BQB Lineas Aereas (Punta del Este and Montevideo, Uruguay) has been quietly filling the void left by the demise of Pluna Lineas Aereas Uruguayas in Montevideo since the failure on July 5, 2012. The airline, sensing an opportunity, leased in Airbus A320-214 EC-LLJ (msn 4661) from Vueling Airlines (in Vueling colors, with BQB titles) on November 28, 2013. The carrier now serves eight routes from the capital, probably dashing the hopes of reviving a new employee-lead version of Pluna. Seasonal service from Montevideo was started on December 14 to Florianapolis, Brazil. On the following day, service to Santiago, Chile was started according Anna Aero.
Copyright Photo: Robbie Shaw/AirlinersGallery.com. BQB assigns the ATR 72 on regional routes from Montevideo including Curitiba, Rivera and Salto. ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) CX-JCL (msn 805) taxies at Buenos Aires (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery).
BQB Lineas Aereas:
Video: The leased Vueling Airlines Airbus A320 arrives in Montevideo:
Link Airs (Fukuoka) was a planned regional start-up in Japan. According to CAPA, the paper airline was planning a spring 2014 debut, operating two ATR 72-600s initially on routes from Fukuoka to Kitakyushu including five times daily Fukuoka-Miyazaki, three times daily Fukuoka-Matsuyama and daily Kitakyushu-Matsuyama services.
However the new airline won’t fly after the two prospective ATR 72-600s (JA01LK and JA02LK) were painted at Toulouse. The company, established on April 5, 2012, filed for bankruptcy protection on December 10, 2013 after failing to raise enough capital to start operations. The airline will now be liquidated. The would-be airline owed around eighty creditors according to local reports.
The airline had a technical and training support agreement with StarFlyer. Link Airs applied for an AOC in July 2013.
Link Airs would have been the first operator of ATR aircraft in Japan.
Copyright Photo: Olivier Gregoire/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-600) with the test registration of F-WWET at Toulouse would have become JA02LK on delivery that never happened.
Garuda Indonesia (Jakarta) has decided to market its new regional ATR 72-600s as “Explore” as a sub brand starting on December 3. The airline issued this statement:
In line with the airline’s efforts to develop and strengthen its flight network, especially in the domestic sector, Garuda Indonesia, the national airline of Indonesia, is pleased to announce its brand new sub-brand “Explore” along with the introduction of the airline’s ATR 72-600 aircraft into its fleet, on Monday, November 25, 2013.
In addition to the sub-brand “Explore”, at the same time Garuda Indonesia also introduced the sub-brand “Explore Jet” along with the operation of its Bombardier CRJ1000 NextGen fleet since last October 2012 to serve the airline’s network in both eastern and western Indonesia.
President and CEO of Garuda Indonesia, Emirsyah Satar said, the implementation of both sub-brands is in line with the excellent characteristic of Garuda Indonesia’s ATR 72-600 and Bombardier CRJ1000 NextGen that have the ability to serve flights to new destinations in eastern Indonesia, which has limited runway.
“The ‘Explore’ ATR 72-600 aircraft will support Garuda Indonesia’s Bombardier CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft operation in accordance to improve the national connectivity program (MP3EI) by developing our flight network to the fast growing economic regions and tourist destination in the remote area in Indonesia,” he said.
Moreover, the operation of these turboprop aircraft are also in line with the company’s efforts to enhance service to the customers by offering a wider choice of destinations and travel options to passengers as well as part of Garuda Indonesia’s move to join the SkyTeam global alliance in March 2014 and in anticipation of 2015’s ASEAN Open Sky policy.
Garuda Indonesia will operate “Explore” flight through ATR 72-600 aircraft, starting on December 3, 2013, with a single class cabin (All Economy) configuration with a seat capacity for 70 passengers to serve flights flying out of its hubs or spokes, such as from Denpasar on to Labuan Bajo, Ende, and Bima, as well as from Makassar and Ambon to destinations in those regions.
In line with its fleet development program, Garuda Indonesia will receive 35 ATR 72-600s, including firm orders for 25 aircraft and options for 10 additional aircraft, in stages up to 2017. The aircraft will be used to serve short-haul point to point flights, and flights between hubs and spokes.
Garuda will use these new turboprop on routes that are under the 400 nm range in all regions of the country. The ATR 72-600 is very much capable of reaching small airports that have runways measuring less than 1,600 meters, and are therefore too small for jet planes.
“Being equipped with modern technology and capable of efficient operations, the ATR 72-600 offers the same high level of comfort to passengers, as the other fleet types operated by Garuda Indonesia. This type of aircraft is the best in its class to serve short distance routes between the islands and cities in Indonesia that have a limited runway capacity,” added Emirsyah.
In line with the company’s long-term “Quantum Leap 2011-2015” expansion program, Garuda Indonesia will take delivery of 26 new aircraft in 2013 to support the development of both the national and international flight networks, consisting of 4 Boeing 777-300 ERs, 3 Airbus A330s, 10 Boeing 737-800 NGs, 7 Bombardier CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft, and 2 ATR 72-600s. Meanwhile, in 2013 Citilink will receive 10 A320 aicraft. Thus, Garuda Indonesia Group will operate as many as 139 aircraft by the end of this year.
In the third quarter of 2013, Garuda Indonesia Group has received 27 new aircraft, consisting of 7 Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft, 2 Airbus A330-300/200s, 7 Bombardier CRJ-1000 NextGen aircraft, 2 Boeing 777-300 ERs, and 9 Airbus A320-200s. In all, up to the third quarter of 2013, Garuda Indonesia Group is currently operating 131 aircraft.
Copyright Photo: Globalpics/AirlinersGallery.com. The first Garuda Indonesia ATR 72-600, the pictured ATR 72-212A (marketed as the ATR 72-600) with the test marks of F-WWEH, became PK-GAA when it was delivered on November 15. “Explore” titles were added later.
Garuda Indonesia (Jakarta) on November 15 accepted its first ATR 72-600. The pictured ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-600) F-WWEH (msn 11158) was handed over to the carrier as PK-GAA.
24 additional copies will be the delivered to the flag carrier.
Copyright Photo: Globalpics/AirlinersGallery.com. F-WWEH taxies at Toulouse on November 7.
Garuda Indonesia:
Route Map. Garuda Indonesia flies to 40 domestic destinations.
Air Dolomiti (Verona) today (October 26) will operate the last ATR 72 flight from the Munich hub to Trieste, Italy. Flight LH 1940 will also end an era. This is also the last turboprop flight in the Lufthansa Group per Austrian Wings.
Lufthansa ended Viscount 800 service in 1971 but in recent years has contracted with feeder airlines to operate turboprop aircraft. The turboprop aircraft have been gradually replaced with pure jet aircraft. Tonight’s last ATR 72-500 flight will be the last turboprop flight with any airline using the LH code.
Read the full story from Austrian Wings (in German): CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Marco Finelli/AirlinersGallery.com. ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) I-ADLT (msn 638) prepares to land at Bologna.
Precision Air (Dar es Salaam) is going through tough times and is seeking $32 million in bailout loans to keep it flying according to this report by The CItizen and eTN.
In other news, last month Precision Air retired its last Boeing 737-300 (5H-PKS) according to ch-aviation and is now only flying ATR 42s and ATR 72-500s.
Aer Arann‘s (Aer Lingus Regional) (Dublin) pilots are threatening to strike four days next week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday) over a disagreement concerning pay issues.
Read the full story from The Irish Times: CLICK HERE
The strike is disrupting the plans of the company for a “new beginning”.
Earlier this year the company announced a “new beginning”:
Aer Arann plans to join Europe’s top tier of regional airlines by 2015 and to double its passenger numbers to over two million in five years, the company said today.
The airline also confirmed a 32% rise in Aer Lingus Regional passenger numbers in 2012, with total passenger growth of 16% in the past two years.
Announcing a “new beginning” at the airline, Sean Brogan, Interim Chief Executive, Aer Arann outlined a package of measures to grow its customer base and route network, including:
Successful restructuring: a successful restructuring of the company has been completed, putting the airline on a strong financial footing;
Fleet renewal program: the airline will be taking delivery of eight new aircraft. The new aircraft, ATR 72-600s, will replace the older existing fleet of ATR 72-200s and ATR 42s. The first new plane will commence service this May, with the remaining aircraft expected for delivery over the next 11 months. The new fleet will be fully operational in time for the Summer 2014 program;
Extension of Aer Lingus agreement: the airline has extended its franchise agreement with Aer Lingus, which will see Aer Arann operate under the Aer Lingus Regional brand until the end of 2022;
Addition of two new routes: commencing this Summer, Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Aer Arann will add two new routes to its network, Dublin-Birmingham and Dublin-Manchester. The addition of these routes, two of the busiest on the Ireland to UK network, will increase passenger numbers by 300,000 and bring the airline’s route network to 24.
Combined with existing Aer Lingus mainline services to Manchester and Birmingham, these new services will result in a significant ramping up of frequencies to two of the busiest routes on the Ireland to UK network. Specifically, services on the Dublin Birmingham route will go from three to six services per day while services on the Dublin Manchester routes will go from three to five per day.
It also means that the airline will be operating routes to the main UK cities. The Stobart Group is also advancing plans to add routes at London Southend airport.
Expansion of services: the airline is to increase frequencies on its Dublin Edinburgh and Dublin Glasgow routes.Specifically, services on the Dublin Edinburgh route will go from four up to six services per day while services on the Dublin Glasgow route will go from four up to six per day.
Copyright Photo: Rob Skinkis/AirlinersGallery.com. ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) EI-REL (msn 748) departs from Manchester in the Aer Lingus Regional brand.
LIAT Limited (The Caribbean Airline) (Antigua) has started its fleet upgrade with the first new ATR 72-600 aircraft delivered today (June 14). This first ATR in LIAT’s fleet is being leased from GECAS (GE Capital Aviation Services). This is the first of a total of eight ATRs (four 68-seat ATR 72-600s and four 48-seat ATR 42-600s) that will be introduced into LIAT’s fleet.
The introduction of these brand new ATR -600s in LIAT’s current fleet of 14 aircraft is a part of the airline’s restructuring plans aiming at fleet modernization and network improvements. By progressively replacing its current fleet of former turboprop aircraft with the modern and fuel efficient ATRs, the airline will significantly reduce operating and maintenance costs, gain further in profitability and offer more comfort to its passengers due to its enhanced seats design. The line-up of the full new generation ATR model range will allow LIAT to optimize their fleet on their pan-Caribbean network with aircraft of one same family, offering both 50 and 70 seat capacity.
“LIAT currently connects 21 destinations throughout the Caribbean with most routes under 100 Nm, like Grenada to Trinidad, or Dominica to Antigua. The 68-seat ATR 72-600s are perfectly adapted to many of our existing and potential routes,” says Ian Brunton, Chief Executive Officer of LIAT. “By renewing our fleet our customers will enjoy more efficiency and better travel experience. The ATR 72-600 perfectly fits with our requirements in terms of low operating costs, most updated technologies and optimal comfort. This is the most-recently certified turboprop aircraft on the market, and we are proud to start our operations with such a modern, successful and well-reputed aircraft”.
It is anticipated that the first ATR 72-600 would be pressed into service before the end of June, with the remaining aircraft expected for delivery during 2013 and 2014.
Copyright Photo: Oliver Gregoire/AirlinersGallery.com. ATR 72-600 (ATR 72-212A) F-WWEN became V2-LIA (msn 1077) on delivery from Toulouse.
Virgin Australia Airlines (Brisbane) has received the approval of the High Court in Singapore to acquire Skywest Airlines (Perth). Previously the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board cleared the merger and Virgin Australia on March 13 received approval from Skywest Airlines Ltd shareholders of the proposed acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of Skywest, pursuant to a scheme of arrangement under the laws of Singapore. The acquisition process is now complete.
Copyright Photo: Peter Gates. Skywest Airlines already operates a fleet of ATR 72-500s on regional routes for Virgin Australia. ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) VH-FVI (msn 955) is pictured on the ramp at Brisbane.
Virgin Australia:
Virgin Australia-Skywest:
Skywest Airlines:
Skywest Airlines operates an extensive route network under its own brand in Western Australia.
