Tag Archives: ERJ 170

Republic Airlines Embraer 170 veers off the runway into the grass at Kansas City while performing an engine run-up

Republic Airlines (2nd) (part of the Republic Airways Holdings group) (US Airways Express) (Indianapolis) Embraer 170 veered off of the runway at Kansas City International Airport this morning around 4:30 a.m. and ended up into the adjacent grass area while performing an overnight engine maintenance run-up. The nose wheel ended up being wedged into a gully that created a slow and difficult process to remove the aircraft. There were no injuries or apparent damage to the airliner.

Read the full report and video from KCTV Channel 5: CLICK HERE

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:

LOT Polish Airlines fights back against low-cost rivals with new low fare groups

LOT Polish Airlines (Warsaw) is introducing new “Economy Plus” and “Economy Simple” fare groups to remain competitive against low-fare airlines. The airline just issued this statement:

In June LOT is introducing new Economy Plus class of service in short and medium haul aircraft and LOT Economy Simple tariffs providing discounts of up to 30 percent off normal economy fares.

Passengers traveling in LOT Economy Plus will enjoy a business product for an economy price. They will have a dedicated hotline number, check-in desk, priority baggage and boarding service as well as a dedicated bus when the aircraft cannot be accessed from a jet bridge at Warsaw airport. On board, these passengers will have a choice of meals, beverages and alcoholic drinks just as in business class. They will sit in the front of the aircraft and obtain more miles in the frequent flyer program than before. Premium Economy passengers traveling on long-haul flights will connect to flights in Europe in LOT’s Economy Plus Class.

LOT has also prepared a special, simple and low-cost tariff called LOT Economy Simple created for the short-haul passengers who want to decide for themselves what services to use and when the fare price is the lowest. Ticket prices are 30 percent lower than in standard economy class. With a LOT Economy Simple ticket, a passenger has the option for online or airport check-in and while on board, served a drink and a sweet snack plus score frequent-flyer miles.This tariff is mainly for leisure travellers traveling only with their cabin luggage.To check luggage, there will be charged PLN 60 ($20) extra.In normal economy class, checked luggage is still free.

A ticket in LOT Economy Simple starts at PLN 199 ($65).For example, flights to Brussels are 30 percent off PLN 439 ($144) in Economy Simple vs. PLN 638 ($210) in Economy; to London 29 percent off PLN 499 ($164) in Economy Simple vs. PLN 705 ($232) in Economy and to Paris 24 percent off PLN 449 ($148) in Economy Simple vs. PLN 458 ($151) in Economy.

These new developments are another step in implementing the Restructuring Plan.In the past year, the airline focused primarily on cutting costs, looking for savings and beginning to improve the quality of the product and service standards.

“We significantly improved our results in the past year, but cutting costs alone is not enough,” said Sebastian Mikosz, CEO LOT Polish Airlines. “To achieve sustainable profitability, LOT has to grow and take better care of its passengers, by expanding the portfolio, offering better comfort and a broader range of optional services.”

Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) SP-LIE (msn 17000153) in the 1945 retrojet scheme taxies at Zurich.

LOT Polish Airlines:

Estonian Air reduces its loss by 83% in 2013 to $11 million

Estonian Air (Tallinn) is in the process of turning around its financial future through a restructuring plan. The company reported its net loss was reduced by 83 percent to $11 million for 2013.

The company issued this financial statement:

The results are in line with restructuring plan which is reflected by the positive operating result of 7.4 million euros. Estonian Air’s core business turned profitable in the second and third quarter, and in 2013 the airline managed to post its first positive monthly result in over three years. For the full year, the airline’s operating loss amounted to 4.2 million euros.

In 2013, the sales revenue of Estonian Air was 72.3 million euros. The company’s gross profit was 7.4 million euros and net loss 8.1 million euros ($11 million).

Compared to 2012, the sales revenue was 21% less. The gross profit increased by 147% and net loss was reduced by 83%. The loss of the airline in 2012 was 49.2 million euros.

“Estonian Air is in a much better position today than it was on November 1, 2012, when I took over as Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of Estonian Air. My mandate was to restructure the airline to sustainable operations. The airline has taken all the planned steps to reach that goal,” said Jan Palmér, the CEO of Estonian Air.

“The European Commission’s investigations into prior instances of state aid as well as the airline’s Restructuring Plan are ongoing. Together with our shareholder representatives, we are working to ensure that the decision expected in the near-term future will be positive,“ added Palmér.

According to Mr. Palmér, Estonian Air has downsized its operations to develop the airline into an efficient regional player focused on the Nordic and emerging nearest neighboring markets. “We have reduced the network to ten core destinations which is served with five aircraft, and turned the service concept to a regional model during the restructuring process,“ explained Palmér.

The total number of Estonian Air’s passengers in 2013 was 551 169, which is 37.9% less than in 2012. With the excess aircraft the airline increased its number of charter flights almost five times from 44 to 209.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Estonian Air downsized to a regional carrier as part of its restructuring plan. The fleet is now centered around three Bombardier CRJ900s and four Embraer 170s leased from Finnair. ERJ 170-100LR ES-AED (17000112) arrives in Stockholm (Arlanda).

Estonian Air:

LOT Polish Airlines introduces a 1945 retrojet color scheme on Embraer 175 SP-LIE

LOT Polish Airlines (Warsaw) has introduced an Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) registered as SP-LIE (msn 17000153) in a 1945 retro paint scheme. This livery was used by company from 1945 through 1973.

According to LOT, “On the interior walls are mounted vintage photos and posters”.

Video:

LOT Polish Airlines:

Air Lituanica to add seasonal service to Gothenburg and Malmo, Sweden

Air Lithuanica (Vilnius) will add seasonal twice-weekly flights to Gothenburg (Göteborg) starting on June 15. In addition, Malmö, the third largest city in Sweden, will be swerved twice-weekly from June 17.

The airline will also offer seasonal service to Billund, Denmark, three days a week, from June 16 through August 28.

Air Lithuanica:

Air Lituanica expands operations for the summer season

Air Lituanica (Vilnius) launched flights to Tallinn on March 12. The number of flights on the Prague route will be increased to 5 times a week, on business days. The flights to Munich will be increased to 4 flights per week; passengers will also have a chance to take a flight on Sundays. The number of flights to Berlin increases to 6 times per week; flights will be operated on a daily basis, excluding Saturdays.
On May 3 the carrier increased the number of flights to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris to 5 times a week.

Air Lituanica also flies to Brussels on a daily basis, excluding Saturdays.

Air Lituanica on March 5 added additional flights to Berlin (Tegel) and Prague on March 15.

Copyright Photo: Karl Cornil/AirlinersGallery.com. Operated by Estonian Air, Embraer ERJ 170-100LR ES-AEB (msn 17000106) has been replaced with an ERJ 175.

Air Lituanica:

Route Map:

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):

Pilots, represented by the Teamsters, and Republic Airways Holdings reach a tentative agreement

Republic Airways Holdings (Indianapolis) and the Teamsters Airline Division have announced they have reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract. The more than 2,200 pilots of Republic are represented by Teamsters Local 357 in Plainfield, Indiana and fly for the Republic’s subsidiaries, namely Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines (2nd) and Shuttle America.

The tentative agreement includes increases in pay that will place Republic pilots at or near the top of its regional airline peers. It also includes improvements in work rules, quality of life enhancements and more flexibility in scheduling as well as a significant signing bonus if ratified.

Bryan Bedford, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Republic Airways offered comment in a press release today.

“At a time when many of our competitors are moving in the opposite direction on pilot compensation, we are thrilled that Republic is able to significantly improve the wages and benefits of the more than 2,200 women and men who safely fly more than 1,300 daily scheduled flights for our major airline partners,” Bedford said.

“This TA reflects the dedication and hard work of the union and the company’s negotiating committees,” said Republic Airways Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Wayne Heller. “We thank the union representatives for their professionalism and commitment in reaching this agreement.”

The agreement will be presented to union members for review and a formal ratification vote, which is expected in March.

Copyright Photo: Keith Burton/AirlinersGallery.com. Shuttle America’s Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N202JQ (msn 17000240) operating as a Delta Connection carrier taxies at Boston’s Logan International Airport.

Delta Connection-Shuttle America:

Alitalia to finalize loans of $270 million with the banks in order to keep flying

Alitalia (2nd) (Rome) is about to finalize loans of around $270 million with banks that were pledged last year as part of a plan to keep the Italian flag carrier according to Reuters. However the carrier is coming under increasing pressure on its Italian turf from lost cost carriers (especially easyJet and Ryanair) now adding flights in Italy.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) EI-RDF (msn 17000337) taxies at Zurich (ZRH).

Alitalia: