Tag Archives: Embraer ERJ 190

Finnair is facing a possible strike next week (now withdrawn)

Finnair (Helsinki) is facing a possible strike by the Finnish Aviation Union for next week that will possibly affect Finnair and other airlines operating to Finland. The airline has issued this statement:

The Finnish Aviation Union has issued a strike warning for May 19-20, 2015, and the possible strike would impact also Finnair and its subcontractors. The strike is in connection to a dispute related to a collective labor agreement applied to a Finnish ground handling company. Finnair is not a party to the dispute in any way. The strike would also impact other airlines operating to and from Finland.

Even though the dispute is not related to Finnair, the strike would, if implemented, have significant impacts on Finnair flights, as it would bring Finnair’s baggage and ground handling services to a complete halt for several hours during peak travel hours on May 19-20. The strike would thus disrupt the travel plans of thousands of Finnair customers. Finnair has already offered customers the possibility to change their travel dates to avoid traveling on the possible strike days.

If the strike threat is not withdrawn, Finnair is forced to cancel many of its flights on May 19-20, to avoid a situation where thousands of customers would be stranded at Helsinki Airport when their connecting flights cannot be operated. Some cancellations will also have to be made on May 18 and May 21.

First cancellations will be made for certain flights for Monday, May 18, and Finnair will inform customers of these cancellations on Sunday, May 17.

Update May 16: From Finnair:

Finnish Aviation Union has withdrawn the threat of a support strike, which would have had significant impacts on Finnair and its subcontractors among others, and the parties to the dispute have reached an agreement.

Copyright Photo below: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100LR OH-LKI (msn 19000117) taxies to the gate at the Helsinki hub.

Finnair aircraft slide show:

JetBlue and Amazon team up to offer Amazon Prime customers access to inflight movies

JetBlue Airways (New York) and Amazon (Seattle) today issued this joint statement:

Amazan and JetBlue announced that they will bring unlimited, on-demand entertainment to airline travel later this year through JetBlue’s free high-speed Fly-Fi broadband internet, the industry’s fastest complimentary inflight Internet service, to create an unmatched entertainment experience in the sky.

The collaboration will enable Fly-Fi for Amazon Prime members to instantly access tens of thousands of movies and TV episodes, including exclusive Amazon Original Series such as Transparent, Mozart in the Jungle and Bosch, at no additional cost to their membership. In addition, all JetBlue customers will be able to rent or purchase hundreds of thousands of titles in the Amazon Instant Video store, including new release movies and day-after TV programming, over the free broadband internet.

Fly-Fi uses satellite technology to give customers Internet speeds that feel like what they have at home or work. Amazon and JetBlue worked together to ensure that the inflight entertainment system met the premium experience expected by customers when streaming movies and TV episodes from Amazon. Access to Amazon’s entertainment library will be built into the JetBlue Fly-Fi Hub, giving customers instant access to watch titles from Amazon on their laptops, Fire devices, iPhones, iPads and Android phones and tablets—no pre-flight download needed. JetBlue’s free Fly-Fi broadband Internet will be available on all JetBlue’s Airbus A321 and A320 aircraft this year, and on JetBlue’s Embraer E190 aircraft in 2016.

“Just like at home, customers will be able to access movies and TV shows from Amazon from 35,000 feet in the sky over our super fast and free Fly-Fi,” said Jamie Perry, Vice President, Brand and Product Development, JetBlue. “Amazon’s customer focus aligns perfectly with the experience we have created for our customers, including the best inflight entertainment, free unlimited snacks and beverages, lots of personal space with the most legroom in coach and wide, comfortable seating. By teaming up with a category-leader like Amazon, we created a unique model where we can offer complimentary broadband Internet access.”

Prime members will be able to instantly stream binge-worthy Amazon Original Series, including the Golden-Globe award-winning series Transparent, the hour-long police drama Bosch, and the Jason Schwartzman and Roman Coppola comedy, Mozart in the Jungle, in addition to original kids series such as the Emmy and Annie award winning series, Tumble Leaf and the Emmy nominated live-action series, Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street. They can also enjoy top network series available on Prime Instant Video such as The Americans, Downton Abbey, Justified, The Good Wife, Grimm, Mr. Selfridge Orphan Black, Sons of Anarchy, Suits, Veronica Mars and Vikings.

On top of unlimited instant access to movies and TV episodes, Amazon Prime members will be able to access and listen to more than one million songs available on Prime Music. All JetBlue customers will be able to purchase and download songs from the Amazon Music store, eBooks from the Kindle store, and apps and games from the Amazon Appstore and earn TrueBlue points when they shop specific categories on Amazon over the free Fly-Fi broadband internet while inflight or through JetBlue promotions.

Top Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N258JB (msn 19000047) in the Tartan scheme turns on its final river approach to Washington’s Reagan National Airport.

JetBlue Airways aircraft slide show:

Flybe to operate Liverpool-Amsterdam route, wants to sell seven Embraer 195s

Flybe (Exeter) recently announced that it will operate a new year round service between Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport starting on September 7. The airline will offer up to three flights a day departing early morning, lunchtime and late afternoons.

Meanwhile the carrier is moving towards an all-turboprop fleet. According to this article by Travel Weekly, “The carrier is to use two of a surplus fleet of E195 jets to start services from Cardiff airport, meaning that “solutions” have been found for half the fleet of 14 aircraft as it concentrates on operating a mainly turboprop fleet.

Flybe revealed that it was in “active discussions” to find a permanent solution for the remaining seven jets.”

Meanwhile the airline is on track to break even and the revised routes from London City Airport are showing progress according to the article.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Keith Burton/AirlinersGallery.com. The Embraer ERJ 195 have proved to be too large for the carrier forcing it to ground some of the E195s. The pictured ERJ 190-200LR (ERJ 195) G-FBEA (msn 19000029) at London (Gatwick) was acquired on September 1, 2006 but has since gone on to Kalstar Aviation as PK-KDA.

Flybe aircraft slide show:

KLM Cityhopper orders 15 Embraer E175s and two E190s to replace the Fokker 70s

KLM Cityhopper (Amsterdam) is adding more Embraer E-Jets including 15 Embraer E175+s, a new type for the carrier. Embraer just issued this statement:

Embraer announced today a firm order for 15 E175s and two E190s from KLM Cityhopper, KLM’s regional subsidiary. The contract for the 17 E-Jets also includes an option for 17 additional E-Jets for KLM Cityhopper or Air France regional subsidiary HOP!

Both the E190s and the E175s will be configured in single-class layouts. They will join the 28 E190s already flying with KLM Cityhopper to replace the remaining 19 Fokker F70s that the carrier is phasing out.

The delivery of the first E190 is scheduled to occur by year-end. The first E175 will join KLM Cityhopper’s fleet in the first quarter of 2016. The Air France/KLM group started the process of replacing the Fokker 100 for E-Jets in Regional/Air France and KLM Cityhopper in 2008, in order to enhance the existing network and to permit the development of new routes. When the last aircraft from this order is delivered, Air France/KLM group will have 71 E-Jets, the largest E-Jet fleet in Europe.

The E175s feature a new wingtip that, among other technical enhancements, improves aerodynamic performance. Fuel consumption on a typical flight is 6.4% lower than the original E175. The reduction makes the operating economics of today’s E175s comparable to large-capacity turboprops and presents new opportunities for the E175.

KLM Cityhopper operates around 300 flights a day for KLM. These flights all serve cities within Europe, 54 of which are essentially business destinations. Each day, around 18,000 passengers choose to fly with KLM Cityhopper.

KLM issued this statement:

Arrival of the new Embraers will be coupled with phasing out nineteen Fokker 70s from service. The timing will be synchronised with the delivery of the Embraers. In 2018, the KLM Cityhopper fleet will consist of thirty E190 and fifteen E175+ aircraft. This represents an enormous efficiency gain since the entire fleet will then consist of Embraer aircraft. KLM Cityhopper’s cockpit crews operate both Embraer types.

Additionally, KLM Cityhopper and Hop! have together signed an option for seventeen new Embraers. Increased seat capacity The seat capacity of the KLM Cityhopper fleet will increase with the acquisition of the new Embraers. The E190 is equipped with 100 seats and the E175+ boasts 88 seats. The Fokker 70 offers 80 seats; the middle seat cannot be booked in Business Class.

The fifteen E175+ will be equipped with ultramodern slim seats. The two E190s will be equipped with the same comfortable seats as those in the existing Embraer 190 fleet.

Better fuel efficiency The new Embraer fleet boasts far better fuel efficiency in comparison with the Fokker 70 fleet. The latest E175+ is the most efficient and economical aircraft in the Embraer series. And the aircraft will of course also be delivered in the new KLM livery.

KLM Cityhopper aircraft slide show:

JetBlue Airways hit with an IT system outage, experiencing delays today

JetBlue Airways (New York) this morning issued this short statement:

JetBlue experienced an IT system outage early this morning that has created delays in the system. Due to this IT issue, delays are expected throughout the day. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused and will provide updates as available.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N346JB (msn 19000504) in the Barcode tail scheme arrive at New York (JFK) hub.

JetBlue Airways aircraft slide show:

Air Moldova to relaunch Chisinau – Madrid flights

Air Moldova (Chisinau) expands its route network by relaunching the new nonstop flights on the Chisinau-Madrid-Chisinau route, starting on April 9, 2015.

The restored route will be operated once per week, on Thursdays, by Embraer-190 aircraft according to the following schedule:

Departure from Chisinau – 19:40 (local time)
Arrival to Madrid – 22:45 (local time)
Departure from Madrid – 00:40 (local time)
Arrival to Chisinau – 05:20 (local time)

Air Moldova aircraft slide show:

Finnair to open up routes to Umeå, Luleå, Norrköping and Visby in Sweden

Finnair (Helsinki) opens new routes to Sweden, and will fly daily to Luleå and Umeå on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia during the summer season 2015 connecting these growing centers to Finnair’s wide network of destinations in Asia, Europe and North America with daily frequencies.

Located by the Baltic Sea, Umeå is the largest city in northern Sweden, with a growing population and vibrant cultural life. Also by the Baltic Sea, Luleå is one of Sweden’s northernmost cities, with a long history in steel manufacturing and technical know-how.

Finnair is also taking over routes previously marketed by Flybe Finland from Helsinki to Visby on Gotland Island and to Norrköping in central Sweden.

Visby is known for its well-preserved medieval city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its beautiful scenery and historical attractions make it an ideal summer holiday destination. Norrköping is a lively city in central Sweden, and the host of Sweden’s largest music festival. Finnair flies to Norrköping daily, and to Visby three times per week during the summer season.

Finnair also operates several daily frequencies to Stockholm and Gothenburg.

Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100LR OH-LKK (msn 19000127) approaches the runway at Zurich.

Finnair aircraft slide show:

JetBlue Airways’ pilots request open contract negotiations under the Railway Labor Act

Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), representing the pilots of JetBlue Airways (New York) today issued this statement:

The pilots of JetBlue Airways, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), today sent official notice to company management requesting to open contract negotiations under the federal Railway Labor Act. The notice marks the first labor negotiations in the history of JetBlue from any segment of its workforce. Currently, JetBlue pilots are the only unionized workforce at the airline.

“Our negotiators have worked hard to prepare for this day and look forward to successful negotiations for a first contract,” said Capt. Jim Bigham, chairman of the JetBlue pilots’ Master Executive Council. “While we see the bargaining process as an opportunity to make positive changes for our pilots, we hold no illusions that this will be an easy process. However, while attaining our first labor agreement will require intense focus and commitment, we also will continue to work with management to ensure we contribute positively to JetBlue’s success.

“I’m optimistic about the group’s opportunities for success. We will work hard and efficiently, but we will also be careful and take the time necessary to assure that the final product is done right. All pilots have a right to expect this approach, and it will govern everything we do moving forward.”

The Association’s request to begin negotiations pursuant to the Railway Labor Act was sent by ALPA President Tim Canoll. Negotiations are scheduled to begin on March 31, 2015, in New York. Future negotiations will alternate between New York and Washington.

“We hope the attitude and atmosphere of cooperation and professionalism will prevail as we work to secure long overdue improvements to our existing working conditions,” said Bigham.

In April 2014, an overwhelming majority of JetBlue pilots voted to join ALPA in hopes of gaining a meaningful voice in their future and the certainty of a collective bargaining agreement. Contract negotiations in the airline industry are governed by the Railway Labor Act—the federal statute that sets the rules for collective bargaining, representation, and grievance processing in the airline and railroad industries.

Copyright Photo: Fred Freketic/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N238JB (msn 19000039) arrives at New York’s JFK International Airport (JFK).

JetBlue Airways to fly to Nantucket from Washington, D.C.

JetBlue Airways (New York) has announced it will launch new seasonal Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Nantucket, Massachusetts (ACK) service this summer. The new nonstop route will be launched on June 19, 2015, and will operate on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through September 6, 2015. Additional flights will be added for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Nantucket marks the 12th nonstop destination from Reagan National, where JetBlue has steadily increased its presence since it started serving the close-in Washington airport in 2010.

Flights will be operated on JetBlue’s 100-seat Embraer E190. It is the largest aircraft to serve Nantucket Memorial Airport.

JetBlue operates 30 daily flights at Reagan National Airport, making it the airline’s sixth largest city. JetBlue also serves the National Capital Region with flights from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N353JB (msn 19000576) completes the final river approach into Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA).

JetBlue Airways aircraft slide show:

Kalstar Aviation puts its first Embraer 195 into revenue service

Kalstar Aviation (Serpong, Indonesia) is the newest Embraer E-Jet operator. The Indonesian carrrier has placed its first Embraer ERJ 195 into revenue service in a 2 and 2 seating configuration flying between Jakarta, Berau, Surabaya and Pontianak.