Tag Archives: BAe

Swiss concludes a labor agreement with the Swiss European RJ100 pilots

Swiss International Air Lines (Zurich) has concluded a new collective labor agreement with the IPG union which represents the pilots of its Swiss European Air Lines (Zurich).

The company issued this statement:

SWISS has concluded a new collective labor agreement with the IPG, the staff association of its Swiss European Air Lines pilots. The new CLA14+ will keep the company competitive, give greater flexibility to its flight operations and enable its new Bombardier CS100 and Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft fleets to be brought into service with the participation of both its present pilot corps.

The new accord was formally signed by SWISS and the IPG on Wednesday May 28. The CLA14+ collective labor agreement, which will be valid from July 2014 to April 2019, will enable SWISS to make major structural change. The new accord, which will be available to all SWISS pilots, will cover and regulate the introduction of the company’s two new aircraft types, the Bombardier CS100 and the Boeing 777-300 ER, in a way which safeguards its competitive credentials while also ensuring fair participation for both of its cockpit corps. The new agreement offers the company’s present Avro RJ100 pilots new long-haul career opportunities, and simultaneously allows the company’s Airbus pilots to transfer to it with due regard to their current rank and qualifications.

The key features of the new CLA14+ in brief:

•An innovative new salary and workhours model will provide greater flexibility for SWISS’s flight operations, while also offering its pilots more scope in their roster planning. At the same time, the modernized salary system, while being more closely geared to functional criteria, still pays due and full regard to further considerations such as experience and loyalty to the company.

•Any transfers to the new CLA14+ from the Airbus pilot corps will be effected with full recognition of seniority and experience. Up to two-thirds of the long-haul places under the new CLA have been forseen for such transfers.

•This will both ensure that free positions can be occupied according to needs and allow SWISS to establish its planned new cockpit crew base in Geneva. The further option of recruiting pilots for such positions from outside SWISS would only be resorted to if there were no candidates for the positions concerned from either SWISS pilot corps.

“Our new CLA14+ will lay the foundations for making our operations more flexible and more cost-effective and thus more competitive, without having to outsource or reduce corps numbers,” says SWISS Chief Operating Officer Rainer Hiltebrand. “And it will ensure that we can employ all our pilots under favourable terms and conditions which we can continue to offer in the longer term.”

The new CLA14+ will now be subject to a phase of consultation among the Swiss European pilot corps, after which it will be put to referendum in a process that will begin in mid-June.

SWISS’s Airbus pilots will remain subject to their own CLA until the end of 2016 as desired. SWISS remains in discussions with Aeropers, the staff association of its Airbus cockpit corps.

Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner/AirlinersGallery.com. The new agreement offers the company’s present Avro RJ100 pilots new long-haul career opportunities. Swiss European’s BAe RJ100 HB-IYS (msn E3381) in the special “Shopping Paradise Zurich Airport” taxies at the Zurich hub.

Swiss International:

Swiss European:

Atlantic Airways to phase out its last Avro (BAe) RJ100

Atlantic Airways (Vágar) is getting ready to lease out its remaining Avro (BAe) RJ100 (OY-RCC, msn E3357) as it becomes an all-Airbus A319 operator for its prime routes to the Faroe Islands. According to ch-aviation, the company will operate OY-RCC for the last time on August 22 from Reykjavik to Vágar. The company previously issued this statement:

Atlantic Airways’ last “remaining BAe (Avro) RJ100 aircraft in its fleet will be dry leased to Malmø Aviation for a period of 17-30 months with effect by end of August 2014.

The lease is in line with the original plan to phase out the BAe RJ fleet. The lease will not have an impact on expectations for the full-year result in 2014, and is expected to generate a positive cash-flow.

Atlantic Airways will from end August then operate three Airbus A319 aircraft, two Bell 412 helicopters, as well as one AW 139 helicopter from March 2014 due to the temporary off-shore operations in Faroese waters. Atlantic Airways’ future fleet plan will be part of a strategy review during the spring.

The Faroe Islands based carrier focuses primarily on providing the Faroe Islands with air services, but provides also capacity for operations outside the Faroe Islands.”

In other news, Atlantic Airways is expected to operate one of its Airbus A319s for WOW Air.

Atlantic Airways:

CityJet to be sold to Intro Aviation

CityJet (Dublin) and its subsidiary VLM Airlines will be sold by AirFrance-KLM to Intro Aviation. Air France-KLM on March 28 agreed to accept the offer from Intro Aviation. The new owners are expected to take control in about four weeks. CityJet (Air France by CityJet) will continue to fly for Air France.

Air France-KLM issued this short statement:

On March 28, 2014 Air France accepted the firm offer received in December 2013 from Intro Aviation GmbH to purchase CityJet and its VLM subsidiary. The closing of the transaction for the CityJet shares should take place in April 2014.

Air France and CityJet will pursue their commercial co-operation as part of a new industrial plan which foresees, in particular, the development of flights under the CityJet brand on departure from London City to European destinations, and CityJet continuing to operate flights on behalf of Air France on departure from Paris-CDG.

The announcement of this future sale is important for the staff of CityJet and VLM. One of the aims of the operation is to set the conditions for a new long-term development for the company and its staff.

Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. CityJet’s BAe RJ85 EI-RJG (msn E2344) lands at EuroAirport in Air France colors.

CityJet:

Air France by CityJet:

Air Annobón to take delivery of its first BAe RJ85

Air Annobón (San Antonio de Pale, Annobón Island, Equatorial Guinea) is getting ready to take delivery of its first BAe (Avro) RJ85. The pictured RJ85 EI-RJS (msn E2365) was painted in Shannon and has repositioned back to Dublin pending delivery as 3C-MAA. The jetliner is named “Mebana”

Annobón Island (named after “ano bom”, Portuguese for “good year”), also known as Pagalu or Pigalu, is an island of the coast of Equatorial Guinea and is part of the Cameroon Line archipelago according to Wikipedia.

The remote airline was established in 2012 and currently wet leases two 99-seat BAe 146-300s (ZS-SBR and ZS-SOR) from Fair Aviation (Lanseria) in order to operate the daily Malabo-Bata route according to The African Aviation Tribune. According to this report the airline started operations on this route on January 25, 2013. The new addition is expected to replace this wet lease agreement.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Air Annobón:

Eastern Airways to launch Leeds/Bradford – Southampton service on January 20

Eastern Airways’ (Humberside) new service from Leeds Bradford International Airport to Southampton, aimed primarily at business travellers, launches on Monday January 20, 2014.

The UK’s second largest regional airline will offer three flights each weekday in each direction, as well as a Sunday service to ensure business communities in Yorkshire and on the south coast of England have a high frequency air service enabling them to do business.

A convenient early morning departure from Leeds Bradford at 6.50 am allows for a full day in Southampton and south coast region before returning back to Yorkshire just after 5 pm or 7.40 pm on the same day.

The scheduled services depart Leeds Bradford on weekdays at 6.50 am, 10.20 am and 5.10 pm, arriving in Southampton at 7.50 am, 11.20 am and 6.10 pm respectively. Flights leave Southampton at 8.20 am, 4.05 pm and 6.40 pm, landing in Leeds Bradford at 9.20 am, 5.05 pm and 7.40 pm.

Sunday services leave Leeds Bradford at 4.15 pm arriving in Southampton at 5.15 pm, then return at 5.45 pm landing into Leeds Bradford at 6.45 pm.

Eastern Airways has been providing scheduled flights from Leeds Bradford since 2003, and also provides a choice of daily weekday services from the airport to Aberdeen.

A dedicated fast track security channel is offered at Leeds Bradford and Southampton airports for all Eastern Airways passengers to avoid any queues at security search, enabling the airline to close check-in just 30 minutes before the departure time. Complimentary drinks and snacks are offered on board the aircraft and passengers are not charged for check-in, baggage or choice of seat.

A network of services across to 20 airports in the UK, Norway and France is operated by the airline on a fleet of 30 regional aircraft.

Top Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. BAe Jetstream 41 G-MAJY (msn 41099) taxies at Manchester (all others by Eastern Airways).

Eastern Airways:

CityJet will be merged with InterSky

CityJet (Dublin and London-City) is currently owned by the Air France-KLM Group and is for sale. As previously reported, last month the group announced Intro Aviation GmbH, of which Hans Rudolf Woehrl is a co-founder, made an offer pending finalization to acquire CityJet as well as its subsidiary VLM Airlines. The deal is expected to close in this quarter.

Now German aviation investor Hans Rudolf Woehrl says he wants to merge CityJet with InterSky Lufthfahrt (Bregenz, Austria and Friedrichshafen, Germany) according to this report by Reuters. Intro Aviation controls 74.9 percent of the InterSky stock.

Woehrl wants the merged new carrier to serve regional routes that will not upset the major carriers.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Pepscl/AirlinersGallery.com. CityJet operates most of its flights for Air France. It is unclear if the Air France relationship will survive the sale and merger. BAe RJ85 EI-RJH (msn E2344) taxies at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) hub near Paris.

CityJet:

Air France by CityJet:

InterSky:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. InterSky operates three Bombardier DHC-8-300s(Q300) and two ATR 72-600s. InterSky’s ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-600) OE-LIB (msn 1038) lands at Zurich.

InterSky’s seasonal and regular routes from Friedrichshafen:

Air France-KLM to sell CityJet to Intro Aviation

Air France (Paris) and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Amsterdam) have received a firm offer from Intro Aviation of Germany to acquire CityJet (Dublin) and VLM Airlines for an undisclosed amount. The sale is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2014. CityJet is expected to continue to fly for Air France.

The group issued this short statement:

On December 19, 2013, Air France-KLM received a firm offer from Intro Aviation GmbH to purchase CityJet and its subsidiary, VLM.

This offer provides for an ongoing commercial co-operation with Air France as part of a new industrial plan.

Employee representative bodies of the various entities will be informed and consulted.

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014.

Copyright Photo: Keith Burton/AirlinersGallery.com. CityJet’s BAe RJ85 EI-RJJ (msn E2347) climbs away from the runway at Southend.

CityJet (Ireland):

CityJet’s routes from London City Airport:

Brindabella Airlines is put into receivership, all flights grounded

Brindabella Airlines (Canberra) on December 14 suddenly suspended all operations. The following day the regional carrier in Australia was put into receivership.

The carrier was founded and commenced operations in 1994. In 2003 the business was expanded to provide regional airline services and the first two routes were between Canberra and Newcastle, and Canberra and Albury. Brindabella Airlines was offering over 280 flights per week to destinations including Brisbane, Canberra, Cobar, Cooma (Snowy Mountains), Coffs Harbour, Moree, Mudgee, Narrabri, Newcastle, Orange, Sydney, and Tamworth.

Brindabella Airlines has a fleet of Swearingen SA227AC Metros (18 seats), BAe Jetstream 32s (19 seats), and BAe Jetstream 41s (30 seats). Brindabella was also a QANTAS affiliate airline.

Brindabella Airlines was acquired by the Business Air Holdings group and has been partnered with Aeropelican Air Services, since September 2011. Business Air Holdings is an airline investment group with a particular interest in regional airline services.

Read the full story from The Canberra Times: CLICK HERE

Video: 140 staff members were laid off.

Titan Airways retires its last BAe RJ100

Titan Airways (London-Stansted) has retired its last BAe RJ100 after a long association with the UK-built 146 series of aircraft. The airline issued this statement:

Titan Airways RJ100, G-POWF, left the fleet to begin a new role with Canadian operator, North Cariboo Air.

G-POWF, which had been with us for two and a half years, had most recently been employed on a government contract in the Gulf region. The RJ100 superseded Titan Airways’ BAe 146 operations in the Gulf which dated back to 2009.

The role previously fulfilled by Titan is now being taken over by the RAF’s own aircraft.

The departure of the RJ100 is a step in Titan’s long term strategy to operate more modern, economical and environmentally friendly aircraft. In addition to the phasing out of older aircraft types, we have begun actively seeking younger, more efficient aircraft. An Airbus A320-233 was introduced in April and we are looking for further opportunities to expand our charter fleet with Airbus.

Copyright Photo: Christian Volpati Collection. Titan Airways has had a long association with the BAe 146 and its various models. The type has also had a number of liveries. BAe 146-200 G-ZAPN (msn E2119) sports one of those unique color schemes.

Titan Airways:

Air France to sell CityJet to Intro Aviation of Germany

CityJet (Dublin), a subsidiary of Air France (Paris), has been for sale since September 2012. According to this report by Independent.ie, the feeder airline will be sold to German turnaround specialist Intro Aviation. Intro specializes in buying money losing carriers, turning around the fortunes of the airline and then reselling the carrier when it is on better financial footing.

Today’s CityJet was formed from a merger between the old CityJet and VLM Airlines.

Both airlines were formed in the early 1990s, with a focus on providing high quality, high frequency services to business travellers flying between London and key points in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.

Established from a Dublin base in 1993, CityJet commenced services in January 1994, with its first scheduled flights on the Dublin to London City route. In the same year, VLM Airlines began its first scheduled service from Antwerp to London City.

CityJet commenced its alliance with Air France in 1996, operating the Paris Charles de Gaulle to London City route under contract.

In early 2000, Air France-KLM assumed sole ownership of CityJet, marked with the airline operating routes linking Europe to its parent company’s Charles de Gaulle hub.

2007 saw CityJet announce a major expansion of it’s London City network, with the opening of eight new routes, in addition to the existing Dublin and Paris operations (see map below):

CityJet’s senior management team is led by CEO Christine Ourmières.

Read the full story: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: SM Fitzwilliams Collection/AirlinersGallery.com. Formerly operated by Mesaba Airlines for NWA Airlink as N526XJ, BAe RJ85 EI-RJN (msn E2351) arrives back at the Dublin base (click on the photo for the full size view). All other photos by CityJet.

CityJet: