Tag Archives: Boeing 737-8 MAX 8

Virgin Australia expands Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet and secures access to full-flight simulator in Perth

Virgin Australia has made this announcement:

  • Virgin Australia has announced four additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft will join its fleet with delivery starting in the second half of 2023, increasing capacity in line with the airline’s fleet growth program and journey towards Net Zero.
  • Virgin Australia has secured priority access to a Boeing 737NG full-flight simulator in Perth which will deliver a 25 per cent increase in domestic training capacity for more than 200 pilots based in Western Australia who are retraining on the aircraft type as the airline continues its growth of Boeing 737 aircraft.
  • Simulator access will be available as soon as April 2023 through a long-term partnership with global aviation training provider CAE.
  • With the airline relaunching less than two years ago, Virgin Australia has marked another major milestone this week, celebrating growing its workforce to over 7,000 team members.

Virgin Australia Group has announced four additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft and priority access to a Boeing 737NG full-flight simulator that will be deployed in Jandakot, near Perth, as part of a long-term partnership with global aviation training provider CAE.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, which are in addition to another four MAX 8 aircraft announced in April 2022, will reduce emissions by 15 per cent per flight* and play an important part in Virgin Australia’s Net Zero journey. These additional aircraft support capacity increases in-line with Virgin Australia’s broader growth strategy bringing total Boeing 737 fleet to 92 (consisting of 737-700s, 737-800s and Boeing MAX 8s) an increase of nearly 60 per cent since relaunching in November 2020. First delivery of the additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft is expected in 2023.

Virgin Australia aircraft photo Gallery:

WestJet announces direct flights between Winnipeg and Los Angeles

WestJet Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-GZSG (msn 60516) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 958572.

WestJet has announced new nonstop service between Winnipeg and Los Angeles, beginning October 31, 2022.

From left: Nick Hays, President and CEO, Winnipeg Airports Authority, Dayna Spiring, President and CEO, Winnipeg Economic Development; John Weatherill, WestJet Chief Commercial Officer, The Honourable Heather Stefanson, Premier of Manitoba; and Rod Bruinooge, Interim CEO, Manitoba Film and Music. (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)

The route, which will operate three-times weekly on a year-round basis, will strengthen integral ties and convenience in transportation between Winnipeg’s expanding television and film industry and the esteemed, world-renowned hub of entertainment itself, Los Angeles.

Route Start Date Frequency Departure Arrival
Winnipeg – Los
Angeles		 Beginning
October 31,
2022		 3x Weekly (Monday,
Friday, Saturday)		 7:00 am 8:50 am
Los Angeles –
Winnipeg		 Beginning
October 31,
2022		 3x Weekly (Monday,
Friday, Saturday)		 9:35 am 3:07 pm

This winter, WestJet will solidify its position as the leading airline in Winnipeg providing more nonstop routes than any other carrier.

Further, the WestJet Group will increase capacity to and from Winnipeg by 80 percent in comparison to 2021, serving 22 nonstop, direct routes and producing the largest year-over-year growth of any major airport in the group’s network.

Top Copyright Photo: WestJet Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-GZSG (msn 60516) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 958572.

WestJet slide show:

Icelandair reports a $4 million profit in the second quarter of 2022

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Icelandair Group made this announcement:

  • EBIT USD 1.2 million improving by USD 63.4 million year-on-year despite fuel price more than doubling
  • Operating income USD 328.9 million up by USD 251.4 million
  • Passenger revenue driving the increase in operating income
  • Continued recovery in capacity; 76% of 2019 production levels vs 58% in Q1 2022
  • Load factor significantly improving year-on-year; 78.5% vs 47.3%
  • Almost one thousand employees recruited during the quarter
  • Strong cashflow from operations (USD 121.7 million)
  • Record liquid funds available at end of June USD 463 million
  • Committed to taking delivery of six more efficient B737 MAX aircraft, supporting further growth and sustainability targets
  • The second half of the year expected to be profitable with Q3 performance significantly stronger than last year

Bogi Nils Bogason, President & CEO

“Turning a profit in the second quarter is a major milestone on our road to financial sustainability. Utilizing the flexibility of our network and robust infrastructure has allowed us to rapidly increase capacity in line with high demand, achieving improved load factor and higher yields, despite various external factors affecting our business, such as fuel price more than doubling between years. This kind of a turnaround does not happen by itself. It is the outcome of relentless effort by our people, whose teamwork and dedication has been remarkable during this challenging time. I would like to thank them for all their hard work.

Our ramp-up has continued into July with more destinations, frequent flights to our most popular destinations and diverse departure times throughout each day. Like the rest of the industry, we have been faced with various challenges, such as employee shortage at airport operators in Europe and North America that has caused flight disruptions, as well as supply chain issues that have delayed the return of aircraft out of maintenance. We are, however, in a good position to respond to such disruptions with our extensive flight schedule and frequency of flights that enables us to get our passengers quickly and efficiently to their destinations. In addition, our employees have also taken various innovative actions to minimize the impact on our customers.

The outlook for Q3 is good with strong bookings. We expect our flight schedule to reach around 83% of 2019 levels in Q3 and around 90% of 2019 in Q4 2022, despite the on-going geopolitical and economic uncertainty. It is good to see such strong demand to Iceland and the transatlantic market recovering well. The outlook is also good in our cargo and leasing businesses. As we have seen in the past and what the pandemic and the subsequent ramp-up phase have clearly demonstrated is that we have a robust business model and an excellent team of employees. We will continue to work hard on unleashing the opportunities we see for Icelandair going forward.”

Top Copyright Photo: Icelandair Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 TF-ICP (msn 44360) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 958320.

Icelandair aircraft slide show:

Icelandair aircr5aft photo gallery:

Icelandair reports its June capacity was 77% of its June 2019 capacity

Icelandair Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 TF-ICS (msn 44569) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 958116.

Icelandair reported on its traffic in June:

In June 2022, the total number of Icelandair’s passengers continued to increase and was 431 thousand compared to 94 thousand in June 2021 and 316 thousand in May this year. The total capacity in June was 77% of June 2019 capacity.

The number of passengers on international flights was 407 thousand compared to 72 thousand in June 2021 and 291 thousand in May this year. The number of passengers to Iceland was 176 thousand and from Iceland around 57 thousand. Via passengers were 174 thousand or 43% of the total number of international passengers, compared to 20% in June 2021. On-time performance was 67% and was negatively affected by disruptions in the route network that were mainly resulting from challenging conditions at international airports and delays of aircraft out of maintenance due to post-pandemic supply chain issues. The load factor on international flights was 83.2%, compared to 53.6% in June 2021.

The domestic network has recovered well and already reached pre-Covid levels although also being affected by delays of aircraft out of maintenance, causing disruptions in the domestic network in June. The number of passengers on domestic flights was 25 thousand compared to 22 thousand in June last year. The load factor on domestic flights was 74.3%, compared to 72.7% in June 2021.

Sold block hours in charter flights were at the same level between years. Freight measured in Freight Ton Kilometers decreased by 7% year-on-year but increased by 2% in the first six months of the year compared to the same period 2021.

Route Network Jun 22 Jun 21 CHG (%) YTD 22 YTD 21 CHG (%)
Number of Passengers 431,408 94,319 357% 1,411,799 221,116 538%
Load Factor 83.2% 53.6% 29.6 ppt 74.9% 44.6% 30.3 ppt
Available Seat KM (ASK´000,000) 1,524.2 455.3 235% 5,306.9 913.5 481%
Revenue Passenger KM (RPK´000,000) 1,268.2 244.0 420% 3,973.9 407.3 876%
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS Jun 22 Jun 21 CHG (%) YTD 22 YTD 21 CHG (%)
  To market (passengers) 175,847 45,073 290% 588,887 77,931 656%
  From market (passengers) 56,965 12,528 355% 247,247 32,081 671%
  Via market (passengers) 174,069 14,455 1104% 451,607 17,347 2503%
Number of Passengers 406,881 72,056 465% 1,287,741 127,359 911%
Load Factor 83.3% 53.2% 30.0 ppt 74.9% 43.6% 31.3 ppt
Available Seat KM (ASK´000,000) 1,514.7 446.4 239% 5,262.1 872.9 503%
Revenue Passenger KM (RPK´000,000) 1,261.2 237.6 431% 3,938.7 380.2 936%
Stage length (KM) 3,111 3,280 -5% 3,068 2,923 5%
On-Time-Performance (Arrivals) 67.0% 91.0% -24.0 ppt 74.3% 91.0% -16.7 ppt
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS Jun 22 Jun 21 CHG (%) YTD 22 YTD 21 CHG (%)
Number of Passengers 24,527 22,263 10% 124,058 93,757 32%
Load Factor 74.3% 72.7% 1.6 ppt 78.6% 66.7% 11.9 ppt
Available Seat KM (ASK´000,000) 9.5 8.8 8% 44.7 40.6 10%
Cargo & Leasing Jun 22 Jun 21 CHG (%) YTD 22 YTD 21 CHG (%)
Sold Block Hours – Leasing 1,199 1,197 0% 6,721 6,719 0%
Freight Tonne KM (FTK´000) 10,327 11,098 -7% 69,181 67,852 2%
CO2 EMISSIONS Jun 22 Jun 21 CHG (%) YTD 22 YTD 21 CHG (%)
Total CO2 emissions tonnes 106,283 34,513 208% 389,005 102,680 279%
CO2 emissions per OTK 0.76 1.07 -29% 0.82 1.34 -39%

In other news, Icelandair has entered into agreements with BOC Aviation (BOCA), regarding long-term operating leases of two new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered from Boeing in the fall of 2023. This transaction will bring the total number of 737 MAX in the Icelandair fleet up to 20 aircraft.

Top Copyright Photo: Icelandair Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 TF-ICS (msn 44569) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 958116.

Icelandair aircraft photo gallery:

Bonza prepares to take delivery of its first Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 now painted, unveils its ‘wear it your way’ uniforms

LOT SP-SVO NTU, to become VH-UJT

Bonza (Melbourne) is a new airline backed by 777 Partners of Miami that is preparing to launch operations in September 2022 to underserved markets in Australia.

The new airline is getting ready to take delivery of its first Boeing 737-8 MAX 8.

The pictured N5515X has now been painted by Boeing pending delivery as VH-UJT.

In other news, the upstart has introduced its uniforms;

Bonza, Australia’s only independent low-cost airline, has thrown out the rule book as they reveal their first-ever uniform. The ‘wear it your way’ range, featuring Australian aviation’s first-ever on-trend white custom sneakers and cotton t-shirts, allows Bonza legends to let their individual personalities shine with various ‘mix and match’ options.

“Our brief was clear. Create a uniform that Bonza legends will wear with pride. We know airline uniforms are the land that time forgot and we wanted to change that with our partners at Total Image Group,” said Carly Povey, Chief Commercial Officer at Bonza.

Povey went on to say there will be no ‘grooming guide’ for legends and instead cabin crew, pilots, operation centre and office staff will be able to style various looks depending on where they’re travelling to, their mood on the day and personalities.

“We won’t dictate what lipstick to wear – or whether you have to wear lipstick at all. We won’t ask crew to cover up their tattoos and just because you’re female, that doesn’t mean you have to wear a skirt. If you’re non-binary, pregnant, work in the office or onboard, we have options for you. Bonza is for the many not the few, and that’s what you’ll see with our first-ever uniforms,” added Povey.

In a nod to the many tropical Queensland destinations on Bonza’s route map, the looks include tailored shorts which can be worn with the white cotton t-shirt and blazer which features purple trim and the Bonza values stitched inside on the lining. There’s also a pant option, shirt dress and sleeveless coat. Accessories include a Bonza thumbs up pin, branded custom socks and a purple scarf that can be worn as a hair, neck or pocket accessory.

Pilots uniforms feature a crisp white button-up shirt, tailored pants and charcoal blazer with silver stripes. Pilot uniforms are not exempt from a bit of Bonza personality with the addition of purple lining in the blazer, inside of the shirt collar and on-shirt logo. In a break of tradition, there’s no pilot hat. Everyone agreed it was better to pass that saving to our customers.

Total Image Group Head Designer and CEO, Pamela Jabbour said: “My goal was for the uniforms to reflect the excitement and optimism that Bonza brings to Aussie travellers. They’re ditching the rule book in every way and the uniforms are no exception. Instead of pantyhose, polyester shirts, black high heels and traditional embroidery – we have created a uniform that reflects current trends and that legends will wear with pride.”

Total Image Group are working with Bonza to extend the range to include crew sunglasses. “We intend to offer additional options to legends and to be the first airline to offer a sunnies subsidy, should crew wish to purchase Australian made sunglasses that will be made from recycled materials,” said Povey.

Top Copyright Photo: Bonza Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 N5515X (VH-UJT) (msn 62533) BFI (Joe G. Walker). Image: 958109.

Flyr is coming to Hamburg

Delivered on April 28, 2022

Flyr (Oslo) has announced it will begin flying the Oslo – Hamburg route starting on August 15.

The new route will be operated four days a week.

In other news, the new airline flew a total of 149,100 guests travelled with Flyr in May, an increase of 22% compared to April. The loyalty program Flyr + which was introduced in March is now counting 160,000 members. Sales are continuing to increase with 1.2 million tickets sold so far, and the last days have been averaging over 10,000 sold tickets per day.

The airline continued;

Production was 270.4 million ASK in the month, with on average nine aircraft in operation. Load factor was 62.1%, with Yield in the month of NOK 0.52.

Flyr had a regularity in operations during May of 99.4 % and punctuality of 89.7%.

  • Sale of tickets for the summer season continues to increase, and for June we expect a load factor up towards 80%. What we are most proud of and give us most motivation, is all the positive feedback we have received from all those who have chosen to fly with us so far, says Tonje Wikstrøm Frislid, CEO of Flyr.

Unit revenue (PASK) in May was NOK 0.34, while the average PASK from first flight in June 2021 was NOK 0.30.

Currently Flyr has a fleet of 10 aircraft, and 2 additional aircraft will be delivered during the summer. At the end of May, Flyr has 41 FTE’s per aircraft, which is in line with the planned progression to reach the targeted cost level.

Besides domestic routes in Norway, the airline flies to popular sunny destinations in southern Europe:

Top Copyright Photo: Flyr has joined the Boeing 737 MAX club. Flyr Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 LN-FGH (msn 43354) OSL (Jay Selman). Image: 404170.

Flyr aircraft photo gallery:

Akasa Air takes delivery of its first Boeing 737-8 MAX 8

Akasa Air has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 (VT-YAA).

The new airline from India has released these photos of the ceremony.

Akasa Air Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 VT-YAA (msn 62871) BFI (Joe G. Walker). Image: 957819.

Above Copyright Photo: Akasa Air Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 VT-YAA (msn 62871) BFI (Joe G. Walker). Image: 957819.

Akasa Air aircraft slide show:

China Southern Airlines is uncertain on whether it will take any more Boeing 737 MAX deliveries

China Southern Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 B-1122 (msn 43951) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 957667.

China Southern Airlines has stated it has not yet confirmed a timetable for the delivery of its remaining Boeing 737 MAX jets on order from Boeing.

The airline has 24 Boeing 737-8 MAX 8s grounded in China although Chinese authorities has authorized the type to fly again.

Complicating the issue has been the dramatic downturn in traffic in China due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.

Previously the airline predicted 39 MAX jets would be delivered in 2022, 37 in 2023 and 27 in 2024. This is now in doubt.

Top Copyright Photo: China Southern Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 B-1122 (msn 43951) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 957667.

China Southern aircraft slide show:

China Southern aircraft photo gallery:

Caribbean Airlines to restore the Tobago – New York JFK route

Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 9Y-GUY (msn 43319) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 957318.

Caribbean Airlines has announced the re-start of nonstop service between Tobago and New York (JFK) on May 5.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE BETWEEN TRINIDAD/TOBAGO & 

NEW YORK EFFECTIVE MAY 05

ROUTE FLIGHT # FREQUENCY DEP ARR
POS-TAB BW 422 WED 10:25 PM 10:55 PM
TAB-JFK BW 422 THURS 12:25 AM 5:30 AM
JFK-TAB BW 423 THURS 7:30 AM 12:25PM
TAB-POS BW 423 THURS 1:25 PM 1:55PM

Caribbean Airlines was established on September 27, 2006, and commenced operations on January 1, 2007.

Caribbean Airlines operates flights to 22 destinations in the Caribbean and North and South America out of its hubs in Piarco, Trinidad and Kingston, Jamaica.

The airline continues to improve connectivity in the Caribbean region and is expanding in the Eastern Caribbean with services from Barbados to Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia with other destinations to be added.

The airline’s fleet is comprised of Boeing 737-8 MAX 8, Boeing 737-800NG and ATR 72-600 aircraft.

Video:

Top Copyright Photo: Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 9Y-GUY (msn 43319) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 957318.

Caribbean Airlines aircraft slide show:

Caribbean Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

 

Ukraine International Airlines to operate charter flights from Lodz (LCJ) and Wraclaw (WRO) Airports

Was going to UIA (UR-MXD?), NTU, to AeroMexico as XA-DAO

Ukraine International Airlines, despite Russia’s unprovoked invasion of its Ukraine homeland, is still alive and functioning. The flag carrier has made this announcement concerning the use of UIA aircraft outside of Ukraine:

UIA offers its partners operation of charter and humanitarian flights outside Ukraine and “wet leasing” cooperation.

In times of martial law and the closure of Ukrainian airspace, UIA strives to maintain operations in order to ensure its contribution to the economic stability of Ukraine. UIA successfully passes periodic audits for compliance with modern IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) operational safety requirements, covering all aspects of the airline’s activities.

UIA invites airlines and partners to join the economic support of Ukraine, taking advantage of the availability of UIA aircraft for charter and humanitarian flights outside Ukraine and concluding “wet leasing” agreements. Using our aircraft, you support UIA operations during the war and help pay taxes to the state budget of Ukraine.

ATTENTION PARTNERS! UIA provides an operational opportunity to carry out passenger, charter and humanitarian flights outside Ukraine in the Polish direction – to/from Lodz (LCJ) and Wraclaw (WRO) airports, using a Boeing 737-900ER aircraft with a passenger capacity of 186 – 215 seats and a carrying capacity of 18,000 kg with the volume of the cargo compartment – 103 m3.

In order to organize cooperation using UIA aircraft outside Ukraine, please contact:

Cooperation is possible only with companies that do not fly to Russia and Belarus, and also do not receive funding from these countries.

Officially the carrier has suspended flights within Ukraine until at least May 31, 2022.

Top Copyright Photo: This airframe is not likely to be delivered by Boeing to UIA, a victim of Putin’s war. Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 N5573K (msn 43976) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 957310.

UIA aircraft slide show:

UIA aircraft photo gallery:

Citizens of Russia, learn the truth about Putin’s invasion of Ukraine: