Tag Archives: King County

UPS starts to add Blended Winglets to its Boeing 767-300F freighters

UPS Airlines (United Parcel Service) (Atlanta and Louisville) has unveiled a new look for its flagship Boeing 767 fleet by adding winglets as a part of its sustainability efforts to save fuel and reduce emissions.

These wingtip devices, which are arrow-shaped surfaces attached to the tip of each wing, enhance the overall efficiency of the aircraft, saving fuel by reducing drag while also lowering noise emissions by improving take-off performance. The modifications will save UPS more than six million gallons of fuel each year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 62,000 metric tonnes. UPS estimates approximately a four percent fuel savings on each 767 flight.

“UPS continues to lead the industry in sustainable business practices,” said David Abney, UPS chief operating officer. “With the widest portfolio of services in the industry, we are constantly looking for ways to reduce emissions, and drive down operating costs so our customers have the solutions they need to compete in a global economy. These winglets are a perfect example of sustainability in action. They are good business and good stewardship.”

UPS currently operates 54 of the 767 aircraft with five on order. The company plans to have winglets on all 767 aircraft by the end of 2014. Winglets are already installed on UPS’s 747, and MD-11 fleets, and the A300-600 has a similar device called a wingtip fence.

The modifications will add approximately five and a half feet of span to each wing, and each winglet is 11 feet tall. Aircraft weight will increase by nearly 3,000 pounds due to the weight of the winglets and the extensive structural reinforcement of the wing structure. Even at this size and weight, the winglets will still reduce the amount of fuel used per flight.

Winglets improve the aerodynamics of the wing by extending the length of the wing and reducing the amount of drag, which is the force that opposes an aircraft’s motion in the air.

The winglet project is a sustainability initiative implemented by UPS Airlines. The company already operates one of the cargo sector’s youngest and most fuel-efficient air fleet, and is working to reduce its carbon intensity an additional 20 percent by 2020 from a 2005 baseline. Other highlights of the airline’s fuel conservation efforts include computer-optimized flight routes, aircraft taxi time management, and alternate-fuel ground support equipment.

Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. The first, Boeing 767-34AF ER N304UP (msn 27242) lands at Boeing Field (King County) in Seattle with the new device.

UPS:

Malindo Air to launch operations on two routes on March 22

Malindo Air (Kuala Lumpur) will launch operations with Boeing 737s on the Kuala Lumpur-Kota Kinabalu (three times daily) and Kuala Lumpur-Kuching (four times daily) routes on March 22.

Malindo Air is a joint venture between National Aerospace and Defence Industries (NADI) (51%) (Malaysia) and Lion Air (Jakarta, Indonesia) (49%). The name “Malindo” is a contraction of Malaysia and Indonesia.

Next the airline will add service from Kuala Lumpur to Bintulu, Miri, Sandakan and Sibu.

Read the full full story from The Star: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. The pictured Boeing 737-9GP ER 9M-LNF (msn 38687) was the first -900ER to be handed over (in a basic Lion Air color scheme) on March 14, 2013. The airliner is also a milestone delivery and carries a special 7500th Boeing 737 logo by the nose (below, courtesy of Malindo Air).

Editor’s “To The Point” Observation: This new launch will sharpen the competition between AirAsia and Lion Air. To underscore this point, please read this report from Reuters about this growing feud:

CLICK HERE

Initial Route Map:

RwandAir would like to double its fleet in the next five years

RwandAir (Kigali) would like to more than double its fleet in the next five years, including possibly adding the Boeing 787 Dreamliner according to this article by Reuters. The government airline added its first Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) (9XR-WH) (msn 15286) on October 17, 2012.

Besides the CRJ900, the fleet consists of two Next-Generation Boeing 737- 800s, two Boeing 737- 500s and a DHC-8-100.The new CRJ900s are replacing older and smaller 50-seat CRJ200s.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: James Helbock. The first Boeing 737-800, the pictured 737-84Y 9XR-WF (msn 40892), was added to the fleet on August 25, 2011, direct from Boeing. The airline is also the first to operate the 737 with the new Sky Interior in Africa.

RwandAir:

United Airlines orders 150 new Boeing 737-900 ER and 737 MAX 9 aircraft

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (Chicago) and its wholly owned subsidiary, United Air Lines, Inc. (United Airlines) (Chicago), today announced an order to purchase 150 narrow body Boeing 737 aircraft. Under the new agreement, United will purchase 100 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft and 50 Boeing 737-900 ER aircraft for delivery between 2013 and 2022. These new aircraft will allow United to replace older, less-efficient aircraft to reduce fuel and operating costs, enhance the customer experience and maximize network opportunities. In addition, United is the North American launch customer for the 737 MAX 9, continuing its long tradition of launching new programs such as the 767, 777 and 787.

United will begin taking delivery of 100 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft in 2018. Boeing’s newest family of airplanes will deliver a significant improvement in fuel efficiency in the single-aisle aircraft market. The 737 MAX 9 will be powered by the new CFM International LEAP-1B engine. The 737 MAX 9 is expected to achieve fuel burn and CO2 emission reductions of up to 13 percent compared to current 737 aircraft. United’s 737 MAX fleet will feature the customer-pleasing Boeing Sky Interior, which creates a greater sense of space in the cabin and features an energy-efficient LED lighting system with different lighting and color schemes, a quieter cabin with improved ventilation, and larger overhead bins that accommodate additional carry-on bags.

United also plans to purchase 50 additional Boeing 737-900 ER aircraft with deliveries beginning in late 2013. These next-generation models will be used primarily to replace older, less-efficient Boeing 757-200 aircraft that are flown domestically and are expected to burn up to 15 percent less fuel per seat than the aircraft they replace. CFM56-7B engines will power the aircraft. United was the North American launch customer for the 737-900 ER when its predecessor placed its first order in 2006 and currently operates a fleet of 43 737-900 ER aircraft.

The new 737-900 ER will also feature the Boeing Sky Interior, which has been included on United’s 737-900 ER aircraft since United became the first U.S. airline to operate 737-900 ER aircraft with the new interior in 2011.

This order solidifies United’s well-balanced order book with 272 new aircraft deliveries anticipated through 2022, including 50 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 25 Airbus A350 XWBs. United will be the first North American carrier to take delivery of the 787 Dreamliner, a revolutionary airplane that will provide customers a superior travel experience while reducing fuel and operating costs by up to 20 percent, with the first delivery scheduled in late September.

Top Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Boeing 737-924 ER N36444 prepares to depart from Seattle (Boeing Field).

United Airlines:

Video: United will be the launch customer of the Boeing 737 MAX 9:

Bottom Image: United. The Boeing 737 MAX 9.

Malaysia Airlines introduces a new color scheme with the first of 35 new Boeing 737-800s

Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-8H6 WL 9M-MXA (msn 40128) BFI (Rick Schlamp) (new livery), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur) will soon officially introduce this new color scheme for its fleet. The first (of 35) new Boeing 737-800 completed its first flight yesterday in the new look.

What do you think? Do you like the new look? Vote in our Airline Poll.

CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Rick Schlamp. Boeing 737-8H6 9M-MXA (msn 40128) arrives back at Seattle (Boeing Field) in the new livery.

Xiamen Airlines is planning to order 10 Boeing 737s

Xiamen Airlines Boeing 737-85C WL B-5459 (msn 35057) BFI (Joe G. Walker), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Xiamen Airlines (Xiamen) is planning to order 10 Boeing 737 jets according to this report in Flightglobal.

Read the full report:

CLICK HERE

ANA changes 15 Dreamliner orders to 787-9s

ANA (All Nippon Airways) Boeing 787-881 N787EX (msn 34488) BFI (Gabor Hajdufi) (test aircraft ZA002), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

ANA (All Nippon Airways (Tokyo) has decided to change 15 of its current orders for the Boeing 787-8 aircraft to the 787-9 model. ANA currently has a total of 55 orders for the Dreamliner.

The 787-9 aircraft is an extended body version of the 787-8 model, appropriate for short, mid-haul and long-haul international routes. The model will also meet the increasing need for 400 seat-capacity aircraft for domestic routes, and will further improve the flexibility of our fleet and network planning. Furthermore, like the 787-8 model, it is a highly fuel efficient aircraft which will enable ANA to reduce operating costs and carbon dioxide emission.

Copyright Photo: Gabor Hajdufi. The first 787-881 to appear in launch customer ANA’s colors is test aircraft ZA002 registered as N787EX (msn 34488). The airliner arrives at Seattle (Boeing Field-King County) after a test flight.

Hansung Airlines to fly again as t’way

Hansung Airlines (Cheongju) suspended all operations on October 18, 2008. The company has reorganized and is planning to resume low fare operations this month under a new name. The carrier will operate Boeing 737-800s under the brand name of T’way Air (stilized as t’way). The ATR 72s have been retired.

Here is the new redesigned website (in Korean):

CLICK HERE

Boeing conducts remote 787 testing

Boeing 787-881 N7874 (msn 40693) BFI (Rick Schlamp) , originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charles) is conducting remote testing of its 787 test aircraft. Four of the five Boeing 787 flight test airplanes are conducting remote test operations this week. ZA005 continues testing from its base of operations in Seattle.

ZA001, the first 787, is taking a break from operations out of Edwards Air Force Base in California for a week’s worth of testing in Roswell, NM. This is ZA001’s second visit to Roswell. Last month the airplane conducted wet-runway testing there. Testing in the days ahead will include rejected-takeoff conditions. ZA001 has been on remote deployment to Edwards Air Force Base for several weeks, with a focus on takeoff- and landing-performance conditions.

The second 787 is conducting high-latitude and cold-weather testing at Keflavik Airport in Iceland.

The hot weather in Yuma, AZ, with temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), has provided the necessary conditions for another set of tests happening on ZA003. Its deployment is expected to last about another week.

ZA004 has spent an extended time operating out of Victorville, CA, conducting flight loads survey testing. This testing measures external pressure distributions throughout the flight envelope. ZA004 is set to do testing in Glasgow, MT, after it wraps up its California testing.

Artificial ice shapes have been affixed to the leading edges of the wings and horizontal and vertical stabilizer of the fifth 787 to complete another group of tests required for certification. Ice-shape testing verifies the airplane’s performance in the presence of ice. Natural ice testing has already occurred.

The 787 flight test fleet has conducted more than 1,650 hours of flying over more than 540 flights.

Copyright Photo: Rick Schlamp. One of the test aircraft, the fourth (ZA004), Boeing 787-881 N7874 (msn 40693) taxies past the camera at wet Seattle (Boeing Field-King County).

Boeing delays the first 787 delivery to ANA to mid first quarter 2011

ANA (All Nippon Airways) Boeing 787-881 N787EX (msn 34488) BFI (Gabor Hajdufi) (test aircraft ZA002), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) said that it now expects delivery of the first 787 to ANA in the middle of the first quarter 2011.

The delivery date revision follows an assessment of the availability of an engine needed for the final phases of flight test this fall.

While Boeing works closely with Rolls-Royce to expedite engine availability, flight testing across the test fleet continues as planned.

Boeing said last month that the cumulative impact of a series of issues, including supplier workmanship issues related to the horizontal stabilizer and instrumentation delays, could push first delivery of the 787 a few weeks into 2011. The delay in engine availability has extended that estimate to mid-first quarter 2011.

Meanwhile, due to the new delay, Kenya Airways is threatening to cancel its order for the new airplane.

Copyright Photo: Gabor Hajdufi. Boeing 787-881 N787EX (msn 34488) (test aircraft ZA002) arrives back at Seattle (Boeing Field-King County) after a test flight.