Tag Archives: Bombardier

Eastern Australia Airlines to start Jetstar services in New Zealand on December 1, routes announced

Jetstar Airways (Melbourne) has unveiled its new regional network in New Zealand, launching low fares on five routes between Nelson, Napier, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Auckland and Wellington.

Nelson-Auckland and Napier-Auckland flights will take off on December 1, in time for the busy tourism season in both popular holiday destinations.

New Plymouth-Auckland, Palmerston North-Auckland and Nelson-Wellington flights will follow early next year, with services scheduled to begin on February 1, 2016.

Jetstar first announced plans for a regional network in June and has been considering proposals from locations across the country for its initial expansion.

Jetstar’s regional network will add more than 670,000 new seats a year to the domestic market, a significant increase on the airline’s current domestic jet seat capacity of over 2.6 million seats annually.

First flights each day will take off from regional ports, with crew and aircraft positioned overnight in each of the new destinations. Recruiting has commenced for the 100 new jobs the regional expansion will create, with positions available for pilots, cabin crew, and ground crew.

The Jetstar-branded regional services, which will be marketed and managed by Jetstar, will be operated by QantasLink. Under this arrangement, Qantas-owned Eastern Australia Airlines (Sydney), which has operated Bombardier Q300 aircraft in Australia for QantasLink for over 15 years, will manage the aircraft operations.

Jetstar launched trans-Tasman flights in 2005 and established domestic operations in New Zealand in June 2009. The low cost carrier’s fleet of nine Airbus A320 aircraft operate up to up to 250 domestic and 100 international flights a week. Jetstar has over 400 team members in New Zealand.

Copyright Photo: Rob Finlayson/AirlinersGallery.com. Jetstar-branded, operated by Eastern Australia Airlines, Bombardier DHC-8-315 (Q300) VH-TQM (msn 604) at Brisbane was the first of five Q300s to be repainted.

Jetstar Airways aircraft slide show:

Delta to add Seattle/Tacoma – Edmonton service

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) continues to build up its Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) hub. The carrier will add daily Delta Connection Bombardier CRJ700 jet service from SEA to Edmonton, Alberta per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest Airlines’ Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N614SK (msn 10051) lands at Long Beach.

Delta Air Lines aircraft slide show (current livery):

Delta Connection-SkyWest aircraft slide show:

Jetstar Airways has the first Bombardier Q300 for regional services in New Zealand painted

Jetstar Airways (Melbourne) has issued this statement and photos:

The first of five Jetstar Bombardier Q300 turbo-prop aircraft to be painted in Jetstar livery rolled out of the paint shop in Townsville this week in preparation for regional services in New Zealand later this year.

The aircraft were formerly used by QANTAS Link and will be the first turbo-props to fly under the Jetstar brand.

In addition to the new livery, the Q300s are being given an interior refresh to match the Jetstar onboard product.

Further details of the new services, including the four regional destinations they’ll be flying to in New Zealand, will be announced in a few weeks.

Regional New Zealand flights on the Q300s will be operated by Eastern Australia Airlines for Jetstar Airways.

Copyright Photos: Jetstar Airways. Eastern Australia Airlines Bombardier DHC-8-315 (Q300) was rolled out of the paint shop at Townsville in the new look.

Jetstar aircraft slide show:

SkyWest Airlines’ pilots agree to a new three-year contract

SkyWest Airlines‘ (St. George, Utah) pilots last week accepted a three-year pay agreement, securing top compensation and work rules in the regional industry. The agreement, for which the strong majority of pilots voted in favor, is effective immediately and runs through mid-2018.

“SkyWest pilots are top of our industry, and this agreement reflects that position,” said Mike Thompson, SkyWest Airlines Chief Operating Officer. “This vote reaffirms SkyWest’s position as an industry leader and ensures we are best positioned for future opportunity. We look forward to continuing to work with our pilots and all SkyWest people to further advance SkyWest’s position as the airline and employer of choice.”

The new agreement provides salary increases for all pilots, a substantial increase to first-year pay, guaranteed profit sharing and an increased 401(k) match, as well as a number of enhancements to work rules. The previous agreement became amendable in January 2015.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N465SW (msn 7845) in the 2009 house colors arrives at Los Angeles. SkyWest is gradually grounding its smaller 50-seat regional jets.

SkyWest Airlines aircraft slide show:

Lufthansa to add Frankfurt – Luxembourg flights

Lufthansa (Frankfurt) will launch daily Lufthansa Regional Bombardier CRJ900 service on the Frankfurt (FRA) – Luxembourg (LUX) route on October 25. The airline currently operates to LUX from Munich.

Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. Lufthansa CityLine Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) D-ACKL (msn 15095) approaches the runway at EuroAirport serving the Basel/Mulhouse/Freiburg area.

Lufthansa Regional-Lufthansa CityLine aircraft slide show:

Cities served by Lufthansa CityLine:

Lufthansa CityLine aircraft fleet:

Republic Airways Holdings’ second quarter net income drops to $4.3 million due to “operational reliability”

Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Republic Airlines and Shuttle America) (Indianapolis) reported its financial and operational results for the second quarter of 2015.

Republic’s pre-tax income for the second quarter of 2015 was $9.1 million, compared to $33.3 million for the prior year’s second quarter. Republic’s net income for the second quarter of 2015 was $4.3 million, or $0.08 per diluted share compared to prior year net income of $20.1 million or $0.38 per diluted share. The effective tax rate of 52.7% for the quarter was higher than the normalized tax rate, primarily due to the impact of miscellaneous non-deductible expenses.

The second quarter 2015 financial results were negatively impacted by a significant reduction in operational reliability. The Company’s controllable completion factor and operating revenues were significantly lower than expected due to a high number of pilot related cancellations as a result of the growing national pilot labor shortage and our on-going labor dispute with International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT).

The second quarter results were also negatively impacted by fleet transition costs and idled aircraft costs totaling $10.8 million associated with our removal of E190 and Q400 aircraft and surplus E145 aircraft.

Recent Business Developments

On July 9, 2015, the IBT, representing Republic’s pilots, filed suit against the Company alleging that the Company unilaterally increased compensation for pilots and new hires in violation of the Railway Labor Act. We believe the suit is without merit, and the Company has filed a motion to dismiss. The motion is currently pending.

On July 24, 2015, the Company announced the engagement of Seabury Group as its advisor to restructure the Company’s operational and financial commitments and explore all options to maintain the Company’s enterprise value. The Company has initiated discussions with its CPA partners to further reduce flying schedules during the second half of 2015 and 2016. In light of the anticipated fleet reductions, the Company rescinded all previously issued financial and operational guidance on July 24, 2015.

On August 6, 2015, the Company received notice from the National Mediation Board scheduling the next mediated session on August 20, 2015, with the IBT National Airline Division, IBT Local 357, and the Company.

Concerning fleet news, Republic reported:

Operating aircraft at period end:

44-50 seats *1 41 in service on June 30, 2015 versus 45 a year ago (8.9% drop)
69-99 seats *2 201 in service on June 30, 2015 versus 192 a year ago (4.7% increase)

*1 Excludes 11 owned E140 aircraft that were abandoned and four leased E140 aircraft that were permanently parked, seven owned and nine leased E145 aircraft that were temporarily parked, and one owned E135 aircraft and eight owned E145 aircraft that are leased to other operators, as of June 30, 2015. Excludes 11 owned E140 aircraft that were abandoned, 11 leased E145 aircraft and two owned E145 aircraft that were temporarily parked as of June 30, 2014.

*2 Excludes five leased Q400 aircraft, of which; three were temporarily parked and two that were transitioned to Flybe and three owned E170 aircraft that are leased to other operators, as of June 30, 2015. Excludes two temporarily parked E190 aircraft as of June 30, 2014.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen/AirlinersGallery.com. The Bombardier DHC-8-402s (Q400s) operated by Republic Airlines (2nd) as an United Express carrier are gradually being phased out. The last of the type is expected to be removed from the United CPA contract in September 2016. However this come sooner with the on-going pilot dispute and the shortage of pilots. The company is discussing ways it can mitigate the shortage. DHC-8-402 (Q400) N336NG (msn 4336) arrives at Raleigh-Durham.

United Express-Republic aircraft slide show:

Delta to end the Salt Lake City – Chicago Midway route, PRASM declined 3% in July

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will end the Salt Lake City – Chicago (Midway) route on August 31. The daily Delta Connection route is currently operated with Bombardier CRJ900 jets per Airline Route.

In other news, Delta today reported “consolidated passenger unit revenue (PRASM) for the month of July decreased 3.0 percent year over year, with pressure from foreign exchange, lower surcharges in international markets, and continued yield pressure in select domestic markets.”

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest Airlines’ Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) N692CA (msn 15092) departs from Las Vegas.

Delta Air Lines aircraft slide show (current livery):

Delta Connection-SkyWest aircraft slide show:

SkyWest reports a second quarter net profit of $31.5 million

SkyWest, Inc. (SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines) (St. George, Utah) reported its financial and operating results for the quarter ended on June 30, 2015:

SkyWest generated $31.5 million of net income for Q2 2015, or $0.61 per diluted share. This represents an improvement of $46.2 million from Q2 2014, which had a net loss of $(14.7) million, or $(0.29) per diluted share. Operating income for Q2 2015 was $70 million, which represents SkyWest’s best quarterly operating income since 2008.

SkyWest reported $41 million of net income for the first half of 2015, or $0.79 per diluted share, a $79 million improvement compared to the first half of 2014 which had a net loss of $(38) million, or $(0.73) per diluted share.

Q2 2015 Financial Highlights

Pre-tax income increased $58 million in Q2 2015 from Q2 2014, primarily due to improved operating performance, additional flying contracts with improved profitability and a reduction in the number of aircraft operating under unprofitable flying contracts.
SkyWest generated $135 million in EBITDA in Q2 2015, compared to $77 million in Q2 2014. For the first half of 2015 EBITDA was $234 million, compared to $112 million for the first half of 2014.
Revenue included improvements of $32 million from the additional E175 operations, improved contract rates from renewals of SkyWest’s existing flying contracts and improved contract performance incentives compared to Q2 2014. Revenue also improved from Q2 2014 by $11 million from higher flight completion rates. These improvements provided a significant offset to the revenue decrease from a reduced fleet size and less scheduled production for a net decrease in revenue of $28 million year over year.
Operating expenses were down by $85 million compared to Q2 2014, primarily driven by operating efficiencies from improved completion rates, a net decrease in production, maintenance cost initiatives and a reduction in fuel costs.

Q2 2015 Operational Update

Excluding weather cancellations, the adjusted flight completion rate for ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. (“ExpressJet”) improved to 99.8% in Q2 2015 from 99.0% in Q2 2014. The adjusted flight completion rate for SkyWest Airlines, Inc. (“SkyWest Airlines”) also improved to 99.2% in Q2 2015 from 99.0% in Q2 2014.
Including weather cancellations, ExpressJet’s raw flight completion rate was 97.5% in Q2 2015 compared to 95.3% in Q2 2014. SkyWest Airlines’ raw flight completion rate improved to 98.4% in Q2 2015 compared to 97.4% in Q2 2014.
Total aircraft in service went to 676 at June 30, 2015, from 693 at March 31, 2015, summarized as follows:

1. Added six new E175 aircraft with United Air Lines, Inc. (“United”)

2. Added three new E175 aircraft with Alaska Air Group (“Alaska Airlines”)

3. Added ten used ERJ 145 aircraft with American Airlines, Inc. (“American”)

4. Removed 24 ERJ 145/ERJ 135 aircraft from service

5. Removed twelve EMB-120 turboprop aircraft from service

Under its fleet transition, SkyWest generated approximately 24,000 additional block hours with its dual class aircraft (CRJ700s/900s and E175s) compared to Q2 2014. SkyWest also had a reduction of approximately 72,000 block hours with its 50-seat and smaller sized aircraft (CRJ200s, ERJ145s/135s and EMB120s) compared to Q2 2014. The total aircraft in service decreased to 676 at June 30, 2015 from 752 at June 30, 2014.
Under an agreement announced in Q2 2015, SkyWest Airlines will place 8 additional E175 aircraft into service with Alaska Airlines, for a total of 15 E175s with Alaska Airlines. SkyWest Airlines is scheduled to take delivery of the remaining twelve new E175 aircraft for Alaska Airlines between Q4 2015 and Q4 2016.
Under a previously announced agreement, SkyWest Airlines is scheduled to take delivery of five new E175 aircraft for United during Q3 2015.
Commenting on the results, Chip Childs, SkyWest, Inc. President, said,

“Our second quarter results reflect meaningful progress in our action plans to secure profitable flying contracts, remove unprofitable aircraft and provide solid operating performance. These actions are the primary drivers for the strong earnings momentum we are generating. We remain committed to disciplined deployment of capital and resources as we continue the process of optimizing our fleet size and mix.”

Q2 2015 Capital and Liquidity Update

SkyWest had $505 million in cash and marketable securities at June 30, 2015, an increase of $24 million from March 2015. SkyWest made capital investments of $40 million during the quarter to acquire nine E175 aircraft including spare parts and engines.
SkyWest repurchased 1.25 million shares of its common stock for $18.7 million in cash during Q2 2015

The company issued $229 million in new long term debt to finance spare engines and the nine new E175s delivered during the quarter.
SkyWest anticipates using approximately $30 million in cash as investments in E175 aircraft scheduled for delivery in Q3 and Q4 of 2015.

SkyWest’s two airline companies provide commercial air service in cities across the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean with more than 3,500 scheduled daily flights. SkyWest Airlines operates through partnerships with United, Delta, US Airways, American and Alaska Airlines. ExpressJet operates through partnerships with United, Delta and American.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest is rapidly reducing the amount of 50-seat regional jets as the report states above. Its largest Bombardier CRJ200 customer is United Airlines but that too will continue to be reduced. Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N956SW (msn 7871) in United Express colors departs from Los Angeles International Airport.

United Express-SkyWest aircraft slide show:

SkyWest Route Map: (click on the map for the full size view):

ExpressJet Route Map (click on the map for the full size view):

WestJet Encore to launch new Atlantic services today

WestJet Encore (Calgary) today (July 15) will launch new daily nonstop flights from Halifax Stanfield International Airport to Deer Lake and Gander, Newfoundland, and Sydney, Nova Scotia, on board its fleet of 78-seat Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft. The airline will also inaugurate new daily nonstop service between Moncton, New Brunswick, and Ottawa.

Effective today, WestJet will also increase frequency between Halifax and St. John’s from twice to three times daily, and between Halifax and Ottawa from once to twice daily.

New WestJet routes launched in 2015 include Edmonton-Kamloops, Toronto-Fredericton, Toronto-Gander, Calgary-Terrace, Calgary-Yellowknife, Calgary-Loreto and Halifax-Glasgow. New daily non-stop service between Calgary and Houston begins September 8, 2015, while new twice-weekly service between Abbotsford and Las Vegas launches October 29, 2015.

Top Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (marketed as the Q400) C-FNEN (msn 4453) taxies at Calgary.

WestJet Encore aircraft slide show:

WestJet and WestJet Encore System Route Map (click map for the full view):

Video: Celebrating Bombardier’s 500th Q400 Delivery:

Air Iceland to become a new Bombardier Q400 operator

Air Iceland (Reykjavik) has purchased three Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) aircraft. The total investment will increase the total assets of Icelandair Group by $25 million USD when the estimated sales price of the Air Iceland’s five Fokker 50 aircraft has been taken into account. The aircraft year of manufacture is 2000 and 2001 and they will be delivered to Air Iceland in July and August this year. On delivery the aircraft will go through an implementation process for Air Iceland’s route network but the first aircraft is expected to be used in the route network in December 2015. The investment will be financed with cash from Icelandair Group.

Air Iceland operates from Reykjavík Airport in the heart of the country’s capital, with destinations around Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland.

The airline was formed in 1997, when Icelandair Domestic merged with Flugfélag Nordurlands; the airline traces its roots back to 1937.

Air Iceland offers flights to four destinations within Iceland. With its flights from Reykjavík to Akureyri, Egilsstadir and Ísafjördur it covers all the major towns in Iceland, as well as a number of the smaller settlements through a general sales agent agreement with Norlandair, a Twin Otter operator in Akureyri. Air Iceland offers flights to four destinations in Greenland, with year-round routes to Kulusuk and Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.

Photo Above: Air Iceland. Air Iceland operates in very rugged terrain.

In the summer, Air Iceland offer flights to Narsarsuaq, Ilulissat and, in cooperation with Norlandair, to Nerlerit Inaat. In cooperation with Atlantic Airways Air Iceland offers flights between Iceland and the Faroe Islands all year round. The fleet of aircraft consists of five Fokker 50 and two Bombardier DHC-8-200 Dash 8 aircraft.

Top Photo: Air Iceland. Air Iceland already operates the Bombardier DHC-8-200. A busy ramp at Ilulissat, Greenland.

Photo Below: Air Iceland. A DHC-8-200 landing in Isafjordur.