air’s passengers in 2013 was 551 169, which is 37.9% less than in 2012. With the excess aircraft the airline increased its number of charter flights almost five times from 44 to 209.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Estonian Air downsized to a regional carrier as part of its restructuring plan. The fleet is now centered around three Bombardier CRJ900s and four Embraer 170s leased from Finnair. ERJ 170-100LR ES-AED (17000112) arrives in Stockholm (Arlanda).

Estonian Air:

SAS to launch seven new winter routes, will continue other summer routes into the winter

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) for the winter season is launching seven new routes, with four routes going to holiday destinations in Spain. At the same time, twenty summer routes will continue during the winter timetable. SAS has launched a total of 53 new routes in 2014. This winter, SAS
passengers can enjoy flying direct on the following routes: Copenhagen-Las Palmas, Aalborg-Malaga, Billund-Malaga, Gothenburg-Geneva, Bergen-Las Palmas, Oslo-Hamburg and Oslo-Vilnius.

SAS is continuing to expand its range of direct routes from Scandinavian airports to popular Spanish holiday destinations throughout the winter. Four of the new winter routes go to Malaga, capital of the Costa del Sol, and Las Palmas, capital of Gran Canaria.

SAS will be operating a total of 34 routes from Scandinavia to seven destinations in Spain.

Geneva, Vilnius and Hamburg

The winter timetable also offers other new routes. During the skiing season, passengers from Gothenburg can visit the Swiss Alps with a new direct flight to Geneva, while SAS passengers from Oslo can fly to Vilnius over the Christmas period. In addition to this comes the launch of the Oslo-Hamburg route, which is attractive both for business and weekend travelers.

Selected summer routes continue in winter

As well as launching the new winter routes, SAS will continue operating twenty routes from the summer timetable during the winter – either as year-round routes or as additional routes during the Christmas holidays. So passengers from the SAS hubs of Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen can take a city break in Barcelona over Christmas and New Year, for example.

More frequencies on routes to the US

In the winter timetable SAS adds several departures to US destinations. SAS increases from five to six weekly departures from Stockholm to New York and Chicago and also increases with two more departures each week from Oslo to New York.

New routes from Denmark

Copenhagen-Las Palmas: November 1, 2014 to March 28, 2015, departure on Saturday
Aalborg-Malaga: December 20, 2014 to January 3, 2015 and February 7 to March 28,
2015, departure on Saturday
Billund-Malaga: December 20, 2014 to January 3, 2015 and February 7 to March 28,
2015, departure on Saturday

New routes from Norway

Oslo-Hamburg: From October 26, departing on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
Oslo-Vilnius: Departure December 19, 2014, December 21, 2014, December 26, 2014,
December 28, 2014, January 4, 2015, and January 5, 2015
Bergen-Las Palmas: November 1, 2014 to January 3, 2015 and February 21, 2015 to
March 28, 2015, departure on Saturday

New routes from Sweden

Gothenburg-Geneva: January 31, 2015 to March 21, 2015, departure on Saturday

Year-round routes

Copenhagen-Alanya, Copenhagen-Leeds, Copenhagen-Linköping, Oslo-Alanya, Oslo
-Aberdeen, Oslo-Aalborg, Stavanger-Tromsø, Stavanger-Houston, Stockholm-Nice,
Stockholm-Thessaloniki, Stockholm-Tel Aviv, Stockholm-Edinburgh, Stockholm
-Visby, Stockholm-Alicante, Stockholm-Hamburg.

During the Christmas holidays

Copenhagen-Barcelona, Copenhagen-Thessaloniki, Oslo-Barcelona, Stockholm
-Barcelona and Stockholm- Pristina.

Intercontinental routes

Oslo-New York: Daily departures except Saturday (Tuesday and Wednesday are new)
Stockholm-New York: Daily departures except Monday (Friday is new)
Stockholm-Chicago: Daily departures except Sunday (Thursday is new)

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 OY-KAP (msn 3086) prepares to land at the Stockholm (Arlanda) hub.

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS: