Tag Archives: Boeing

Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines expanded relationship could impact the fast growing Gulf carriers

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) will join the Oneworld 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:

Turkish Airlines:

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.

Delta Air Lines is in talks to purchase Singapore Airlines’ 49% share of Virgin Atlantic Airways

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) is reportedly in discussions with Singapore Airlines (Singapore) to acquire their 49 percent share in Virgin Atlantic Airways (London). If successful, Delta’s European partners, namely Air France-KLM, could then buy some of Sir Richard Branson’s shares to take control of the UK company according to this report by the Financial Times.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. If completed, it would be a bold move by SkyTeam to further increase its presence at slot-controlled Heathrow Airport in London against the Oneworld alliance. Boeing 737-832 N3755D (msn 29627) climbs away from Los Angeles International Airport.

Delta Air Lines:

Virgin Atlantic Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Is the Virgin Atlantic brand in danger of becoming history? Boeing 747-41R G-VROC (msn 32746) arrives at New York (JFK) in the updated 2010 motif.

Ryanair cuts Madrid by 35% and Barcelona by 23%

Ryanair (Dublin) is cutting back on its schedule to both Madrid (35 percent reduction) and Barcelona (23 percent reduction) in response to higher airport charges at both airports. The airline issued the following statement:

Ryanair has confirmed deep cuts to its flights at Madrid and Barcelona and across its Spanish operations in 2013 in response to the Spanish Government doubling of airport taxes at both Madrid and Barcelona El Prat airports on July 1, 2012.

From March 30, 2013, Ryanair will cut its Madrid and Barcelona operations as follows:

Madrid (-35%):

· 4 based aircraft cut (from 14 to 10);

· 13 routes cancelled;

· 22 route frequency cuts;

· 272 weekly flights cut;

· 1.9m pax lost (from 5.3m to 3.4m);

· 1,900 “on site” jobs lost (ACI).

Barcelona El Prat (-23%):

· 1 based aircraft cut (from 13 to 12);

· 4 routes cancelled;

· 20 route frequency cuts;

· 170 weekly flights cut;

· 1.2m pax lost (from 5.4m to 4.2m);

· 1,200 “on site” jobs lost (ACI).

Spain (total) (-12%):

· 648 weekly flights cut;

· 4.5m pax lost (from 30m to 25.5m);

· 4,500 “on site” jobs lost (ACI).

These Ryanair cuts are the unavoidable response to the Spanish Goernment’s unjustified and unnecessary doubling of airport taxes at both Madrid and Barcelona El Prat airports in July 2012. These extortionate tax increases, which are now being investigated by the EU Commission, are particularly damaging for Spanish tourism, jobs and the economy at a time when youth unemployment in Spain stands at an alarming 50%.

Ryanair:

Air Canada and Turkish Airlines move closer with a new codeshare agreement

Air Canada (Montreal) and Turkish Airlines (Istanbul) announced a reciprocal code sharing agreement that will make it easy and convenient for customers to connect between the two Star Alliance partner airlines. The agreement, to take effect the beginning of the second quarter of 2013, will leverage Air Canada’s planned Toronto-Istanbul route launching this summer pending receipt of government approval.

Under the code share agreement the two carriers will each place their flight designator code on select flights making it more convenient for travelers with such benefits as a single itinerary, through-checked bags and mutual status recognition. The agreement will include Air Canada’s code on Turkish Airlines’ Toronto-Istanbul flight and several destinations beyond Istanbul, not only in Turkey but also in the Middle East and Africa region. Turkish Airlines will also code share on Air Canada’s new non-stop service between Toronto and Istanbul providing connections to domestic Canada and several points from Toronto to U.S destinations. Moreover, with the loyalty program, passengers will have the opportunity to earn and use miles both on Turkish Airlines and Air Canada flights.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Long-Range Boeing 777-233 LR C-FIVK (msn 35245) of Air Canada arrives at Tokyo (Narita).

Air Canada:

Turkish Airlines:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. Turkish Airlines’ Boeing 737-8F2 TC-JFM (msn 29775) with “Turkish Football Federation” additional marking approaches London (Gatwick) for landing.

UPS and TNT Express send their merger “remedies” paperwork to the European Commission

United Parcel Service, Inc. (Atlanta and Louisville) and TNT Express N.V. (Hoofddorp) (TNT Airways) have announced, in line with Dutch disclosure requirements, that remedies have been submitted to obtain competition clearance from the European Commission (EC) for the acquisition of TNT Express by UPS. The offer of remedies does not change the terms and conditions of the Offer by UPS for TNT Express.

The proposed remedies aim to address the EC’s concerns regarding the competitive effects of the intended merger on the international express small package market in Europe. UPS and TNT Express continue to be fully committed to the merger and are working closely with the EC in order to gain competition clearance allowing completion of the transaction in early 2013. As part of the approval process, the EC will market-test the remedies on a confidential basis.

The proposed remedies comprise the sale of business activities and assets in combination with granting access to air capabilities. Eligible buyers of these activities will have to ensure the long-term viability of the divested activities and continuity of customer service.

No further details of the confidential discussions or proposed remedies will be revealed at this stage. The discussions are ongoing, which means that the offered remedies may be subject to change.

UPS and TNT Express believe their merger will help create a more efficient logistics market, thereby improving the competitiveness of Europe and the solutions offered to businesses and consumers. Customers and consumers will benefit from a broader portfolio of services and better global access, along with lower supply-chain costs overall and improved service levels in terms of timing and reliability.

UPS and TNT Express value their employees highly. Both UPS and TNT Express will follow the required consultation and advice procedures with their works councils with regard to these remedies.

In accordance with EU Merger Regulation, the timing of the remedies submission extends the EC’s review period by 15 business days to February 5, 2013.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. UPS’ Boeing 747-44AF N571UP (msn 35668) climbs away from Anchorage International Airport.

UPS-United Parcel Service:

TNT Airways:

Shenzhen Airlines joins the Star Alliance today

Shenzhen Airlines (Shenzhen) today became the latest carrier to join the Star Alliance network. At a ceremony held at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Mark Schwab, CEO Star Alliance, welcomed the airline into the family on behalf on the Alliance’s Chief Executive Board (CEB).

“Shenzhen Airlines is China’s fifth largest carrier and strengthens the Star Alliance presence in China and across Asia. Our customers now benefit from improved access throughout the economically important Pearl River Delta and across southern China. Shenzhen Airlines at the same time gains access to a global network with enhanced benefits for its passengers; truly a win-win situation,” said Mark Schwab.

Adding Shenzhen Airlines to the network is part of Star Alliance’s strategy of improving access to current and future growth markets, thus providing the international traveller with more destinations and flights. In the case of China, the foundation for this strategy was set many years ago, by those Star Alliance member carriers who have been successfully serving this market for several decades. In December 2007 the Alliance added China’s Flag carrier Air China to the network.

Feng Gang, the president of Shenzhen Airlines said: “Today is filled with joy for all of us at Shenzhen Airlines. After 16 months of integration work, we have become a Star Alliance member. We know that today no single airline alone can tend to the needs of the international traveler. By joining Star Alliance we can now offer our customers global reach, while at the same time placing Shenzhen firmly on the map of world-wide air travel. We are proud to proclaim that Shenzhen Airport, serving the 4th largest city in China, is now the newest Star Alliance Hub, from which we will make our mark not only in China, but across the Asia-Pacific region.”

Air China Chairman Wang Chengshun said: “As Shenzhen Airlines’ mentor, we are delighted to see that Shenzhen Airlines in the last 20 years has achieved substantial growth. We believe that Shenzhen Airlines will leverage alliance resources to improve its own competitiveness, and to realise its strategic target of being a large network carrier covering Asian and intercontinental destinations with its hub in Shenzhen”.

As a Star Alliance member, Shenzhen Airlines offers its customers access to a global network, along with seamless travel and enhanced frequent flyer benefits.

The airline adds some 400 daily flights to 70 destinations to the Star Alliance network. Among these are five new destinations in China: Juzhou (Zhejiang Province), Linyi, Qinhuangdao, Shijiazhuang, and Zhoushan. In addition to improving connectivity from its home base in Shenzhen, international passengers benefit from a wider choice of transfer flights in China when connection via the international airports in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai – Pudong. As part of seamless travel customer promise, Shenzhen Airlines offers through check-in for passengers connecting to and from other Star Alliance member airlines flights. On a global basis, the 27 Star Alliance member carriers now offer more than 21,900 daily flights to 1,329 destinations in 194 countries.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. Brand new Boeing 737-87L B-5671 (msn 39153) passes through Honolulu on delivery.

Shenzhen Airlines:

Air Canada plans a major Asian expansion this coming summer

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:

Nonstop service to Istanbul beginning June 4 . Subject to government approval, Air Canada will begin flying three-times weekly, year-round to the historic city which also serves as a gateway to other destinations in Turkey , Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa . Flights will be operated with a Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft. It will be the only early evening departure from Toronto to Istanbul .
The launch on June 2 of a new Toronto-Seoul service operating three times a week, creating a fifth Asian destination from Air Canada’s Toronto hub. The year-round service, operated with a Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, will complement existing Vancouver to Seoul service by providing daily departures from Canada to Seoul .
An addition of three more weekly departures between Toronto and Beijing starting June 1 , bringing the total number of departures from Toronto to Beijing to ten a week. The flights will be operated with a Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft
Four additional departures each week between Vancouver and Beijing starting June 1 , for a total of 11 weekly departures, including a new late night flight timed to be convenient for business travellers. The flights will be operated with a Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft.
The upgrading of our Calgary-Tokyo Narita service starting May 1 to offer daily departures, up from five a week last summer. The flights are operated with a Boeing 767-300 ER.

Air Canada:

Tiara Air Aruba arrives in Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood

Tiara Air Aruba (Aruba) yesterday (November 27) expanded to the United States with twice-weekly Boeing 737-300 jet service on the Maracaibo-Aruba-Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and return route.

Copyright Photo: Arnd Wolf. Formerly operated by United Airlines as N345UA and Gol Transportes Aereos as PR-GLE, Boeing 737-322 was delivered to Tiara Air Aruba as P4-TIW (msn 24249) on February 14, 2012. The jetliner is named “Arawak” after the Arawak indigenous people of the West Indies.

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US Airways retires the last Boeing 737-300 after 28 years

US Airways (Phoenix) quietly retired its last Boeing 737-300 on November 26 from revenue service. Aircraft 737-3B7 N530AU (msn 24412) operated flight US 1611 from Raleigh/Durham to the Charlotte hub ending 28 years of faithful service for the type with the company per Airliners.net. USAir was the launch customer of the 737-300 and received its first copy (N353AU, later registered as N374US) on November 28, 1984. N530AU was delivered new on June 26, 1989. N530AU was immediately ferried to Miami. US Airways still operates the Boeing 737-400.

Southwest Airlines currently still operates the Boeing 737-300 and is now likely to be the longest operator of the type when retired.

Top Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Boeing 737-3B7 N530AU (msn 24412) taxies to the runway at Charlotte.

US Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Keith Armes. Originally the Boeing 737-300 fleet wore the 1975 Allegheny Airlines livery. Boeing 737-3B7 N351AU (msn 22951) is pictured at Orlando, a popular destination for the new type in the early years. Later the type was relegated to shorter feeder routes.

Hawaiian Airlines arrives in Brisbane with a special salute to the Southern Cross

Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu) yesterday (November 27) continued its expansion into new international markets, with the launch of nonstop service to Brisbane, Australia, capital city of the State of Queensland.

Passengers on the inaugural flight departing Honolulu enjoyed a festive island-style send-off, featuring live Hawaiian music and hula, a traditional Hawaiian blessing by Kahu Richard Kamanu of Kaumakapili Church, and fresh flower lei upon boarding.

Brisbane is the second gateway city in Australia for the carrier. Hawaiian also offers nonstop daily flights between Sydney and Honolulu using its 294-seat, wide-body, twin-aisle Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

Hawaiian is the only U.S. carrier serving Brisbane, giving travelers in Hawai’i and throughout North America a convenient new travel alternative for experiencing the scenic beauty of Queensland – Australia’s “Sunshine State.”

Centrally located on Australia’s east coast, Brisbane is the gateway to a host of appealing sites and attractions for visitors to enjoy, including the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, world heritage listed rainforests, the iconic Outback territory, and the renowned leisure destinations of Australia’s Gold and Sunshine Coasts.

Hawaiian’s Flight HA 443 will depart Honolulu at 10:20 a.m. (1020) every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, cross the international dateline, and arrive in Brisbane at 4:00 p.m. (1600) the following day.

Starting November 28, the return flight HA 444 will depart Brisbane at 6:35 p.m. (1835) every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, cross the international dateline, and arrive in Honolulu at 8:05 a.m. (0805) the same day.

Hawaiian will operate its Honolulu-Brisbane service offering the comfort and roominess of its wide-body, twin-aisle Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft, seating 264 passengers in a two-class cabin, with 18 in Business Class and 246 in the Main Cabin.

The inaugural flight from Honolulu to Brisbane is also honoring the famed transpacific flight of the Southern Cross, which in June 1928 – the year before Hawaiian was founded – became the first aircraft to fly from Hawai’i to Brisbane.

Originating from Oakland, California, the Southern Cross captured international headlines with its successful completion of the world’s longest journey by air at the time.

Flown by Australian aviation pioneers Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm, the tri-engine Fokker monoplane took approximately 83 hours to fly from Kaua’i to Brisbane’s Eagle Farm airfield, stopping en route in Fiji for the pilots to take a one-day rest break.

In honor of Kingsford Smith and Ulm’s pioneering flight, Hawaiian has placed a commemorative image of the Southern Cross near the cockpit window of the Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft operating the inaugural flight.

Brisbane is the seventh of eight new destinations that Hawaiian has introduced or announced new service to since November 2010, following Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; and New York City. Hawaiian will launch service to Auckland, New Zealand, on March 13, 2013.

Hawaiian’s continuing growth into new markets and expansion of existing operations in North America has been fueled by its long-haul fleet renewal and expansion program that began in June 2010. Since then, the company has welcomed nine new Airbus A330-200 aircraft to its fleet, and is scheduled to introduce 13 more A330s into service between 2013 and 2015.

Copyright Photo: PRNewsFoto/Hawaiian Airlines. Capt. Todd Mihara flashes a “shaka” sign, signaling ‘all clear’ from the cockpit of Hawaiian Airlines’ inaugural flight to Brisbane, Australia moments before departure from Honolulu on November 27. Below the cockpit window of Boeing 767-3CB ER N588HA (msn 33466) is a commemorative image of the Southern Cross in tribute to the pioneering flight between Hawaii and Brisbane in 1928, piloted by Australian aviators Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm. Sister ship N589HA also wears the special logo.

Hawaiian Airlines: