Tag Archives: Manchester

Cathay Pacific to return to Manchester

Cathay Pacific Airways (Hong Kong) today (April 10) announced that it will launch a four-times-weekly service to Manchester on December 8, 2014 (subject to government approval).

The Manchester service will be operated by Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft.

Flights will depart from Hong Kong to Manchester every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Departures from Manchester are also on these days.

Copyright Photo: Stephen Tornblom/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-367 ER B-KPS (msn 39232) climbs away from Los Angeles International Airport.

Cathay Pacific:

Libyan Airlines and Afriqiyah Airways move slowly towards a merger

Libyan Airlines (Tripoli) issued this statement in their website:

Although Libyan Airlines flights to UK remain suspended until further notice, sister company, Afriqiyah Airways (Tripoli) has resumed services between Tripoli and London-Gatwick. Flights presently operate three times per week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

However the Libya Herald reported on March 3 Libyan Airlines was going to restart its European flights operated by Nouvelair.

Read the latest report: CLICK HERE

Both airlines are owned by the Libyan African Aviation Holding Company (LAAHC).

According to Libya Herald, Libyan Airlines flights (operated by Nouvelair) were suspended to Europe by the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority (LYCAA) in late February after a flight lost ATC communications in French airspace.

Both Libyan carriers must use wet-leased aircraft in European Union airspace.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Both companies are moving slowly ahead in their merger process and hope to complete the process by the end of this year. Meanwhile Libyan will concentrate on routes to Africa and is exploring new routes to Asia according to ATW.

Copyright Photo: Rob Skinkis/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-212 TS-INN (msn 793) operated by Nouvelair lands in Manchester.

Libyan Airlines:

Afriqiyah Airways:

Flynas announces new Airbus A330 routes to London and Manchester

Flynas (formerly Nasair) (stylized as flynas) (Jeddah) is expanding internationally to Europe and Asia with new Airbus A330s. The airline has issued this statement about its new planned Airbus A330 service to both London (Gatwick) (April 8) and Manchester (May 2):

Flynas, the Kingdom’s national carrier, concluded a successful UK tour to announce the launch of direct flights from Jeddah to London and Manchester, the first two European destinations to feature on its ambitious Global Flight Routes program.

The flights will operate three times a week to both the British capital and the northern city of Manchester, offering easy access to the entire country.

The announcements were made at two press conferences held in London and Manchester respectively.

Recently Flynas has made significant investments in enhancing its fleet by adding Airbus A330 aircraft and upgrading its in-flight offering to include a 12-seat Business Class Cabin and smarter onboard entertainment technologies which are perfectly in line with the expectations of cosmopolitan, regional and international customers.

All of Flynas’ international flights will operate out of its hub in Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The airline recently announced the launch of direct flights to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (starting on April 6) and Jakarta, Indonesia. Other destinations set to be rolled out as part of the program include Paris, France; Karachi, Pakistan and Casablanca, Morocco.

Images: Flynas.

Current routes from Jeddah:

Loganair to launch Dundee – London Stansted flights on March 30

Loganair (Flybe) (Glasgow) will operate a twice daily weekday service, and once on a Sunday, from Dundee to London (Stansted) starting March 30, replacing the CityJet service to London City which is due to be withdrawn at the end of March.

In the meantime, tenders will soon be issued to secure a Public Service Obligation that will ensure the long term future of air services between Dundee and London.

Flights will operate twice daily on weekdays, with flights leaving Dundee at 7.00 am and 4.25 pm. Return flights depart Stansted Airport at 9.00 am and 6.25 pm, allowing business passengers to complete a full day’s work in London. There will also be a flight to and from London Stansted every Sunday afternoon, leaving Dundee at 4.25 pm and departing Stansted at 6.25 pm.

The new service, operated by a 32-seat Dornier 328 turboprop aircraft, is the result of weeks of negotiation between Dundee Airport operator HIAL, Dundee City Council, Transport Scotland and the airline.

Copyright Photo: Nik French/AirlinersGallery.com. Formerly operated by Suckling Airways, the Dornier 328-110 will be operated on the new route. G-BWWT (msn 3022) taxies at Manchester.

Loganair:

Current Route Map:

Small Planet Italia is shut down

Small Planet Airlines (Italy) (Rome-Fiumicino) lost its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) on January 17, 2014 due to concerns of Italy’s ENAC of its financial fitness. The Italian version of Small Planet was an independent company and was using the Small Planet name and brand under a franchise agreement.

The original Small Planet Airlines (Lithuania) (formerly flyLAL Charters) (Vilnius) and (Warsaw) is still operating and issued this statement:

The Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) has issued a decision to suspend the operating license of “Small Planet Airlines Italia” in Italy.

“Small Planet Airlines Italia” is an independent company and is related to “Small Planet Airlines” only by franchise agreement. The suspension of the license of the Italian company shall in no way affect our companies in Lithuania and Poland.

The Italian company “Small Planet Airlines Italia” is owned by “Aeroservizi” (64.5%) and “Avia Solutions Group” (35.5%), whereas “Small Planet Airlines” based in Lithuania and Poland are owned by the management of the company, Vytautas Kaikaris (70%) and Andrius Staniulis (30%). Mr. Kaikaris sold his 4.5% stake in “Small Planet Airlines Italia” in April, 2013.

“Small Planet Airlines”, holder of Polish and Lithuanian Air Operator Certificates, is an independent European leisure airline.

Copyright Photo: Nik French/AirlinersGallery.com (all others by Small Planet Airlines). Small Planet Airlines Italia was operating two Boeing 737-300s. Boeing 737-3L9 LY-FLE (msn 27061) of the Lithuania version of Small Planet arrives at Manchester.

Small Planet Airlines (Lithuania):

Small Planet Airlines (Poland):

SAS to reinstate the Stockholm-Hamburg route starting on April 22

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) announced it will launch a new nonstop route between Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport and Hamburg Airport with two return flights every weekday and one return flight on Sundays starting on April 22. Today, over 100,000 passengers fly between Stockholm Arlanda and Hamburg every year. Hamburg is one of Germany’s largest cities. The last time SAS operated this route was 2009, but it is now being reopened in order to meet SAS passengers’ needs for direct routes within Europe.

The route will be operated by a Boeing 737-600 (pictured) with capacity for 120 passengers and a Boeing 717 with capacity for 115 passengers. The flight time is 1 hour 30 minutes.

Germany is a large market for SAS, and the airline has several daily direct departures from Stockholm Arlanda to the three German destinations of Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Berlin. In total, SAS operates around 500 flights a week between Scandinavia and Germany.

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-683 LN-RPY (msn 28292) waits for runway clearance at Manchester.

Scandinavian Airlines:

Airblue to drop Manchester tomorrow

Airblue (Islamabad) will drop all flights to Manchester starting tomorrow (January 22). The airline issued this short statement:

Due to route rationalization, Airblue will be suspending flights between Pakistan and the United Kingdom effective on January 22, 2014. This includes the Lahore-Manchester and the Islamablad-Manchester routes. Passengers holding tickets issued by a travel agent for flights on or after January 22, may contact their travel agent for full refund without cancellation fees. Passengers holding tickets issued directly by Airblue may contact Airblue directly for full refund without cancellation fees.

Airblue is now concentrating its fleet around the Airbus A320 after returning both A319s.

Copyright Photo: Nik French/AirlinersGallery.com. Airblue was leasing two Airbus A340-300s for the routes. Both are now being returned with the retirement of the two routes to Manchester. Airbus A340-313X AP-EDE (msn 216) lands at Manchester.

Airblue:

Eastern Airways to launch Leeds/Bradford – Southampton service on January 20

Eastern Airways’ (Humberside) new service from Leeds Bradford International Airport to Southampton, aimed primarily at business travellers, launches on Monday January 20, 2014.

The UK’s second largest regional airline will offer three flights each weekday in each direction, as well as a Sunday service to ensure business communities in Yorkshire and on the south coast of England have a high frequency air service enabling them to do business.

A convenient early morning departure from Leeds Bradford at 6.50 am allows for a full day in Southampton and south coast region before returning back to Yorkshire just after 5 pm or 7.40 pm on the same day.

The scheduled services depart Leeds Bradford on weekdays at 6.50 am, 10.20 am and 5.10 pm, arriving in Southampton at 7.50 am, 11.20 am and 6.10 pm respectively. Flights leave Southampton at 8.20 am, 4.05 pm and 6.40 pm, landing in Leeds Bradford at 9.20 am, 5.05 pm and 7.40 pm.

Sunday services leave Leeds Bradford at 4.15 pm arriving in Southampton at 5.15 pm, then return at 5.45 pm landing into Leeds Bradford at 6.45 pm.

Eastern Airways has been providing scheduled flights from Leeds Bradford since 2003, and also provides a choice of daily weekday services from the airport to Aberdeen.

A dedicated fast track security channel is offered at Leeds Bradford and Southampton airports for all Eastern Airways passengers to avoid any queues at security search, enabling the airline to close check-in just 30 minutes before the departure time. Complimentary drinks and snacks are offered on board the aircraft and passengers are not charged for check-in, baggage or choice of seat.

A network of services across to 20 airports in the UK, Norway and France is operated by the airline on a fleet of 30 regional aircraft.

Top Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. BAe Jetstream 41 G-MAJY (msn 41099) taxies at Manchester (all others by Eastern Airways).

Eastern Airways:

Ryanair to add four new routes from Manchester in March

Ryanair (Dublin) in March will add four new routes from Manchester to Barcelona, Bologna, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria. This will bring the total of MAN routes to 36.

Copyright Photo: SM Fitzwilliams Collection/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-8AS EI-DCH (msn 33559) touches down in Dublin.

Ryanair:

Saudia to return to Manchester

Saudia Airlines (formerly Saudi Arabian Airlines) (Jeddah) will restore the Jeddah-Manchester route in March according to Manchester Evening News. The restored route will be operated three days a week starting on March 28. The carrier will assign the Boeing 777-200 to the route. The carrier last flew to Manchester in 2007.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-268 ER HZ-AKI (msn 28352) taxies into the gate at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Saudia: