Tag Archives: Embraer ERJ 175

Delta continues its Seattle/Tacoma expansion, announces 5 new routes

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will launch daily nonstop service next spring from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to five new destinations in the continued expansion of its West Coast hub.

Delta’s new service will include:

Five daily flights to Denver, beginning June 4*
Four daily flights to Sacramento, Calif., beginning May 4* **
Four daily flights to Boise, Idaho, beginning May 4**
One seasonal daily flight to Ketchikan, Alaska beginning May 15**
One seasonal daily flight to Sitka, Alaska beginning May 15**

*Flight operated by Delta Connection carrier Compass Airlines
**Flight operated by Delta Connection carrier SkyWest Airlines

Delta will serve the top 15 destinations in the Western U.S. with the addition of Boise, Denver and Sacramento, while Ketchikan and Sitka complete the top five destinations in Alaska. Delta will also increase its number of daily flights from Seattle/Tacoma to Anchorage, Alaska; Atlanta; Calgary, Alberta; Detroit; Los Angeles; San Francisco and Salt Lake City.

On December 20, Delta will begin service from Seattle/Tacoma to several sun and ski destinations, including Bozeman, Mont.**; Maui, Hawaii; Palm Springs, Calif.**; Phoenix**; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and Tucson, Ariz.*; as well as a second daily flight to Honolulu. Additionally, Delta commenced service to Calgary** and Spokane, Wash.* **, at the beginning of November.

*Flight operated by Delta Connection carrier Compass Airlines
**Flight operated by Delta Connection carrier SkyWest Airlines

Delta currently operates 80 peak-day departures to 25 destinations from Seattle and will increase to 93 peak-day departures to 32 destinations in December. By next summer, Delta will offer 120 peak-day departures to 35 destinations.

The new routes will allow customers to seamlessly connect to Delta’s ten long-haul international flights from Seattle, while providing compelling travel options to cities important to local customers. Earlier this year, Delta launched international service to London-Heathrow, as well as Seoul and Hong Kong and now provides more international long-haul service from Seattle than all other airlines combined. This includes the top five destinations in Asia and three of the top four destinations in Europe. Delta is the only carrier to offer nonstop service from Seattle to Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo-Haneda.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Compass Airlines is already operating several routes at SeaTac as a Delta Connection carrier with its Embraer 175s. ERJ 170-200LR N608CZ (msn 17000195) taxies to the runway at SEA.

Delta Air Lines (current livery):

Delta Connection-Compass:

Alitalia to add new flights to both Berlin and Dusseldorf on December 15 in association with partner Airberlin

Alitalia (2nd) (Rome) on December 15 will inaugurate new daily service to Berlin and Dusseldorf from Rome (Fiumicino), Milan (Linate) and Venice.

New Alitalia flights to Berlin and Dusseldorf will operate daily during the winter season using Embraer 175 aircraft offering 2 classes of service: “Excellent”- Alitalia’s business class for international routes, and “Classic”, Alitalia’s economy class service.

New flights between Italy and Germany have strategic importance for Alitalia. With the introduction of the new flights to Berlin and Dusseldorf in 2015, Alitalia will offer approximately 370,000 more seats, an increase of 66% over 2014. Alitalia currently offers direct flights from Rome to Munich, and Rome and Milan Linate to Frankfurt.

Alitalia’s increase of seats offered to Germany during 2014 resulted in 60% more passengers carried over 2013.

The new flights will operate in codeshare with partner Airberlin (Berlin), Germany’s second largest airline.

Copyright Photo: Paul Denton/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) EI-RDB (msn 17000331) departs from Geneva.

Alitalia (2nd) Aircraft Slide Show:

SkyWest reports a third quarter net profit of $41.3 million

SkyWest, Inc. (SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines) (St. George, Utah) today reported financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014. Highlights are as follows:

SkyWest’s net income was $41.3 million (inclusive of $15.3 million after-tax related to TRIP gain from below), or $0.79 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. This compares to net income of $26.4 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the same period last year.

Significant financial items related to the third quarter included:

Operating income, which excludes TRIP gain, increased $2.9 million from the same period last year, despite the negative financial impact of FAR117 flight and duty rules implemented January 2014

The completion of the Trip Linhas Aereas S.A. stock sale resulted in a pre-tax gain of $24.9 million and interest income of $2.1 million

Operating revenues, after excluding a reduction in direct contract reimbursement for pass-through cost expenses, increased 1.9% compared to the prior period, despite a 6.0% reduction in departures and 3.8% reduction in block hours from the prior period

Significant operational and commercial items include:

16 ERJ145s were removed from contract during the third quarter of 2014. SkyWest anticipates 18 ERJ145s will be removed during the fourth quarter of 2014, and 23 ERJ145s and 9 ERJ135s will be removed during the first half of 2015.

As of September 30, 2014, SkyWest had 14 E175 jet aircraft in the United Airlines contract and took delivery of one additional E175 in October 2014. SkyWest expects delivery of six additional E175 aircraft by December 31, 2014 and the remaining 19 additional aircraft by August 2015.

ExpressJet appointed Alexandria Marren as its COO effective October 1, 2014

Operational reliability at ExpressJet improved to 99.4% adjusted completion for the September 30, 2014 quarter from 99.0% from the same period last year

SkyWest invested approximately $35.7 million for E175 specific spare parts, engines and tooling as of September 30, 2014. SkyWest also invested $56.0 million into E175 ownership equity as of September 30, 2014.

Commenting on the results, Jerry C. Atkin, SkyWest’s Chairman and CEO said, “The increase in operating income from last year is positive news when factoring the significant cost impact of FAR117 we’ve experienced in 2014 and the reduction in departures and block hours since last year.” He continued, “As we pursue opportunities to remove our older 50-seat aircraft from service and add new larger dual-class aircraft, we are optimistic that our operational reliability and financial results will continue to improve. We remain committed to our major partners and our process to improve both financial and operating performance.”

Financial Performance

Total operating revenues, excluding the significant direct contract reimburses for fuel, landing fees, station rents, and engine maintenance, increased by $12.7 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 from the same period last year. The improvement was primarily due to certain contract renewals and modifications, operating additional E175 aircraft, and increased government subsidies for operating certain routes.

Flight crew costs and related crew hotels expenses associated with FAR117 and training costs for the introduction of the new E175 aircraft, that resulted in an increase of $13.8 million in operating costs compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013.

Direct maintenance expense, excluding engine maintenance expense, decreased $12.2 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period last year due to a reduction in scheduled events and removal of older aircraft after June 30, 2013. Certain other operating expenses, primarily related to the E175 aircraft and pro-rate operations, increased during the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period last year.

Liquidity

At September 30, 2014, SkyWest had $555.7 million in cash and marketable securities, compared to $467.0 million as of June 30, 2014 and $670.1 million as of December 31, 2013. Cash and marketable securities decreased $114.4 million from December 31, 2013 to September 30, 2014, primarily due to SkyWest’s investment of approximately $91.7 million in E175 assets and E175 equity investment in the debt financing and timing of semi-annual aircraft lease payments resulting in an increase of prepaid aircraft rents of $20.3 million. The cash and marketable securities balance increased from June 30, 2014 primarily due to pre-tax income generated during the quarter.

Long-term debt increased $130.8 million from December 31, 2013 to September 30, 2014. During this period, $323.7 million of long-term debt was used for the 14 E175 aircraft delivered in 2014, offset by principal payments made on outstanding debt.

Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin/AirlinersGallery.com. As the Embraer ERJ 135 and ERJ 145 fleet shrinks at ExpressJet, SkyWest Airlines had 14 Embraer ERJ 175 jet aircraft in the United Airlines contract at the end of September and took delivery of one additional ERJ 175 this month. SkyWest expects delivery of six additional E175 aircraft by December 31, 2014 and the remaining 19 additional aircraft by August 2015. Embarrass ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N118SY (msn 17000420) taxies at the San Francisco hub.

United Express-SkyWest Aircraft Slide Show:

American Airlines to introduce Bombardier CRJ900 to the DFW hub on November 6

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) will introduce the Bombardier CRJ900 to the Dallas/Fort Worth hub starting on November 6. Mesa Airlines (Phoenix) will operate the type initially on American Eagle services to Albuquerque, El Paso, Fayetteville and Greenville/Spartanburg per Airline Route. On November 16 this operation will expand with a Huntsville, AL route. Colorado Springs, Little Rock, Louisville, Lubbock, Oklahoma City and Wichita will be added from DFW on December 2. Finally Montrose, CO will be added on December 18.

In May 2014 Mesa Airlines announced they had reached an agreement with American Airlines to operate six more CRJ900s for American bringing the total CRJ900s to 51 aircraft.

In other news, American is also introducing the Embraer ERJ 175 on additional routes. Effective November 6 the Embraer 175 will be operated from the Chicago (O’Hare) hub to Columbus, OH. On the same date from the Miami hub, the E175 will operate to Louisville, Nashville, New Orleans and Pittsburgh. From New York (JFK) the E175 will be assigned to the Pittsburgh route also starting on November 6.

Finally on December 18, the Embraer 175 will be added on additional routes from the Miami hub to Cleveland, Key West and Nassau.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Mesa Airlines’ Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) N944LR (msn 15075) is pictured at Long Beach, California.

American Airlines (current) Aircraft Slide Show:

American Eagle-Mesa Aircraft Slide Show:

Flybe to add two new routes to Amsterdam

Flybe (Exeter) has announced new year-round routes from Manchester and London City to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.

The airline will operate daily flights between Manchester and Amsterdam using 88-seat Embraer 175 jet aircraft from October 26, 2014.

Weekend flights are the order of the day from London City with the airline offering Saturday morning and Sunday evening flights on 78-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft, conveniently timed for weekend leisure travel from November 1.

The two new routes complement those already featured in Flybe’s existing 2014-15 Winter schedule to Amsterdam. It also enhances the airline’s debut schedule out of London City, adding to those routes already announced to Aberdeen, Belfast City, Dublin, Edinburgh, Exeter and Inverness.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200STD (ERJ 175) G-FBJC (msn 17000328) taxies at Amsterdam.

Flybe:

American to launch new American Eagle routes from Philadelphia and Dallas/Fort Worth

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) will start daily American Eagle service from its (US Airways) hub to both Jacksonville, FL and New Orleans on September 26. The routes will be operated by Embraer 175 aircraft operated by Republic Airlines (2nd) according to Airline Route.

In addition, American Eagle (operated by ExpressJet Airlines CRJ200s) will launch new daily service from the Dallas/Fort Worth hub to Meridian and Laurel, Mississippi.

Finally American will suspend service on three European routes this winter (resuming next summer): Chicago (“hare)-Dusseldorf, Chicago (O’Hare)-Manchester and New York (JFK)-Dublin per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. Operated by Republic Airlines, Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N426YX (msn 17000397) taxies at Baltimore/Washington.

American Airlines (current):

American Eagle-Republic (2nd):

Republic Airlines to fly Embraer 175s as American Eagle from the Miami hub starting on October 2

Republic Airlines (2nd) (American Eagle) (Indianapolis) on October 2 will start operating Embraer 175s on American Eagle services from the Miami hub to Atlanta, Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Tallahassee. The E175s will replace existing Embraer ERJ 145 service per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Republic’s Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N404YX (msn 17000367) completes its final turn on the river approach into Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA).

American Eagle-Republic:

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:

Compass Airlines to fly as an American Eagle carrier

Compass Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul) has announced it will operate 20 new 76-seat Embraer ERJ 175 aircraft owned by American Airlines, Inc.

Compass expects to begin taking delivery of the aircraft and start scheduled service under the American Eagle brand and livery in the first quarter of 2015. The agreement also provides American the option to place additional E175 aircraft it owns with Compass in the future.

American Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines Group Inc. (Dallas/Fort Worth), announced in December 2013 it had signed agreements with Embraer S.A. to purchase 60 new 76-seat E175 regional jets, with options for up to 90 additional aircraft. With continued new aircraft deliveries over the next several years, American will have one of the most modern and efficient fleets in the industry.

The addition of these 20 American aircraft will increase the fleet size of Compass Airlines to 62 aircraft, all of which are either Embraer E175 or E170 aircraft.

The new E175s will offer American Airlines customers a more seamless transition from mainline to regional flights with 12 First Class seats, 20 Main Cabin Extra seats offering additional legroom and 44 seats in the Main Cabin. The aircraft will also feature modern cabin elements including in-flight Wi-Fi, full-size overhead bins, more spacious lavatories, leather seats and adjustable headrests. Powered by General Electric CF34 engines, the E175 also is one of the most fuel efficient 76-seat aircraft in the market today.

Compass Airlines, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Trans States Holdings, Inc. Compass Airlines began commercial service in May 2007 as a NWA Airlink carrier with a mission to provide safe, reliable, cost-effective and customer-friendly service to the passengers it serves. Compass currently has more than 1,200 employees operating 36 Embraer E175 and six Embraer E170 aircraft as a Delta Connection carrier from its Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) and Detroit (DTW) hubs, as well as a maintenance facility in Louisville, Kentucky. Compass currently serves 57 cities, operates approximately 200 daily flights, and carries approximately 4 million passengers annually.

The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) issued this terse statement as a reaction on behave of the Envoy Air FAs:

Envoy Air Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), issued the following statement after American Airlines management announced the placement of 20 new Embraer 175 regional jets with an industry competitor:

“The hard working professionals across our company have made the American Eagle brand the gold standard within our industry for over 25 years. We were promised a fresh start after bankruptcy, with a new look, new energy and, most of all, new airplanes. American Eagle (now Envoy) employees, whether represented by unions or not, selflessly gave the concessions demanded by management in order to secure these new airplanes and bring our company into a new era of prosperity after emerging from a very dark period in our history.

“What thanks have we received? Apparently NONE. The equipment is being sent to another company which had no connection to the financial restructuring in which we engaged to insure that our company would achieve the profitability it now enjoys – the same profitability which allows it to obtain this new aircraft. For both American Airlines and Envoy Air management to now turn their backs on our award-winning employees by providing no comment as to the future of our airline is unconscionable.

“The demoralizing effect of these misguided decisions continues to weigh heavily on our operation, while long term damage from the loss of in-house profits, loss of qualified pilots, and continued contraction of our aging fleet is quickly approaching critical mass.

“AFA calls upon management to do something very simple, something very American: Make it right. Honor your commitments. Take the high road. Give your 16,000 employees the tools required to return our company to the best-in-class leader we always have been. Now is the time to set Envoy Air on the correct course.”

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N406YX (msn 17000369) of fellow American Eagle carrier Republic Airlines (2nd) arrives at Philadelphia.

Delta Connection-Compass:

NWA Airlink-Compass:

American Eagle-Republic:

United expands Embraer 175 operations

United Airlines (Chicago) will add additional Embraer 175 flights from the San Francisco hub in the fall. In addition to the previously-reported routes, United will add United Express service from SFO with the new E175 flights to Boise (starting on September 30), Calgary (September 21), Dallas/Fort Worth (October 26), Kansas City (October 26), St. Louis (September 20) and Salt Lake City (October 26) per Airline Route.

The SFO flights are expected to be operated by SkyWest Airlines.

SkyWest Airlines operated its E175 inaugural flight, operating as United Express, from Chicago O’Hare to Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 17. According to SkyWest, “the milestone represented a tremendous amount of preparation and hard work by many SkyWest employees during the last 15 months.”

Within the next two years, SkyWest will take delivery of 40 new E175s that will operate under an agreement with United Airlines.

According to the airline, “the E175 is the fifth aircraft type in SkyWest’s current fleet, and from full-sized cargo-bins to larger aisles and seats, it’s filled with enhanced features that will help ensure every passenger enjoys a comfortable, convenient flight.”

From Houston, E175 service on flights between the hub at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Atlanta and New Orleans begins on June 15, and between Houston and Austin starting on June 16. United also launched E175 service between Chicago O’Hare and Minneapolis/St. Paul on June 5; between Chicago O’Hare and Atlanta beginning on June 15; and between Chicago O’Hare and New York LaGuardia beginning on June 23.

United Express carrier Mesa Airlines will operate the flights between Houston and Atlanta, Austin and New Orleans. United Express carrier SkyWest Airlines will operate the flights between Chicago and Atlanta, New York LaGuardia and Minneapolis/St. Paul.