Tag Archives: Gatwick

The Guardian: Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson to help develop a new Air Djibouti

Air Djibouti (1st) (Djibouti) operated from 1963 to 2002. Bruce Dickinson of the Iron Maiden and formerly of Astraeus Airlines (2002 – 2011), is helping to get the new version of Air Djibouti airborne through his Cardiff Aviation.

Bruce Dickinson is an English musician, airline pilot (who used to fly for Astraeus Airlines), broadcaster and the lead vocalist of the heavy metal Iron Maiden band.

Video:

Read the article from The Guardian: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright photo: Christian Volpati/AirlinersGallery.com. The original Air Djibouti touted itself as the “Red Sea Airline”. Douglas DC-6B F-OCYJ (msn 43740) sits at Paris (Orly).

Air Djibouti (1st) aircraft slide show:

Astraeus Airlines aircraft slide show:

Bottom Copyright photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Astraeus Airlines had two special “Iron Maiden” special liveries. The 2007 “Iron Maiden 1 – Somewhere Back in Time World Tour) livery was painted on Boeing 757-23A G-OJIB (msn 24292) pictured departing from London (Gatwick).

Virgin Atlantic plans to operate the last Boeing 747 flight from Heathrow in April 2016

Virgin Atlantic Airways (London) has tentatively scheduled the last Boeing 747-400 revenue flight for Heathrow Airport with an arrival on April 18, 2016 in London. According to Airline Route, the last planned flight is currently flight VS 006 departing Miami at 9:50 pm (2150) on April 17, 2016 and arriving the next day (April 18) at London (Heathrow) at 11:30 am (1130).

Virgin Atlantic has operated the Boeing Jumbo since its inception on June 22, 1984. The pictured ex-Aerolineas Argentinas Boeing 747-287B G-VIRG (msn 21189) (above), named “Maiden Voyager”, operated the first Virgin Atlantic flight between London (Gatwick) and Newark.

Top Copyright Photo: Richard Vandervord/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 747-287B G-VIRG (msn 21189) holds short of the runway, ready for departure from Gatwick Airport. Click on the photo for the large view (note the humorous painted-on painter falling off the tail and dropping red paint on the fuselage).

Virgin Atlantic aircraft slide show:

Bottom Copyright Photo: SPA/AirlinersGallery.com. Virgin Atlantic added the first Boeing 747-400 on April 28, 1994 with the arrival of Boeing 747-4Q8 G-VFAB (msn 24958) “Lady Penelope”. Sister ship Boeing 747-4Q89 G-VBIG (msn 26255) arrives at London (Heathrow).

TUI Group to retire the Thomson brand in the UK

TUI Group (Hannover) has decided to retire the Thomson brand in the United Kingdom according to this report by Reuters. The retirement of the Thomson brand, which started selling holiday packages in 1965, would presumably also include Thomson Airways (formerly Thomsonfly) (London-Gatwick), although this remains unconfirmed.

The TUI Group is moving towards a single TUI brand and this of course would probably also affect Arke (Arkefly) and Jetairfly. The move is expected to take several years to complete.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Route Map: Current routes from London Gatwick:

Copyright Photo below: SPA/AirlinersGallery.com. Thomson Airways’ Boeing 737-8K5 G-TAWA (msn 37264) completes the final approach to the runway at London’s Gatwick Airport (LGW).

Thomson Airways aircraft slide show:

EasyJet swings to a six-month profit

EasyJet (easyJet.com) (UK) (London-Luton) reversed its financial fortunes and produced a six-month profit (before taxies) (ending on March 31) of £7 million ($7.8 million). This compares favorably with a loss of £53 million ($59.6 million) in the same period a year ago.

The airline issued these additional details:

Strategic Progress:

Drive demand, conversion and yields across Europe

• Total revenue per seat increased by 2.6% year-on-year on a constant currency basis, and by 0.2% per seat on a reported basis, to £54.91 driven, in part, by the disciplined allocation of capacity, improvement in load factor, strong October trading, timing of Easter and performance of allocated seating.
• Average load factors increased by 0.7 percentage points to 89.7% whilst capacity grew by 3.6% to 32.2 million seats.

Maintain cost advantage

• Cost per seat excluding fuel grew by 2.9% on a constant currency basis and decreased by 1.4% on a reported basis to £38.66. The increase in cost per seat was driven by anticipated increases in charges at regulated airports mainly in Germany and Italy, increased disruption costs in the second quarter and costs associated with building a resilient operation ahead of new crew base openings.
• easyJet lean delivered £21 million of sustainable savings in the six months to March 31, 2015.
• From May 2016 all future deliveries of A320 aircraft to have 186 seats; existing A320 180 seat fleet to be retrofitted starting in winter 2016. 186 seat A320 expected to deliver a cost per seat saving of 2% vs. a 180 seat A320.
• Component support contract signed with AJW Group to drive savings in maintenance costs from October 2015.

Build strong number 1 and 2 network positions

• easyJet opened new bases in Amsterdam and Porto bringing the total number of bases to 26.

Disciplined use of capital

•In the six months to March 31, 2015, easyJet returned £180 million or 45.4 pence per share to shareholders through the payment of an ordinary dividend at an increased payout ratio of 40% of profit after tax for the year ended September 30, 2014.

• easyJet ended the first half of the financial year with cash and money market deposits of £976 million, a decrease of £93 million against last year. Net cash as at 31 March 2015 was £416 million compared to £449 million at March 31, 2014.

Commenting on the results, Carolyn McCall, easyJet Chief Executive said:

“easyJet has delivered a record performance in the first half of the year by continuing to deliver its strategy of making travel easy and affordable for passengers. The profit in the half reflects the delivery of our customer focused revenue initiatives and a strong finish to the ski season as well as the benefit we received from the lower fuel price and favourable foreign exchange movements.

As we enter the important summer season forward bookings are in line with last year and as we predicted passengers are benefitting as fares fall to reflect a more competitive operating environment and lower fuel costs. easyJet continues to be well positioned to grow revenue and profit this year, delivering sustainable returns to shareholders due to its compelling network, low cost base and strong balance sheet.”

Analysis of the results and a comment from Ken Odeluga, a senior market analyst at www.cityindex.co.uk

EasyJet has swung to a net profit at the typically weak half-way stage of the airline financial year and I think this can only emphasise that its making solid progress against its only true rival, at the moment, Ryanair.

It has edged the bar slightly higher against RYA with a 7 basis point extension of its lead on load factor to 89.7% vs. RYA latterly on 88% (Dec.). EZJ has now having maintained an average passenger yield advantage for almost every interim period since 2012.

Naturally, landing in the black for the first half bodes especially well for the rest of EZJ’s financial year, although despite the airline saying the outlook is broadly in line for the rest of the year, it will not have the advantage of fuel prices quite as low as they were in the prior period, therefore there’s scope for full-year forecasts to be scaled back—though only moderately in my view.

However as the market opened this morning it decided to look past these strengths and focus on the disruption EZJ warned of a few days ago from French air traffic control industrial action.
I do believe that the airline has been suitably, but perhaps overly cautious on the magnitude of impact these will have on the third quarter, though of course further qualification may come in the call (0930BST)

Copyright Photo below: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A319-111 G-EZDA (msn 3413) prepares to land at London (Gatwick) painted in the new 2015 livery.

EasyJet aircraft slide show:

Sea Air of Croatia to start flights on May 18

Sea Air (Osijek) of Croatia will launch scheduled passenger operations on May 18 from Osijek to Frankfurt, Munich and Vienna using a 160-seat McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 wet leased from Ten Airways (Tend Air) of Romania according to Balkans.com.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Terry Wade/AirlinersGallery.com. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82) YR-MDK (msn 49139) arrives at London (Gatwick).

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:

Norwegian today launches London Gatwick – Orlando flights

Norwegian Long Haul (Norwegian Air Shuttle) (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) today (April 4) launched nonstop Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner service from London (Gatwick) to Orlando. Earlier this week, Norwegian also started the first nonstop flight between Copenhagen and Orlando. Orlando was launched as a long-haul destination by Norwegian last year from Oslo.

According to the airline, “the London Gatwick (LGW) to Orlando (MCO) route will go operate once a week, on Saturdays. To launch more long-haul routes between London Gatwick and the United States is part of Norwegian’s strategy to grow globally and get a stronger foothold internationally. Last summer, Norwegian launched direct flights to New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX) to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood (FLL) from London Gatwick.

Norwegian currently has seven Dreamliner planes that operate long-haul routes between the US and Europe, and between Scandinavia and Asia. In 2018, Norwegian will have a long-haul fleet of 17 Dreamliner aircraft.”

Norwegian aircraft slide show:

British Airways to add London Gatwick-Vienna service

British Airways (London) will add the London (Gatwick) – Vienna, Austria route on September 17. The carrier will operate six days a week with Airbus A319s according to Airline Route.

British Airways aircraft slide show:

Talks between Norwegian Air Norway (NAN) and the Norwegian Pilot Union (NPU) break down

Norwegian Air Norway (Norwegian Air Shuttle) (Oslo) is a subsidiary of Norwegian Air Shuttle.

Norwegian Air Shuttle recently transferred its first aircraft (Norwegian registered LN-DYY, msn 39012) to the Irish registry according to Skyliner Aviation. The Boeing 737-8JP was reregistered on the Irish registry as EI-FHA on February 17. Ireland is part of European Union. Under Ireland, Norwegian registered aircraft will be able to operate on more European routes due to the prevailing bilateral restrictions from Norway to the EU.

In February 2014, Norwegian Air Shuttle’s Irish subsidiary, Norwegian Air International, received its Air Operators Certificate (AOC). The AOC issued in Ireland gives the company future traffic rights to and from the European Union. Norwegian Air International is seeking rights to operate the Boeing 787s to the United States and theoretically replace Norwegian Long Haul.

The Norwegian Long Haul Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners (currently operating on long range routes) are also registered in Ireland. Norwegian Long Haul however has a separate Norwegian AOC with the IATA code of DU.

All aircraft operate under the “Norwegian” brand.

According to News in English (from Norway) the pilots are striking because airline management wants to “cut their pensions, pay and insurance benefits”. According to the report, the pilots are “fighting for a permanent collective bargaining agreement with Norwegian Air’s parent company, Norwegian Air Shuttle.” The union also fears the company will try to replace them with cheaper crews from crewing agencies or possibly declare bankruptcy.

Read the full full report: CLICK HERE

Meanwhile Norwegian Air Norway (Oslo) issued this statement:

Norwegian regrets that it was not possible to reach an agreement in mediation between the subsidiary Norwegian Air Norway (NAN) and the Norwegian Pilot Union (NPU). Norwegian’s goal remains to implement this weekend flights so far as is possible when a limited number of pilots have been on strike in the first round.

Norwegian had before the mediation proposed several completely necessary cost savings to ensure a sustainable business and future jobs. Unfortunately, the NPU / Parathyroid did not comply with these requirements but instead presented a claim that goes in the wrong direction relative to the agreements reached at the previous hearing in 2013. NPU demand the right to control the Norwegiankoncernen, collective agreements with a company they are employed in, and that the Norwegian collective agreement shall also apply outside Norway. Norwegian could not accept the requirement for koncernansenitet for NAN pilots, ie ansenitet in a company they are employed in. In practice, it would have given Scandinavian pilots the opportunity to oust colleagues at the other bases in Europe.

We really regret the uncertainty being created among our passengers. Our goal has always been to avoid a strike and get a solution and peace in the company. Now we will do what we can to take care of the passengers in the best possible way, says Norwegian’s CEO Bjørn Kjos.

The conflict comes for Norwegian Scandinavian subsidiary Norwegian Air Norway (NAN). This means that long routes between Scandinavia / UK and USA / Asia runs as usual. The bases in England, Finland and Spain are also not directly concerned.

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Registered in Norway, Boeing 737-86N LN-NOQ (msn 32658) departs from London (Gatwick).

Norwegian aircraft slide show:

Norwegian records its first annual loss after 7 years of profits for 2014 due to expansion and fuel hedging

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) recorded a net loss of NOK 1.05 billion ($138.5 million) for 2014, a surprising change from a net profit of NOK 322 million $42.4 million) in 2013. Norwegian blamed the reversal on its expansion and fuel hedging. The airline issued these details (translated from Norwegian):

Norwegian’s results for 2014 are characterized by strong revenue growth, increase in capacity and investment for the future. Fuel hedging for 2015 represents a major expense item on the 459 million Norwegian kroner, which affects the annual result significantly. Major expenses for 2015 has thus been taken already in the beginning of the year. Results for the year amounted to -1.05 billion NOK compared to 322 million Norwegian kroner for 2013.

After seven years of surpluses presents Norwegian negative annual results. Sales amounted however, to 19.5 billion NOK – an increase of 25 percent. Capacity (ASK) increased by 35 percent, yet the load factor of 81 percent, up three percentage points from the previous year. A total of 24 million passengers traveled with Norwegian in 2014, an increase of 16 percent from 2013.

For the fourth quarter totaled underlying earnings to the same level as in 2013. The deficit of -958 million NOK depends largely on fuel hedging for 2015 and a weak krone. Thanks to the transfer of large parts of the Norwegian’s fleet to the subsidiary Arctic Asset Aviation Ltd. (AAA), the value of aircraft increased as the dollar. This has had a positive effect on 361 million Norwegian kroner on equity, which effectively compensates currency losses for operations during the fourth quarter of 2014.

Explanation of results in 2014

Major changes in exchange rates and fuel hedging for 2015 negatively impacted earnings and accounted for 690 million Norwegian kroner for the year as a whole. Furthermore, delays in the long lines cost the company 265 million Norwegian kroner in 2014. These costs include lease expenses, additional fuel and the cost of hotels, food and drink to delayed passengers. Cost of delay in the approval of the EU’s application for a US pilot’s license totaled EUR 117 million Norwegian kroner. Only “one-man strike” among cabin staff union Parat effected in May 2014 being accounted for 101 million Norwegian kroner.

Fourth quarter 2014

In the fourth quarter the Norwegian 4.6 billion Norwegian kroner, an increase of 22 percent compared to the same quarter last year. Profit amounted to SEK -958 million NOK compared to -194 million Norwegian kroner last year. During the fourth quarter flew 5.65 million passengers, with the company which corresponds to a passenger growth of eight percent. Capacity growth increased further towards the end of the year to 21 percent, while load factor increased by three percentage points to 81 percent.

“There is no reason to hide the fact that 2014 was a weak year for Norwegian. At the same time, we see several bright spots in the beginning of 2015. 2014 was marked by international expansion, particularly substantial investment in long-haul traffic. We notice that our growth strategy takes the form of an even stronger foothold internationally. Despite high investment costs, we have managed to reduce unit costs and renewed fleet further so that the average age is now down to 4 years.

We enter 2015 with good demand for air travel and get the full effect of low oil prices during the first quarter. Meanwhile, there is no doubt that the costs must be reduced further to ensure the company’s competitiveness in a very tough industry”, says Norwegian’s CEO Bjørn Kjos.

Copyright Photo: SPA/AirlinersGallery.com. Norwegian Boeing 737-8JP WL LN-NGD (msn 39049) with the image of Ivo Caprino on the tail arrives at Gatwick Airport near London.

Norwegian aircraft slide show: