Tag Archives: Boeing 767300

Boeing delivers the first direct purchase 767-300 ER to MIAT Mongolian Airlines

Boeing (Chicago) has delivered a 767-300 ER (extended range) to MIAT Mongolian Airlines (Ulaanbaatar), the first-ever direct purchase delivery to the airline.

“This is a momentous step forward for MIAT Mongolian Airlines as we continue to enhance our fleet,” said Jargalsaikhan Gungaa, President and CEO of MIAT Mongolian Airlines. “We are pleased with the comfort, range and payload of the new 767-300ER and we look forward to introducing it into our long-haul fleet.”

Mongolia’s flag carrier completed a historic order in 2011 at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., marking the first time in more than two decades that the airline extended its route network by purchasing Boeing airplanes instead of leasing them.

“We congratulate MIAT Mongolian Airlines on the delivery of their first direct purchase 767-300ER,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Sales for Northeast Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “With the new passenger-pleasing cabin interior and low operating costs, Boeing is confident that the 767-300ER will play an important role as MIAT Mongolian Airlines continues expanding into new markets.”

Mongolian Airlines:

Route Map:

UPS starts to add Blended Winglets to its Boeing 767-300F freighters

UPS Airlines (United Parcel Service) (Atlanta and Louisville) has unveiled a new look for its flagship Boeing 767 fleet by adding winglets as a part of its sustainability efforts to save fuel and reduce emissions.

These wingtip devices, which are arrow-shaped surfaces attached to the tip of each wing, enhance the overall efficiency of the aircraft, saving fuel by reducing drag while also lowering noise emissions by improving take-off performance. The modifications will save UPS more than six million gallons of fuel each year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 62,000 metric tonnes. UPS estimates approximately a four percent fuel savings on each 767 flight.

“UPS continues to lead the industry in sustainable business practices,” said David Abney, UPS chief operating officer. “With the widest portfolio of services in the industry, we are constantly looking for ways to reduce emissions, and drive down operating costs so our customers have the solutions they need to compete in a global economy. These winglets are a perfect example of sustainability in action. They are good business and good stewardship.”

UPS currently operates 54 of the 767 aircraft with five on order. The company plans to have winglets on all 767 aircraft by the end of 2014. Winglets are already installed on UPS’s 747, and MD-11 fleets, and the A300-600 has a similar device called a wingtip fence.

The modifications will add approximately five and a half feet of span to each wing, and each winglet is 11 feet tall. Aircraft weight will increase by nearly 3,000 pounds due to the weight of the winglets and the extensive structural reinforcement of the wing structure. Even at this size and weight, the winglets will still reduce the amount of fuel used per flight.

Winglets improve the aerodynamics of the wing by extending the length of the wing and reducing the amount of drag, which is the force that opposes an aircraft’s motion in the air.

The winglet project is a sustainability initiative implemented by UPS Airlines. The company already operates one of the cargo sector’s youngest and most fuel-efficient air fleet, and is working to reduce its carbon intensity an additional 20 percent by 2020 from a 2005 baseline. Other highlights of the airline’s fuel conservation efforts include computer-optimized flight routes, aircraft taxi time management, and alternate-fuel ground support equipment.

Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. The first, Boeing 767-34AF ER N304UP (msn 27242) lands at Boeing Field (King County) in Seattle with the new device.

UPS:

Air Canada loses $143 million in the first quarter

Air Canada (Montreal) today issued its final financial report for the first quarter. The company reported an adjusted net loss of C$143 million. Here is the full report:

Consistent with the news release issued on April 22, 2013 disclosing preliminary results for the first quarter of 2013, Air Canada today reported an adjusted net loss of $143 million or $0.52 per diluted share compared to an adjusted net loss of $162 million or $0.58 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2012. On a GAAP basis, Air Canada’s net loss was $260 million or $0.95 per diluted share compared to a net loss of $274 million or $0.99 per diluted share in the same quarter in 2012. First quarter EBITDAR amounted to $145 million compared to EBITDAR of $174 million in the first quarter of 2012.

“In the quarter we made progress towards the sustainable transformation of Air Canada by narrowing our net loss as compared to the previous year. In addition, we reached an important agreement with the Government of Canada on extending Air Canada’s pension funding arrangements to January 30, 2021. This was then followed last week by the launch and pricing of a private offering of enhanced equipment trust certificates (EETCs) — a first for a Canadian airline,” said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer.

“I would especially like to express our gratitude to the Government of Canada and certain provincial governments for implementing the so-called Cape Town Convention effective April 1, 2013, which helps level the playing field for Canadian airlines by facilitating their access to debt capital markets for financing their aircraft acquisitions on more favourable terms. Significant work over many years was undertaken by Government officials, in conjunction with our legal and finance teams, to permit adoption of the Cape Town Convention in the most optimal way, and I want to recognize these individuals for their outstanding work.

“While the first quarter’s loss was narrowed compared to the previous year, the quarter fell short of our expectations, in part due to a decline in premium travel demand. We are encouraged to see an improvement in second quarter economy and premium class cabin booking trends which are running above last year’s levels, although the yield environment remains challenging. We remain focused on executing on our plan to increase value for our stakeholders and to continue to reduce our cost structure with the upcoming deliveries of five additional Boeing 777 aircraft, the launch of our leisure carrier Air Canada rouge, the transfer of Embraer 175 regional aircraft to Sky Regional, and the development of our international network with Toronto Pearson as its North American gateway airport. Along with ongoing initiatives for revenue generation and cost control, we are confident of continued improvements and a successful performance for the year ahead. I thank our 27,000 employees for their commitment to taking care of our customers and their dedication to helping ensure Air Canada’s long term success.”

First Quarter Income Statement Highlights

First quarter 2013 system passenger revenues were $2.527 billion, an increase of $3 million, on a 1.1 per cent growth in traffic and a 1.1 per cent decline in yield. Passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM) increased 1.1 per cent from the first quarter of 2012 on a 1.8 percentage point improvement in passenger load factor. Air Canada reported a record passenger load factor of 81.0% for the first quarter of 2013, reflecting an effective approach to capacity management. The overall yield decline versus last year’s quarter was due to a number of factors including: relatively more leisure versus business passengers in part due to a shift of the Easter holiday from the first week of April in 2012 to the last week of March in 2013, flight cancellations due to severe weather and de-icing service delays at Toronto Pearson International airport which adversely impacted business travel demand, increased industry capacity and competitive pricing activities in certain markets, an unfavourable foreign currency impact, and having one less calendar day in February 2013 than in February 2012 on account of the leap year. In the premium class cabin, passenger revenues decreased $38 million or 6.7 per cent on an 8.4 per cent decline in traffic, partly offset by a yield improvement of 1.8 per cent.

Operating expenses increased $6 million from the first quarter of 2012, reflecting decreases in all major line categories with the exception of wages, salaries and benefits, capacity purchase agreements and the category of “other” operating expenses. In the first quarter of 2013, Air Canada recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $24 million related to Airbus A340-300 aircraft (none of which are operated by Air Canada) in depreciation, amortization and impairment expense.

Air Canada’s adjusted cost per available seat mile (“adjusted CASM”), which excludes fuel expense, the cost of ground packages at Air Canada Vacations and unusual items (such as impairment charges) increased 1.4 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2012.

In the first quarter 2013, Air Canada recorded an operating loss of $106 million compared to an operating loss of $91 million in the same quarter in 2012, a deterioration of $15 million. The deterioration in Air Canada’s operating results was in large part due to flight cancellations caused by severe weather conditions and aircraft deicing service delays at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Air Canada estimates that these events resulted in a $10 million unfavourable net impact on its financial results in the first quarter of 2013.

Liquidity Highlights

At March 31, 2013, cash and short-term investments amounted to $2,056 million, or 17 per cent of 12-month trailing revenues (March 31, 2012 – $2,185 million, or 18 per cent of 12-month trailing revenues).

At March 31, 2013, adjusted net debt of $3,987 million decreased $246 million from March 31, 2012, reflecting the impact of lower debt balances, a decrease in capitalized operating leases, partially offset by a decrease in cash balances.

Free cash flow of $147 million increased $7 million from the first quarter of 2012.

Current Outlook

In the second quarter of 2013, Air Canada expects its system ASM capacity, as measured by available seat miles (ASMs), to increase in the range of 2.0 to 3.0 per cent when compared to the second quarter of 2012.

Air Canada continues to expect full year 2013 system ASM capacity to increase in the range of 1.5 to 2.5 per cent when compared to the full year 2012. Air Canada also continues to expect its full year 2013 domestic capacity to increase in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 per cent from the full year 2012.

For the second quarter of 2013, Air Canada expects adjusted CASM to be in the range of a decrease of 0.5 per cent to an increase of 0.5 per cent when compared to the second quarter of 2012.

Taking into account the better than expected adjusted CASM result in the first quarter of 2013, Air Canada now expects its full year 2013 adjusted CASM to decrease in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 per cent from the full year 2012.

Air Canada’s outlook assumes Canadian GDP growth of 1.25 to 1.75 per cent for 2013. In addition, Air Canada expects that the Canadian dollar will trade, on average, at C$1.02 per U.S. dollar for the second quarter of 2013 and for the full year 2013 and that the price of jet fuel will average 85 cents per litre in the second quarter of 2013 and 86 cents per litre for the full year 2013.

Copyright Photo: Dave Glendinning. Boeing 767-375 ER C-FCAE (msn 24083) (70 Years – TCA 1937) taxies at London (Heathrow).

Air Canada:

United launches nonstop San Francisco-Paris service

United Airlines (Chicago) yesterday (April 26) launched daily nonstop service from San Francisco to Paris (CDG).

Flight UA 990 departs San Francisco daily at 2:45 p.m. (1445) and arrives at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 10:45 a.m. (1045) the next day. For the return, flight UA 991 departs Paris at 10:05 a.m. (1005) and arrives in San Francisco at 1 p.m. (1300) the same day. (All times are local.)

United operates this new service with Boeing 767-300 aircraft, which offer 30 flat-bed seats in United BusinessFirst, 49 seats in United Economy Plus and 135 seats in United Economy. The BusinessFirst cabin includes 15.4-inch touchscreen monitors for personal on-demand entertainment, electrical and USB outlets, iPod jacks and five-course meals with fine wines. Seats in Economy Plus offer customers more legroom to stretch out and relax. Each seat in United Economy features a 9-inch touchscreen with personal on-demand entertainment, and all rows include access to electrical outlets.

San Francisco is United’s largest West Coast hub. With approximately 9,000 employees in the Bay Area, United offers nearly 300 flights a day from San Francisco International Airport, more than any other airline, including nearly 30 daily nonstop flights to more than 15 international destinations.

United also operates an extensive maintenance center at San Francisco International Airport, where the airline’s technicians are completing a multi-year project to upgrade the airline’s cabins with new interiors, flat-bed seats and personal on-demand entertainment in United Global First and United BusinessFirst, and new entertainment systems for customers in United Economy. United’s San Francisco-based technicians are also outfitting the airline’s fleet with satellite Wi-Fi.

Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin. Boeing 767-322 ER N668UA (msn 30024) with Blended Winglets is tugged at the San Francisco hub.

United Airlines:

American Airlines begins nonstop service between Chicago O’Hare and Dusseldorf, Germany

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) yesterday (April 11) launched new service to Dusseldorf, Germany, from its hub at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, adding a new destination to American’s global route map. The new flight, is operated with a Boeing 767-300 aircraft with 28 Business Class seats and 184 Main Cabin seats.

There are about 200 Germany-based companies in the Chicago area at 500 locations.

Daily ORD-DUS Service Schedule:

AA 242

Departs ORD at 3:35 p.m.
Arrives at DUS at 7:00 a.m. the following day

AA 241

Departs DUS at 9:45 a.m.
Arrives at ORD at 12:05 p.m.

In addition to the new route between Chicago and Dusseldorf, American is launching new international service to Asia and Europe later this spring and summer, delivering on the airline’s business plan and network strategy designed to provide more access and choices for customers in key international markets. American will add new service to Europe between New York – JFK and Dublin, Ireland, beginning June 12. From its largest hub in Dallas/Fort Worth, American will also launch its first-ever service to Seoul, South Korea, on May 9. American also launched new service to Latin America with a daily nonstop flight between Dallas/Fort Worth and Lima on April 1.

From Chicago, American flies to London, Manchester, Dublin, Paris, Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, and seasonally to Rome and Helsinki in Europe, as well as Montego Bay, Jamaica. Additionally, American and American Eagle offer nonstop service to three cities in Canada and four cities in Mexico. From O’Hare, American, American Eagle and the American Connection^® carrier offer more than 460 daily departures.

American Airlines:

United Airlines extends its Newark airport lease for 20 years, will invest $150 million

United Airlines (Chicago) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have signed a 20-year lease extension through which United will maintain its significant presence at Newark Liberty International Airport and make further investments to ensure the airport remains one of the country’s premier global gateways.

United and the United Express carriers will continue their exclusive use of Terminal C and will continue to operate flights at Terminals A and B. Additionally, the airline will invest $150 million in ongoing improvements throughout the term of the lease. While Terminal C is already one of the nation’s most modern international terminals, United will further develop its concourse areas and improve baggage handling.

From Newark Liberty, United offers more than 400 flights daily to more than 150 destinations in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Its location and rail links make Newark Liberty the most convenient major airport for travelers originating in north and central New Jersey, parts of New York City and southern New York State. With more than 13,000 Newark-based employees, United connects the region to more of the world than any other airline.

United Investments at Newark Hub

Since 1981, United and its predecessor carriers with Newark hubs – Continental and Peoplexpress – have built on a commitment nearly three decades old to expand and modernize Newark Liberty and establish a hub operation that would attract passenger revenue and economic growth to the region. That commitment was the first of any major airline at the New York-area airports.

In 1985, Peoplexpress joined with the Port Authority to complete the construction of Terminal C, a project which Continental acquired following its 1987 merger with Peoplexpress.

In 2001, Continental’s Global Gateway initiative, a $3.8 billion public-private partnership, brought new AirTrain rail connections – the New York area’s only on-airport rail connection with direct access to New York’s Penn Station and the northeast corridor – along with new roadways, parking garages, expanded electronic ticketing facilities, new terminal designs to facilitate more efficient security screening and an automated baggage handling system.

Since 2010, United has invested in its facilities at Liberty to improve customer service and co-worker experience.

The airline broke ground in January 2013 on a new widebody maintenance hangar at Liberty, a $35 million investment that economic development officials say will create 200 jobs and generate $12 million in wages and $52 million in economic activity before its completion, scheduled for year-end.

United continues to work in conjunction with the Transportation Security Administration on a $100 million “in-line” baggage-screening system that, upon completion by year-end, will speed the movement of checked bags between the check-in counter and United aircraft.

The airline also is designing a new $65 million catering facility at Liberty.

United’s Airport Facility Improvements

United and its airport partners are investing more than $1 billion in improvements to United’s airport facilities worldwide.

In addition to the widebody maintenance hangar under construction at Liberty, United broke ground in October 2012 on a $45 million widebody maintenance facility at Washington Dulles International Airport, a major United hub and gateway to Europe and the Middle East.

At Terminal B at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, where later this month United will open the first phase of an extensive terminal renovation project, the airline is redesigning the seat layout in the gate areas, offering electric power at nearly two-thirds of the seats and space for carry-on baggage. The airline is similarly retrofitting its gate areas in Terminal 2 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport later in 2013. Approximately one-third of United and United Express flights operate to and from Houston Bush and Chicago O’Hare.

United Club Lounges

On December 21, 2012, United unveiled its new airport lounge concept with the grand reopening of the airline’s United Club lounge in Terminal 2 at Chicago O’Hare Airport. The 13,300 square foot United Club features a completely redesigned interior that reflects elements of flight and travel. United has outfitted the club with an expansive bar and lounge area, dynamic lighting, redesigned furniture and additional workstations and power outlets.

United is spending more than $50 million in 2013 to renovate several of the airline’s 51 United Club locations.

Co-worker Breakrooms

United is also investing in facilities for co-workers to offer them more comfort during breaks and enable them to deliver better service to customers. The airline anticipates completing in May an extensive renovation of breakrooms at Washington Dulles for co-workers in customer service, ramp operations and technical operations. The renovations include new furniture, appliances and durable flooring and wall coverings. United plans to begin similar renovations this year at Chicago O’Hare and later at its other U.S. hub airports.

Copyright Photo: Paul Denton. Boeing 767-322 ER N652UA (msn 25390) prepares to depart from Geneva bound for the Newark Liberty hub.

United Airlines:

Aeroflot’s net profit for 2012 slips to $158.6 million

Aeroflot Russian Airlines (Moscow) reported net income for 12 months ending on December 31, 2012 totaled 4.939 billion rubles ($158.6 million), which is 5.544 billion rubles ($178 million) (-52.9 per cent) less compared to its results for 2011. The lower net income in 2012 was justified by the carrier mainly due to the consolidation of its subsidiaries.

Aeroflot:

Ethiopian Airlines to launch new service to Ho Chi Minh City, Manila and Seoul

Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa) on June 18 will add new service to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) via Bangkok with three weekly flights flown by Boeing 767-300 ERs.

The airline is also adding new routes to Seoul (Incheon) and Manila as part of its Asian expansion.

Ethiopian Airlines:

American asks the bankruptcy court for an extension to file its reorganization plan

American Airlines (AMR Corporation) (Dallas/Fort Worth), which is merging with US Airways (Phoenix), has asked the bankruptcy court to extend its deadline for submitting its Chapter 11 reorganization plan from April 15 to May 29.

Read the full report from Reuters: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin. The first Boeing 767-300 to wear the new look is the pictured 767-323 ER N368AA (msn 25195) at San Francisco.

American Airlines:

Delta files for more frequencies to Brazil

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to add additional nonstop flights between Sao Paulo and the key business markets of New York (JFK) and Atlanta, increasing competition on air service between the U.S. and Brazil.

If approved, Delta will begin second daily Sao Paulo flights to both Atlanta and New York in 2013.

Delta currently operates 35 nonstop weekly flights between Brazil and the U.S. including Atlanta, Detroit and New York-JFK to Sao Paulo, as well as from Atlanta to Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia.

Delta’s proposed addition of a second daily flight between Sao Paulo and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York’s marks another important step in Delta’s plan to invest and grow at New York. The new flight will operate out of the expanded and enhanced state-of the-art International Terminal 4, which opens its doors in 90 days amid a $1.4 billion million terminal expansion project.

In its filing, Delta also requested approval to continue its daily nonstop service between its hub in Detroit and Sao Paulo. Delta’s right to operate that flight will transfer to US Airways in 2015 as part of a previously approved slot transaction that allowed Delta to expand at LaGuardia Airport in New York.

This is the first time in more than a decade that the Department of Transportation has the opportunity to allocate new Sao Paulo frequencies. These opportunities arise as direct result of the U.S. government’s success in negotiating a new air service agreement with Brazil, which is expected to result in a full Open Skies agreement by 2015.

The new frequencies would be served with Delta’s 767-300 ER equipped with state-of-the-art flatbed seats, video on demand entertainment system, and award-winning food and wine service, Ferri said. The 767 has a capacity of 210 passengers, 35 Business Elite, 32 Economy Comfort and 143 economy class seats.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Boeing 767-332 ER N172DZ (msn 29691) climbs briskly away from the runway at Tokyo (Narita)

Delta Air Lines: