Tag Archives: Boeing 757200

Gestair Cargo rebrands back to Cygnus Air

Gestair Cargo (Madrid) has rebranded back to its original name of Cygnus Air Corporacion.

The airline is currently owned by the Macholfam International (Grupo Gestair) (60%) and IMES (Grupo ACS) (40%) according to Wikipedia.

Top Copyright Photo: Ole Simon/AirlinersGallery.com. This Gestair Cargo color scheme and name was introduced in 2008.

Bottom Copyright Photo: Gunter Mayer. Now ex-Iberia Boeing 757-236 EC-KLD (msn 24121), pictured at Nuremberg at night, is wearing the basic Gestair livery now with Cygnus Air Corporacion titles and the new (old) tail logo.

Delta Air Lines acquires a 49% share in Virgin Atlantic Airways

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) and Virgin Atlantic Airways (London) today detailed a codeshare agreement across 108 routes* and connections to 66 destinations across North America and the U.K.

Today’s codeshare announcement coincides with Delta acquiring a 49 percent stake in Sir Richard Branson’s airline – marking the next step towards a full joint venture between the two carriers. Virgin Atlantic will place its code on 91 Delta routes, including both trans-Atlantic and domestic U.S. routes. Delta will place its code on 17 Virgin Atlantic routes, including the recently launched Little Red domestic U.K. services connecting London to Manchester, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

The agreement includes the following customer benefits:

Virgin Atlantic customers will now enjoy a vast network of connecting North American destinations while Delta customers will gain an additional six daily frequencies between London to New York
SkyMiles and Flying Club loyalty programs that will offer up to 125% tier bonus miles* to frequent fliers on all Delta and Virgin Atlantic flights – not just those within the codeshare agreement
Reciprocal Delta Sky Club and Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse access at applicable airports for Upper Class and BusinessElite passengers and Flying Club Gold members and SkyMiles Platinum and Diamond members
Priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling and additional baggage allowance on all Virgin Atlantic and Delta operated flights worldwide – not just those within the codeshare agreement – forVirgin Atlantic Upper Class and Flying Club Gold members as well as Delta BusinessElite and SkyMiles Gold, Platinum and Diamond members

The two airlines announced their intention to enter into a joint venture agreement in December 2012. Last week unconditional merger clearance was granted by the European Commission and theU.S Department of Justice closed their review of the transaction. As of today, Delta has successfully completed its acquisition of a 49 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic. The U.S Department of Transportation is currently reviewing the parties’ application for antitrust immunity relating to the proposed joint venture of the parties’ operations on nonstop routes between the US and the UK. This review is expected to be completed during third quarter of 2013, and the implementation of the Delta/Virgin Atlantic joint venture is anticipated to occur in the first quarter of 2014. Once implemented, this will deliver further significant additional consumer benefits and vibrant competition to the trans-Atlantic market.

Customers will be able to reap the rewards of the reciprocal codesharing beginning July 3, 2013 when travel across the routes begin.

As part of a $3 billion investment in enhanced global products, services and airport facilities, all of Delta’s flights between the U.S. and London-Heathrow feature fully flat-bed seats offering direct aisle access in the BusinessElite cabin. These flights also offer Delta’s popular Economy Comfort seating in the forward section of the economy cabin. Economy Comfort offers four additional inches of legroom and 50 per cent more recline compared to standard economy seats. All cabins offer in-seat audio and video on demand with a broad range of in-flight entertainment options. Delta also will begin introducing in-flight WiFi service on international flights beginning in 2014.

Virgin Atlantic completed a £150m upgrade program, including a new Upper Class cabin across its Airbus A330 aircraft in 2012 – with features including the longest fully flat bed in the sky and a redesigned on board bar. Brand new Clubhouses opened at both JFK and Newark airports in the past year and have received awards for innovation and design. The airline launched its domestic service; Virgin Atlantic Little Red in March 2013 and is now flying 26 daily frequencies to Manchester, Edinburgh and Aberdeen from Heathrow. Virgin Atlantic achieved record levels of on time performance in 2012 and is the number one airline in punctuality performance at Heathrow on the majority of its routes and out-performing its key competitor in 11 out of 12 months.

*Canadian and Jamaican flights subject to foreign government approval.

Virgin Atlantic codeshare on Delta operated flights:

LHR	London	to	JFK	New York, NY
			BOS	Boston, MA
			ATL	Atlanta, GA
			DTW	Detroit, MI
			MSP	Minneapolis, MN
MAN	Manchester	to	ATL	Atlanta, GA

JFK	New York	to	ATL	Atlanta, GA	MKE	Milwaukee, WI
			AUS	Austin, TX	MSP	Minneapolis, MN
			BNA	Nashville, TN	MSY	New Orleans, LA
			BOS	Boston, MA	ORD	Chicago, IL
			BUF	Buffalo, NY	ORF	Norfolk, VA
			BWI	Baltimore, MD	PDX	Portland, OR
			CHS	Charleston, SC	PHL	Philadelphia, PA
			CLE	Cleveland, OH	PHX	Phoenix, AZ
			CLT	Charlotte, NC	PIT	Pittsburgh, PA
			CMH	Columbus, OH	RDU	Raleigh Durham
			CVG	Cincinnati, OH	RIC	Richmond, VA
			DCA	Washington, DC	ROC	Rochester, NY
			DEN	Denver, CO	RSW	Fort Myers, FL
			DFW	Dallas/Fort Worth	SAN	San Diego, CA
			DTW	Detroit, MI	SAT	San Antonio, TX
			FLL	Fort Lauderdale	SDF	Louisville, KY
			IAD	Washington, DC	SEA	Seattle, WA
			IND	Indianapolis, IN	SFO	San Francisco, CA
			JAX	Jacksonville, FL	SLC	Salt Lake City, UT
			LAS	Las Vegas, NV	STL	St Louis, MO
			LAX	Los Angeles, CA	TPA	Tampa, FL
			MBJ	Montego Bay	YQB	Quebec, Canada
			MCI	Kansas City, MO	YUL	Montreal, Canada
			MCO	Orlando, FL	YVR	Vancouver, Canada
			MIA	Miami, FL	YYZ	Toronto, Canada

BOS	Boston	to	ATL	Atlanta, GA	MCO	Orlando, FL
			CMH	Columbus, OH	MEM	Memphis, TN
			CVG	Cincinnati, OH	MSP	Minneapolis, MN
			DTW	Detroit, MI	ORF	Norfolk, VA
			IND	Indianapolis, IN	RDU	Raleigh Durham, NC
			LGA	La Guardia, NY	SLC	Salt Lake City, UT

LAX	Los Angeles	to	HNL	Honolulu, HI	PHX	Phoenix, AZ
			KOA	Kona, HI	SAN	San Diego, CA
			LAS	Las Vegas, NV	SEA	Seattle, WA
			LIH	Lihue, HI	SFO	San Francisco, CA
			OAK	Oakland, CA	SLC	Salt Lake City, UT
			OGG	Kahului, HI	SMF	Sacramento, CA
			PDX	Portland, OR

EWR	Newark	to	ATL	Atlanta, GA
			DTW	Detroit, MI
			MSP	Minneapolis, MN
IAD	Washington	to	ATL	Atlanta, GA
			DTW	Detroit, MI
			MSP	Minneapolis, MN
ORD	Chicago		MSP	Minneapolis, MN
			SLC	Salt Lake City, UT
SFO	San Francisco		HNL	Honolulu, HI
			SLC	Salt Lake City, UT

Delta codeshare on Virgin Atlantic operated flights:

LHR	London Heathrow	to	BOS	Boston, MA
			EWR	Newark, NJ
			JFK	New York, NY
			IAD	Washington, DC
			LAX	Los Angeles, CA
			MIA	Miami, FL
			ORD	Chicago, IL
			SFO	San Francisco, CA
			YVR	Vancouver, Canada
			ABZ	Aberdeen, UK
			EDI	Edinburgh, UK
			MAN	Manchester, UK
LGW	London Gatwick	to	LAS	Las Vegas, NV
			MCO	Orlando, FL
MAN	Manchester	to	MCO	Orlando, FL
			LAS	Las Vegas, NV
GLA	Glasgow	to	MCO	Orlando, FL

*Full details

Top Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen/AirlinersGallery.com. Ex-TWA/American Airlines Boeing 757-2Q8 WL N713TW (msn 28173) departs from New York (JFK).

Delta Air Lines:

Virgin Atlantic Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-343X G-VKSS (msn 1201) lands at Las Vegas.

FedEx Corporation reports net income of $679 million in the fiscal 4Q and $1.98 billion for the year

FedEx Corporation (FedEx Express) (Memphis) reported earnings of $2.13 per diluted share for the fourth quarter ended May 31. This excludes a $0.98 per diluted share business realignment program charge and a previously announced $0.20 per diluted share noncash aircraft impairment charge at FedEx Express. Including these charges, fourth quarter earnings were $0.95 per diluted share.

Last year’s fourth quarter earnings were $1.99 per diluted share, excluding a $0.26 per diluted share noncash aircraft impairment charge at FedEx Express. Including last year’s charge, earnings were $1.73 per diluted share.

“FedEx Ground posted another strong year and FedEx Freight margins continued to improve,” said Frederick W. Smith, FedEx Corp. chairman, president and chief executive officer. “These positive developments did not fully offset tepid economic growth and customer preference for less costly international shipping services. FedEx Express results improved in the fourth quarter, and while near-term challenges remain, we are confident we are positioning FedEx for profitable, long-term growth.”

Fourth Quarter Results

FedEx Corp. reported the following consolidated results for the fourth quarter:

	Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
	Adjusted (non-GAAP)	As Reported (GAAP)	Adjusted (non-GAAP)	As Reported (GAAP)
Revenue	$11.4 billion	$11.4 billion	$11.0 billion	$11.0 billion
Operating Income	$1.10 billion	$502 million	$990 million	$856 million
Operating Margin	9.6%	4.4%	9.0%	7.8%
Net Income	$679 million	$303 million	$634 million	$550 million
Diluted EPS	$2.13	$0.95	$1.99	$1.73

As announced on June 3, during the quarter FedEx Express permanently retired 10 aircraft and related engines. As a consequence, a noncash impairment charge of $100 million ($63 million, net of tax, or $0.20 per diluted share) was recorded in the fourth quarter.

Excluding business realignment program costs and aircraft impairment charges from this year and aircraft impairment charges from last year, “adjusted” operating results improved due to continued strong FedEx Ground performance and better FedEx Express performance.

Full Year Results

FedEx Corp. reported the following consolidated results for the full year:

	Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2012
	Adjusted (non-GAAP)	As Reported (GAAP)	Adjusted (non-GAAP)	As Reported (GAAP)
Revenue	$44.3 billion	$44.3 billion	$42.7 billion	$42.7 billion
Operating Income	$3.21 billion	$2.55 billion	$3.28 billion	$3.19 billion
Operating Margin	7.3%	5.8%	7.7%	7.5%
Net Income	$1.98 billion	$1.56 billion	$2.09 billion	$2.03 billion
Diluted EPS	$6.23	$4.91	$6.59	$6.41

Capital spending for fiscal 2013 was $3.4 billion, down from $4.0 billion in fiscal 2012.

Business Realignment Program Update

In October, the company announced profit improvement programs, which include a voluntary employee separation program. The program was completed during the fourth quarter, and approximately 3,600 employees will be voluntarily leaving the company in phases to ensure a smooth transition. Approximately 40% of the employees vacated their positions on May 31, 2013 in the first phase. Approximately 25% of the employees will vacate their positions in the final phase at the end of fiscal 2014.

The company incurred costs of $496 million ($313 million, net of tax, or $0.98 per diluted share) during the fourth quarter and $560 million ($353 million, net of tax, or $1.11 per diluted share) during fiscal 2013, associated with the business realignment activities. The cost of the voluntary employee separation program is included in the “Business realignment, impairment and other charges” line of the company’s statements of income. Business realignment program costs at FedEx Services have been allocated to the operating segments through the “Intercompany charges” line of each segment’s statement of income.

Outlook

FedEx is revising its earnings guidance practices to focus on full fiscal year projections with quarterly updates. For fiscal 2014, the company projects earnings per share growth of 7% to 13% from fiscal 2013 adjusted results. This assumes the current market outlook for fuel prices, U.S. GDP growth of 2.3% and world GDP growth of 2.7%. Capital spending for fiscal 2014 is expected to be approximately $4 billion.

“We remain focused on improving margins and returns in all of our businesses. The pace of that improvement is expected to be moderate in fiscal 2014 and then accelerate in fiscal 2015,” said Alan B. Graf, Jr., FedEx Corp. executive vice president and chief financial officer. “Our profit improvement program is progressing, but we continue to see the effects of customers selecting lower-rate international services. FedEx Express will further decrease capacity between Asia and the United States in July.”

FedEx Express Segment

For the fourth quarter, the FedEx Express segment reported:

Revenue of $6.98 billion, up 3% from last year’s $6.80 billion
Adjusted operating income of $460 million, up 11% from $415 million a year ago. Including charges, operating income of $0, down from $281 million last year.
Adjusted operating margin of 6.6%, up from 6.1% the previous year. Including charges, operating margin of 0.0%, down from 4.1% last year.

Adjusted operating income and margin improved despite the demand shift toward lower yielding international services, as the net impact of the fuel surcharge timing lag, capacity reductions and other cost reduction activities benefited the quarter’s results. Direct and intercompany costs associated with the business realignment programs and the aircraft impairment charge impacted operating income and margin by $460 million and 6.6 percentage points, respectively. Last year’s results included a $134 million aircraft impairment charge.

Revenue increased due to this year’s business acquisitions and growth at FedEx Trade Networks. U.S. domestic average daily package volume increased 2% and U.S. domestic revenue per package increased 1%, as higher rate per pound and weight per package were offset by lower fuel surcharges. FedEx International Economy volume grew 11%, while FedEx International Priority volume decreased 2% during the quarter. International export revenue per package fell 2% due primarily to lower rates.

FedEx Express is pleased to have been selected as the sole awardee of the recent U.S. Postal Service air cargo solicitation, representing the majority of the USPS’s air line-haul traffic. This new seven year agreement, valued at approximately $10.5 billion, begins on October 1, 2013. The agreement provides reduced rates for the USPS versus the prior FedEx Express agreement and offers the opportunity for incremental revenue.

In other news, FedEx Corporation also announced that it has completed the first stage of a strategic acquisition by signing agreements to acquire the businesses operated by its current service provider Supaswift (Pty) Ltd. in five countries in Southern Africa, including South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zambia, and is also in discussions to acquire Supaswift’s businesses in Botswana and Namibia. These acquisitions will operate under the FedEx Express business unit and the transaction is subject to necessary regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Once the acquisition is completed, FedEx Express will have direct access across the seven markets to 39 facilities and will welcome approximately 1,000 of Supaswift’s team members, who will join the ranks of more than 300,000 FedEx team members globally. FedEx Express will then offer a complete suite of FedEx branded export, import and domestic solutions, connecting Southern Africa to more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, enhancing customers’ business flexibility and speed to market.

Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen/AirlinersGallery.com. FedEx has been building up a large Boeing 757 fleet to replace its older Boeing 727s. Formerly operated by Britannia Airways/Thomsonfly/Thomson Airways as G-BYAS, 757-204 (F) N925FD (msn 27238) departs from the Memphis sorting hub.

FedEx Express:

United Airlines upgrades its premium services

United Airlines (Chicago) now features 180-degree flat-bed seats and personal on-demand entertainment in the premium cabins on all scheduled, long-haul international flights from the airline’s eight North American hubs and between Seattle/Tacoma and Tokyo (Narita).

United has outfitted 183 international long-haul aircraft with United Global First and United BusinessFirst cabins, and offers more than 7,000 total flat-bed seats fleet-wide, more than any other U.S. carrier. Customers in the premium cabins receive a higher level of privacy and comfort, a multi-course meal with complimentary wine options and more-personal attention.

United recently launched turn-down service for customers seated in United Global First, offering travelers an added touch of luxury and a better sleeping experience on long-haul flights.

In addition to offering customers more flat-bed seats on more aircraft than any other U.S. carrier, United currently provides extra-legroom Economy Plus seating on nearly 650 mainline aircraft and approximately 150 regional jets.

United is also revamping the transcontinental “p.s.” Premium Service fleet of aircraft that fly between New York Kennedy and Los Angeles and San Francisco. Customers traveling on the revamped p.s. aircraft will experience an improved premium cabin with fully flat-bed seats, faster Wi-Fi Internet service, and personal on-demand entertainment at every seat. The fourth p.s. aircraft to be retrofitted enters service this month, and United anticipates completing the entire p.s. fleet by year-end.

United is also outfitting aircraft with satellite Wi-Fi, offering inflight connectivity on long-haul international flights. The airline expects to have more than 200 aircraft outfitted with satellite Wi-Fi before the end of the year.

United recently deployed the 200th aircraft with live television, giving United the world’s largest fleet of aircraft equipped with live television.

United Airlines:

American Airlines restores nonstop New York-Dublin flights

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) today relaunched daily nonstop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Dublin Airport (DUB). The new flight is in addition to American’s existing nonstop service from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Dublin and complements its 12 other daily nonstop flights from JFK to Europe. The route will be operated with a two-class Boeing 757-200 with 181 seats.

Copyright Photo: Dave Glendinning/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 757-223 WL N174AA (msn 31308) in the Oneworld scheme taxies at London (Heathrow).

American Airlines:

Fly Jamaica Airways is cleared to serve New York and Toronto from Georgetown, Guyana

Fly Jamaica Airways (Kingston) has been cleared by the Guyana government to operate scheduled passenger service from Georgetown, Guyana to both New York (JFK) and Toronto (Pearson). The airline is looking for a second Boeing 757-200 to operate the new routes. There is a long list of carriers that have tried to make the Georgetown-New York route viable.

The new airline commenced scheduled services on February 14, 2013 between Kingston, Jamaica and New York (JFK) with this former ATA Airlines Boeing 757-23N N524AT (msn 30233).

Read the full story from the Jamaica Observer: CLICK HERE

Here is how the airline describes its self on its website:

Fly Jamaica Airways began with a dream to create a truly regional airline, using local talent and with an emphasis on providing a truly local experience to its customers. An full-service, local airline that would bring the Diaspora, and the world, home to the Caribbean.

Fly Jamaica Airways is a partnership between Chief Executive Officer and Guyanese-born Captain Paul Ronald Reece, and Jamaican shareholders, including Chief Operating Officer, Captain Lloyd Tai and Manager of In-Flight Services, Christine Steele.

The Company was incorporated in Kingston, Jamaica on September 7, 2011 and started with a Boeing 757 aircraft. We faced a rigorous start-up process, including meeting national and international requirements. Through the stewardship of our experienced management and dedication of our amazing employees, we proved to aviation regulators that we have what it takes to be a world-class airline.

On August 24, 2012, Fly Jamaica Airways conducted its demonstration flight from Kingston, Jamaica to Georgetown, Guyana, as part of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority’s (JCAA) approval process. On August 31, 2012 the JCAA issued our Air Operators Certificate (AOC).

Fly Jamaica Airways has also satisfied rigorous requirements for the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT), and Transportation and Security Administration (TSA), in order to operate as a commercial US-registered carrier.

Top Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. N524AT rests at Fort lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport before going into revenue service. All other photos by Fly Jamaica.

Fly Jamaica Videos:

Do you want to pay an annual subscription to check your bags? United Airlines is the first U.S. airline to offer this service

United Airlines (Chicago) has launched subscription options that offer customers access to Economy Plus seating or pre-paid checked baggage charges for a year.

United is the only U.S. carrier to offer an annual subscription for its extra-legroom economy seating and checked baggage service charges. Terms and conditions apply to each of the offers, which can be found at www.united.com/subscriptions, and the subscriptions may be given as gifts.

Economy Plus

Travelers may access Economy Plus for a year starting at $499, and customers can select the region and the number of travelers on their subscription.

Economy Plus seats offer customers additional legroom to stretch out and relax. United offers more extra-legroom economy seating than any other U.S. airline, with Economy Plus available on most of the airline’s nearly 700 mainline aircraft and nearly 180 United Express aircraft. Economy Plus seating, when available, remains complimentary for Premier-level MileagePlus members.

Checked Baggage

United’s checked baggage subscription enables customers to pre-pay standard checked baggage charges for one year, starting at $349. Customers may tailor their subscription by choosing up to two bags, the number of travelers and preferred geographic region.

United Club

Additionally, customers may now use MileagePlus miles to purchase an annual United Club membership, which currently offers access to the 49 United Club locations, as well as Copa Club locations and participating Star Alliance affiliated airport clubs worldwide.

One-year membership pricing starts at $500 or 65,000 miles for general MileagePlus members, with discounts for Premier members. An initiation fee of $50 or 7,000 miles applies for all new United Club memberships.

Airline Poll:

In other news, United Airlines today executed a definitive purchase agreement with AltAir Fuels for cost-competitive, sustainable, advanced biofuels at commercial scale, representing a historic milestone for aviation. With United’s strategic partnership, AltAir Fuels will retrofit part of an existing petroleum refinery to become a 30 million gallon, advanced biofuel refinery near Los Angeles, Calif. AltAir will produce low-carbon, renewable jet fuel and other renewable products. United has collaborated with AltAir Fuels since 2009 and has agreed to buy 15 million gallons of lower-carbon, renewable jet fuel over a three-year period, with the option to purchase more. The airline is purchasing the advanced biofuel at a price competitive with traditional, petroleum-based jet fuel, and AltAir expects to begin delivering five million gallons of renewable jet fuel per year to United starting in 2014. United will use the biofuel on flights operating out of its Los Angeles hub (LAX).

AltAir has partnered with an existing oil refiner for the operation of its first commercial facility and use of the refiner’s existing refinery near Los Angeles, Calif. This partnership is taking idled refining equipment and retooling it to increase the nation’s energy supply – positively impacting the southern California economy and providing the opportunity to sustainably power LAX flights.

Through process technology developed by Honeywell’s UOP, AltAir is retrofitting the existing refinery to produce renewable biofuel. AltAir has worked extensively with Honeywell’s UOP to demonstrate the commercial viability of the Honeywell Green Jet process. Utilizing this technology, licensed from UOP, the AltAir facility will be the first refinery internationally to be capable of in-line production of both renewable jet and diesel fuels. The facility will convert non-edible natural oils and agricultural wastes into approximately 30 million gallons of low-carbon, advanced biofuels and chemicals per year.

These advanced biofuels are drop-in replacements for petroleum-based fuel, requiring no modification to factory-standard engines or aircraft, with which they are fully compatible. This fuel provides the same performance as conventional, petroleum-based jet fuel. AltAir Fuels’ renewable jet fuel is expected to achieve at least a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on a lifecycle basis.

“This refinery is important for two timely and significant reasons,” said AltAir’s President and COO Bryan Sherbacow . “First, the industry is delivering on the promise of commercial production of advanced biofuels that move beyond additives, like ethanol and biodiesel, to drop-in, replacement low-carbon fuels. Second, this project demonstrates the practical efficiencies these fuels allow by fully integrating into an operating petroleum refinery.”

United will support AltAir Fuels’ efforts to incorporate internationally recognized sustainability standards, such as those being developed by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB). RSB is an international, multi-stakeholder initiative that brings together farmers, companies, non-governmental organizations, experts, governments and inter-governmental agencies concerned with ensuring the sustainability of biomass production and processing.

In 2009, United Airlines made history as the first North American carrier to perform a two-engine aircraft flight demonstration using sustainable biofuels derived from algae and jatropha. United also operated the first flight by a North American commercial airline using synthetic fuel made from natural gas in 2010.

In November 2011, United operated the first U.S. commercial flight powered by advanced biofuels. Flight 1403 departedHouston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport for Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, making United the first U.S. airline to fly passengers using a blend of sustainable, advanced biofuel and traditional petroleum-derived jet fuel.

In June 2012, United, along with the Boeing Company, Honeywell’s UOP, the Chicago Department of Aviation and the Clean Energy Trust, launched the Midwest Aviation Sustainable Biofuels Initiative (MASBI). MASBI is an effort by more than 40 organizations across the aviation biofuels supply chain to accelerate the commercialization of advanced biofuels in the Midwest.

United Airlines is a signatory to the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group, whose members represent approximately 32 percent of commercial aviation fuel demand. United signed a pledge to pursue the advancement of drop-in biofuels that achieve important sustainability criteria, work with leading organizations to achieve biofuel certification standards and take actions to enable commercial use of aviation biofuels.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 757-222 N538UA (msn 25222) prepares to land at Los Angeles International Airport.

United Airlines:

Icelandair adds two new routes

Icelandair (Keflavik) on June 1 launched its twice-weekly new route from Keflavik (near Reykjavik) to Zurich. The airline started twice-weekly service to St. Petersburg, Russia also on June 1. Previously Icelandair started twice-weekly flights to Anchorage, Alaska on May 15.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 757-256 WL TF-FIU (msn 26243) arrives at Washington (Dulles).

Icelandair:

Videos: