Tag Archives: Embraer ERJ 170-200

American expands Embraer 175 operations from Los Angeles

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) is adding four additional Embraer ERJ 175 American Eagle routes from Los Angeles International Airport. Los Angeles – Austin will be started on May 7 along with Los Angeles – San Antonio. Additionally on June 4, the Los Angeles – Edmonton and Los Angeles – Vancouver routes will also be added per Airline Route.

In other news, American Airlines and US Airways hope to receive a single operating certificate (SOC) in early April from the FAA completing the merger process. US Airways meanwhile has started using the “American” call sign, retiring the former “Cactus” (America West) call sign. The end of US Airways is near.

Copyright Photo: Chris Sands/AirlinersGallery.com. Republic Airlines’ “Brickyard 4231” arrives from Jacksonville at Miami International Airport (MIA).

American Airlines aircraft slide show:

American Eagle-Republic Airlines aircraft slide show:

Fuji Dream Airlines takes delivery of its ninth E-Jet, in gold

FDA-Fuji Dream Airlines (Makinohara, Shizuoka) has taken delivery of its ninth Embraer E-Jet. The pictured ERJ 170-200STD (ERJ 175) JA09FJ (msn 17000464) was handed over in Brazil on March 19 and is painted gold (above). JA09FJ has now been welcomed to Japan (below).

Each aircraft features an unique color making for a very colorful fleet (below).

Read the full report from ZipanguFlyer: CLICK HERE

Photos: FDA (above) and Embraer (below).

FDA aircraft slide show:

Republic Airways Holdings reports net income of $64.3 million for 2014

Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Republic Airlines and Shuttle America) (Indianapolis) has reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2014. The company reported net income of $64.3 million for 2014, a significant increase from its net income of $26.7 million in 2013.

As planned, Chautauqua Airlines ended operations on December 31, 2014 and was rolled into Shuttle America as previously reported.

The company issued this report:

Republic’s pre-tax income excluding special items, for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $32.1 million, an 8.4 percent increase over the fourth quarter or 2013. Republic’s adjusted income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $19.8 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, and its adjusted pre-tax margin was 9.3 percent.

For the full year of 2014, Republic’s pre-tax income, excluding special items, was $120.2 million, a $17.7 million increase over 2013. Republic’s adjusted income from continuing operations for 2014 was $73.4 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, with an adjusted pre-tax margin of 8.7 percent.

On a GAAP basis, including special items, Republic’s fourth quarter 2014 pre-tax loss was $1.4 million, pre-tax margin was -0.4 percent and income from continuing operations was $11.7 million, or $0.23 per diluted share. On a GAAP basis, including special items, Republic’s 2014 pre-tax income was $85.2 million, pre-tax margin was 6.2 percent and income from continuing operations was $64.3 million, or $1.24 per diluted share.

On January 1, 2015, Republic completed its consolidation of all Chautauqua Airlines operations onto the Shuttle America operating certificate. All operating aircraft and related employees are now transferred to Shuttle America’s operation. Republic hopes to sell the remaining Chautauqua Airlines entity and related assets during the first half of 2015.

During the fourth quarter of 2014, Republic extended the service terms of aircraft under its fixed-fee capacity purchase agreements with US Airways, Inc. and Delta Air Lines, Inc. Republic also agreed to operate an additional nine E170 aircraft for Delta Air Lines, Inc.

“We took some significant steps in 2014 in our effort to simplify and streamline our business,” said Republic Airways Holdings Chairman, President and CEO Bryan Bedford. “While this simplification strategy results in near-term transition expenses, such as the fleet impairment charge we took this quarter, the actions that we’ve taken in 2014 and that we intend to take in 2015 are key to the future success of our airline.”

The impairment and other charges in 2014 were due to impairment and other charges on owned E140 aircraft which were abandoned of $19.9 million; owned E190 aircraft which are in the process of being sold of $14.4 million; owned Q400 aircraft which are scheduled to come out of service in the third quarter of 2016 of $13.3 million, and a loss on sale of E190 aircraft of $5.8 million. The 2013 impairment charges of $21.2 million related to owned E190 aircraft and the write-off of maintenance deposits on leased E190 aircraft.

Fleet Highlights

During 2014, our operational fleet decreased from 258 to 244. The company took delivery of 22 E175 aircraft, permanently parked 15 E140 aircraft, temporarily parked 13 E145 aircraft, sold two E190 aircraft and leased three E145 aircraft and three E190 aircraft.

During 2014, we took delivery of 22 E175 aircraft and removed 28 small regional jets.

In December 2014, we completed the sale of two E190 aircraft and executed an agreement to sell three other E190 aircraft. The sale of these five aircraft will leave us with two owned E190 aircraft and three leased E190 aircraft that are expected to be removed from fixed-fee charter service in August of 2015. We expect to return the three leased aircraft to the lessor in 2015 and the remaining two aircraft are under a firm sales agreement.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

The Company’s total cash balance decreased $55.1 million to $245.6 million as of Dec. 31, 2014, compared to Dec. 31, 2013. Restricted cash decreased $2.3 million, to $21.7 million, from Dec. 31, 2013, due to the escrow requirements under our fixed-fee charter agreements. The Company’s unrestricted cash balance decreased $52.8 million, to $223.9 million, from Dec. 31, 2013, due primarily to equity investments in new aircraft and the redemption of the $22.3 million and $26.5 million convertible notes on April 7, 2014, and Oct. 28, 2014, respectively. The Company also purchased 212,881 shares of its common stock on the open market, during the third quarter of 2014 for total consideration of $2.1 million. A consolidated balance sheet and summary cash flow statement have been included in the tables section of this release.

The Company’s debt increased to $2.34 billion as of Dec. 31, 2014, compared to $2.17 billion at Dec. 31, 2013, primarily related to the financing of 22, new E175 aircraft purchased for our American Airlines fixed-fee agreement. As of Dec. 31, 2014, approximately 98 percent of our debt is at a fixed interest rate. The Company has significant long-term lease obligations for aircraft that are classified as operating leases and are not reflected as liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. At a 6 percent discount factor, the present value of these lease obligations was approximately $0.48 billion and $0.59 billion as of Dec. 31, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2013, respectively.

Corporate Information

Republic Airways Holdings Inc., based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is an airline holding company that owns Republic Airlines, Shuttle America and Chautauqua Airlines, collectively “the airlines.” As of Dec. 31, 2014, the airlines operated a combined fleet of about 245 aircraft and offered scheduled passenger service on more than 1,300 flights daily to approximately 100 cities in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean through fixed-fee flights operated under our major airline partner brands, including American Eagle, Delta Connection, United Express, and US Airways Express. The Company currently employs about 6,500 aviation professionals.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. During 2014 Republic took delivery of 22 Embraer E175 aircraft. Republic Airlines’ Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N415YX (msn 17000378) arrives in Washington (Reagan National).

American Eagle-Republic Airlines:

American to drop American Eagle service between Louisville and New York LaGuardia

American Airlines (New York) will drop American Eagle nonstop service between Louisville, Kentucky and New York (LaGuardia) on March 29 due to low demand according to Louisville Business First.

The route is operated by Republic Airlines (2nd) using Embraer ERJ 175s.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N421YX (msn 17000386) taxies at Baltimore/Washington.

American Eagle aircraft slide show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/American-Eagle-2nd-Republic-Ai

American to add Gogo inflight wireless services to all two-class regional jets

American Airlines Group (Dallas/Fort Worth) has announced as a part of its $2 billion investment to give customers a world-class travel experience, American Airlines will upgrade its regional fleet by adding Gogo inflight wireless services to all two-class regional jets. Nearly 250 of American’s regional aircraft will have inflight wireless Internet service installed by 2016. With this installation, the world’s largest airline will have the largest fleet of connected regional jets.

American currently has nearly 850 aircraft with Gogo services and leverages Gogo’s air-to-ground (ATG) service and its next generation ATG-4 technology. Approximately 70 of these 850 aircraft are two-class regional jets.

Having ordered more than 500 new aircraft – with nearly two planes arriving each week through 2016 – American will offer customers the youngest fleet of any U.S.-based network carrier. New aircraft deliveries include 90 large regional jets, the Embraer 175 and Bombardier CRJ900. These modern and fuel-efficient 76-seat jets provide customers with a top-tier regional product with First Class, Main Cabin Extra and Main Cabin seating, larger overhead bins, more spacious lavatories and leather seats with adjustable headrests.

The American Eagle and US Airways Express regional networks operate about 2,600 daily flights for American Airlines and US Airways, respectively. These flights serve 240 destinations throughout the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico. Eventually all regional service will be operated under the American Eagle brand and livery.

American marked the one-year anniversary of its merger earlier this week by announcing more than $2 billion in investments to give its customers a world-class travel experience. These investments include expanding inflight entertainment and connectivity. The airline is adding satellite-based Internet access to its international fleet including all Boeing 777s and 787s, Airbus A330s, and retrofitted Boeing 767-300s and 757s. New 737s, nearly all new A321s, as well as retrofitted A319s also will have power ports in every row. All new widebody deliveries, including 777-300 ERs and 787s, come with power at every seat, allowing customers to charge their laptops and personal electronic devices from gate to gate. American also will be investing in fully lie-flat seats, more inflight entertainment options, a new, modern design for Admirals Club lounges worldwide, and an upgraded assortment of complimentary healthy food, cocktails and more.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Republic Airlines’ (2nd) Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N137HQ (msn 17000231) arrives at the Charlotte hub.

American Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):

American Eagle-Republic aircraft slide show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/American-Eagle-2nd-Republic-Ai

Delta to drop four more routes from Memphis

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) continues to dismantle the Memphis hub. According to The Commerical Appeal of Memphis, the airline will drop all service from MEM to Dallas/Fort Worth, New Orleans and Pittsburgh on January 5, 2015. The airline claims the MEM routes that are being dropped are “unprofitable” A fourth route, to Washington (Reagan National), will be dropped on April 7, 2015. 84 positions at the MEM station are being eliminated according to the report.

The routes are operated with Embraer 170/175s.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N215JQ (msn 17000270) prepares to land in Washington (Reagan National).

Delta Air Lines aircraft slide show (current livery):

Delta Connection-Shuttle America:

Delta to restore Los Angeles-Dallas/Fort Worth flights on November 3 via Compass Airlines

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) has confirmed it will launch twice-daily nonstop service from Los Angeles to San Antonio, Texas, beginning on April 7, 2015 as previously reported. The San Antonio service complements Delta’s daily service from Los Angeles to Dallas/Fort Worth, which relaunches on November 3, and the addition of a third daily flight between Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, beginning on November 2. All flights are operated by Delta Connection carrier Compass Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul).

With the addition of San Antonio and Dallas/Fort Worth service, Delta customers will have access to nine daily departures to three destinations between Los Angeles and Texas, including:

Four daily flights to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Three daily flights to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Two daily flights to San Antonio International Airport

In the last year, Delta has significantly expanded its network from LAX, adding service to Austin; Boise, Idaho; and San Salvador, El Salvador; increasing the number of flights from destinations it already serves; and expanding to year-round service in Boston. Delta will also launch service from LA to Monterrey, Mexico, in November. Last fall, Delta expanded its service from Los Angeles to San Francisco with the launch of its hourly, nonstop Delta Shuttle product. In October, Delta will launch international service from LAX to London-Heathrow as part of its joint venture partnership with Virgin Atlantic Airways. Service to Austin, Boise, Monterrey and San Francisco is operated by Delta Connection carriers Compass Airlines and SkyWest Airlines.

Delta has also made significant enhancements to its Los Angeles service both on the ground and in the air in the past few years. Travelers through Los Angeles will enjoy the benefits of the $229 million expansion and enhancement of Terminal 5 at LAX. The current project will double the size of the ticketing lobby and screening checkpoints and open an exclusive Sky Priority lobby and checkpoint. It also will include renovations to the Delta Sky Club and new baggage carousels. The project is scheduled to take place in several phases, with the west lobby to be completed in November.

Delta currently operates 140 peak-day departures to 47 destinations from LAX, and every flight offers BusinessElite/First Class and Economy Comfort seating. Nearly every domestic flight features Wi-Fi service, and Delta now offers customers free entertainment from every seat out of LA through its new Delta Studio product.

Copyright Photo: Wingnut/AirlinersGallery.com. In this unusual view, Compass Airlines’ Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N620CZ (msn 17000214) taxies at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Delta Air Lines (current):

Delta Connection-Compass:

Fuji Dream Airlines orders three Embraer E175s

Embraer S.A. has signed an agreement with FDA-Fuji Dream Airlines (Makinohara, Shizuoka, Japan) for a firm order of three E175s with options for an additional three aircraft of the same model.

This order was already included in Embraer’s 2014 second quarter backlog as an “undisclosed” customer. The announcement was made today at the 2014 edition of the Farnborough International Airshow. Three E170s and five E175s are currently in operation with Fuji Dream Airlines.

The newly-ordered E175s will be configured in a single-class layout with 84 seats and will be equipped with the Autoland system to perform CAT III approach and landing in limited visual conditions. The new E175s will also feature recent aerodynamic enhancements introduced by Embraer, such as a new wingtip and other technical improvements that reduce fuel burn.

Created in 2007, FDA started operations with two Embraer E170s. Over the last five years, its all-Embraer fleet has quadrupled. FDA’s fleet is instantly recognizable by its brightly coloured aircraft, some of which are painted green, pink, yellow and purple.

With aircraft based in Nagoya and Shizuoka, FDA links twelve secondary cities in Japan where demand is growing, such as Fukuoka, Sapporo and Hanamaki. Operating almost 50 flights each day, the airline has carried over 2.4 million passengers to date. FDA is part of the Suzuyo Group, which owns a full-flight simulator to provide pilot and fleet engineering training for its staff.

Fuji Dream Airlines was incorporated in June 2008 to be the Suzuyo Group’s air transportation arm. By entering the airline business and building on the convenience of Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport, Suzuyo contributes to Shizuoka’s economic development.

Copyright Photo: Akira Uekawa/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200ST (ERJ 175) JA06FJ (msn 17000332) is one of the latest additions to the colorful fleet. Each aircraft is painted in a different color. JA06FJ taxies at the Mount Fuji Shizuoka Airport (FSZ).

FDA-Fuji Dream Airlines:

A colorful fleet:

Alitalia CEO: Etihad Airways will decide in 3-4 weeks whether to invest

Alitalia’s (2nd) (Rome) CEO Gabriele Del Torchio stated Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) is doing its due diligence (reviewing all of the data) which will take between three and fours week according to this report by Reuters. After its review, Etihad will then decide whether it will invest in the faltering flag carrier.

Alitalia is facing increased low-fare competition on its home turf and any rescue will face stiff opposition from other carriers and will need European Union approvals. Etihad, if it proceeds with an acquisition, is likely to ask for drastic cuts to personnel and costs (like Air France-KLM did).

Is there Alitalia 3 on the horizon?

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) EI-RDO (msn 17000348) approaches the runway at Zurich.

Alitalia (2nd):

Flybe announces a major expansion at Birmingham with seven new routes

Flybe (Exeter) has unveiled a major expansion of its operations at Birmingham Airport with the announcement of seven new routes that includes a six times a week service to Florence, in a first for the airport; daily flights to Cologne; a six times a week service to Toulouse; a five times a week service to Alicante and four times a week to Bordeaux, Palma Mallorca and Porto.

Flybe is also adding three of its 2×2 seat Embraer 175 jets to the airport thereby creating its biggest ever regional base with 12 aircraft, thereby creating more than 50 new Flybe jobs.

Travel is effective from April 10, 2014 to Alicante, Cologne, Florence and Porto; and from May 13 for the remaining three routes (Bordeaux, Palma and Toulouse), the majority of flights will utilize Flybe’s new 88-seat E175 jet aircraft (see above).

The company last week announced it will be boosting the frequency on three of its most popular European routes from the end of March namely those to Hanover, Milan-Malpensa and Stuttgart.

As a result of the seven new destinations, Flybe will now operate 32 routes to and from Birmingham for the Summer of 2014 with a choice of up to 375 return flights a week totalling an impressive 1.7 million seats.

Copyright Photo: Ole Simon/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200STD (ERJ 175) G-FBJA (msn 17000326) taxies at Dusseldorf.

Flybe: