Tag Archives: Bombardier DHC-8-400

Malawian Airlines launches operations in Malawi

Malawian Airlines (Lilongwe, Malawi) introduced Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) turboprop service on January 31 between Lilongwe and Blantyre. Malawian Airlines launched domestic and international flights with a dual-class DHC-8-402 (Q400) (ET-AQB, man 4419) leased from co-owner Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa).

The domestic route was extended internationally to Harare, Zimbabwe on February 3 with ET-AQB.

The new airline is also planning to add a Boeing 737-800.

Founded in July 2013, Malawian Airlines is a public-private partnership between the Government of Malawi, Ethiopian Airlines and Malawian institutional and individual investors.

Read the full report from Nyasa Times: CLICK HERE

Ethiopian Airlines later issued this statement:

Ethiopian Airlines is pleased to announce that its strategic partner for the southern Africa region, Malawian Airlines, has launched its first international flight to Johannesburg on February 17, 2014.

Malawian will operate daily from Lilongwe to Johannesburg, with a stopover in Blantyre, with a brand new Boeing 737-800 with Sky Interior and a 154 seat capacity configured in two classes, Business and Economy.

As part of its strategy to set up multiple hubs in Africa in line with its 15 year strategic roadmap, Vision 2025, Ethiopian has partnered with the Malawian Government and private interests in the country to establish Malawian Airlines in Lilongwe. Ethiopian has 49% equity stake as well as the technical and management contract for the new airline. Lilongwe is now the 3rd hub of Ethiopian for Southern Africa region, after Lomé, which has been serving for the last 4 years as a hub for the West African region thru a partnership with ASKY Airlines.

Image: Bombardier.

Horizon Air to offer free local beers in Alaska

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) issued this announcement about the upcoming Horizon Air (Alaska Horizon) (Seattle/Tacoma) service in the state of Alaska starting on March 3:

Travelers on Alaska Airlines flights between Anchorage and Fairbanks and Anchorage and Kodiak will soon enjoy an extra infusion of local flavor in the form of Silver Gulch Brewing & Bottling Co.’s Old 55 Pale Ale.

Passengers will have the opportunity to sample the moderately hopped, American-style pale ale free of charge beginning March 3, when Alaska Airlines introduces the Bombardier Q400 to the state of Alaska. The flights will be operated for Alaska Airlines by its sister carrier, Horizon Air (Alaska Horizon). These flights will feature complimentary soft drinks, Starbucks coffee, Northwest wine and microbrews (for passengers 21 and older), and A la Cart planeside baggage service.

The brewery, which has locations in Anchorage and north of Fairbanks, will bottle the beer in stainless steel “Kleen Kanteens,” (above) which are lighter, stronger and more environmentally friendly than traditional glass bottles.

Samples are about 6.5 ounces and will be offered to customers on flights operating after 11 a.m.

Travelers can pick up their very own Kleen Kanteens (or traditional glass growlers) filled with their favorite Silver Gulch beers at the brewery’s restaurant in the C Concourse at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport or at the brewery and restaurant in Fox, Alaska.

Horizon Air is a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group and flies to 39 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Silver Gulch Brewing and Bottling was founded in Fox, Alaska, in 1998 by two lifelong Alaskans. Silver Gulch is America’s most northern brewery, located at the start of the “haul road” to Prudhoe Bay about 11 miles north of Fairbanks. Silver Gulch opened its first restaurant adjacent to the brewery in 2007, later opening a restaurant at Anchorage International Airport in 2012. Silver Gulch maintains a selection of 12 or more freshly brewed ales and lagers year-round, many of which are available at fine dining and drinking establishments throughout Alaska.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Alaska Airlines): James Helbock/AirlinersGallery.com. Horizon Air’s Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N452QX (man 4459) arrives in San Diego in the special Employee Signatures color scheme.

Horizon Air (Alaska Horizon):

Alaska Airlines to add new routes to Detroit, New Orleans and Tampa

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) is adding nonstop daily service from Seattle/Tacoma to New Orleans and Tampa, Florida, starting on June 12 and June 20, respectively, and to Detroit starting on September 4.

Summary of new service:
Seattle-New Orleans
Start Date	City Pair	Departs	Arrives		Frequency
June 12	Seattle-New Orleans	10:15 a.m.	5:00 p.m.		Daily
June 12	New Orleans-Seattle	5:55 p.m.	8:50 p.m.		Daily
Seattle-Tampa, Fla.
Start Date	City Pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
June 20	Seattle-Tampa	8:50 a.m.	5:30 p.m.	Daily
June 20	Tampa-Seattle	6:30 p.m.	9:25 p.m.	Daily
Seattle-Detroit
Start Date	City Pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Sept. 4	Seattle-Detroit	9:05 a.m.	4:14 p.m.	Daily
Sept. 4	Detroit-Seattle	5:20 p.m.	6:55 p.m.	Daily

All times based on local time zones.

The routes will be operated with Boeing 737 aircraft. Alaska Airlines flies to more destinations from Seattle/Tacoma than any other carrier, including 21 cities east of the Rocky Mountains.

In other news, Alaska Airlines is launching new service between Portland, Oregon, and Kalispell, Montana, this summer. The flights will operate seasonally between Portland and Kalispell from June 9 to August 23, connecting Portland-area residents to the natural beauty of northwest Montana.

Summary of new service:

Service dates	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
June 9 – Aug. 23	Portland-Kalispell	3:55 p.m.	6:20 p.m.	Daily
June 9 – Aug. 23	Kalispell-Portland	6:50 p.m.	7:25 p.m.	Daily

All times based on local time zones

The new route will be operated with Horizon Air’s (Alaska Horizon) Bombardier DHC-8-402s (Q400s) (see above).

Copyright Photo: James Helbock/AirlinersGallery.com. Horizon Air’s new DHC-8-402 (Q400) N441QX (msn 4348) in the Alaska Nanooks special livery arrives in Los Angeles.

Alaska Airlines:

Alaska Horizon (Horizon Air):

Flybe now expects to cut 450 positions

Flybe (Exeter), currently under a reorganization aimed at cutting costs under a new CEO (Saad Hammad), expects its job cuts to be smaller than the original 500 redundancies it expected. It now expects to cut around 450 positions according to this report by Reuters.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) G-JECT (msn 4144) with the image of Matt Le Tissuer) arrives at London (Gatwick).

Flybe:

Air Côte d’Ivoire orders two Bombardier Q400 turboprops

Bombardier Aerospace (Montreal) announced that Air Côte d’Ivoire (Abidjan), has signed a conditional purchase agreement for two DHC-8-402 Q400 NextGen aircraft with options for an additional two additional aircraft. Air Côte d’Ivoire is the national airline of Ivory Coast.

As of September 30, 2013 Bombardier had booked 476 firm orders for Q400 and Q400 NextGen turboprops.

Image: Bombardier.

Regional Route Map:

Video: Cockpit view of an Air Côte d’Ivoire Airbus A319 arriving in Abidjan.

WestJet launches WestJet Encore

WestJet (Calgary) yesterday (June 24) launched WestJet Encore, Canada’s newest regional airline, with service to Fort St. John, Nanaimo, Vancouver, and Victoria, British Columbia and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. WestJet Encore features a new fleet of two Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) NextGen aircraft.

Calgary will also be the home of its WestJet Encore operations.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE:

Flight	Departing	Arriving	Effective
3109	Calgary at 11 a.m.	Nanaimo at 11:45 a.m.	June 24, 2013
3108	Nanaimo at 12:30 p.m.	Calgary at 2:56 p.m.	June 24, 2013
3101	Calgary at 3:50 p.m.	Fort St. John at 4:35 p.m.	June 24, 2013
3103	Fort St. John at 5:05 p.m.	Vancouver at 6:48 p.m.	June 24, 2013
3103	Vancouver at 7:20 p.m.	Victoria at 7:50 p.m.	June 24, 2013
3246	Calgary at 4:50 p.m.	Saskatoon at 6:09 p.m.	June 24, 2013
3247	Saskatoon at 6:35 p.m.	Calgary at 7:59 p.m.	June 24, 2013
3102	Victoria at 7:15 a.m.	Vancouver at 7:44 a.m.	June 25, 2013
3102	Vancouver at 8:15 a.m.	Fort St. John at 10:01 a.m.	June 25, 2013
3100	Fort St. John at 10:30 a.m.	Calgary at 1 p.m.	June 25, 2013

Copyright Photo: WestJet. Employees wave goodbye to the first WestJet Encore flight as it departs Calgary bound for Nanaimo with Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-FHEN (msn 4441).

WestJet:

Video: WestJet Never Sleeps:

Video: A previous April’s Fools “Kargo Kids”:

Bombardier delivers the first Q400 to WestJet for WestJet Encore

Bombardier Aerospace (Montreal) and WestJet (Calgary) today (June 6) announced the delivery of the first of 20 DHC-8-402 (Q400) NextGen turboprop airliners ordered by WestJet. The aircraft will be operated by the new regional carrier, WestJet Encore (Calgary) and will serve multiple destinations, beginning in Western Canada in its first year of service. WestJet also holds options for 25 additionalQ400 NextGen aircraft.

Earlier this year, WestJet announced plans to begin service with Encore on June 24, 2013, opening new routes to Fort St. John and Nanaimo, British Columbia, as well as Brandon, Manitoba, on September 3, 2013. Flights to points in Alberta and Saskatchewan are to be added later this year, along with additional flights to cities already served by WestJet.

Today, Bombardier Aerospace hosted a special delivery ceremony in Toronto alongside more than 100 WestJetters, including Gregg Saretsky, President and Chief Executive Officer, WestJet and Ferio Pugliese, President, WestJet Encore, and Executive Vice-President, WestJet. Also on site in Toronto, where the Q400 NextGen airliners are manufactured, were Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, Simon Roberts, Vice-President and General Manager, Turboprop Programs and the Toronto Site, Bombardier Aerospace and guests from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

Top Copyright Photo: WestJet. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-FOEN (msn 4440) “401” flies over Toronto’s downtown Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

WestJet:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Bombardier. C-FOEN has small WestJet Encore titles by the forward L1 door.

Video:

Yakutia Airlines becomes the first Bombardier Q400 operator in Russia

Yakutia Airlines (Yakutsk) has become the first operator of the Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) in Russia. The far north carrier put the new type into revenue service in late January. Yakutia Airlines, a domestic passenger carrier based in the northeast region of Russia, will fly three Q400 aircraft, with the first (DHC-8-402 VP-BKD, msn 4162) having arrived in late January at Yakutsk Airport.

Yakutia’s fleet comprises a total of over 30 aircraft and it operates with hubs in the cities of Yakutsk, Moscow (Vnukovo) and Krasnodar. Its network includes routes in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), other regions in Russia and international flights. In the territory of the Far East federal district, Yakutia operates flights in eight of nine sub-districts, allowing passengers to make point-to-point connections within the region.

Yakutia Airlines:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Yakutia Airlines. Yakutia operates in a very demanding region of Siberia. On January 31 the airline took delivery of its second Sukhoi Superjet 100-95B (RA-89012, msn 95020).

WestJet to name the new Bombardier Q400 operation WestJet Encore

WestJet Airlines (Calgary) will name its new Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) operation “WestJet Encore”. The company issued the follwing statement:

Following a vote by WestJetters, WestJet announced that the name of its new regional airline will be WestJet Encore. The regional airline will launch in the second half of 2013, using Bombardier Q400 aircraft to serve smaller Canadian communities.

“We are excited to launch WestJet Encore, leveraging the phenomenal strength of the WestJet brand delivered through our WestJetters,” said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Sales, Marketing and Guest Experience. “Encore reinforces that our WestJetters are ready to repeat the success of WestJet, liberating Canadians in many communities from the high cost of travel.”

WestJet will announce a schedule for WestJet Encore, including the first group of communities it will serve, in early 2013.

Image: WestJet.

WestJet:

Eznis Airways becomes a new Bombardier Q400 operator in Mongolia

Eznis Airways (Ulaanbaatar) has become the world’s latest operator of Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) turboprop in Mongolia. Bombardier issued the following statement:

“Bombardier Aerospace on September 21 welcomed Eznis Airways LLC to the growing family of Bombardier Q400 aircraft operators. Eznis Airways LLC, the largest private airline in Mongolia, has acquired a previously owned Q400 aircraft (DHC-8-402 JU-9919, msn 4106, ex C-GDXC and JA849A) and has started service in the country with the fast and fuel-efficient turboprop. Eznis acquired the Q400 aircraft through Nordic Aviation Capital, the Denmark-based leasing company.

Eznis’ acquisition of the Q400 aircraft follows the type acceptance certification that was awarded by the Civil Aviation Authority of Mongolia in May, 2012 for operation of the aircraft in the Central Asia nation. The certification in Mongolia preceded the decision in June, 2012 by the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) – commonly known by its Russian acronym, MAK – to award aircraft type approval to the Q400 turboprop for operation in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Powered by two new-generation, 5,071-shaft horsepower (shp) PW150A engines, and capable of flying at a speed of up to 360 knots (667 km/h), the Q400 aircraft can quickly climb above the strong summer head winds which blow across Mongolia, and also access the high elevation airports in mountainous regions of the country. Its steep approach capabilities allow the aircraft to quickly descend over the mountains to easily navigate the strong northerly winds found at Chinggis Khaan International Airport in UIaanbaatar, where Eznis is based.

The Q400 aircraft has been certified for gravel runway operations that predominate in rural Mongolia, which enables Eznis to fly mining charter customers directly to mine sites, while the aircraft’s large baggage compartment allows ample storage of mining provisions.”

Image: Bombardier.