Tag Archives: Boeing

American Airlines takes delivery of its first Boeing 777-300 ER, will introduce finally a new livery

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) yesterday (December 11) accepted its first new Boeing 777-323 ER (N717AN, msn 31543). The airliner was painted without markings in a gray and silver metallic paint. American Airlines will finish painting the aircraft in a new livery. This is the first color scheme change since the current brand was first designed and painted in 1968 and introduced fleet-wide in 1969. It was the longest running airline livery in the world of a major airline. The new type will be introduced on the Dallas/Fort Worth-Sao Paulo route on January 31. American has nine more copies to come. AA issued this statement:

American Airlines on December 11 took delivery of its first Boeing 777-300 ER (Extended Range) aircraft, another step in its plan to create the industry’s most modern fleet. American is the first U.S. airline to order and take delivery of the Boeing 777-300 ER, which will give American’s fleet additional network flexibility, while delivering increased efficiency and better operating economics.

American’s 777-300 ER, was delivered without the traditional American livery, marks the beginning of the airline’s brand new fleet type and points toward the airline’s future. Inside, the cabin is configured with three classes, featuring lie-flat seats in First and Business Class.

The Dallas/Fort Worth-Sao Paulo route, scheduled for January 31, 2013, will be the first to feature the newest addition to American’s fleet. Subsequently, the aircraft is slated to fly to London Heathrow from both Dallas/Fort Worth and New York JFK.

The modern new aircraft will feature a freshly painted livery on the outside. Upon boarding, American customers will be invited inside through a dramatic archway and ceiling treatment and mood lighting, to continue the modern experience and the look and feeling of spaciousness. A walk-up bar in the premium cabin stocked with snacks and refreshments will be a first for any U.S. airline and adds another distinctive luxury feature to the 777-300 ER. Entertainment options include up to 120 movies, more than 150 TV programs and more than 350 audio selections that will be offered throughout the aircraft. Also, every seat will feature individual 110-volt AC power outlets and USB jacks for charging personal electronic devices.

Will this new livery survive a merger? If American merges with US Airways and US Airways management takes over will they see this color scheme as an emblem of the past AA management or will they want another new fresh design of their own? Stay tuned for the unveiling.

American Airlines is expected to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in January and a possible merger with US Airways could also be announced in January. January will be a watershed month for AA with at least a new brand and a new aircraft type.

Meanwhile, CEO Tom Horton wants a quick resolution of whether the company will merge with US Airways or emerge from Chapter 11 as a stand-alone carrier according to this report by Reuters.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

American Airlines:

Ryanair criticizes Brussels Airlines, the Belgian government, Lufthansa and Aer Lingus, announces a new Eindhoven base

Ryanair (Dublin) has publicly stated it will not move to Brussels (Zaventem) should Brussels Airlines (Brussels) fail due to its current financial losses. The airline is committed to Charleroi near Brussels. The company issued the following statement:

Ryanair rejected recent speculation emanating from the Belgian Government and/or Brussels Airlines that there was some prospect that Ryanair would move to Brussels Zaventem when Brussels Airlines disappears due to its catastrophic losses. Ryanair has rejected this idle speculation and confirmed its commitment to its base at Brussels Charleroi, where Ryanair has operated for 15 years, and has built a growing and successful partnership with Brussels South Charleroi Airport.

Ryanair confirmed that it has recently reaffirmed its traffic development plans with Brussels Charleroi Airport, that it continues to add new aircraft and new routes at Charleroi, continues to grow traffic and jobs in Charleroi, and that it has no intention of moving to Brussels Zaventem, even if Brussels Airlines, an airline which is effectively controlled by Lufthansa (Frankfurt), ceases operations.

Ryanair called on the Belgian Government to reject Brussels Airlines pathetic attempt to obtain subsidies for its high labour costs, which would result in the Belgian taxpayer effectively subsidising Lufthansa, one of Europe’s strongest airline groups.

Ryanair pointed out that Lufthansa freely chose to take a 45% stake in Brussels Airlines, and if Lufthansa is unhappy with Brussels Airlines cost base, then it should reduce those costs or invest in the airline, rather than inappropriately pressurising the Belgian Government to subsidise another large Lufthansa partner.

Ryanair, Europe’s only ultra-low cost airline, today announced it would open its 52^nd base (second Dutch base) at Eindhoven in April 2013 with one based aircraft as it invests over $70 million at Eindhoven Airport.

Ryanair will grow at Eindhoven as follows:

1 based aircraft
31 routes
4 new routes to/from Agadir, Bordeaux, Chania and Fez
Warsaw Modlin extended for summer season
Increased frequencies to/from Alicante, Faro, Ibiza, Malaga, Marrakech and Pisa
238 weekly flights (up 8%)
1.7 million pax p.a (up 7%)
1,700 jobs at Eindhoven Airport

Ryanair also took a public swipe at competitor Aer Lingus (Dublin) which it has been attempting to take control. Here is the full statement:

Ryanair criticized the Board and Management of Aer Lingus for their latest “wet lease” agreement with Virgin Atlantic Airways (London), which Ryanair believes is yet another example of Aer Lingus’ commercial failure and lack of any independent future.

Ryanair highlighted that this is Aer Lingus’ second attempt at such a wet lease type arrangement, following the trans-Atlantic “partnership” with United Airlines (Chicago), which started in March 2010, under which Aer Lingus switched one of its trans-Atlantic aircraft, to operate an effective wet lease for United Airlines on the Washington – Madrid route. In July 2011, Aer Lingus’ CEO Christoph Mueller claimed “We operate the aircraft very cost efficiently and United is selling it at very reasonable yields and it works…”. Mr Mueller “believes this type of operation could be strategically important for the future”. Yet this “strategically important” partnership was ended by United in October 2012 after just 30 months.

Ryanair called on the Board and Management of Aer Lingus to explain why Aer Lingus is wet leasing four of its larger A320 aircraft to Virgin Atlantic to operate routes to/from London Heathrow Airport which have no connection with or value to Ireland. Where will these four aircraft come from? Will they be taken from Aer Lingus’ existing bases at Shannon, Cork or Dublin? Will this result in yet another decline in Aer Lingus’ traffic, which has already fallen from 10.4 million in 2009 to 9.5 million in 2011? Will Aer Lingus’ contribution to Ireland’s “Grabbing” in 2013 be yet another 1 million cut in capacity and traffic to/from the Republic of Ireland?

Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara said:

“In 2010 Aer Lingus was promising that the United Airlines wet lease “partnership” would be the way forward, yet 2 years later United abruptly cancelled the deal and returned the aircraft to Aer Lingus. Instead, United have now entered the Washington-Dublin route, which Aer Lingus previously withdrew from.

Today’s announcement that Aer Lingus is to take 4 of its existing aircraft away from Ireland, thereby reducing its Irish traffic by up to 1 million passengers annually, so that it can rent these aircraft to Virgin Atlantic on a short-term wet lease arrangement seems to be yet another admission that Aer Lingus has no commercial strategy or independent future. What happens in a year or two years time if Virgin Atlantic wants to cancel the deal and Aer Lingus is left with 4 aircraft with nothing to do, but has 1 million fewer core passengers ?

If, as Aer Lingus claims, their brand and commercial strategy is working, then why are they spray painting 4 aircraft in Virgin colours and renting them out, rather than running more routes to/from Ireland for the “Grabbing” in 2013? Ryanair believes that this latest wet lease deal with Virgin is yet another sign that Aer Lingus has no viable commercial strategy, a mismanaged and fading brand and no independent future.”

Copyright Photo: Guillaume Besnard. Boeing 737-8AS EI-EKJ (msn 38497) with special “Comunitat Valenciana” promotional sub-titles climbs away from Barcelona.

Ryanair:

Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic Airways to form a strategic alliance, Delta to buy 49% of Virgin Atlantic from Singapore Airlines

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) and Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. (London) have reached an agreement for a new joint venture that will create an expanded trans-Atlantic network and enhance competition between the U.K. and North America, offering greater benefits for customers traveling on those routes.

As part of this joint venture agreement, Delta will invest $360 million in Virgin Atlantic, acquiring a 49 percent stake currently held by Singapore Airlines. Virgin Group and Sir Richard Branson will retain the majority 51 percent stake and Virgin Atlantic Airways will retain its brand and operating certificate.

Highlights of the agreement include:

A fully integrated joint venture that will operate on a “metal neutral” basis with both airlines sharing the costs and revenues from all joint venture flights.
A combined trans-Atlantic network between the United Kingdom and North America with 31 peak-day round-trip flights.
Enhanced benefits for customers including cooperation on services between New York and London, with a combined total of nine daily round-trip flights from London-Heathrow to John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
Reciprocal frequent flyer benefits.
Shared access to Delta Sky Club and Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse airport lounges for elite passengers.

The airlines will file an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation for antitrust immunity, which will allow a closer relationship and coordination on schedules and operations. The transaction also will be reviewed by the U.S. Department of Justice and the European Union’s competition regulator and other relevant authorities. The share purchase and the joint venture are expected to be implemented by the end of 2013.

“Our new partnership with Virgin Atlantic will strengthen both airlines and provide a more effective competitor between North America and the U.K., particularly on the New York-London route, which is the largest airline route between the U.S. and Europe,” said Delta CEO Richard Anderson. “By combining the strengths of our two companies in a joint venture, we can provide customers with a seamless network between North America and the U.K., and continue building a better airline for our customers, employees and shareholders.”

Steve Ridgway, Virgin Atlantic Chief Executive, added: “Consumers will reap the rewards of this partnership between two great airline brands on services from the UK to the USA, Canada and Mexico through a shared ethos in the highest standards of customer service. This joint venture will deliver much more effective competition at Heathrow.

“Both airlines are confident that the Department of Transportation will be as convinced as we are of the extensive consumer benefits arising from this joint venture, with expedited approval being granted by the end of 2013. The trans-Atlantic market is Virgin Atlantic’s heartland – it’s where we started. By aligning with Delta we can continue to grow our North American network and offer greatly enhanced connectivity across the USA.”

Virgin Atlantic President, Sir Richard Branson, commented: “This is an exciting day in Virgin Atlantic history. It signals the start of a new era of expansion, financial growth and many opportunities for our customers and our business. I truly look forward to the possibilities our partnership with Delta will offer. We have always been known for our innovation and service and have punched above our weight for 28 years. That is why our customers love us so much. We will retain that independent spirit but move forward in a strengthened partnership with Delta.”

Delta and Virgin Atlantic customers will be able to earn and redeem miles across Delta’s SkyMiles and Virgin Atlantic’s FlyingClub frequent flyer programs. Premium customers also will have reciprocal access to the Delta Sky Club and Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse airport lounges. Full details will be announced as services become available.

The partnership allows both carriers to offer a greatly expanded network at Heathrow and to overcome slot constraints, which have limited the growth and competitive capability of both airlines. The two carriers will operate a total of 31 peak-day round-trip flights between the U.K. and North America, 23 of which operate at London-Heathrow. The enlarged network will benefit customers of both carriers by providing greater access to a broader network, improved connectivity and convenient booking options.

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 full 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 percent 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 2013.

Virgin Atlantic has recently completed a £150m upgrade program. A new Upper Class cabin has been introduced across its Airbus A330 aircraft, which features the longest fully flat bed in the sky. This is complemented by a redesigned onboard bar and new Clubhouses at both JFK and Newark airports. The airline’s Boeing 747 leisure fleet has been completely refitted and features onboard connectivity and VERA Touch – Virgin Atlantic’s award-winning touch screen in-flight entertainment system – offering passengers hours of entertainment at their fingertips.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Boeing 747-451 N668US (msn 24223) completes its final approach into Tokyo (Narita).

Delta Air Lines:

Virgin Atlantic Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. Airbus A340-642 G-VWEB (msn 787) arrives at the London (Heathrow) hub.

The end of “flower power”: Kuban Airlines ceases operations today

Kuban Airlines (Krasnodar, Russia), named for the Kuban Province of southern Russia, ended all operations today (December 11) due to “a difficult financial situation”. The airline started operations in 1932 as a regional division of Aeroflot (Moscow). The company merged with SkyExpress on October 29, 2011. The company issued the following statement (translated from Russian)

Kuban airline will stop all operations at 00:00 on December 11, 2012. The main reason for the stop of the airline is the difficult financial situation and the inability to follow a number of provisions of the new Federal Aviation Regulations “Certification requirements for natural persons, legal persons engaged in commercial air transport” (FAP-11), which became effective at the end of November 2012. According to the rules scheduled air carrier shall not have less than 8 aircraft with a capacity of 55 or more passenger seats.

Until now, Kuban operated six aircraft of foreign manufacture. Three of them (Airbus A319) were prematurely returned because it is impossible for timely payments under the contract and the company was in arrears on the payments. Previously, from November 1, 2012, the company had removed the obsolete Yak-42s. (The A319s were operated in an all-white condition).

Given the inability of the prevailing conditions (reducing the fleet by 50%) to run a program of autumn-winter navigation in the stated amounts in accordance with the requirements of FAR-11, airline management made the decision to stop the forced operations.

We have to state that today the very existence of regional airlines in Russia is threatened. This is facilitated by the current legislation. There is a problem with access to markets, selective support of some airlines in the form of protectionist measures and subsidies, the opacity of the aviation industry suppliers, the absence of a favorable financial background, aimed at stimulating regional carriers to move to new modern aircraft. The existing regulations does not promote competition, the emergence of new carriers, opening regional routes and the overall financial health workers airlines.

Kuban will work closely with the Administration of Krasnodar region, in order to minimize the problems associated with the forced cancellation of flights.

The company sent a statement to the Arbitration Court of Krasnodar Krai on the recognition of its bankruptcy. All financial claims will be considered by the bankruptcy process to manage the airline.

Copyright Photo: Arnd Wolf. Kuban also operated two Boeing 737-300s and two 737-500s. This bright and dazzling Sunflower design was introduced by the airline in February 2010. Boeing 737-3Q8 VQ-BHB (msn 26310) taxies to the runway at Munich.

Kuban Airlines:

Frameable Color Prints and Posters:

Air Canada and South African Airways sign a code share agreement

Air Canada (Montreal) and South African Airways (SAA) (Johannesburg) have announced today a code share agreement that will make it substantially easier for customers to travel between Canada and South Africa . Effective December 13, 2012 , customers connecting between the carriers in London or New York will be able to book a single itinerary and make seamless connections. In addition, as both airlines belong to the Star Alliance , customers can benefit from reciprocal frequent flier accumulation or redemption and lounge access for eligible customers.

SAA will code share on Air Canada-operated flights between London and Vancouver , London and Toronto , and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Toronto (including flights operated by Air Canada Express). Air Canada will in turn code share on SAA-operated services between London and Johannesburg , New York and Johannesburg , and Johannesburg and Cape Town .

With both airlines being members of Star Alliance , the world’s largest airline network, customers will continue to enjoy the benefit of earning and redeeming frequent flier miles through Aeroplan or the SAA Voyager program when flying on the code share services and throughout their respective global networks.

Top Copyright Photo: Paul Denton. Boeing 767-333 ER C-FMWQ (msn 25584) of Air Canada arrives at Geneva.

Air Canada:

South African Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Paul Denton. South African’s Boeing 737-85F ZS-SJM (msn 30476) arrives at the Johannesburg hub. SAA operates both the Airbus A319/A320 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft groups on domestic and regional routes.

Jet Asia Airways announces Phuket-Beijing service

Jet Asia Airways (Bangkok) has announced a new four-times-weekly scheduled service from Phuket International Airport to Beijing International Capital Airport. The Thai carrier’s scheduled service will commence in January 2013.

The full service, nonstop flight will be operated by with Boeing 767-200 ER aircraft with an all economy class configuration of 235 seats. JFx, Jet Asia’s iPad based in-flight entertainment will be offered onboard for a fee equivalent to $5 USD.

“We are proud to service Beijing with a direct flight to Phuket. The passenger traffic from China into Thailand has grown nearly 45% year on year for the past three years and we are excited to contribute to this growth,” said Captain John Ross, Jet Asia’s Vice President of Flight Operations.

Jet Asia is currently the only Thai carrier offering scheduled nonstop service between Phuket and Beijing.

Jet Asia commenced scheduled operations on September 17, 2011 between Bangkok (Don Muang) and Penang.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman. Formerly operated by United Airlines, Boeing 767-222 HS-JAB (msn 21868) prepares to land at Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi).

Turkish Airlines finalizes its order for 15 Boeing 777-300 ERs

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:

11 companies are interested in bidding for Air Malawi, will the third attempt to privatize be successful?

Air Malawi (Blantyre) is again on the blocks to be privatized by the Malawian government. The government, through the Privatisation Commission, has received expressions of interest from 11 companies for the national flag carrier according to this report by Engineering News. The 11 companies will be short-listed for a final selection.

According to Wikipedia, since 2000, the Malawian government has attempted on two occasions to privatize the airline unsuccessfully. The first attempt in 2003 failed because of the successful bidder, in partnership with South African Airways, was unable to post a security bond. The second attempt in 2007 failed after disagreements over the terms of the bid by Comair (Johannesburg) of South Africa. Comair is interested in bidding again.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Rainer Bexten. Whoever is successful in bidding for Air Malawi will immediately have to upgrade the old fleet. Veteran Boeing 737-2K9 7Q-YKX (msn 23405) approaches Johannesburg for landing. The airframe was originally delivered to Midway Airlines (1st) (Chicago-Midway) as N701ML on December 5, 1985. This aircraft has now gone on to Star Air Cargo as ZS-SVT.

Air Malawi:

Czech Airlines to resume long-haul services with Airbus A330s, will retire the last Boeing 737-500 at the end of the winter season

Czech Airlines-CSA (Prague) is again getting back into the long-haul business with leased Airbus A330s (previously operated with Airbus A310s). The first route will be to Seoul starting in June 2013. The airline is also adding short-range flights to Florence, Nice and Perm (Russia) on March 31, 2013. Czech Airlines is also retiring the last Boeing 737-500 (pictured) at the end of the current winter schedule. The company has issued the following statement:

After a three-year hiatus, Czech Airlines is again including its own long-haul flights in its flight schedule. A wide-body Airbus A330 will join the airline’s fleet, enabling Czech Airlines to launch new scheduled service to Seoul, South Korea, and to initiate more intensive code-share cooperation with Korean Air in operating long-haul flights from Prague via Seoul to the East Asia, based on the model of cooperation being successfully employed with Etihad Airways. The new agreement will also ensure better connections to Czech Airlines flights from Prague to Europe for Korean Air’s clients. In addition to Seoul, Czech Airlines will introduce new service to Perm, Nice, Munich, Zurich and Florence in the 2013 summer season.

The twice-weekly Airbus A330-300 service to Seoul (Incheon) will commence on June 1 per Airline Route. The carrier is expected to also launch A330 service to Almaty, Ekaterinburg and Moscow (Sheremetyevo).

Next June, a long-haul Airbus A330 hired on the basis of operative leasing will join the Czech Airlines fleet. Among other flights, the aircraft will be deployed on Czech Airlines’ new scheduled long-haul service to Seoul. The flights will leave Prague every Saturday and Sunday, and Seoul every Sunday and Tuesday, supplementing the four weekly Korean Air flights. The two airlines will share codes on the route.

Seoul is not the only new destination in the Czech Airlines flight schedule in the 2013 summer season. The airline will open regular service to Perm in Russia, as well as Nice, Munich, Zurich and Florence. To certain destinations, it is introducing a noon flight wave, and increasing the number of flights compared to the 2012 summer season. These destinations include Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Milan, Stockholm and Warsaw. In making a year-on-year comparison, the airline will also offer more weekly flights to Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don and Ufa. Czech Airlines will newly add Brisbane, Singapore and Nairobi to its flight schedule, which will be operated in cooperation with Etihad Airways. Another innovation in the summer flight schedule is a change in the model of operation to Baltic destinations. Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn will remain in Czech Airlines’ offer, and will be operated by airBaltic on a code-share basis.

In the 2013 summer season, only Airbus (A330, A320, A319) and ATR (ATR 72 and ATR 42) aircraft will be deployed on Czech Airlines flights. The airline will have thereby complied with one of its last restructuring tasks – the transition to a fleet of just two aircraft makes. Boeing 737-500 aircraft will be retired from the fleet by the end of the current winter season.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems. Boeing 737-55S OK-XGE (msn 26543) is currently painted in the SkyTeam colors. The airliner is pictured at Palma de Mallorca.

Czech Airlines-CSA:

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Brussels Airlines and its unions reach agreement, retires its last Boeing

Brussels Airlines (Brussels) and its unions have reached agreement on a new contract that will allow the airline to return to profitability. The airline issued the following statement:

The social agreement (contract), based on a set of structural and temporary measures aiming at securing a sustainable future and profitable growth for the company, is focused on job protection and increase of the company’s competitiveness.

On December 7 Brussels Airlines and the union delegates representing the pilots, cabin crew and non-flying staff (including maintenance) of the Belgian company have reached an agreement and herewith make an end to an intensive negotiation period. The agreement is in line with the targets set by the performance improvement plan Beyond 2012-2013 that aims to bring the company back to profitability by 2014.

Bernard Gustin, CEO of Brussels Airlines, qualifies this agreement as a significant step for the Belgian airline, demonstrating the strong engagement of both sides towards the future of the company: “We are extremely satisfied that the agreements reached are taking the requirements and interests of all parties into consideration. Union delegates and management have committed themselves to make mutual concessions in order to safeguard jobs and create growth perspectives for our company by significantly increasing our competitiveness”.

The main topics discussed at the negotiation table were structural measures, such as productivity improvement and seasonality, and temporary measures, like a part-time working regime (for the cockpit crews) and a salary freeze.

Productivity improvement on the European & long haul network, in line with the economic objectives set at the start of the process
Adaptation of operations to the summer & winter season
Competitive flight time/duty time
Salary freeze by keeping the wage scale at the same level until 2015

In addition, according to CH-Aviation, Brussels Airlines retired its last Boeing 737 from revenue service on November 30. Boeing 737-36N OO-VEN (msn 28586) and 737-4Q8 OO-VET (msn 28202) (pictured) operated the last flights for each type.

Brussels Airlines: