Dynamic International Airways (Greensboro, NC) exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on March 8 after its reorganization plan was approved by the bankruptcy court. The carrier is requesting to do business as (dba) Eastern Air Lines (3rd). The Eastern name was retired by Swift Air with the folding of the second version of Eastern. The Eastern 737s were absorbed by Swift Air.
Eastern 2 operated its last revenue flight on September 14, 2017 with flight EA 3148 between Havana and Miami operated with N276EA (below). The Eastern 2 AOC was retired.
Above Copyright Photo: Eastern Air Lines (2nd) Boeing 737-8AL WL N276EA (msn 35070) MIA (Brian McDonough). Image: 925479.
The third version of Eastern is proposing to operate its Boeing 767s under the Eastern brand. The company wants to grow the 767 fleet to around 10 aircraft.
The first Eastern-branded 767 is expected soon once all approvals have been obtained.
Sister airline Swift Air will continue to operate a fleet of Boeing 737s. The common link between the two companies is owner Kenneth Woolley who owns a portion of Swift Air.
Copyright Photo: Dynamic International Airway
s (2nd) Boeing 767-233 ER N770JM (msn 24145) MIA (Jay Selman). Image: 403680.
Aeropostal (Alas de Venezuela) – The long-time airline of Venezuela ceased all operations on September 24, 2017 due to the on-going financial situation in the country.
Above Copyright Photo: Aeropostal (Venezuela) McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 YV137T (msn 47771) CCS (Orlando Jose Suarez). Image: 905671.
Air Carnival – The short-lived Indian carrier shut its doors and ceased operations with its single ATR 72-500 on April 5, 2017.
Air Costa – The Indian airline suspended operations on February 28, 2017.
Photo Above: Air Costa.
Air India Regional – Reverted back to its original name of Alliance Air in March 2017. The airline continues operations under the Alliance Air (Air India) brand.
Above Copyright Photo: Air India Regional ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-600) F-WWEZ (VT-AIT) (msn 1226) TLS (Olivier Gregoire). Image: (26253.
Airberlin (Air Berlin) – AB filed for insolvency on August 15, 2017 and ceased all operations on October 27, 2017 after Etihad Airways announced it would no longer financially support the carrier. AB was the second largest scheduled passenger airline in Germany.
Eastern Air Lines (2nd) – The second version using the famous name had its AOC cancelled. The last revenue flight was operated on September 14, 2017 although one Boeing 737-800 (N277EA) operated by Swift Air still carries Eastern titles.
Above Copyright Photo: Eastern Air Lines (2nd) Boeing 737-8AL WL N276EA (msn 35070) MIA (Jay Selman). Image: 403415.
Etihad Regional (Darwin Airline) – Became Adria Swizterland in July 2017 when Etihad Airways withdrew its financial support.
Florida West International Airways (2nd) – The AOC was cancelled. Operations ended on February 28, 2017 as parent Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings decided to consolidate operations under the ATI banner.
Above Copyright Photo: Florida West International Airways (2nd) Boeing 767-346F ER N422LA (msn 35818) MIA (Brian McDonough). Image: 905972.
Flugfelag Islands – Air Iceland – Became Air Iceland Connect on May 24, 2017 (name change).
Flybe (Loganair) – The two airlines cancelled their agreement and Loganair reverted back to its own Loganair brand on August 31, 2017. On September 1, 2017 Loganair signed a code share agreement with British Airways.
InselAir (Aruba) – InselAir Aruba was declared bankrupt on July 7, 2017 after ceasing operations on June 7, 2017. However InselAir (Curacao) reorganized and downsized and continues to operate in the ABC Islands.
Above Copyright Photo: InselAir (Aruba) McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) P4-MDI (msn 49847) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 104316.
Island Air – The long-time inter-island airline in Hawaii shut down operations on November 10, 2017. The assets are being sold to Hawaiian Airlines for its ‘Ohana by Hawaiian division.
Above Copyright Photo: Island Air (Hawaii) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N682WP (msn 4546) HNL (Ivan K. Nishimura). Image: 939613.
Kan Air – The regional carrier in Thailand suspended operations on April 21, 2017.
Photo Above: Kan Air.
LGW (Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter) (Airberlin) – As part of the Airberlin Group, LGW also ceased operations on October 27, 2017. However it has now been purchased by the Lufthansa Group and will continue to operate as a company under the Eurowings brand.
Niki Luftfahrt (flyniki) – As part of the Airberlin Group, the Austrian carrier suspended operations on December 13, 2017. However the airline has been acquired by the IAG and will be operating again under Vueling.
VIM Airlines (VIM Avia) – Suspended all operations on October 15, 2017. The AOC was cancelled on November 4, 2017.
Above Copyright Photo: VIM Airlines (VIM Avia) Boeing 777-2H6 ER VP-BVA (msn 28413) DME (OSDU). Image: 933003.
Welcome Air – The last revenue flight was operated on December 26, 2017.
Above Copyright Photo: Welcome Air Dornier 328-110 OE-GBB (msn 3078) CFU (Antony J. Best). Image: 928724.
Yangtze River Express – Became Suparna Airlines on July 7, 2017 (name change).
Above Copyright Photo: Yangtze River Express Boeing 747-481 (BCF) B-2432 (msn 28283) ANC (Michael B. Ing). Image: 928002.
Yemenia (Yemen Airways) – The flag carrier of war-weary Yemen suspended operations on November 6, 2017 due to the on-going civil war and military air strikes. The carrier hopes to operate some flights in the future, war conditions permitting.
Above Copyright Photo: Yemenia (Yemen Airways) Airbus A330-243 7O-ADT (msn 632) FRA (Pascal Simon). Image: 904599.
Eastern Air Lines Group (2nd) issued this statement about the departure of its CEO and founder Ed Wegel:
Eastern Air Lines Group Inc. announced on October 17, 2016 that, effective immediately, James Tolzien has been appointed the company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer. The move also marks the departure of former CEO Mr. Edward Wegel. Mr. Tolzien will continue to lead Eastern’s growth while the Board of Directors conducts a global search for a permanent CEO. The search will be led by General (Ret.) Ray Odierno, Chairman of the Board of Eastern Air Lines and assisted by the global executive search firm Korn Ferry.
Mr. Tolzien has been Chief Financial Officer of Eastern Air Lines Group since its inception in 2011. Mr. Tolzien has over 40 years of executive experience across the travel industry. He has served as both Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer for several major corporations, including Alamo Rent A Car, Budget Car Rental, and the corporate travel management company TravelLeaders.
“We remain committed to our business plan of providing world class charter air service with our fleet of Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft,” said General Odierno. “Our Board is unconditionally committed to supporting Eastern’s continued growth. We have complete confidence in Jim’s leadership and we are certain we will attract a world class industry veteran to take Eastern to the next level.”
Copyright Photo: Eastern Air Lines (2nd) Boeing 737-8CX WL N277EA (msn 32359) MIA (Jay Selman). Image: 402999.
Eastern Air Lines (2nd) (Miami) after initially announcing it would start revenue passenger operations on the morning of May 27, the new airline and HavanaAir delayed the first charter flight to May 28. The historic first flight, flight EE 3145 departed Miami bound for Havana at 2:26 pm (1426) on May 28 per FlightAware.
Copyright Photo: L. Apso. This historic photo above captures Boeing 737-8AL N276EA (msn 35070) taxiing out to the runway at Miami International Airport on its first revenue flight to Havana on May 28.
Today (May 29) N276EA is operating a round trip to Camaguey, Cuba.
Eastern Air Lines (2nd) (Miami) will start revenue passenger operations tomorrow (May 27). The first flight will be depart from Miami International Airport (MIA) at 10 am (1000) bound for Havana, Cuba.
The airline made this announcement:
After 24 years, 4 months and 7 days, Eastern resumes revenue flight operations tomorrow. MIA-HAV-MIA. Time to re-earn our wings…
Eastern Air Lines (2nd) (Miami) which is still planning to operate its first revenue charter flight on May 30, has issued this statement:
Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. and HavanaAir Charters, LLC, have signed on May 22 an agreement, to support HavanaAir’s charter operations to Cuba. HavanaAir is the largest provider of passenger traffic to the island, currently operating 65 flights a month to Havana from Miami with additional service to Santa Clara and Camaguey. The partnership will eventually include additional approved U.S. gateway cities.
Eastern will operate the Boeing 737-800 (Next Generation) aircraft, configured with 16 First Class seats and 129 Coach seats in the main cabin on all flights to Cuba.
“We are very pleased to partner with Eastern Air Lines. Eastern earned iconic status in the U.S. airline industry for decades and we are both honored and privileged to partner with their highly experienced management. Our partnership with Eastern will provide an entirely new level of service to Cuba with their Next Generation Boeing aircraft and their commitment to excellent customer service.” said Mark Elias, President and COO of HavanaAir Charters.
“We are excited to partner with HavanaAir Charters. Eastern was formerly the largest provider of air seats in the Cuba market, and with this agreement, Eastern will once again provide more seats to Cuba than any other U.S. carrier. Cuba is and always will be a very important market for Eastern as we grow our airline and we look forward to proving service from additional U.S. gateways along with our home airport of Miami International”, said Ed Wegel, President & CEO of Eastern.
Key Facts:
Eastern will operate for HavanaAir twice daily service to Havana and weekly service to Camaguey and Santa Clara.
Eastern will support HavanaAir’s existing operations to Cuba with some 65 flights monthly.
Eastern and HavanaAir will be launching service from other U.S. gateways within 60 days.
Copyright Photo below: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Eastern Air Lines (2nd) Boeing 737-8AL WL N276EA (msn 35070) arrives at the Miami base.
Eastern Air Lines (2nd) (Miami) has brought back the Eastern name to South Florida skies. The airline concluded its FAA proving flights on May 5 and today (May 13) formally received its Part 121 Air Operators Certificate (AOC) in Miami. The new airline issued this statement:
Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. is pleased to report that its operating subsidiary, Eastern Air Lines, has received an Air Carrier Operating Certificate from the US Federal Aviation Administration. Eastern received its certificate and “Part 121” operations specifications, which authorize passenger charters with large aircraft, in a short ceremony today at Eastern’s headquarters in Building 5A at Miami International Airport. (Bldg 5A served as Eastern’s Operation Center from 1965-1991).
“We are honored and humbled to have been selected to bring the Eastern Air Lines name and legacy back to the skies, and the receipt of our 121 certification is the culmination of several years of planning and, over the last year, intense preparations by our team to meet all FAA requirements. During our proving run flights with the FAA, we flew our aircraft to Dallas, San Antonio, San Juan, Santo Domingo, Columbus (Ohio) and Colorado Springs, and we received a great reception in each city and were proud to show off our colors once again,” said Ed Wegel, Eastern’s founder and CEO. “We are also pleased that our certificate will be held in the South Florida CMO, which is Eastern’s home base,” Wegel added.
Photo Above: Eastern Air Lines. N276EA at San Juan on a FAA proving flight.
Eastern will be announcing its initial charter operations shortly and has recently concluded deals for additional 737-800s (below).
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com (all others by Eastern). Boeing 737-8AL N276EA (msn 35070) lands at Miami International Airport (MIA).
The original Eastern Airlines aircraft slide show:
Eastern Air Lines (2nd) (Miami) is tentatively planning to commence revenue passenger charter operations on May 30 with a Boeing 737-800 charter flight from Miami to the Washington area (planned for BWI) according to the company. The first flight is contingent on receiving its Part 121 AOC. The company is advertising its first flight will be an Honor Flight bringing World War II and Korean War era veterans from South Florida to Washington and return.
On April 20 the new airline announced it had been tentatively been found fit by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and “is owned by a citizen of the U.S. and is fit, willing, and able to conduct interstate and foreign air transportation of persons, property and mail as a U.S. Certificated air carrier.”
The new airline also announced on April 20 its second flight attendant class started on the same day and the next pilot class will start on May 4.
Eastern will now start its FAA proving flights as a necessary next step towards receiving its Part 12 Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
Top Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. The first Boeing 737, the pictured ex-Kenya Airways Boeing 737-8AL N276EA (msn 35070), arrived with much fanfare and celebrations at Miami International Airport (MIA) on December 19, 2014. Since then the prospective airline has been going through the extensive certification process. New passenger airlines in the United States have become a rarity in the current airline consolidation period.
Eastern Airlines (1st) aircraft slide show:
Below: Eastern’s new flight attendant uniforms (Eastern Air Lines):
Eastern Air Lines (2nd) (Eastern Air Lines Group) (Miami) is targeting mid-March as a possible start of charter operations pending its FAA part 121 certification process according to this article by the Miami Herald. Ultimately the new carrier will offer scheduled passenger operations with a focus on Latin America. Ironically the original Eastern sold its Latin American routes authorities to American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth). This sale led to the creation of American’s fortress Miami International Airport hub. The new Eastern will compete against American Airlines at MIA along with Spirit Airlines and JetBlue Airways from nearby Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and other foreign carriers at both airports. In other words, it is already a crowded field.
In its favor, the Eastern name has an instant brand identification in the South Florida market although both carriers are separate airlines with distinct investors.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. The former Kenya Airways Boeing 737-8AL N276EA (msn 35070) arrived at Miami International Airport to a large welcoming celebration on December 19, 2014. It is currently being modified to meet FAA standards.
Eastern Air Lines‘ (2nd) (Miami) Boeing 737-8AL N276EA (msn 3507) minutes ago brought the Eastern name back to Miami International Airport after nearly 24 years. The original Eastern Airlines (1st) (Miami) ceased operations on January 18, 1991.
Top Photo: Miami International Airport. N276EA was greeted at MIA after its long delivery flight from Shannon via Portsmouth with the traditional water cannon welcome.
Above Photo: Miami International Airport. The “Spirit of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker” adorns the nose of N276EA. The World War I fighter ace and national hero also lead the original Eastern. He was nearly killed in the crash of Eastern flight 21 at Candler Field (now Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport) on February 26, 1941.
Above Photo: Miami International Airport. At the welcoming ceremonies MIA Director Emilio T. Gonzalez presents Eastern CEO Ed Wegel a vintage photo of the 36th Street Terminal at Miami International circa 1949.
Bottom Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Before landing, the flight crew in coordination with the Miami ATCT performed a low-altitude fly-by of runway 08L-26R at Miami International Airport. MIA lost two hub airlines in 1991, the first Eastern in January and Pan Am in December. Both names live on in South Florida with the many former employees living in Florida. There is no name recognition problem for the new Eastern in South Florida.
