Tag Archives: ATR 72212A

TransAsia Airways promotes Kinmen Island with this wind lion god logo

TransAsia Airways (Taipei) is promoting a duty free shop area on Kinmen Island featuring the famous wind lion god figure as the mascot. Three ATR 72-212s will featured this unusual logo.

According to Wikipedia, Kinmen or Quemoy is a small archipelago of several islands administered by Republic of China (Taiwan): Greater Kinmen, Lesser Kinmen and some islets. The islands are located off the coast of mainland China.

Kinmen is known for its shisa (wind lion god) figures.

Top and Bottom Copyright Photos: Manuel Negrerie. A close-up and ramp view of ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) B-22805 (msn 558) with the wind lion god logo.

TransAsia Airways:

Virgin Australia wins clearance to acquire Skywest Airlines

Virgin Australia Airlines (Brisbane) has received government clearance to continue its stock acquisition of regional carrier Skywest Airlines (Perth).

The airline issued the following statement:

Virgin Australia Holdings Limited welcomed the ACCC’s clearance of the proposed acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital in Skywest Airlines Ltd (Perth) pursuant to a scheme of arrangement which is subject to the laws of Singapore.

Under the agreement, Skywest would become part of the Virgin Australia brand but would continue to operate under its current Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) with its own management team, based in Western Australia. This would enable Virgin Australia to fast-track its growth in regional Australia and develop a more integrated network, service and frequent flyer program for the benefit of its customers.

Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti said: “The ACCC’s clearance represents an important step for Virgin Australia in completing the proposed acquisition of Skywest.

“This acquisition will enable us to accelerate our expansion in the high growth fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) and regional markets, increasing competition in these important segments and bringing new benefits to customers.

“It will also be very positive for business and tourism, particularly in Western Australia and regional Australia, as we will invest to support the growth of Skywest”, Mr Borghetti said.

The proposed transaction still remains subject to certain conditions and regulatory approvals, including Foreign Investment Review Board approval, Skywest shareholder approval and the approval of the Singapore High Court.

Top Copyright Photo: Peter Gates. Skywest Airlines currently operates 10 ATR 72-212As (ATR 72-500s) on feeder routes for Virgin Australia Airlines in their colors. VH-FVH (msn 954) prepares for the next flight at Brisbane.

Skywest Airlines (Australia):

Virgin Australia Airlines:

Virgin Australia Airlines-Skywest Airlines:

Skywest’s routes in western Australia:

Please click on the map for the full-size view.

Bottom Copyright Photo: Micheil Keegan. The in-house livery of Skywest Airlines and the Airbus A320 is now likely to be retired. Airbus A320-231 VH-FNP (msn 429) arrives back at the Perth, Western Australia base painted in the 2003 livery.

Kingfisher Airlines’ license expires today

Kingfisher Airlines‘ (Mumbai) Scheduled Operator’s Permit (SOP) is due to expire today (December 31) according to this report to The Economic Times. The carrier had proposed to restart scheduled operations with five Airbus aircraft and two ATRs but the Indian government was concerned about its financing and funding and asked for additional details. The airline suspended operations on October 4, 2012.

Read the full story: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Pepscl. ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) F-WWEK (msn 750) became VT-KAI when it was handed over on June 27, 2007.

Kingfisher Airlines:

Air Dolomiti to phase out its 10 ATR 72s by November 2013

Air Dolomiti (Verona and Munich) intends to phase out its 10 remaining ATR 72-500s by November 2013 per Le Journal de l’Aviation. The carrier will be adding more Embraer ERJ 195s to replace the turboprops. Parent Lufthansa wants to phase out the use of turboprops.

Read the full report (in French): CLICK HERE

Air Dolomiti:

Etihad Airways considers an investment in grounded Kingfisher Airlines

Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) is in talks with Kingfisher Airlines (Mumbai) about a possible minority investment in the grounded airline according to the Wall Street Journal.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Meanwhile the Deccan Herald of India believes Jet Airways (Mumbai) is a better investment for the Gulf carrier.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Jay Selman. Boeing 777-3FX ER A6-ETF (msn 39700) prepares to land at Bangkok.

Etihad Airways:

Kingfisher Airlines:

Jet Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) with the test registration of F-WWEG (msn 788) arrives at Farnborough. Although painted, the turboprop was never delivered to Kingfisher Airlines as VT-KAT. Instead it went to Air Botswana as A2-ABS.

Virgin Australia makes three bold moves

Virgin Australia Holdings Limited (Virgin Australia Airlines) (Brisbane) is making three bold moves. The company issued the following statement:

Virgin Australia Holdings Limited today announced three transactions designed to accelerate the growth of the business, diversify its earnings and increase competition in Australia.

The transactions include:

making a placement of shares to Singapore Airlines (Singapore), which will see Singapore Airlines owning a 10% interest in Virgin Australia Holdings;
entering a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire 60% of the existing shares in Tiger Airways Australia (Melbourne) from Tiger Airways; and
entering an in-principle agreement with Skywest Airlines (Perth) to acquire 100% of its business.

Virgin Australia Chief Executive Officer John Borghetti said: “The transactions announced today are in line with Virgin Australia’s strategy to become the airline of choice in all markets, in order to diversify our earnings and drive growth opportunities for the business.

“The acquisition of Tiger Australia and Skywest provides Virgin Australia with a strong presence in the budget, Fly-in Fly-Out (FIFO) and regional markets, enabling us to fast-track our expansion in these areas and become a stronger competitor”, Mr Borghetti said.

“These transactions will bring important benefits to Australia, driving growth in jobs, tourism and competition”, Mr Borghetti said.

If approved, following the completion of the transactions, the Virgin Australia Group will expand to 139 aircraft and over 9,000 employees .

Virgin Australia will keep the market updated regarding progress on these transactions.

Meanwhile partner Singapore Airlines (Singapore) has ordered 20 Airbus A350-900s and five A380s and will assign its 20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to subsidiary Scoot (Singapore).

Top Copyright Photo: Lloyd Fox. If approved, Skywest Airlines (Perth) will become a 100% subsidiary of Virgin Australia. The regional carrier is already operating ATR 72-500s for Virgin Australia in their livery. The Skywest brand used for other Western Australia routes is now likely to disappear.

Virgin Australia:

Skywest Airlines:

Tiger Airways (Australia):

Bottom Copyright Photo: Micheil Keegan. Since Singapore Airlines and its Tiger Airways (Australia) subsidiary are now partners with Virgin Australia, it is unclear if Tiger Airways (Australia), a competitor of Virgin Australia, will continue to use the the Tiger Airways brand in Australia or operate now under the Virgin Australia name. Airbus A320-232 VH-VNO (msn 4053) climbs away from Sydney.

Lao Airlines orders two ATR 72-600s

Lao Airlines (Vientiane) has signed a firm contract for two ATR 72-600s. These two new aircraft will be added to Lao Airlines’ current fleet of four ATR 72-500s (ATR 72-212As). The airline is in the midst of expanding its fleet in order to increase frequency on existing routes and to open up new destinations in the surrounding region.

Lao Airlines:

TransAsia Airways signs contract for eight ATR 72-600s

TransAsia Airways (Taipei) has signed a contract for eight firm 72-seat ATR 72-600s, plus an option for one additional ATR 72-600. The deal, including the option, is valued at over $ 210 million. Deliveries of these new ATR -600s will start in 2014 and extend through 2017. With the purchase of these aircraft, TransAsia Airways will progressively replace their current fleet of nine ATR 72-500s operating in their domestic network with the new aircraft.

Top Image: ATR.

TransAsia:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Manuel Negrerie. The older ATR 72s will be replaced with the new ATR 72-600s for mainly domestic routes in Taiwan. The pictured ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) B-22802 also carries a special 60th Anniversary decal.