Tag Archives: DHC-8-400

Porter Airlines to resume seasonal service to Burlington, Vermont

Porter Airlines (Toronto-Billy Bishop Toronto City) is resuming seasonal service between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Burlington, Vermont mainly for the upcoming ski season.

Flights begin this year on December 14, continuing until April 5, 2015. The schedule peaks with five weekly flights during the March Break, and ranges from two to four weekly flights during the rest of the season. Porter continues to be the only airline offering direct scheduled flights to Vermont from Toronto.

Top Copyright Photo: Steve Bailey/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-GKQA (msn 4357) arrives in Chicago (Midway).

Porter Airlines:

All images below from Porter Airlines.

Air Canada to launch seasonal flights from Toronto to Mont-Tremblant, Quebec

Air Canada (Montreal) announced today that it will introduce nonstop flights between Toronto (Pearson) and Mont-Tremblant, Quebec. Service to Mont-Tremblant will be operated four times per week by Air Canada Express (Jazz Aviation) with 74-seat Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) aircraft. Flights will operate between December 18, 2014 and March 30, 2015 during peak winter skiing season.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Jazz Aviation’s Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-GGMI (msn 4413) in the Air Canada Express markings rests between flights at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

Air Canada:

Air Canada Express-Jazz:

Video by JustPlanes on Jazz Aviation:

Air Canada Express-Jazz Route Map:

Alaska Airlines sponsors environmental entrepreneurship competition at the University of Washington

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) is sponsoring the University of Washington Foster School of Business’ Environmental Innovation Challenge. The airline issued this statement today:

Today, the University of Washington Foster School of Business announced Alaska Airlines as the naming sponsor of its annual Environmental Innovation Challenge.

In the Environmental Innovation Challenge, approaching its seventh year, student teams must define an environmental problem, develop a solution, produce a prototype, and create a business summary that demonstrates the commercial viability of their product, process or service. Teams are judged on their prototypes, the market opportunity, and their pitch to an audience of nearly 200 industry experts from the Seattle environmental and entrepreneurship communities.

“We’re thrilled that Alaska Airlines has chosen to sponsor the Environmental Innovation Challenge. With their history of innovation, Northwest roots and steadfast support of education, Alaska Airlines is a perfect sponsor for one of the region’s most elite student challenges,” said Connie Bourassa-Shaw, director of the Foster School’s Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship. “Their commitment to environmental responsibility aligns perfectly with the spirit of the competition.”

Alaska’s 10-year sponsorship commitment includes a reduced travel rate for out-of-state teams to Seattle to participate in the April competition and flying guest faculty instructors from other universities in the Pacific Northwest to observe or judge the challenge. The airline will also host the challenge at the Seattle Center House next April. More information about the 2015 Alaska Airlines Environmental Innovation Challenge can be found at http://www.foster.washington.edu .

“As a proud supporter of the University of Washington and industry leader in environmental stewardship, we’re thrilled to support the next generation of innovators whose ideas and concepts will no doubt improve our communities for years to come,” said Joe Sprague, senior vice president of communications and external relations for Alaska Airlines.

To date, the chance to compete in the Environmental Innovation Challenge has attracted hundreds of student teams from Washington and Oregon. Prize money is one draw; so are the opportunities to hone an idea through interaction with peers, prototype development and conversations with industry experts.

A number of teams have gone on to launch their companies. One such example is HydroSense. The team won the inaugural Environmental Innovation Challenge with a water-usage monitoring technology that screws onto a single valve in a home and can detect water use down to each specific toilet, shower and faucet. HydroSense was acquired by Belkin in 2010.

Alaska Airlines has supported the state’s largest university in various ways for more than five decades. The UW’s on-campus basketball arena, the “Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion,” is named after the carrier and is part of a multi-year agreement to sponsor the UW Athletics program. Last year Alaska Airlines donated nearly $1.4 million in cash and in-kind contributions to almost 100 youth and educational programs and schools in the greater Puget Sound area and throughout Washington.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Horizon Air’s Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N435QX (msn 4232) is painted in the special University of Washington Huskies college livery. N435QX taxies to the runway at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport hub. Today N435QX wears Alaska Horizon titles.

Alaska Airlines:

Alaska Horizon-Horizon Air:

Horizon Air:

QANTAS Link to start nonstop flights from Brisbane to Hamilton Island

QANTAS Link (Sunstate Airlines) (Brisbane) has announced it will start nonstop flights between Brisbane and Hamilton Island with four weekly roundtrips with 74-seat Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) aircraft. The new route will launch on November 28 at the start of the summer season.

The QANTAS Group offers 40 roundtrip services a week to Hamilton Island from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns.

Copyright Photo: Peter Gates/AirlinersGallery.com. Sunstate Airlines’ Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) VH-LQF (msn 4375) prepares to depart from Brisbane.

QANTAS Link-Sunstate Airlines:

Google Map: Hamilton Island is located off the tropical Queensland coast near the Great Barrier Reef.

QANTAS – QANTAS Link routes from Brisbane:

Video: Behind the scenes:

United Airlines choses Republic Airways Holdings to operate 50 new Embraer E175s, United will phase out the Q400s

United Airlines (Chicago) today (September 17) announced the company will amend its existing agreement with regional carrier Shuttle America, to add 50 Embraer E175 aircraft. Shuttle America‘s (Indianapolis) parent company, Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Indianapolis), will determine which of its carriers will operate the new 76-seat aircraft under the United Express brand.

United anticipates deliveries will begin in July 2015 and continue through the summer of 2017. The new aircraft will replace large turboprop airplanes and older, less-efficient aircraft and are in addition to 70 E175s whose deliveries began this year for other carriers to operate as United Express.

E175 Features:

The E175s will offer 12 seats in United First and 64 seats in United Economy, including 16 extra-legroom United Economy Plus seats. The aircraft also offer more personal space for customers, with wider seats and aisles than other regional aircraft; a power outlet at each United First seat; and large overhead bins that can accommodate standard-size carry-on bags.

Additional Fleet Updates:

In addition to expanding the E175 fleet, United plans to make the following changes to its United Express service:

1. Extend the airline’s agreement with Shuttle America on 38 E170s, with new expiration dates beginning in September 2019 and continuing through December 2022; and

2. Begin removing, in 2015, 31 Bombardier Q400s operated by Republic Airlines, a carrier also owned by Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (some of the aircraft will go to Flybe).

In related news, Embraer S.A. and Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Indianapolis), operator of the largest E-Jets fleet in the world, announced a contract today for the sale and purchase of 50 firm E175 jets. The value of the firm order, which will be included in Embraer’s 2014 third-quarter backlog, is estimated at $2.1 billion, based on 2014 list prices. The aircraft will be operated for United Airlines under the United Express brand. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2015 and extend until 2017.

This contract is in addition to the order signed by Embraer and Republic in January 2013 for 47 firm and 47 option E175s – 34 of which have already been delivered. In addition to the new order, Republic maintains 32 options for E175s.

This transaction is in connection with the transfer of Q400 turboprop airplanes currently operated by Republic Airlines to UK’s carrier Flybe Limited. Concurrently, Flybe and Embraer have agreed to reduce by 20 the outstanding order for 24 E175’s the airline has on order backlog. Therefore, the net increase to Embraer’s backlog in the 3rd quarter will be 30 E175 jets.

Republic Airways was one of the first U.S. carriers to fly Embraer E-Jets, operating its first E170 in 2004. With this new order, the Republic Airways E-Jet fleet will consist of 72 E170s and 151 E175s for a total of 223 E-Jets. Republic Airways is also a long-time customer of the ERJ 145 regional jet family with 41 flying as Delta Connection aircraft.

Finally, United Airlines launched its Mercedes-Benz tarmac transportation service at Denver International Airport, offering chauffeured convenience at more airports than any other carrier. With this expansion, United offers the service at all of its U.S. hub airports.

The Mercedes-Benz tarmac transportation service provides the airline’s top frequent flyers with greater comfort and convenience, offering an additional way for these customers to save valuable time when connecting through the airline’s hubs. United will chauffeur selected Global Services members and United Global First customers to their connections in Denver in a Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC SUV, powered by environmentally friendly, clean diesel technology.

United representatives will meet customers at the aircraft, escort them to the waiting Mercedes-Benz vehicle and drive them across the tarmac to their connecting flight. The expediting service gives priority to customers with close connections.

United also offers the transfer service at its hub airports in Chicago, Houston, New York/Newark, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington Dulles.

Along with tarmac transportation, the airline and Mercedes-Benz USA partner to provide promotional packages and bonus miles to United’s MileagePlus Premier members, which include Global Services members, who purchase or lease certain new Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Current offers are available at united.com/Mercedes.

Earlier this year, United opened a new Global Services reception lobby for its top frequent flyers at the airline’s New York hub at Newark Liberty International airport. In October, the airline will open a Global Services reception lobby at San Francisco International Airport. In June, United unveiled an all-new United Club airport lounge and United Global First Lounge at London Heathrow International Airport’s new Terminal 2, The Queen’s Terminal.

Top Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen/AirlinersGallery.com. Shuttle America currently operates 38 Embraer ERJ 170-100SE aircraft for United Airlines under the United Express brand. N637RW (msn 17000051) arrives at Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA).

United Airlines (current):

United Express-Shuttle America:

United Express-Republic Airlines (2nd):

Bottom Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen/AirlinersGallery.com. Republic Airlines (2nd) currently operates 31 Bombardier DHC-8-402s (Q400s) for United Airlines at its hubs. N202WQ (msn 4202) arrives at Raleigh-Durham (RDU).

QANTAS Link to help open the new Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport

Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport, the country’s newest airport, and QANTAS Link have announced they have signed a deal to start passenger flights to the airport when it opens later this year.

The landmark deal will secure 11 return flights a week to and from Sydney from November 17 and provide a Toowoomba centric schedule of double daily services Monday to Friday and daily services on the weekend.

BWWA is Australia’s first privately-funded public airport and the first public airport to be built in 50 years. The 300 ha airport, featuring a 2.87 km runway capable of landing a Boeing 747 aircraft, is the anchor tenant of the 800 ha Wellcamp Business Park.

Copyright Photo: John Adlard/AirlinersGallery.com. Sunstate Airlines Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) VH-QOH (msn 4132) in the special NBCF livery approaches the runway at Sydney.

QANTAS Link-Sunstate Aircraft Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Ethiopian Airlines adds two domestic destinations

Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa) has announced it started new services to Bale Robe on September 1, located in the South-Central part of Ethiopia and Kombolcha in North-Central Ethiopia on September 10.

The new flights will be on a daily bases to Kombolcha, and four times a week to Bale Robe on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday using the Bombardier Q400 aircraft. The addition of these new services will bring the number of Ethiopian domestic destinations to 20.

Bale Robe is famous for the Omar Cave, which is the longest cave in Ethiopia at 15.1 kilometers and the longest system of caves in Africa.

Kombolcha is an industrial hub housing steel product and textile factories.

Ethiopian Airlines Aircraft Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Bombardier delivers the first 86-seat Q400 to Nok Air

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft (Montreal and Toronto) and Nok Air (Bangkok, Thailand) announced the delivery of the carrier’s first 86-seat Q400 NextGen turboprop at Bombardier’s facility in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where the aircraft is manufactured. The milestone aircraft, the first Q400 NextGen airliner to be delivered in the new extra capacity seating configuration, is part of Nok Air’s purchase agreement for up to eight Q400 NextGen airliners that was announced on November 19, 2013. Following the exercise of options and purchase rights, Nok Air has firm orders for six Q400 NextGen aircraft and retains two purchase rights from the original contract.

Nok Air means Bird Air is the Thai language.

Update: GE Capital Aviation Services Limited (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing arm of GE, announced it added a new aircraft type to its owned fleet with the completion of a purchase-and-leaseback transaction with Nok Air involving two new Bombardier Q400 NextGen turboprops.

The first aircraft delivered to Nok Air on August 26, 2014 and the second is scheduled for delivery in September 2014.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-GWKW (msn 4455) became HS-DQA on the hand over yesterday (August 27).

Nok Air:

EuroLOT to start four new routes from Warsaw

EuroLOT (eurolot.com) (Warsaw) will start four new routes from Warsaw on October 26; Chisinau, Cluj/Napoca (October 27), Stuttgart and Zagreb per Airline Route.

EuroLOT:

Routes from Warsaw:

Horizon Air to operate seasonal flights from Las Vegas to Mammoth Lakes, California

Horizon Air (Alaska Horizon) (Seattle/Tacoma) will operate seasonal service between Las Vegas and Mammoth Lakes, California.

Horizon Air’s nonstop flight from Las Vegas to Mammoth Lakes will operate on Mondays and Thursdays between January 15 and April 6, 2015.

Horizon Air will operate the flights with the Bombardier DHC-8-402 (marketed as the Q400) turboprop aircraft on the new route.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Horizon Air now spreads its wings from Alaska to the U.S. Southwest. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N443QX (man 4353) in the University of Alaska Seawolves college motif departs from Anchorage.

Alaska Horizon (Horizon Air):