Tag Archives: Bruce Drum

JetBlue Airways teams up with ViaSat

JetBlue Airways (New York-JFK) and ViaSat Inc. announced their intent to create a new inflight broadband for commercial aviation, using ViaSat’s innovative high-capacity satellite technology.

ViaSat and JetBlue have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the provision of in-flight broadband access and other services for customers on JetBlue’s fleet of more than 160 aircraft using ViaSat advanced Ka-band satellites. Under the arrangement, ViaSat will provide Ka-band antenna components and SurfBeamยฎ2 modems for installation on the airline’s Embraer ERJ 190 and Airbus A320 aircraft types along with two-way transmission bandwidth services using the WildBlue-1 and high-capacity ViaSat-1 satellites. JetBlue subsidiary, LiveTV LLC, will manage the integration of the ViaSat broadband and related components onboard the aircraft as well as providing the Wi-Fi enabled services into the overall cabin experience.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Airbus A320-232 N645JB (msn 2900) climbs away from runway 27R at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.

Allegiant Air continues to add new routes, will also fly for Peppermill Casinos

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) has announced new, nonstop jet service between Grand Rapids, MI and Punta Gorda, FL (near Fort Myers) will begin on November 18.

The new flights will operate twice weekly between Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) and Charlotte County Airport (PGD), with service on Thursdays and Sundays. Flights will depart Grand Rapids at 7 a.m. (0700) arriving in Charlotte County Airport at 9:45 a.m. (0945). Flights leaving Charlotte County Airport will depart at 10:25 a.m. (1025) arriving in Grand Rapids at 1:20 p.m. (1320) (all flight times are local). The carrier will utilize a full-size, 150-seat DC-9-82/83 (MD-80) jet aircraft on the route.

The company also announced new, nonstop jet service between Idaho Falls, ID and Mesa, AZ (near Phoenix) will begin on November 12.

The new flights will operate twice weekly between Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA) with service on Mondays and Fridays. Flights will depart Idaho Falls at 12 p.m. (1200) arriving in Mesa at 2 p.m. (1400). Flights leaving Mesa will depart at 9:20 a.m. (0920) arriving in Idaho Falls at 11:20 a.m. (1120) (all flight times are local).

Allegiant also announced that it has entered into a three-year, fixed-fee agreement with Peppermill Casinos, Inc. Under the agreement, Allegiant will provide air transportation for the casino company’s three Wendover, NV properties. Allegiant expects to generate more than $20 million in revenue over the three-year term of the agreement. The agreement is subject to earlier termination by either party.

By March 1, 2011, Allegiant will base one 150-seat, DC-9-80 (MD-80) series jet aircraft in Wendover to provide charter services to a number of small cities throughout the United States for the Peppermill’s three Wendover resort properties: Montego Bay Casino Resort, Rainbow & Hotel Casino and Peppermill Hotel & Casino. The travel company will establish a base in Wendover with more than 20 employees, including maintenance, flight crews and stations personnel.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Allegiant also operates three smaller DC-9-87 (MD-87) aircraft. N949MA (msn 49779) taxies to runway 9L at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.

Mesa Air Group proposes to make US Airways a part owner

Mesa Air Group (Phoenix) is proposing to issue 10 percent of its post-bankruptcy stock to US Airways in exchange for a new US Airways Express contract under its restructuring plan filed September 17 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York.

Read the full report from Bloomberg Businessweek:

CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Mesa’s Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) N919FJ (msn 15019) taxies to the runway at Charlotte.

Allegiant Air to fly Greensboro-Punta Gorda

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) announced new, nonstop jet service between Greensboro, NC, and Punta Gorda, FL (near Fort Myers) will begin on November 18.

The new flights will operate twice weekly between Greensboro (Piedmont Triad International Airport) (GSO) and Punta Gorda (Charlotte County Airport) (PGD), with service on Thursday and Sunday. Flights will depart GSO at 2 p.m. (1400) arriving in Charlotte County Airport at 3:50 p.m. (1550). Flights leaving Punta Gorda will depart at 1:10 p.m. (1310) arriving in GSO at 3 p.m. (1500) (all flight times are local). The carrier will utilize a full-size, 150-seat DC-9-82/83 (MD-82/83) jet aircraft on the route. The company also offers nonstop flights from GSO to the Sanford and St. Petersburg, FL.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N872GA (msn 53295) taxies to runway 9L at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.

UAL Corporation’s stockholders approve the merger of United and Continental

UAL Corporation, the parent company whose primary subsidiary is United Airlines (Chicago), announced yesterday (September 17) that its stockholders approved the merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of UAL with and into Continental Airlines (Houston), clearing the way for the merger to close by an expected date of October 1. More than 98 percent of the votes cast and 84 percent of the shares outstanding were voted by UAL stockholders in favor of the transaction. More than 98 percent of the votes cast and 75 percent of the shares outstanding were voted by Continental stockholders in favor of the transaction.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Although the United name will survive, many observers are lamenting the loss of this sharp-looking scheme for United Airlines which was introduced in 2004 and will now be retired. This merger will also end the long reign of the “U” logo which was first introduced in 1974 in another form.

Continental Airlines’ stockholders approve the merger with United Airlines

Continental Airlines (Houston) announced that its stockholders voted overwhelmingly to approve the merger of United Airlines (Chicago), a wholly-owned subsidiary of UAL Corporation with and into Continental at a special meeting held yesterday (September 17) in Houston, Texas. More than 98 percent of the votes cast and 75 percent of shares outstanding were voted in favor of the transaction.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Under terms of the merger the Continental name will disappear but this color scheme will survive. Boeing 737-924 ER (Extended Range) N38403 (msn 30120) waits its turn for departure from Seattle/Tacoma.

Alaska Airlines to start two new routes to Guadalajara

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) will inaugurate service between San Jose, CA and Guadalajara, Mexico, starting on December 15, 2010, and between Sacramento, CA, and Guadalajara, starting on December 16, 2010.

The new flights will be operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, accommodating 16 passengers in first class and 141 in the main cabin.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Is a sombrero coming for the Eskimo on the tail with the new focus on routes to Mexico? Boeing 737-890 N570AS (msn 35185) with the Lei around the Eskimo (used to promote the new routes to Hawaii) waits its turn for takeoff at the SeaTac hub.

AirTran to fly Tampa-San Juan

AirTran Airways (Orlando) announced plans to Puerto Rico with twice daily flights from Tampa, FL. JetBlue has announced it is expanding service on the same route.

The new flights will begin on April 5, 2011.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Boeing 737-76N N289AT (msn 32673) prepares to land at Las Vegas.

Allegiant Air to fly Northwest Arkansas-Mesa

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) has announced new, nonstop jet service between Northwest Arkansas Airport (Fayetteville) and Mesa, AZ (near Phoenix) will begin on November 18.

The new flights will operate twice weekly between the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA) and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA) with service on Thursdays and Sundays. Flights will depart Northwest Arkansas at 8:25 p.m. (2025) arriving in Phoenix-Mesa at 10:05 p.m. (2205). Flights leaving Phoenix-Mesa will depart at 4:20 p.m. (1620) arriving in Northwest Arkansas at 7:45 p.m. (1945) (all flight times are local). The company offers nonstop service to three other destinations, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Sanford, FL (near Orlando).

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N866GA (msn 49910) is pictured on final approach at Las Vegas.

World Atlantic Airlines starts its certification process

World Atlantic Airlines (Miami) on September 10 started its FAA proving flights, hopefully leading to its AOC and Part 121 certification. The new charter airline plans to operate for federal agencies.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. The first aircraft for the new company is this ex-Alaska Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N802WA (msn 53052).