Tag Archives: DHC8

Horizon Air and SkyWest to open up four new routes from Seattle/Tacoma and Portland for Alaska Airlines and two routes from San Diego

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) will inaugurate daily service between Seattle/Tacoma and Colorado Springs, Colorado, starting on November 1, and between Seattle/Tacoma and Omaha, Nebraska, starting on November 7. The carrier will also add nonstop flights between Portland, Oregon, and Tucson, Arizona, starting on November 1, and between Portland and Reno, Nevada, starting on November 8, 2013.

Summary of new service:
Seattle-Colorado Springs
Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Nov. 1	Seattle-Colorado Springs	6:20 p.m.	9:55 p.m.	Daily
Nov. 2	Colorado Springs-Seattle	8 a.m.	9:55 a.m.	Daily

Seattle-Omaha
Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Nov. 7	Seattle-Omaha	10:40 a.m.	3:45 p.m.	Daily
Nov. 7	Omaha-Seattle	4:15 p.m.	5:45 p.m.	Daily

Portland-Reno
Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Nov. 8	Portland-Reno	11:10 a.m.	12:45 p.m.	Daily
Nov. 8	Reno-Portland	1:15 p.m.	2:50 p.m.	Daily

Portland-Tucson
Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Nov. 1	Portland-Tucson	9:15 a.m.	1:05 p.m.	Daily
Nov. 1	Tucson-Portland	1:35 p.m.	3:30 p.m.	Daily

All times based on local time zones.

The new Portland-Reno flights will be flown for Alaska Airlines by Horizon Air (Alaska Horizon) (Seattle/Tacoma) using 76-seat Bombardier DHC-8-402s (Q400s). The remaining flights will be operated by SkyWest Airlines (Alaska SkyWest) (St. George) using 70-seat Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets.

Alaska Airlines last operated between Portland and Reno in 2009 and also served Portland-Tucson in 2003.

In addition, Alaska Airlines will begin new daily service between San Diego and Boise, Idaho, starting on November 1, and daily seasonal service between San Diego and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in California, starting on December 19, 2013.

Summary of new service:
San Diego-Boise
Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Nov.1	Boise-San Diego	10:20 a.m.	11:25 a.m.	Daily
Nov.1	San Diego-Boise	5:35 p.m.	8:40 p.m.	Daily

San Diego-Mammoth Lakes
Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Dec. 19-April 13	San Diego-Mammoth	5:30 p.m.	7 p.m.	Mon, Tue, Wed,
				Thu, Fri, Sun
Dec. 19-April 13	Mammoth-San Diego	7:30 p.m.	9 p.m.	Mon, Tue, Wed,
				Thu, Fri, Sun
Dec. 21-April 12	San Diego-Mammoth	9:30 a.m.	11 a.m.	Saturdays only
Dec. 21-April 12	Mammoth-San Diego	11:30 a.m.	1 p.m.	Saturdays only
All times based on local time zones.

The new 90-minute flight to Mammoth Lakes is estimated to save residents more than 6 hours of driving. Horizon Air (Alaska Horizon) will operate the Mammoth Lakes flights for Alaska Airlines using 76-seat Bombardier DHC-8-402s (Q400s). SkyWest Airlines (Alaska SkyWest) will operate the new San Diego-Boise flights for Alaska using 70-seat Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets.

With these flights, Alaska Airlines will offer 25 peak-daily departures from San Diego with nonstop service to 12 domestic and two international destinations.

Top Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Horizon Air’s Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N441QX (msn 4348) pushes from the gate at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport hub.

Alaska Airlines:

Alaska Horizon:

Alaska SkyWest:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest Airlines’ Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N215AG (msn 10009) lands at Long Beach.

Arik Air orders three Bombardier CRJ1000s and four DHC-8-402s

Arik Air (Arik Wings of Nigeria) (Lagos) has signed a firm contract with Bombardier to acquire three CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft and four DHC-8-402 (Q400) NextGen turboprop airliners.

Arik Air currently operates four CRJ900 aircraft and two DHC-8-402 (Q400) NextGen aircraft.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured DHC-8-402 C-FSRN became 5N-BKV (msn 4219) with Arik Air.

Arik Air:

Route Map:

Video:

Horizon Air orders three additional Bombardier Q400s

Horizon Air (Alaska Horizon) (Seattle/Tacoma) has signed a firm contract to acquire three 76-seat Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) NextGen turboprop airliners. The transaction represents the conversion of three previously booked options on the aircraft. The airline also reconfirmed its options on another seven Q400 NextGen aircraft.

The three new aircraft will increase Horizon Air’s orders for Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners to 51 aircraft – the world’s largest fleet. Including the order announced today, Horizon Air has ordered a total of 100 Bombardier Dash 8/Q-Series aircraft since 1985.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N440QX (msn 4347) in the special Oregon State University-OSU Beavers collegiate livery departs from Los Angeles International Airport.

Alaska Horizon:

Horizon Air:

The SAS Group receives approval to sell Wideröe

The SAS Group’s (Scandinavian Airlines-SAS) (Stockholm) sale of Wideröe Flyveselskap AS (Bodo and Oslo) has been approved by the Norwegian competition authority. The closing of the sale is expected to take place in September 2013.

The cost reductions and the divestments performed in accordance with the 4XNG plan will lead to an improvement in SAS financial position and liquidity.

According to the group, “In November 2012, SAS renegotiated its revolving credit facilityof MEUR 366 to an amortizing credit facility of MSEK 3,500, divided into two tranches with separate conditions for drawdown and with a maturity in March 31, 2015. Lenders are SAS four majority owners, including the Scandinavian states and a syndicate of seven merchant banks, all participating on the same terms.

In connection with the divestment of Wideröe, the amortizing credit facility has been re-negotiated and amended. The actions under the 4XNG plan have made it possible for SAS to reduce the facility to MSEK 2,000. The facility is divided into two tranches with separate conditions for drawdown, one with a maturity in June 1, 2014 one with a maturity in March 31, 2015. The facility remains undrawn.”

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com (please click on the photo for the full size view). All others by Wideroe. Bombardier DHC-8-103 LN-WIA (msn 359) and crew await the next group of passengers at Trondheim, Norway.

Wideroe:

Video: A typical approach and landing at Hammerfest, in northern Norway:

Current Wideroe Route Map:

Horizon Air and the flight attendants reach a tentative agreement on a new contract

Horizon Air (Alaska Horizon) (Seattle/Tacoma) and theAssociation of Flight Attendants (AFA) announced they have reached tentative agreement on a new five-year contract for the carrier’s nearly 500 flight attendants.

The proposed contract includes pay raises, quality of life improvements and more flexible scheduling. It still must be presented to union members for review and a ratification vote, which is expected to be completed in mid-July. The current contract was ratified on Dec. 21, 2009 and became amendable on Dec. 21, 2011.

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

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N429QX (msn 4161) prepares to land at Los Angeles International Airport.

Alaska Horizon:

Horizon Air:

Alaska Airlines to fly from Anchorage to Phoenix and Las Vegas, Horizon Air to operate in Alaska

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) will begin flying nonstop between Anchorage and Phoenix, starting on December 18, and Anchorage and Las Vegas, starting on December 19, 2013.

Flights will operate on each route three times a week. Anchorage-Las Vegas service will be offered year-round while Anchorage-Phoenix flights will operate seasonally through April 19, 2014.

Summary of new service:

Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency

Dec. 18	Anchorage-Phoenix	9:10 a.m.	4:35 p.m.	Mon, Wed, Sat
Dec. 18	Phoenix-Anchorage	5:35 p.m.	9:30 p.m.	Mon, Wed, Sat
Dec. 19	Anchorage-Las Vegas	10:05 a.m.	4:10 p.m.	Thu, Fri, Sun
Dec. 19	Las Vegas-Anchorage	5:10 p.m.	9:45 p.m.	Thu, Fri, Sun

Times based on local time zones.

Carrier introducing Bombardier Q400s to the state of Alaska

Alaska Airlines will add flying within the state of Alaska using Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) aircraft flown by Horizon Air (Alaska Horizon) (Seattle/Tacoma), starting on March 3, 2014. The Q400 will operate eight daily round-trip flights between Anchorage and Fairbanks currently flown with Boeing 737 aircraft. Additionally, the Q400 will replace an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 on one of two daily round-trip flights between Anchorage and Kodiak seasonally from October through April. Initial service will begin on March 3 and continue through April 30, 2014.

“Flying the fast and efficient Q400 enables Alaska Airlines to increase our frequency from seven to nine roundtrips a day for Anchorage-Fairbanks travelers, giving them more options for traveling between the state’s two largest cities,” Romano said. “It also gives us the flexibility to fly our larger aircraft to new destinations out of Anchorage, such as the new nonstop routes to Las Vegas and Phoenix.”

With a crew of two pilots and two flight attendants, the Q400 is configured with 76 seats in an all-coach cabin. The aircraft also is equipped with the Head-Up Guidance system and satellite-based navigation technology similar to Alaska’s Boeing 737s.

Horizon Air, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alaska Air Group, will have 60 employees (30 flight attendants and 30 pilots) based in Anchorage to fly the aircraft. Alaska Airlines employees will provide ground-based customer service and maintenance support.

Top Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-790 WL N644AS (msn 30795) taxies at San Francisco with a Wi-Fi sticker by the forward door.

Alaska Airlines:

Alaska Horizon:

Horizon Air:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N401QX (msn 4031) in the WSU Cougars – Washington State University special scheme climbs away from Los Angeles International Airport.

EasyJet to acquire 25 pairs of London Gatwick slots from Flybe

EasyJet (UK) (easyJet.com) (London-Luton) has announced and confirmed it plans to acquire 25 pairs of arrival and departure slots London’s Gatwick Airport from Flybe (Exeter) for £20 million ($25.7 million). The company issued this statement:

EasyJet plc can confirm it has completed an agreement with Flybe Group plc to acquire 25 pairs of arrival and departure slots at Gatwick airport for a total consideration of £20 million. The acquisition is subject to the approval of Flybe’s shareholders.

The slots will transfer from summer 2014 and will allow easyJet to provide additional frequencies on popular existing routes from Gatwick as well as add new destinations across the UK and Europe.

In return, Flybe issued this statement:

Flybe confirmed to the London Stock Exchange today at 0700 that it has sold its arrival and departure slots at London Gatwick airport, thus bringing to an end Flybe’s 22 year record of providing high-frequency air services from the UK regions to the airport. Flybe will continue to fly all its routes until the end of March 2014. The slots have been sold to EasyJet for a cash sum of £20 million.

The decision is as a result of the pricing regime applied by the airport’s owners to the operators of smaller, regional aircraft which, in Flybe’s case, has resulted in a 102% rise over the last five years. In a well-publicised, lengthy and expensive complaint, the airline used the Airports Act 1986 to argue to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in 2010 that Gatwick was acting in an anti-competitive and discriminatory manner. Despite support from other airlines, communities and governments around the British Isles, the fact that Flybe operates more UK domestic flights than any other airline and has won the airport’s Gold Award for punctuality in every quarter since its introduction in 2009, the CAA ruled in September 2012 that Gatwick was within its rights to raise their landing fees for smaller aircraft, thus paving the way for today’s regrettable announcement.

Flybe will continue to operate as normal all its seven domestic Gatwick routes – from Belfast City, Guernsey, Inverness, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Newcastle and Newquay – until Saturday March 29, 2014, with no changes to pricing, frequency or timings. It also confirmed that there will be no impact upon any other route currently operated from those seven airports and that the funds generated by the sale of the slots will be re-invested in the remaining 159 Flybe routes.

Separate to this announcement, Flybe today updated the London Stock Exchange on the significant positive progress it has made in its plan to return Flybe UK, its UK based scheduled airline, to profitability. Highlights included surpassing its target savings of £25m, with £30m of annual cost savings being delivered for year 2013/14 onwards, and the deal agreed in principle with BALPA (British Airlines Pilots Association) for a 5% reduction in salary in return for extra time off.

Top Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. EasyJet’s Airbus A320-214 G-EZTD (msn 3909) holds short of the runway ready for departure from London (Gatwick).

EasyJet (UK):

Flybe:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. Flybe’s Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) G-JEDW (msn 4093) arrives at Gatwick Airport.

Flybe LGW Route Map: Flybe flies to mainly UK domestic destinations from LGW:

Hawkair to start the Terrace-Prince George-Calgary route on June 3

Hawkair Aviation Services (Terrace, BC) will start the Terrace-Prince George-Calgary route on June 3. The new route will be operated as a Central Mountain Air (Smithers, BC) flight using Hawkair’s Bombardier DHC-8s.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Hawkair introduced this new look in June 2012. The unique tail design was created by Roy Henry Vickers.

Video:

Hawkair:

BBC: Flybe is in discussions with EasyJet to sell its 25 slots at London Gatwick

Flybe (Exeter) is reportedly in discussions with EasyJet (easyJet.com) (London-Luton) and others to possibly acquire its 25 landing and takeoff slots at London (Gatwick) according to this report by the BBC. Flybe has been losing money and is currently cutting costs and selling some of its assets.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Terry Wade/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) G-JEDP (msn 4085) in the unique “Low Cost, but not any cost” color scheme approaches the runway at London (Gatwick).

Flybe:

SAS Group sells its 80% share in Widerøe

SAS Group (Scandinavian Airlines-SAS) (Stockholm) has today signed an agreement to sell 80% of its shares in Widerøe Flyveselskap AS (Bodo and Oslo) to a group of investors consisting of Torghatten ASA, Fjord1 AS and Nordland Fylkeskommune (together referred to as the “Investor Group”). SAS will retain a 20% share in Widerøe but will have an option to transfer full ownership of Widerøe in 2016.
The sale of Widerøe represents an important step in the improvement of SAS’ financial position with a significant reduction of SAS’ financial leverage. SAS and Widerøe will have a continued close commercial cooperation after the transaction, with Widerøe remaining an important regional partner to SAS.

As part of the transaction, SAS will sell seven Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) aircraft to Widerøe which are currently leased by Widerøe from SAS. The loans related to these aircraft will be transferred to Widerøe. Additionally, three aircraft, currently not in use, has been sold from SAS to a lessor and subsequently leased by Widerøe.

SAS will receive approximately SEK 2.0 billion in conjunction with the divestment of Widerøe, including the aircraft-related transactions, and up to SEK 2.3 billion in total proceeds in the case of a full divestment in 2016. The total proceeds will reduce net debt by the same amount.[1] Additionally, the transaction will reduce the previously announced negative impact on equity of amended reporting rules for pensions by approximately SEK 1.0 billion from SEK 7.9 to SEK 6.9 billion.

The sale of Widerøe is expected to result in a limited capital loss for SAS of approximately SEK 230 million in case of a full divestment in 2016.

“This divestment is in line with the 4Excellence Next Generation strategy to build a long-term financially strong SAS. We are pleased to have developed Widerøe into a successful airline under SAS’ ownership and we look forward to continue strengthening Widerøe’s position as the leading regional airline in Norway together with the new owners”, says Rickard Gustafsson, SAS Group
President and CEO.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including clearance from Norwegian competition authorities, and is expected to close in September 2013.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) LN-WDC (msn 4071) is seen on the ramp at Trondheim above the Arctic Circle.

Widerøe: