Tag Archives: Boeing

Hawaiian to offer nonstop service from Los Angeles to both Lihue and Kona next summer

Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu) will offer first-ever nonstop service between Los Angeles and the islands of Kaua’i and Hawai’i, in response to growing demand during next summer’s peak travel period.

New annual summer service will commence between Los Angeles and Lihu’e, Kaua’i four times a week, and Los Angeles and Kona, Hawai’i Island three times a week starting in 2014 from June 26 to September 19. The new service will add more than 22,000 seats to both island travel markets over 12 weeks of service, and complements the new Oakland service that will also start next summer with direct flights to Lihu’e and Kona for 10 weeks.

The new Los Angeles service will be operated by Hawaiian Airlines’ wide-body, twin-aisle Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft. With the addition of the service, both Lihu’e Airport and Kona International Airport will have a Hawaiian Airlines wide-body aircraft arriving every day of the week next summer.

Flight Route Departs Arrives Frequency Start Date
HA 62 KOA-LAX 12:40 p.m. 9:05 p.m. Tues, Thurs, Sun June 26, 2014
HA 61 LAX-KOA 8:00 a.m. 10:55 a.m. Tues, Thurs, Sun June 29, 2014
HA 64 LIH-LAX 12:40 p.m. 9:15 p.m. Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat June 27, 2014
HA 63 LAX-LIH 8:00 a.m. 11:10 a.m. Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat June 27, 2014

Hawaiian Airlines is the only carrier serving Hawai’i to offer complimentary meals in Economy Class. In addition, travelers flying between Los Angeles and Kaua’i and Hawai’i, the Big Island can relax and enjoy the comfort and roominess of Hawaiian Airlines’ wide-body, twin-aisle Boeing 767-300 aircraft, seating 264 passengers in a two-class cabin, with 18 in First Class and 246 in the Main Cabin. Adding to the enjoyment of the travel experience on Hawaiian Airlines is the carrier’s signature onboard hospitality program,ย Mea Ho’okipaย (translation: I am host). Travelers will enjoy island-style complimentary meals and made-in-Hawai’i snacks to go along with Hawaiian Airlines’ engaging presentation of the islands’ culture, people andย Aloha Spiritย throughout the flight.

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 767-3CB ER N588HA (msn 33466) touches down at Las Vegas.

Hawaiian Airlines:ย AG Slide Show

Boeing to lose another customer next week: VivaAerobus

VivaAerobus (vivaaerobus.com) (Monterrey) will reportedly jump off the Boeing ship next week and order up to 40 Airbus A320 family aircraft according to this report by Reuters. The new aircraft will replace the aging Boeing 737-300 fleet. This will be the latest defection to Airbus from Boeing in the latest hard fought battle.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Eddie Maloney/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Boeing 737-33A XA-VIM (msn 25032) lands at Las Vegas.

VivaAerobus:ย AG Slide Show

AMR reports a third quarter net profit of $420 million, excluding reorganization and special items

AMR Corporation (Dallas/Fort Worth), the parent company of American Airlines, Inc., (Dallas/Fort Worth) reported results for the third quarter ended Septemberย 30, 2013. Key highlights include:

  • Net profit of $530 million, excluding reorganization and special items, a $420 million improvement year-over-year; on that basis, it is the most profitable quarter inย company history
  • Revenue of $6.8 billion, up 6.2 percent year-over-year; the highest quarterly revenue total in company history
  • Consolidated unit costs, excluding fuel and special items, improved 5.0 percent year-over-year, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of unit cost reduction
  • AMR ended the third quarter with approximately $7.7 billion in cash and short-term investments, including restricted cash, compared to a balance of approximately $5.1 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2012
  • American continued its fleet renewal, taking delivery of ten fuel-efficient Airbus A319s, eight Boeing 737-800s, and one Boeing 777-300 ER in the quarter, while also placing into service four Embraer ERJ 175s operated by one of its affiliated regional carriers
  • American and US Airways Group are vigorously defending the lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice seeking to enjoin their planned merger and continue to move forward with developing a merger integration plan
  • American accrued $59 million in employee profit sharing in the quarter, and has accrued a total of $65 million for employee profit sharing this year. The anticipated distribution would be the first profit sharing payout in thirteen years

“We are pleased to report our highest quarterly net profit in American’s history, excluding reorganization and special items, thanks to the hard work of the entire American team,” said Tom Horton, AMR’s chairman, president and CEO. “Continued execution on our product, network and alliance strategy, combined with cost efficiencies from restructuring and fleet renewal, creates strong momentum towards our planned merger with US Airways. And we are especially pleased to set aside $59 million this quarter in expectation of making our first profit-sharing payout since 2001 to our people who have done so much to put American back on top.”

In the third quarter of 2013, GAAP net profit was $289 million, a $527 million improvement compared to the prior-year period. Excluding reorganization and special items, the third quarter 2013 net profit was $530 million. This is a $420 million improvement compared to the prior-year period. In the quarter, AMR had $241 million of reorganization and special items, which are detailed below.

Financial Progress

AMR continued to drive profitability and significant margin expansion in the third quarter, achieving a pre-tax margin of 7.8 percent, excluding reorganization and special items, an improvement of 6.1 points over the prior-year period, and a GAAP pre-tax margin of 4.2 percent, an improvement of 7.9 points compared to the third quarter of 2012.

On a trailing twelve month basis, the third quarter marked AMR’s seventh consecutive quarter of improved pre-tax margins.ย  This margin expansion is driven by the realization of restructuring efforts to improve the operational and financial performance of the company, and AMR expects to realize additional improvements as the company continues to implement new terms reached with certain vendors and suppliers. AMR also expects results going forward to be bolstered as it competes more effectively by better matching aircraft size with demand through the continued deployment of the new Airbus A319 narrowbodies and the new two-class large regional jets, both of which started entering into service in the third quarter.

“As we continue to deliver substantial margin expansion and record results, we are positioning the company for long-term success,” said Bella Goren, AMR’s chief financial officer. “In addition, our financing activities have significantly enhanced our liquidity, and are enabling us to pay down high-interest debt and efficiently fund our impending emergence from the restructuring process.”

In the third quarter of 2013, AMR strengthened its liquidity and reduced its effective interest rates through several key transactions. AMR completed a private offering of $1.4 billion of enhanced equipment trust certificates with a coupon of 4.95 percent. The proceeds from this offering were used to pay off in full three prior aircraft financings with coupons of 8.625 percent, 10.375 percent, and 13 percent. The third quarter also marked the closing of an $850 million term loan, secured by American’s South American slots, gates, and routes, incremental to the $1.05 billion term loan secured by the same collateral that closed in the second quarter.

Revenue Performance

For the third quarter of 2013, AMR reported record consolidated revenue of approximately $6.8 billion, up 6.2 percent versus the same period last year. Consolidated passenger revenue was approximately $6.0 billion, an increase of 6.4 percent โ€“ and the highest quarterly passenger revenue in company history. Mainline and regional passenger revenue and cargo revenue each increased year-over-year as total operating revenue in the third quarter of 2013 was approximately $399 million higher than the third quarter of 2012.

“American’s solid revenue momentum continued in the third quarter, with especially strong performance at our domestic hubs, and in the Atlantic and Caribbean regions,” said Virasb Vahidi, American’s chief commercial officer. “We’re particularly pleased with our strength across the Atlantic, reflecting the success of our joint business with British Airways, Iberia and Finnair.

Through this partnership, we offer our customers more New York-London travel options than any other alliance, with 17 daily nonstop flights from New York area airports.ย This is yet another example of putting the customer at the center of everything we do.”

Consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (unit revenue) increased 3.4 percent versus the same quarter last year, to an all-time record for any quarter of 13.79 cents per available seat mile (ASM). Mainline unit revenue at American increased 4.0 percent versus the prior-year period, reaching an all-time record for any quarter of 13.11 cents per ASM.

The company’s unit revenue performance was driven by record passenger yield, or revenue per passenger mile, of 16.36 cents per mile, a 4.0 percent year-over-year improvement, and strong mainline and consolidated load factors, or percentage of seats filled, of 85.0 percent and 84.3 percent, respectively.

Operating Expense

For the third quarter, AMR’s consolidated operating expenses decreased $248 million, or 3.9 percent, versus the same period in 2012. Mainline and consolidated cost per available seat mile (unit cost) in the third quarter decreased 7.4 percent and 6.6 percent, respectively.

Excluding special items, AMR’s consolidated operating expenses decreased $52 million, or 0.8 percent, year-over-year.

Fuel expense in the third quarter increased $40 million year-over-year on a 2.9 percent increase in ASMs. Taking into account the impact of fuel hedging, AMR paid $3.04 per gallon for jet fuel in the third quarter of 2013 versus $3.12 per gallon in the third quarter of 2012, a 2.6 percent decrease.

Excluding fuel and special items, mainline and consolidated unit costs in the third quarter of 2013 decreased 5.4 percent and 5.0 percent year-over-year, respectively, primarily driven by the company’s restructuring efforts. This was the fourth consecutive quarter of non-fuel unit cost reduction.

In addition, AMR achieved an operating profit of $713 million and an operating margin of approximately 10.4 percent, an improvement of approximately $451 million and 6.3 points, respectively, over the prior-year period, excluding special items in both periods. On a GAAP basis, AMR realized an operating profit of $698 million and an operating margin of approximately 10.2 percent, an improvement of approximately $647 million and 9.4 points, respectively, over the prior-year period.

An unaudited summary of third quarter 2013 results, including reconciliations of non-GAAP to GAAP financial measures, is available in the tables at the back of this press release.

Cash Position

The company ended the third quarter with approximately $7.7 billion in cash and short-term investments, including a restricted cash balance of $935 million, compared to a balance of approximately $5.1 billion in cash and short-term investments, including a restricted cash balance of approximately $847 million, at the end of the third quarter of 2012. The increase was generated by operating activities and by financing initiatives in 2013.

Fleet Renewal and Transformation

In the third quarter, American made significant progress on its fleet renewal program, adding new, efficient and more comfortable aircraft.

  • The newest member of America’s fleet – the Airbus 319 – went into service in September, flying from Dallas/Fort Worth to Charlotte, Cleveland, Memphis and Wichita. These modern and fuel-efficient aircraft represent an important milestone in the company’s journey to transform the travel experience for its customers. American took delivery of ten A319s in the third quarter.
  • The company launched its first service with the 76-seat Embraer ERJ 175 operated by one of its affiliated regional carriers. This large regional aircraft in a two-class cabin configuration allows the company to better match supply and demand with the right amount of schedule frequency.
  • American also took delivery of eight Boeing 737-800s and one Boeing 777-300ER.

In the fourth quarter, American expects to take delivery of its first five Airbus A321 trans-con aircraft – specially configured with fully lie-flat First and Business Class seats. These aircraft are anticipated to enter service in January 2014.

Through the third quarter, American has taken delivery of 43 out of the 59 new mainline aircraft slated for delivery in 2013, including seven Boeing 777-300 ERs.

Pending Merger with US Airways Group

  • In the third quarter, American and US Airways Group continued preparing for their planned merger announced on Feb. 14, 2013.
  • On Aug. 13, the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and certain states filed a lawsuit to enjoin the merger.
  • American and US Airways Group are vigorously defending the lawsuit. The trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 25. The company is confident that the merger would provide significant customer benefits and enhance competition in the airline industry.
  • On Oct. 1, American and US Airways Group announced they reached an agreement with the Texas Attorney General to support the proposed merger of American and US Airways Group.
  • American and US Airways Group continue to move forward with developing a merger integration plan designed to ensure a positive outcome for their customers, employees and stakeholders.

The merger is conditioned on the satisfactory resolution of the pending antitrust litigation with the DOJ and other customary closing conditions.

Operational Performance

American ran a solid operation during the busy summer travel season, achieving an on-time arrival rate of 79.5 percent, its best third quarter performance since 2010. American’s improved operational results for the quarter also include a completion factor of 99.0 percent, its best since 2010.

Recent Business Highlights

American has a strong commitment to its customers, its people, and the communities it serves. Recent American highlights include:

  • Launching new codeshare agreements with Bogota-based LAN Colombia and Sao Paulo-based TAM Airlines, which will add new service to key destinations and increase American’s network connectivity in the Latin American region, further strengthening American’s relationship with LATAM Airlines Group
  • Strengthening its global presence to best meet customer demand by announcing that American will launch its first-ever nonstop service from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) next year
  • Opening its Flagship Check-In for premium customers at Chicago’s O’Hare airport, making it American’s fourth airport to offer this enhanced customer experience
  • Announcing plans to hire 1,500 new pilots over the next five years. The company has offered to recall all of its furloughed pilots and will begin the new recruiting later this fall.ย  This is in addition to the hiring and training underway for 1,500 new flight attendants and the more than 1,200 Premium Services Representatives, Airport Agents and Reservations Agents who have joined the American team this year

Restructuring Progress

On Sept.12, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York stated that it would enter an order confirming American’s Plan of Reorganization (the Plan). The next steps the company seeks to take are to achieve antitrust clearance and consummate the Plan and the company’s pending merger with US Airways Group.

The effective date of the Plan and American’s emergence from restructuring are expected to occur simultaneously with the closing of the merger with US Airways Group.

Reorganization and Special Items

AMR’s third quarter 2013 results include the impact of $241 million in reorganization and special items.

  • Of that amount, AMR recognized a $151 million loss in reorganization items resulting from the filing of voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 by certain of its direct and indirect U.S. subsidiaries on Nov. 29, 2011. These items primarily consist of professional fees, as well as allowed and estimated allowed claim amounts.
  • In conjunction with the repayment of the existing financings, the company incurred cash charges of $19 million, included in interest expense, and a charge of $54 million, included in Miscellaneous, net, related to the premium on tender for the existing financings and to the write-off of unamortized issuance costs.
  • The company’s results for the third quarter also include special charges and merger-related expenses of $15 million.

Capacity Guidance

AMR estimates consolidated capacity in the fourth quarter of 2013 to be up approximately 3.5 percent versus the fourth quarter of 2012, primarily driven by the combination of an estimated 1.5 percent year-over-year increase in the average stage length per operation flown, and by new or increased capacity into South Korea, Mexico and Central and South America.

For the full year 2013, consolidated capacity is estimated to increase approximately 1.5 percent versus the prior year.

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-223 ER N778AN (msn 29587) arrives at London (Heathrow).

American Airlines:ย AG Slide Show

American Airlines is coming to Hong Kong

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) today announced it plans to launch its first-ever nonstop service from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) next year.

The new daily service between DFW and Hong Kong will be operated with a Boeing 777-300 ER, marking the first time American will deploy its flagship aircraft to Asia. The new service between DFW and Shanghai will be operated with a 777-200 aircraft. Pending regulatory approval, customers can travel on these new routes beginning summer 2014.

Both routes will be operated as part of American’s joint business agreement with fellowย oneworldยฎalliance member Japan Airlines. The service to Hong Kong will add a new destination to American’s international network, and the service to Shanghai complements American’s existing service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Throughย oneworld member airlines and their affiliates, American’s customers will have access to more than 145 destinations within Asia. Also, through American’s extensive network out of Dallas/Fort Worth, customers traveling from Shanghai and Hong Kong will now have access to nearly 200 destinations throughout North, Central and South America.

In addition to welcoming the 777-300 ER to Asia with the launch of service to Hong Kong, American will take delivery of and deploy additional 777-300 ER aircraft to key international markets in 2014, including routes from American’s hub in Miami for the first time. American will begin operating the 777-300 ER on one of its two daily flights from Miami to London Heathrow (LHR) in January, and one of its four daily flights from Miami to Sao Paulo (GRU) in November 2014. American will also operate an additional 777-300 ER between New York JFK and London Heathrow in March. By the end of 2014, American will have 16 of the 20 777-300 ER aircraft it has on order deployed throughout its network.

With the introduction of an additional 777-300 ER between JFK and London Heathrow, customers will have the opportunity to travel in fully lie-flat First Class or Business Class seats on all 12 frequencies American operates together with British Airways between the two airports, providing more fully lie-flat seats than any other airline partnership in the market.

Together, American and British Airways provide customers in the competitive New York to London travel market more service than any other airline partnership, with 17 daily nonstop flights from New York-area airports to London-area airports. In addition to the combined 12 daily trips between JFK and London Heathrow, British Airways also offers direct access from Newark to London Heathrow and the only service by any carrier between JFK and London City (LCY), giving business travelers more convenient access to the financial district in the heart of London.ย ย  ย ย 

Copyright Photo: Karl Cornil/AirlinersGallery.com. American’s new Boeing 777-323 ER N722AN (msn 31547) arrives in London at Heathrow Airport.

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Air France-KLM: The Alitalia business plan is not suitable

Air France-KLM Group (Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines) (Paris and Amsterdam) with 25 percent of the stock is the key to Alitalia’s (2nd) (Rome) survival. According to this report by Reuters quoting internal sources, the group has stated privately the Alitalia rescue plan and capital infusion “fell short of its requirements,ย particularly in terms of debt restructuring.”

However, the source added that Alitalia was “of strategic interest” to Air France-KLM.

Meanwhile Willie Walsh of the International Airline Group (British Airways, Iberia and Vueling Airlines) has spoken out against the state aid for Alitalia and has called on the European Commission to stop the Italian government’s efforts to prop-up the failing flag carrier.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Alitalia’s Boeing 777-243 ER I-DISU (msn 32858) climbs from the runway at Tokyo (Narita).

Alitalia (2nd):ย AG Slide Show

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A large panel falls off of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 VT-ANO while flying over India

Air India‘s (Mumbai) Boeing 787-8 VT-ANO (msn 36286) while being operated on flight AI 803 from Delhi to Bangalore with 148 passengers and crew members, lost a 4′ x 8’ panel while en route between the two cities on October 12, 2013. The troubled airliner made a safe emergency landing at Bangalore. The panel has since been repaired and the aircraft is back in service according to The Times of India.

VT-ANO was delivered to Air India on October 4, 2013.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean/AirlinersGallery.com. Soon to be delivered Boeing 787-8 VT-ANG (msn 36275) Completes a test flight at Paine Field near Everett.

All AG images are available as framable color prints or posters.

Air India:ย AG Slide Show

Norwegian establishes a new European airline subsidiary

Norwegian AIr Shuttle’s (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) Board of Directors today approved a new structure that will ensure the company’s international growth and the necessary traffic rights. Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA continues to be overall parent company. The parent company established two new wholly owned subsidiaries with their own operating certificate (AOC), one in Norway and one in Europe. The Company intends to establish hiring pilots at bases outside Scandinavia.

The most important changes:

New Norwegian operating company with its own AOC in Norway based on the current Scandinavian bases

All employees pilots in Scandinavia is transferred to the Norwegian operating company with current pay and working conditions. Other employees of Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA are not affected

Creation of a separate EU operational company that ensures the necessary traffic rights to fly from Europe

In line with the development of law in Europe established wholly owned resource company with roots in the countries where the bases are

Hired pilots are being offered permanent employment locally in the respective resource companies. The first is the base in Finland, where the pilots are being offered permanent employment in the first quarter of 2014. This is followed by the bases in Spain and England.

Norwegian goes from being a Scandinavian company into an international company. The organizational structure needs to be modernized and adapted accordingly.

The new structure provides a greater degree of equality regarding career opportunities, regardless of what country they have that base.

Copyright Photo: Karl Cornil/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-8JP LN-DYU (msn 39008) with the special “Wireless Internet on Board” markings arrives at London (Gatwick).

Norwegian:ย AG Slide Show

Allegiant to move to Concourse A at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) will move its Las Vegas operation today from Concourse D to Concourse A. This area was previously vacated by US Airways.

Read the full story from Las Vegas Review-Journal: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Allegiant Air’s Boeing 757-204 N902NV (msn 26964) climbs over the Strip at Las Vegas.

Allegiant:ย AG Slide Show

FAA Airport Map for LAS:

LAS Airport Map (FAA)

Alitalia needs more money to keep flying this weekend

Alitalia (2nd) (Rome) continues to bleed money. According to this report by Reuters, the flag carrier needs almost $680 million to avoid bankruptcy again. Its main fuel supplier has threatened to stop making fuel deliveries this weekend.

The Italian government, which considers the failing airline a “strategic asset”, has now structured a deal where state owned Poste Italiane through Mistral Airย (Rome) would provide a partial capital float in the form of a capital increase to keep the passenger airline flying.

Alitalia continues to lose money and has not been profitable since 2002. The causes of continued losses has not been fully addressed due to political meddling.

The government now wants “radical change” at the airline and wants the current stockholders to share in the capital increase.

Stockholders Air France (Paris) and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Amsterdam), which control 25 percent of the shares, has mainly been mum of the recent government calls for action and has continued to ask for more financial information.

The Italian government would like Air France-KLM to raise their stakes in Alitalia but this is unlikely to happen since Air France is restructuring itself.

Can Alitalia survive? Will any of the Gulf carriers (Etihad Airways?) come to the rescue? Will any of the other SkyTeam partners help? Stay tuned.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen/AirlinersGallery.com. Up-close runway action of Alitalia’s Boeing 767-35H ER EI-DBP (msn 26389) in the SkyTeam colors at New York (JFK).

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Bottom Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. Mistral Air’s Boeing 737-348 EI-BUE (msn 23810) prepares to land at Zurich.

 

Etihad Airways to buy five Boeing 777-200 LRs from Air India, will fly to Los Angeles

Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) has announced its plans to acquire the five Boeing 777-200 LRs (Longer Range) from Air India (Mumbai). The airline issued this statement:

The two carriers signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) inย Mumbaiย earlier this week paving the way for the deal.

The 777-200 LRs will be used on the airlineโ€™s new route between Abu Dhabi and Los Angeles, which starts on June 1, 2014.

Etihad Airways currently flies toย New York (JFK),ย Chicago (O’Hare),ย Washington (Dulles), DCย andย Toronto (Pearson)ย in North America, and toย Sรฃo Pauloย inย Brazil, and has stated its ambition to add new services to both continents.

Subject to approvals, the aircraft will be delivered to Etihad Airways from the beginning of 2014 and each will be re-fitted in a three class cabin configuration consistent with similar aircraft in the Etihad Airways fleet.ย  It is expected the first aircraft will enter service in April 2014.

The purchase comes as Etihad Airways finalizes details on a new fleet order which will meet its organic growth and expansion requirements to 2025 in line with its rolling network plan.

The Boeing 777-200 LR, of which less than 60 were manufactured, has a design range of 17,370ย km, allowing it to connect almost any city in the world from Etihad Airwaysโ€™ hub atย Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The five Air India 777-200 LR aircraft, which Etihad Airways is purchasing, are on average, six years old, helping the airline to maintain its overall position of having one of the most modern fleets in the industry.

Etihad Airwaysโ€™ current fleet will reach 87 aircraft by year end, with 14 new deliveries from aircraft manufacturers during 2013.

In other news, Etihad has announced it will increase its share in Virgin Australia Holdings to 19.9 percent.ย At 19.9 percent, Etihad Airways has reached the threshold approved by Australiaโ€™s Foreign Investment Review Board in June 2013.

Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia Airlines (Brisbane) signed a 10-year strategic partnership agreement in August 2010 that includes code-sharing on flights, joint sales and marketing activities, and reciprocal earn-and-burn on their respective frequent flyer programs.

For more information, please see: CLICK HERE

Finally, Etihad Airways and airBaltic (Riga) have announced a new Abu Dhabi-Riga joint route which will start on December 16, 2013.

The announcement follows the signing of a codeshare agreement between the two airlines.ย  Subject to regulatory approvals, airBaltic will operate the new four weekly return flights using a 116 seat Airbus A319 aircraft.

With seating capacity for 14 Business class and 102 Economy class passengers, the flights will operate on a split schedule, ensuring optimal connectivity over each airlineโ€™s respective hubs in Abu Dhabi and Riga.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Air India’s Boeing 777-237 LR VT-ALD (msn 36303) prepares to touch down at London’s Heathrow Airport.

Air India:ย AG Slide Show

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