Tag Archives: DC-9

Air Algerie/Swiftair flight crashes in Mali, wreckage found, there are no survivors

Swiftair (Madrid) McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) registered EC-LTV (msn 53190) operating for Air Algerie (Algiers) as flight AH 5017 from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso to Algiers with 110 passengers and 6 crew members is missing. Contact with the airliner has been lost over Mali near Gao about 50 minutes after the takeoff. Both airlines have announced they have lost contact with the crew.

According to Reuters, the country of Burkino Faso stated the flight had asked ATC to alter its course due to a storm. There was a known sandstorm in the area according to local reports.

Swiftair said on its website the flight took off from Burkina Faso at 0117 GMT and was supposed to land in Algiers at 0510 GMT but never reached its destination.

Two French Air Force Mirage 2000 jets based in west Africa have been dispatched to try to locate the missing airliner according to Reuters.

Reuters is now reporting the plane has crashed:

“An Air Algerie flight crashed on Thursday en route from Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso to Algiers with 110 passengers on board, an Algerian aviation official said.”

Update: The wreckage has been found near the city of Gao, Mali (see the map below). There are no survivors of the 116 passengers and crew members on board.

Read the full report from The Telegraph: CLICK HERE

Update: From CNN:

“France has declared a three-day mourning period to commemorate the victims of the Air Algerie flight 5017 crash, French President Francois Hollande declared on Saturday (July 26).

Following a meeting with families of the victims, Hollande said flags will fly at half-staff on government buildings from Monday through Wednesday.

Fifty-four of the 118 victims were French nationals.

The second flight data recorder from has been found in Mali, a U.N. official said Saturday (July 26).”

Top Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Sister ship McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) M814NK became EC-KCX on delivery (msn 49619).

Bottom Copyright Photo: Javier Rodriguez/AirlinersGallery.com. The ill-fated DC-9-83 (MD-83) EC-LTV at Palma de Mallorca before the tragic crash.

Swiftair:

Air Algerie:

Google Maps:

Allegiant adds more routes and flights from fast-growing Cincinnati

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) has announced new, nonstop jet service from Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood beginning on October 9, 2014 and Mesa (near Phoenix) beginning on November 12, 2014. In addition, Allegiant will also add additional weekly flights to Sanford (near Orlando), St. Petersburg/Clearwater and Punta Gorda all in Florida.

Allegiant began its service at Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport in February 2014 with nonstop flights to Sanford. The carrier has since added nonstop flights to two additional Florida vacation destinations as well as seasonal summer service to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This announcement will more than double Allegiant’s footprint at CVG, increasing from seven weekly flights to 18, serving six destinations. Cincinnati is the fastest-growing origination city in Allegiant’s 15-year history, and the carrier attributes the expansion to the overwhelming demand for low-cost, nonstop flights to leisure destinations.

The new flights to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood will operate four times weekly between Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). The new flights to Mesa will operate twice weekly between Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA).

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N876GA (msn 53469) sets down at the Las Vegas base.

Allegiant:

Erickson Aero Tanker places its first McDonnell Douglas DC-9-87 into fire tanker operations

Aero Air (Hillsboro, OR) as we previously reported, acquired the Butler Aircraft (Redmond, OR) air tanker operation, including its three aging Douglas DC-7s, located at the Madras Airport, according to the Madras Pioneer. This air tanker operation is now known as Erickson Aero Tanker. Seven former SAS McDonnell Douglas DC-9-87s (MD-87s) are being acquired and at least four will be converted to air tankers. This is a new use for the versatile DC-9.

The new name comes from co-owner Jack Erickson, who was the founder and former owner of Erickson Air-Crane.

The new company has been awarded the next generation air tanker contract by the U.S. Forest Service. Erickson Aero Tanker has now received a FAA Supplemental Type Certificate for the DC-9-87 and in May placed the first aircraft into its fire fighting contracts which is a new role for this former airliner.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured DC-9-87 (MD-87) N293EA (msn 53209) was originally delivered to Iberia as EC-635 (later EC-FFA) on June 20, 1991. It would also serve with SAS as SE-DMN.

Video: Air Tanker 101, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-87 (MD-87), is seen dropping retardant on the Shirley Fire near Lake Isabella, California on June 15, 2014. The video was filmed by Tim Walton of Photo One Productions.

Allegiant adds new seasonal routes from Los Angeles to Great Falls and Cedar Rapids

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) on June 6 started seasonal nonstop jet service between Great Falls, Montana and Los Angeles. Allegiant now operates Great Falls’ only nonstop service to Los Angeles in addition to Las Vegas and Mesa (near Phoenix). The new flights will operate twice-weekly through September 8, 2014.

The company on June 6 also inaugurated new nonstop, seasonal jet service between Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Los Angeles via Los Angeles International Airport.

As is customary on new Allegiant routes, the new flights will initially operate twice weekly, beginning through September 8, 2014, flying nonstop from The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and becoming the only nonstop service from Cedar Rapids to any destination in California.

Copyright Photo: Jacques Guillem Collection/AirlinersGallery.com. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N416NV (msn 49555) holds for runway clearance for its departure from the Las Vegas base.

Allegiant:

Allegiant starts two seasonal routes from Los Angeles

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) yesterday (June 5) celebrated the start of nonstop seasonal jet service between Kalispell, Montana and Los Angeles. Kalispell is the gateway airport for Glacier National Park.

Los Angeles becomes Allegiant’s third destination from Kalispell, joining current flights to Oakland and Las Vegas. The new flights will operate twice weekly between Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) beginning today through September 7, 2014.

In addition, Allegiant yesterday (June 5) also launched seasonal nonstop jet service between McAllen, Texas and Los Angeles. McAllen serves the southern Rio Grande Valley and South Padre Island.

Allegiant offers McAllen’s only nonstop services to Las Vegas, Southern California and Florida. The new flights will operate twice weekly between McAllen-Miller International Airport (MFE) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) through September 7.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 N880GA (msn 49625) approaches the runway at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Allegiant:

Allegiant Air today launches three seasonal routes to Myrtle Beach

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) today (May 29) began new nonstop, seasonal jet service between Lexington, Kentucky and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The new flights operate twice weekly beginning today through August 10, 2014, flying nonstop from Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport (LEX) to Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) and becoming the only nonstop service from Lexington to any destination in South Carolina.

Allegiant first began service at Blue Grass Airport in November 2008 with nonstop service to Sanford and today serves five vacation destinations from the airport including Sanford, Punta Gorda, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, St. Petersburg/Clearwater and Myrtle Beach. Lexington becomes one of eight Allegiant cities with nonstop service to Myrtle Beach, including four new cities in 2014.

In addition, Allegiant today also began new nonstop, seasonal jet service from Columbus, Ohio to Myrtle Beach. The new flights will operate three times a week until September 7, 2014, flying nonstop from Rickenbacker Charter Terminal (LCK) to Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR). Myrtle Beach becomes the fourth destination available to Allegiant travelers flying out of Rickenbacker.

Allegiant first began service at Rickenbacker Charter Terminal in October 2012 with nonstop service to Sanford. In the last year and a half, Allegiant has added nonstop service to both St. Petersburg/Clearwater and Punta Gorda and has carried more than 15,000 passengers between Columbus and the company’s sunny destinations. Columbus becomes one of eight Allegiant cities with nonstop service to Myrtle Beach this summer.

Finally, the company operated its first nonstop flight between Syracuse and Myrtle Beach. The new nonstop flights will operate twice weekly between Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) and Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR). Myrtle Beach becomes the second destination offered to local Allegiant travelers after less than a year in the Syracuse market.

Allegiant first began service at Syracuse Hancock International Airport in November 2013 with nonstop service to St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N874GA (msn 49643) approaches the runway at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS).

Allegiant Air:

Allegiant restores Colorado Springs-Mesa service and starts three new routes

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) on May 15 started three new routes and restarted another:

Allegiant restarted nonstop jet service between Colorado Springs and Mesa via the Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport. The service will operate twice weekly and becoming the only nonstop service from Colorado Springs to any destination in Arizona. Allegiant first began service at Colorado Springs Airport in February 2002 with nonstop service to Las Vegas and previously offered service to Mesa from 2010 to 2012. Mesa joins Las Vegas as Allegiant’s second nonstop destination from Colorado Springs.

Additionally at Mesa, Allegiant launched the first nonstop flights between Stockton and Mesa via Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport. The new nonstop flights will operate twice weekly. Mesa becomes the third destination offered to Allegiant travelers flying out of Stockton. Allegiant first began service at Stockton Metropolitan Airport in June 2006 with nonstop service to Las Vegas. Since then, Allegiant has added nonstop seasonal flights to Honolulu.

In the East, Allegiant also started nonstop, year-round jet service from Cincinnati to St. Petersburg/Clearwater. Allegiant originally announced the route as seasonal nonstop service on March 4, 2014, and after seeing overwhelming demand for the flights, decided to offer the flights year round. The twice weekly service to the Tampa Bay area is the carrier’s third route from the CVG Airport. Allegiant currently flies to Sanford (near Orlando) and Punta Gorda. Finally on May 15,

Allegiant started new nonstop, low-cost air service from Asheville to Palm Beach, a new Allegiant destination. The new nonstop flights will operate twice weekly between Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI). Palm Beach becomes the fifth destination offered to Allegiant travelers flying out of Asheville. Allegiant currently flies to St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Sanford (Orlando), Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and Punta Gorda. Allegiant first began service at Asheville Regional Airport in November 2011 with nonstop service to Sanford. Since the start of operations in Asheville, Allegiant has taken more than 60,000 passengers on vacation.

Copyright Photo: Steve Bailey/AirlinersGallery.com. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82) N406NV (msn 49900) taxies past the camera at Boeing Field-King County Airport (BFI) in Seattle in the old 2003 livery.

Allegiant:

Allegiant Air posts its 45th consecutive profitable quarter

Allegiant Travel Company (Allegiant Air) (Las Vegas) reported net income of $34.2 million for the first quarter, up 7.2 percent from the same quarter a year ago. The travel company issued the following financial results for the first quarter 2014, as well as comparisons to prior year equivalents:

“We are very proud to report our 45th consecutive profitable quarter,” stated Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Allegiant Travel Company. “We are pleased to produce another profitable quarter despite significant operational challenges and unusually high one-time costs that impacted our overall financial performance. This was a very difficult operational quarter as we navigated through significant flight crew availability issues stemming from external factors that occurred last year. I am happy to report that our Team Members overcame this adversity and pulled together another solidly profitable quarter.”

Notable company highlights:

Integrated A320 aircraft into scheduled operations. Ended the quarter operating three A319 and seven A320 aircraft

A319 and A320 fleet accounted for 17.9 percent of total ASM production during the quarter

Integrated two MD-80 aircraft configured with 166 seats to the fleet in March. Ended the quarter operating 53 166 seat MD-80 aircraft

Completed the reconfiguration of the 757 fleet from 223 seats to 215 seats and added six Giant Seats per aircraft

Announced a seasonal base in Myrtle Beach, SC, which will support two aircraft beginning in late May

Announced 12 new routes to begin operation in the second quarter

Returned $114 million to shareholders through share repurchases and a special dividend paid in January
In April, prepaid $121.3 million term loan facility using unrestricted cash and proceeds from a new $45.3 million loan through Wells Fargo Bank, collateralized by 53 MD-80 aircraft

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N420NV (msn 49424) brings another group of vacationers to the Las Vegas base.

Allegiant Air:

Due to demand, Allegiant changes the new Cincinnati-St. Petersburg/Clearwater route to year-round service

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) has expanded scheduled service between Cincinnati and St. Petersburg/Clearwater from seasonal summer service to year-round.

Nonstop flights from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) to St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) will begin on May 15, 2014.

Allegiant first took flight from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport on February 12, 2014, with service to Sanford (near Orlando), and shortly thereafter, celebrated the start of service to Punta Gorda on February 14, 2014.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) N868GA (msn 49554) departs from Las Vegas.

Allegiant Air:

Insel Air Aruba to introduce Aruba-Miami service on April 11

Insel Air Aruba (Aruba) will introduce a new route from Aruba to Miami on April 11 with six flights a week.

This will be followed by Aruba-Valencia service starting two days later on April 13.

Finally on June 18 the airline will launch a twice-weekly route to Georgetown, Guyana on June 18.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82) PJ-MDD (msn 49972) with “Aruba” titles taxies at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).