Eastern Air Lines (2nd) (Miami) has announced it has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with CAE, the flight simulator manufacturer, under which CAE will provide Eastern with flight training solutions as it grows its fleet of Boeing 737-800 and MAX aircraft and eventually the Mitsubishi Regional Jet.
The new Eastern is planning to re-establish an Eastern Flight Training Academy in Miami.
The first Boeing 737-800 is due to arrive from Shannon, Ireland via a fuel stop in Miami on December 19.
Eastern Air Lines (2nd) (Miami) and Surinam Airways (Paramaribo) have announced a strategic partnership including operational support, maintenance and training according to this joint statement:
Surinam Airways and Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. announced on November 13 a strategic partnership between the two airlines, encompassing cooperation in the areas of operational support, maintenance, and training.
The partnership will eventually include mutual support in sales and marketing.
โWe are very pleased and honored to partner with Surinam Airways, and to support each other as we grow our airlines. Surinam Airways is an excellent operator with a breadth of experience and we expect to share best practices and find common areas of cost reduction and operational support.โ said Ed Wegel, President and CEO of Eastern Air Lines.
โSurinam Airways is delighted to be in a partnership with the new Eastern Air Lines. We believe this is an effective way for our airline to extend its reach by cooperating with Eastern at its Miami base of operations. We look forward to our teams working together to find operational synergies between our two airlines.โ Said Ewald Henshuijs, CEO of Surinam Airways.
On the weekend of November 22 the new airline held a recruiting session for new flight attendants.
Eastern Air Lines plans to begin operating Boeing 737-800 aircraft from its Miami base in early 2015. The new Eastern will initially operate as a charter airline and is currently going through its AOC certification process. The next proving phase will start on the arrival of the first Boeing 737-800 in Miami.
According to the Miami Herald, the majority stockholder in the company is Vincent Viola who is also the co-owner of the Florida Panthers. The team is likely to become one of the early charter customers.
Copyright Photo: SM Fitzwilliams Collection/AirlinersGallery.com. Former Kenya Airways Boeing 737-8AL 5Y-KYB (msn 35070), currently at Shannon, Ireland, will become N276EA “Spirit of Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker” on delivery. N276EA is due to be formally introduced on December 19 at a ceremony at Miami International Airport.
The original Eastern Airlines (1st) aircraft slide show:ย 
Surinam Airways aircraft slide show:ย
Eastern Air Lines (2nd) (Miami) hasย announced they are planning to take delivery of the first Boeing 737-800 during the first week of December 2014. The first aircraft will be registered as N276EA (msn 35070, ex Kenya Airways 5Y-KYB) which has been reserved by Eastern Air Lines with the FAA. N276EA will be named the “Spirit of Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker” according to the new airline. The new Eastern is going through the FAA certification process.
Image: Eastern Air Lines (2nd).
The original Eastern Airlines (2nd) Aircraft Slide Show:ย 
Video: Eastern Airlines TV commercials for the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s:
Video: By George Mihal. Eastern aircraft at Charlotte (old terminal) circa 1956 including a Lockheed Constellation.
Eastern Air Lines (2nd) (Miami) has issued this statement:
Eastern Air Lines is pleased to announce the closing of its current equity round, with a major investment from Mr. Vincent Viola. Mr. Viola is an investor and entrepreneur whose business career has spanned over three decades. He previously rose to Chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange, and is currently the Chairman of Virtu Financial, as well as the co-founder and a significant shareholder in Independent Bank in Texas and the owner of the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League.
Mr. Viola is also a graduate of the United States Military Academy and New York Law School and has led the funding and creation of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. Over the past 30 years he has been a leading advocate for veteran’s issues and philanthropy.
“We are extremely honored to have Mr. Viola as our major shareholder and having the benefit of his broad business experience as a board member. He is a patriot as well as a highly accomplished business and civic leader, with a strong commitment to South Florida where Eastern is headquartered”, said Ed Wegel, Eastern’s President and CEO.
Mr. Viola commented, “I am delighted to be part of the re-launch of this great American company, and look forward to working closely with Eastern’s board and management in guiding the growth of this charter airline.”
The new carrier is hiring pilots. Previously on June 30 the company issued this statement:
Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. has announced it is now accepting pilot applications online. Eastern plans to begin operating Boeing 737- 800 aircraft from its Miami base, subject to US government regulatory approval.
โThis is an exciting time in our industry and Eastern will be providing good flight crew jobs with great promotion potential as we grow with 737 Next Generation aircraft, and eventually the 737 MAX,โ said Easternโs Vice President of Flight Operations, Captain John Furneaux.
Eastern is hiring Line Pilots and Check Airmen. The airline will initially hire a cadre of ten Captains and then additional hires of 25 to 30 pilots. Favorable consideration will be given to pilots with Boeing 737 and 757/767 type ratings. The airline expects pilots will have an extraordinary opportunity to advance rapidly during Easternโs growth phase.
In addition, Eastern will offer compensation packages comparable to those of similar airlines.
Minimum qualifications include:
Valid FAA ATP Certificate
Current FAA First Class Medical Certificate
Valid FCC Restricted Radio Telephone Operator Permit
Favorable background check, including PRIA records examination, criminal history records check and National Driver Registry check
Bachelor degree
Current passport and legal eligibility to work in the United States
Current US driverโs license
Captain flight time minimums:
7000 hours total fixed-wing PIC/SIC flight time
2000 hours fixed-wing, turbo jet, PIC flight time
First Officer flight time minimums:
3000 hours total fixed-wing PIC/SIC flight time
1000 hours fixed-wing, turbo jet and/or turbo prop, PIC flight time
In addition to pilots, Eastern is seeking to fill a variety of other positions listed on the Career Opportunities page of its website. Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply online.
Image: Eastern Air Lines.
Eastern Airlines (1st) Slide Show:ย
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