Tag Archives: ERJ 190-100LR

Finnair to offer air-to-rail connection between Helsinki and St. Petersburg with VR trains

Finnair (Helsinki) and Finnish railway operator VR are cooperating to offer combined air-and-rail tickets between St. Petersburg, Russia and international destinations connecting via the Helsinki hub.

Combined air-and-rail tickets will enable passengers flying throughout Finnair’s network in Europe, Asia and North America to connect to and from St. Petersburg on a high-speed Allegro train. Finnair began selling the combined tickets on October 1, 2014, and the first Allegro train (below) connection with AY code will be on December 1, 2014.

The train ride between Helsinki’s Central Railway Station and St. Petersburg’s Finland Station takes 3 hours and 36 minutes. Passport and customs procedures are carried out on board the train while en route, saving customers’ time and allowing for a smooth passenger experience. The ticket also allows stopovers in Helsinki, enabling customers with business in both cities to make a single booking while also giving leisure travellers the opportunity to take time to explore the Finnish capital region.

In other news, Finnair has released this statement:

The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) has awarded Finnair a position on The A List: The CDP Climate Performance Leadership Index 2014, for actions to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the business risks of climate change.

The index presents 187 listed companies identified as demonstrating a superior approach to climate change mitigation. The A List is compiled by CDP, an NGO that provides the only global environmental reporting system at the request of 767 investors who represent some $92 trillion (US) in assets, or more than a third of the world’s invested capital.

Information provided by nearly 2,000 listed companies has been independently assessed against CDP’s widely-respected scoring methodology and ranked accordingly. Finnair is the only airline awarded an A grade for its climate performance, earning a position on this global ranking of corporate efforts to mitigate climate change.

“Aviation is an extremely energy- and capital-intensive sector, and our advanced capacity to measure and disclose information relating to this intensity allows us and our shareholders not only to understand Finnair’s climate impact but take steps to actively mitigate it while also controlling costs,” says Finnair CEO Pekka Vauramo. “This recognition from CDP shows that we are determined to proactively meet a commercial and regulatory landscape that is rapidly being transformed by climate change.”

“Global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and we face steep financial risk if we do not mitigate them,” says CDP CEO Paul Simpson.

“The business case for action to mitigate climate change has never been stronger or more urgent. For this reason we congratulate those businesses that have achieved a position on The A List: The CDP Climate Performance Leadership Index. These companies are responding to market demand for environmental accountability and at the same time are making progress towards the realization of sustainable economies.”

Finnair is on track to reduce per-seat CO2 emissions by 24 percent between 2009 and 2017. The airline’s actions to reach this target and improve its environmental performance include:

Flying with a modern, fuel-efficient fleet. In 2013 Finnair was the global launch customer of Airbus A321 with fuel-saving Sharklets and next year will be the European launch customer of the next-generation A350XWB, which will be approximately 25 per cent more fuel-efficient (and less carbon intensive) than the previous generation of aircraft.

Strict “weight watching” of aircraft, including flying with ultra-light ULDs (unit load devices, or cargo containers) that save more than 2.5 million kg of CO2 emissions every year.

Continuous Descent Landings and other operational measures to limit fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Exploring the development (with partners in the value chain) of a biofuel hub at Helsinki Airport

In 2013, consolidating its offices and moving to a new LEED Platinum-certified head office near Helsinki Airport.

Top Copyright Photo: Paul Denton/AirlinersGallery.com. Finnair’s Embraer ERJ 190-100LR OH-LKI (msn 19000117) taxies at Geneva (all others by VR).

Finnair:

VR Train Route Map in Finland and extended routes to Russia:

Finnair Aircraft Slide Show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Europe-2/Airlines-Europe-2/Finnair

Air Moldova is coming to Turin, Italy starting on December 16

Air Moldova (Chisinau) expands its route network with the launch of new nonstop flights on the Chisinau-Turin-Chisinau route, starting on December 16, 2014.

The new Chisinau-Turin-Chisinau flights will be operated twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays with the Embraer 190 aircraft according to the following schedule (all times are local):

Departure from Chisinau – 1350
Arrival to Turin – 1510
Departure from Turin – 1600
Arrival to Chisinau – 1930

With the launch of the flight to Turin, the number of nonstop routes will reach 25 destinations: Antalya, Athens, Barcelona, Bodrum, Bologna, Bucharest, Dublin, Frankfurt, Heraklion, Istanbul, Kiev, Larnaca, Lisbon, London, Milan, Moscow, Nijnevartovsk, Paris, Rome, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Surgut, Turin, Venice and Verona.

For August 2014, Air Moldova set a new record. For the first time in its history, the company has managed to carry over 100,000 passengers or more exactly, 109,000 passengers during a month. This represents an increase of 58% over the same period in 2013.

Air Moldova has also managed to reach a market share at Chisinau International Airport of 53% in August or 10 percentage points more than last year.

Overall, for the first 8 months of the year, Air Moldova transported 524,000 passengers, an increase of 170,000 passengers (+ 48%) compared with the same period in 2013. ‎ At the same time, Air Moldova transported over 22,000 transfer passengers at Chisinau International Airport, an increase of 70 percent.

Copyright Photo: Paul Denton/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100LR ER-ECB (msn 19000325) prepares to land in Antalya.

Air Moldova Aircraft Slide Show: CLICK HERE

AeroMexico restores the Monterrey-Houston route on November 3

AeroMexico (Mexico City) is resuming two routes from Monterrey on November 3; to both Torreon and Houston. The Monterrey-Houston route was last operated in January 2011 per Airline Route.

In other news, AeroMexico previously announced a fourth weekly flight between Merida and Miami effective on November 8. This new service will operate on Saturdays and, as the current three frequencies, will be operated with a 99-seat Embraer 190.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. AeroMexico Connect‘s (Aerolitoral) Embraer ERJ 190-100LR XA-ACJ (msn 19000531) arrives in Los Angeles.

AeroMexico:

AeroMexico Connect:

Tianjin Airlines purchases 20 Embraer E-Jets and 20 E-Jets E2

Embraer has issued this statement about a new order from Tianjin Airlines (HNA Group) (Tianjin):

During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s State visit to Brazil, in a signing ceremony witnessed by the Presidents of both nations, Embraer S.A. concluded an agreement for the sale of 40 aircraft to China’s Tianjin Airlines, a subsidiary of the HNA Group. The contract, with an estimated value of $2.1 billion at list prices, is comprised of 20 E-Jets and 20 E-Jets E2, which also makes HNA Group and Tianjin Airlines the first Chinese airline to order the E-Jets E2 model.

The first current generation E-Jet will be delivered in 2015, and the first E-Jet E2 is scheduled for delivery in 2018. This order will be incorporated in Embraer’s backlog as soon as Embraer receives the initial payment from the customer.

The E-Jets E2 adopts state-of-the-art engines in combination with new aerodynamically advanced wings, full fly-by-wire flight controls and advancements in other systems, which will result in significant improvements in fuel burn, maintenance costs, emissions and external noise.

The first delivery of an E-Jet E2 is planned for the first semester of 2018.

The Embraer-Tianjin Airlines partnership is well established. Tianjin Airlines was the launch customer for the E190 in China and operates the largest E-Jets fleet in Asia with 50 E190s in its fleet. It is also the first carrier in China being appointed as an Authorized Service Center for Embraer aircraft in that country. Recently, the carrier announced to install Embraer AHEAD-PRO system for all its 50 E190s, becoming the first user of this system in China.

HNA Group Tianjin Airlines was launched as the first true regional airline in China in 2009. In 2010, the carrier changed its focus from purely regional operations to a combination of mainline and regional services. Its aim is to become a medium to large-size international airline as it pursues a new “regional aviation and global operations” strategy. In 2011, Tianjin Airlines received the “Best Regional Aviation Airline in China” and “Global Four-star Airlines” awards from Skytrax for its outstanding achievement. Today, the carrier operates a fleet of over 80 jets that serves some 90 domestic and international cities and carries over 8 million travelers.

Copyright Photo: Tomas Asensio Lopez/AirlinersGallery.com. Tianjin Airlines’ Embraer ERJ 190-100LR B-3152 (msn 19000274) is pictured on its delivery flight at Las Palmas.

Tianjin Airlines Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Borajet Airlines to acquire four Embraer 190s

Borajet Airlines (Istanbul-Sabiha Gökçen) has ratified an agreement to acquire four Embraer 190s as part of an initiative to gradually upgrade its turboprop fleet, add capacity and frequencies, and grow its network. The airline is acquiring the 100-seat, single-class E190s through a third party lease agreement. The first E190 revenue flight is slated to begin later this month.

The first E190 for Borajet landed at Sabiha Gökçen Airport on June 29, 2014.

Borajet was established in 2008 with three ATR 72-500s.

Copyright Photo: Matt Varley/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100LR EI-FCN (msn 19000263) poses at Norwich before its delivery flight.

Finnair to add three new routes to Russia this summer, celebrates 90 years of flying

Finnair (Helsinki) is expanding eastward into Russia this summer with three new routes to Kazan (August 18), Nizhniy Novgorod (July 25) and Samara (August 7). The new routes will be operates three days a week with Embraer 190s by Flybe Finland.

The airline issued this statement:

This summer we’ll start operating direct scheduled flights to Nizhny Novgorod, Samara and Kazan in Russia.

Flights to Nizhny Novgorod (airport code GOJ) begins on July 25, while flights to Samara (KUF) start on August 7 and to Kazan (KZN) on August 18. The flights will be operated by Flybe Finland three times a week with Embraer E190 aircraft.

On June 2, Finnair celebrated 90 years of the first flight between Helsinki and Stockholm. Finnair, former Aero OY, operated the flight on June 2, 1924. The flight was an adventure and the two and a half hour trip took in total 21 hours. Today, after 90 years of the first service, Finnair has up to 8 daily flights between Helsinki and Stockholm. The poster is from 1925 (see below).

Top Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100LR OH-LKP (msn 19000416) taxies at Sockholm (Arlanda).

Finnair:

1925 Poster (Finnair):

Montenegro Airlines adds its first Embraer 190

Montenegro Airlines (Podgorica) on May 16 added its first Embraer ERJ 190-100LR (4O-AOD, msn 19000665) (above) joining the three larger Embraer ERJ 195s (ERJ 190-200LRs). Montenegro is gradually phasing out its Fokker 100s with the new Embraers.

The airline commented on the arrival at the Podgorica base in Montenegro:

Podgorica – At exactly 40 minutes past one o’clock p.m. on May 18, an Embraer 190, anew plane in the Montenegro Airlines fleet, landed at the airport in Podgorica. This is the 4th aircraft of the Brazilian manufacturer Embraer in the fleet of the national carrier, and the first of the type of Embraer 190. By acquiring this plane, the national carrier has formed an impressive fleet, the youngest in the region.

Živko Banjević, Acting CEO, expressing his contentment over the arrival of aircraft, said he was proud that one of the most modern passenger planes of present-day was introduced in the national carrier’s fleet.

Montenegro Airlines:

Current Route Map:

Finnair receives approval to ease rules on electronic devices

Finnair (Helsinki) has received approval to ease rules on electronic devices and issued this statement:

The approval came from the Finnish Transport Safety Agency (Trafi).

Passengers may still be asked to switch off their devices if the visibility conditions are low during landing. Laptop computers are not considered handheld devices, and must always be switched off and stored properly during take-off and landing.

“Since the European Aviation Safety Agency recently eased its regulations concerning the operation of portable electronic devices, we have sought to apply these regulations to policies on board Finnair flights. Now with the necessary approvals in place, we are able to do so,” says Antti Aukia, Finnair’s VP Safety and Quality Management.

Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100LR OH-LKP (msn 19000416) approaches the runway at Zurich.

Finnair:

Air Moldova to open a new route to Barcelona starting on June 3

Air Moldova (Chisinau) has announced the launch of a new route between Chisinau and Barcelona starting on June 3, 2014.

The twice-weekly flight will be operated on Embraer 190 aircraft.

In other news, despite the tension in neighboring Ukraine, all flights to Russia are operating normally.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100LR ER-ECB (msn 19000325) exits the runway at Antalya, Turkey.

Air Moldova:

Route Map:

Ukraine International Airlines decreases the number of flights due to the current political crisis

Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) (Kiev) has decreased the number of flights operated each week from 343 to 305 due to the on-going political crisis in the Ukraine. The country is split along east (pro Russian) and west (pro European Union) areas of the country and whether it wants the country to be aligned with the European Union or the Russian Federation (the Ukraine was once part of the old Soviet Union). The two groups have been clashing in often violent rallies in various parts of the country. Now Russian President Vladimir Putin has put its armed forces in western Russia “on alert” according to the The Telegraph (so much for the recent “Olympic Spirit”). Despite this background of violence and tension, Ukraine International Airlines is planning to expand operations on April 1.

Read the full story from The Telegraph: CLICK HERE

The airline issued this statement:

As a result of social and political crisis in Ukraine the travel activity to/from Ukraine has leveled off.

Decline in demand for business and tourist trips affected advanced ticket reservations to Ukraine in February and March. This fact forces the airline to optimize flight program by decreasing frequency on certain routes within the period of February 24 –through March 29, 2014. Thus, the number of UIA-coded services is decreased from 343 to 305 scheduled flights per week. Due to well-developed partner network, UIA clients are offered alternative routes both on UIA-coded and partner airlines` flights.

As soon as the demand for air transportation is back to normal, UIA will increase the flight frequency quickly and efficiently to regenerate the previously scheduled traffic performance.

Starting on April 1, 2014, UIA plans to increase frequencies, offer new routes, and operate seasonal flights. Ticket sales for UIA new routes: Kiev – Chisinau, Kiev – Minsk, Kiev – Dushanbe, Kiev – New York, as well as additional flights to London, Barcelona and summer seasonal flights to Nice are already open.

Copyright Photo: Paul Denton/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100LR UE-EME (msn 19000614) of Ukraine International Airlines arrives in Geneva.

Ukraine International Airlines: