EgyptAir (Cairo) is planning to start two new routes from Cairo in June 2013 per Airline Route. Cairo-Manchester will start on June 1 and will operate five days a week with Boeing 737-800s.
Service to Toronto will be via a code-share with Air Canada via London Heathrow (correcting our previous report).
Read the full report: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Boeing 777-36N ER SU-GDL (msn 38284) climbs away briskly from Tokyo (Narita).
EgyptAir:ย 
Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) is in talks with Kingfisher Airlines (Mumbai) about a possible minority investment in the grounded airline according to the Wall Street Journal.
Read the full article: CLICK HERE
Meanwhile the Deccan Herald of India believes Jet Airways (Mumbai) is a better investment for the Gulf carrier.
Read the full article: CLICK HERE
Top Copyright Photo: Jay Selman. Boeing 777-3FX ER A6-ETF (msn 39700) prepares to land at Bangkok.
Etihad Airways:ย 
Kingfisher Airlines:ย
Jet Airways:ย
Bottom Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) with the test registration of F-WWEG (msn 788) arrives at Farnborough. Although painted, the turboprop was never delivered to Kingfisher Airlines as VT-KAT. Instead it went to Air Botswana as A2-ABS.
British Airways (London) has announced the seating plans for its new Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on order. The company issued this statement:
With the first of the airline’s new long-haul aircraft only six months away from delivery, British Airways has announced the cabin design and layout for its Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 aircraft.
Two hundred and fourteen customers will enjoy the comforts of the new British Airways 787 Dreamliner and the A380 will be the largest aircraft in the British Airways fleet, with 469 customers.
The 24 Dreamliners and 12 A380s will feature the elegant cabin designs fitted on British Airways’ new Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, which have proved hugely popular with customers.
All eight 787-8s will feature a new Club World 2:3:2 layout, the latest generation World Traveller and World Traveller Plus seats. In addition, the new A380 will also have an enhanced version of First. The exact seating plans of another 16 787-9s on order have yet to be finalized, they could have three or four-cabin configurations.
British Airways is set to be the first European airline to operate both new aircraft types, with its first Dreamliner arriving in May 2013 and A380 deliveries starting in July 2013.
The British Airways Dreamliner will have 35 seats for customers in the new Club World triple configuration of 2:3:2; 25 seats in a World Traveller Plus layout of 2:3:2; and a further 154 seats for those travelling in World Traveller, with a 3:3:3 configuration.
On the British Airways A380 there will be 14 seats in First on the main deck, with extra personal and stowage space; the Club World cabin will feature 44 seats in a 2:4:2 configuration; and there will be 199 seats in World Traveller, with a 3:4:3 layout.
The A380 upper deck will feature 53 seats in the new Club World triple configuration of 2:3:2; 55 seats in a 2:3:2 World Traveller Plus layout; and World Traveller will have 104 seats in a 2:4:2 configuration.
Both new aircraft will also feature the airline’s latest Thales inflight entertainment system, which offers customers 50 percent more movies, 200 percent more TV shows and 200 percent more audio programs and music*.
Customers will also benefit from new larger screens in all cabins and an easier to use system with shortcut buttons. They will also be able to connect personal devices, such as laptops and use the in-seat power available for the first time in all cabins.
In 2013, British Airways will take delivery of nine new longhaul aircraft. The first British Airways Dreamliner will be delivered in May 2013. A further three will arrive by the end of the year. The first A380 will be delivered in July, with additional deliveries in August and October. Two additional 777-300 ERs will arrive in September and October 2013.
British Airways will announce the routes the new aircraft will operate in Spring 2013.
* Compared with the Rockwell Collins audio video on-demand system deployed on British Airways fleet of Boeing 747s, 767 longhaul aircraft and most Boeing 777-200s.
Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems. More stretched Boeing 777-300 ERs will be joining the fleet. Boeing 777-36N ER G-STBC (msn 38287) arrives at the London Heathrow hub.
British Airways:ย 
Boeing (Chicago) and Turkish Airlines (Istanbul) have finalized a firm order for 15 777-300 ER (Extended Range) airplanes worth $4.7 billion at list prices. The agreement, first announced in October as a commitment, also includes options for five additional 777-300 ERs and is the largest order by value in Turkish Airlines’ history.
Turkish Airlines’ fleet currently includes 12 777-300 ERs, the first of which Boeing delivered in October 2010. Over the past two years, these airplanes have formed the backbone of Turkish Airlines’ long-haul operations. This latest order will enable the Turkish flag-carrier to continue to serve new destinations worldwide.
The 777-300 ER seats up to 386 passengers in a three-class configuration and has a maximum range of 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km).
Turkish Airlines currently operates a fleet that includes nearly 100 Boeing airplanes and serves more than 200 destinations across 90 countries worldwide.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Boeing 777-3F2 ER TC-JJJ (msn 40710) prepares to land at Los Angeles International Airport.
Turkish Airlines:ย
Lufthansa (Frankfurt) and Turkish Airlines (Istanbul), two Star Alliance airlines, are in discussions about increasing their relationship and cooperation according to this report by the Financial Times. Turkish Airlines is a fast growing carrier and serves many destinations not served by the German carrier. Lufthansa appears to favor this approach rather than striking up a new relationship with any of the fast growing Gulf carriers. Lufthansa has been critical of the Gulf carriers which pose a threat to many European long-haul carriers. Competitor Airberlin (Berlin) now has a strong and growing relationship with Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) and fast growing Qatar Airways (Doha)ย will join the Oneworldย alliance in August 2013 as previously reported.
Read the full report from the Financial Times: CLICK HERE
Read another report by Arabian Business: CLICK HERE
Top Copyright Photo: Christian Volpati. Airbus A380-841 D-AIMJ (msn 073) approach Singapore for landing.
Lufthansa:ย 
Turkish Airlines:ย
Bottom Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Boeing 777-3F2 ER TC-JJP (msn 40797) completes its final approach into Los Angeles International Airport dressed in the updated 2010 color scheme.
Air Canada (Montreal) is launching a new nonstop route between Toronto (Pearson) and Seoul (Incheon), starting service to Istanbul subject to government approval, adding seven weekly departures to Beijing from Toronto and Vancouver , and upgrading its Calgary-Tokyo Narita route to provide daily service.
Highlights of Air Canada’s 2013 summer schedule include:
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Boeing 777-333 ER C-FIVM (msn 35251) approaches Tokyo (Narita) for landing.
Air Canada:ย
Air Canada (Montreal) today reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment, and aircraft rent (EBITDAR), before the impact of certain benefit plan amendments, of $554 million in the third quarter of 2012 compared to EBITDAR of $535 million in the third quarter of 2011, an increase of $19 million.ย Including the favourable impact of benefit plan amendments, EBITDAR was $678 million for the third quarter of 2012. Adjusted net incomeย (1)ย of $230 million increased $37 million from the third quarter of 2011. Adjusted net income per diluted shareย (1)ย was $0.82 in the third quarter of 2012 compared to adjusted net income per diluted share of $0.68 in the same quarter in 2011.ย On a GAAP basis, Air Canada reported net income of $429 million or $1.54 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2012 compared to a net loss of $124 million or $0.45 per diluted share for the same period last year.ย This improvement in net income was driven in large part by favorable foreign exchange gains quarter-over-quarter.
Air Canada has entered into discussions with the federal government with respect to an extension of pension deficit funding relief given that the Air Canada special funding regulations expire in January 2014. Air Canada’s Canadian-based unions support the extension request.ย This is in addition to various changes to Air Canada’s pension plans that were made during the last round of labour negotiations, which remain subject to regulatory approval.
Income Statement Highlights
System passenger revenues increased $92 million or 3.1 per cent, on a 1.6 per cent improvement in yield and a 0.8 per cent growth in traffic.ย Passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM) increased 2.2 per cent from the third quarter of 2011 due to the yield increase and a 0.5 percentage point improvement in passenger load factor.
Excluding the impact of certain benefit plan amendments described below, fuel expense and the cost of ground packages at Air Canada Vacations, CASM increased 1.6 per cent from the third quarter of 2011. This 1.6 per cent CASM increase was in line with the 1.0 per cent to 2.0 per cent third quarter increase projected in Air Canada’s news release dated August 8, 2012.
In the third quarter of 2012, operating expenses decreased $65 million or 2 per cent from the corresponding quarter in 2011. ย Included in operating expenses in the third quarter of 2012 was an expense reduction of $124 million related to changes made to the terms of the new collective agreement with pilots pertaining to retirement age.ย This reduction is reflected under “Benefit plan amendments” on Air Canada’s consolidated statement of operations.
In the quarter, operating income of $421 million, which included the favourable impact of the benefit plan amendments, increased $151 million from the third quarter of 2011.
Liquidity Highlights
At September 30, 2012, Air Canada’s cash and short-term investments amounted to $2,196 million, $17 million higher than Air Canada’s cash and short-term investments balance at September 30, 2011, and represented 18 per cent of 12-month trailing operating revenues
At September 30, 2012, adjusted net debt of $4,268 million decreased $308 million from December 31, 2011, reflecting the impact of net debt repayments, as well as the favourable impact of a stronger Canadian dollar.
Current Outlook
In the fourth quarter of 2012, Air Canada expects its system ASM capacity, as measured by available seat miles (ASMs), to increase in the range of 0 to 1.0 per cent when compared to the fourth quarter of 2011.
Taking into account reported ASM capacity for the first nine months of 2012, Air Canada now expects its full year 2012 system capacity to increase in the range of 0.75 to 1.25 per cent when compared to the full year 2011 (as opposed to the 0.5 to 1.5 per cent ASM increase projected in Air Canada’s news release dated August 8, 2012) and expects its full year 2012 domestic capacity to increase in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 per cent from the full year 2011 (as opposed to the 0.5 to 1.5 per cent ASM increase projected in Air Canada’s news release dated August 8, 2012).
For the fourth quarter of 2012, Air Canada expects adjusted CASMย (1)ย to decrease by 2.0 to 3.0 per cent as compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. Taking into account reported operating expense results for the first nine months of 2012, Air Canada now expects adjusted CASM for the full year 2012 to increase by 0.75 to 1.25 per cent from the full year 2011 level (as opposed to the 0.5 to 1.5 per cent increase projected in Air Canada’s news release dated August 8, 2012).
In addition, Air Canada plans to increase its full year 2013 system capacity by 1.5 to 3.0 per cent when compared to the full year 2012. This projection includes all carriers operating under the Air Canada Express banner and the expected impacts of the new leisure group and the two Boeing 777 aircraft scheduled for delivery in June and August 2013.
Air Canada’s above-mentioned outlook assumes Canadian GDP growth ofย between 1.5 toย 2.0 per cent for 2012 and 2013.ย In addition, Air Canada expects that the Canadian dollar will trade, on average, at C$0.99ย per U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2012 and C$1.00 per U.S. dollar for the full year 2012 and that the price of jet fuel will averageย 88ย cents per litre in the fourth quarter of 2012 and 89 cents per litre for the full year 2012.
| (1) | Adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per share – diluted are non-GAAP financial measures.ย Refer to section 16 “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of Air Canada’s Third Quarter 2012 MD&A dated November 8, 2012 for additional information. |
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Boeing 777-333 ER C-FIVQ (msn 35240) departs from London (Heathrow).
Air Canada:ย 
British Airways (London) today (October 29) began its second London-Las Vegas service, helping high rollers travel from London Gatwick to the Nevada city.
The three-times-a-week service will be operated by a three-class Boeing 777 offering three cabins: Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller.
Together with the Heathrow service, British Airways will operate 10 flights a week from Las Vegas.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Boeing 777-336 ER G-STBF (msn 40543) completes its final approach into London (Heathrow).
British Airways:ย 
Turkish Airlines (Istanbul) plans to orderย 15 additional Boeing 777-300 ERs by 2017 with five options according to a report by Reuters.
Read the full report: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Boeing 777-3F2 ER TC-JJP (msn 40797) completes its final approach into Los Angeles International Airport.
Turkish Airlines:ย 
Air Canada (Montreal) yesterday (October 1) unveiled a fleet plan providing for international growth at both the mainline carrier and its new low-cost leisure airline to be launched in 2013.
Air Canada will add two new Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft to the mainline carrier’s widebody fleet in order to pursue strategic growth opportunities for its international network.ย With the addition of these two aircraft, to be delivered in June and September 2013, Air Canada’s Boeing 777 fleet will consist of 20 aircraft comprising the latest generation of 300 ER and 200 LR models. Air Canada currently operates 56 widebody aircraft and 149 narrowbody aircraft.
The arrival of these new Boeing 777s, along with the 787 Dreamliners in 2014, will allow AC to introduce new routes for the mainline carrier and release aircraft from the existing fleet to the new low-cost leisure carrier.ย Air Canada’s mainline carrier will continue to grow internationally as it launches new routes, while the leisure carrier will pursue opportunities in markets where we are not adequately cost competitive under the mainline brand, according to the carrier.
On September 20, 2012, Air Canada announced that it will hire more than 900 employees over the next 12 months to meet its planned workforce requirements at the main airline.ย In addition, 200 new jobs will be created for flight attendants and pilots at the airline’s new leisure carrier.
New international services to be introduced with the addition of two Boeing 777 aircraft at the main network carrier will be announced at a future date, as will further details of its leisure carrier low cost unit.
Consistent with Air Canada’s focus on pursuing international growth opportunities and its on-going cost transformation initiatives, the airline and Sky Regional Airlines, Inc. (Air Canada Express) (Toronto) have agreed to the transfer of 15 Embraer 175 aircraft, the smallest aircraft in Air Canada’s fleet, from Air Canada to Sky Regional to operate the aircraft on behalf of Air Canada under the capacity purchase agreement between the parties. The aircraft will continue to be operated on short-haul regional routes, primarily from Toronto and Montreal to destinations in the northeast United States, under the Air Canada Express banner. The transfer of the 15 regional aircraft is expected to be made between February and June 2013. The agreement is subject to a number of conditions. Sky Regional has operated Air Canada Express service between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Montreal Trudeau Airport since May 2011.ย In addition to Sky Regional, Air Canada has capacity purchase agreements with its other regional airline partners, Jazz, Air Georgian and EVAS, that operate regional Air Canada Express flights on behalf of Air Canada.
Top Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. Boeing 777-333 ER C-FIUV (msn 35248) climbs away from the runway at London (Heathrow).
Air Canada:ย 
Bottom Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. The 15 Embraer ERJ 170-200SUs (ERJ 175s) will leave the mainline AC fleet and will be operated now as Air Canada Express aircraft by lower-cost Sky Regional. C-FEJD (msn 17000090) prepares to land at Washington (Reagan National).
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