Tag Archives: Reagan National

Virgin America sets its IPO price at $23 a share

Virgin America Inc. (San Francisco) premiered today on Wall Street. The airline previously issued this statement on the Initial Public Offering (IPO):

Virgin America has announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 13,337,587 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $23.00 per share. Virgin America is offering 13,106,377 shares. VX Employee Holdings, LLC, a Virgin America employee stock ownership vehicle, is offering 231,210 issued and outstanding shares as a selling stockholder. In addition, certain selling stockholders have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,000,638 shares of common stock. The shares are expected to begin trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on November 14, 2014, under the symbol “VA.”

Barclays and Deutsche Bank Securities are acting as lead joint book-running managers for the offering. BofA Merrill Lynch, Cowen and Company, Goldman Sachs & Co., Imperial Capital, LOYAL3 Securities and Raymond James are acting as co-managers for the offering.

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with, and declared effective by, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

Read the analysis by Bloomberg Businessweek: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 N849VA (msn 4991) with the special “Giants-Fly Together” markings arrives in Washington (Reagan National).

Video: On October 29, 2014, San Francisco Giants fans on Virgin America flight 717 from Dallas Love Field (DAL) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) cheered their hometown team to victory in game seven of the World Series from 35,000 feet thanks to the airline’s live television at every seat.

Virgin America aircraft slide show:

American Airlines management and Allied Pilots Association search for agreement on a new contract

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) has offered its pilots, represented by the Allied Pilots Association, a reported “industry leading contract” according to Terry Maxon of the Dallas News. The two negotiation groups are facing a deadline of Saturday to resolve their outstanding issues with a new tentative agreement. The two parties started talking on July 8. The new contract would not impact the pilots of American Eagle-branded operations.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

However despite this optimism, the union’s president issued this statement:

Since I forwarded management’s initial joint collective bargaining agreement economic proposals to you yesterday, the feedback we have received on the proposals has been overwhelmingly negative. No disagreement here. Management’s initial proposals are seriously lacking on various fronts.

After reading the letter from American Airlines President Scott Kirby yesterday morning addressed to the APA board of directors, your APA leadership expected something a lot different from what we received. Mr. Kirby noted that issues regarding Scope bring with them “a lot of history and skepticism,” and he’s right. The contrast between Mr. Kirby’s letter and the proposals that followed will only add to that baggage. While there was no call for an increase from 76 seats to 81 seats on commuter aircraft, management instead simply shifted their aim with a Scope proposal to add five seats to the medium-sized (up to 70 seats) regional jets. Moving this limitation would be well outside the industry standard. When compared to the industry standard, what management has proposed would dramatically increase the number of 70-seat commuter aircraft and related capacity flown by regional affiliates.

In addition, management does not appear to be interested in providing our pilots with a compensation package comparable to industry leader Delta Air Lines. While initially proposed pay rates are fractionally higher than Delta’s current pilot pay rates, there’s little adjustment for the absence of profit-sharing, which this year will equal 15 percent of annual earnings for Delta pilots. This means that American Airlines pilots’ compensation would continue to trail industry leader Delta by a significant margin. Meanwhile, our airline is producing its best-ever financial results, with forecasts of industry-leading profits and margins going forward. What’s wrong with this picture?

Delta’s CEO recently addressed the importance of a “positive employee culture” and “rewarding employees with pay for performance through profit sharing,” adding that it “drives revenue growth and better financial returns.” American Airlines management evidently believes otherwise. With the exception of Spirit Airlines, American Airlines is the only other airline that does not provide profit-sharing to its pilots.

Management’s initial proposals would have American Airlines pilots remaining under bankruptcy-era work rules and likewise do not address length-of-service credit and numerous other important quality-of-life issues that we have raised in bargaining. Additionally, their initial proposals fail to recognize that Delta pilots are on the cusp of negotiating a new contract that will likely lead to pay rate increases that will surpass management’s proposed pay rates in quick fashion.

During a recent conference, Mr. Kirby stated that better labor relations “lead to better financial results and better customer service.” Management’s initial proposals are inconsistent with that virtuous cycle and with the positive employee culture that has made this merger so successful thus far.

Where do we go from here? The APA board of directors convened at 1 p.m. today (November 12) to discuss management’s proposals and determine our next steps. The APA Negotiating Committee, Scope Committee, Industry Analysis Committee and director of economic and financial analysis addressed the board this afternoon.

Our goal remains a negotiated agreement reached at the bargaining table. Management’s latest proposals have made attaining our goal more challenging.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-823 N964AN (msn 30093) completes its final approach to the runway at Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA).

American Airlines (current livery) aircraft slide show:

Southwest takes over AirTran routes to Punta Cana and Mexico City, launches eight new routes from Love Field

Southwest Airlines (Dallas) reached a milestone in the final stage of its integration of wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways by launching Southwest-branded flights to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Mexico City. All international flights between seven destinations outside the United States and the carrier’s nine U.S. gateway cities are now flown by Southwest.

Southwest has completed the integration of booking and frequent flyer functions into Southwest.com, referring all Customers who visit airtran.com to Southwest.com. All bookings for remaining flights on AirTran Airways flown through December 28, 2014, will now be made through Southwest.com and all of AirTran’s A+ Rewards Members have Rapid Rewards accounts in the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® frequent flyer program, which offers unlimited reward seats, no blackout dates, and points that don’t expire. (Flight or Partner earning activity required every 24 months. Benefits apply to points transactions. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply.)

The expansion of service at Dallas Love Field continued with the launch of additional eight nonstop destinations, following the launch of nonstop itineraries to seven cities that began last month. New flights began yesterday (November 2) between Dallas (Love Field) and Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood, Nashville, New York (LaGuardia), Phoenix, Orange County/Santa Ana, San Diego, and Tampa.

Additional nonstop service between the San Francisco Bay Area and North Texas begins after the first of next year when new flights between Dallas Love Field and both San Francisco (SFO) and Oakland (OAK) begin on January 6, 2015.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. The sun will be setting next month for AirTran Airways when the last Boeing 717 flight is operated between Atlanta and Tampa on December 28. All of the AirTran 717s will be leased to Delta. Boeing 717-231 N985AT (msn 55090) banks on its final turn on the river approach to Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA).

AirTran Airways:

Southwest Airlines:

Video: A first for Southwest, a wedding at 32,000 feet:

JetBlue Airways today launches three seasonal routes from Boston

JetBlue Airways (New York) today (November 1) launches three new seasonal routes from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). JetBlue now offers seasonal weekly services to Liberia, Costa Rica; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; and Saint Lucia.

Earlier this year, the carrier introduced service from Boston to Detroit, Michigan, and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, Georgia.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N828JB (msn 5723) with Sharklets departs from Washington (Reagan National).

JetBlue Airways Aircraft Slide Show:

Frontier Airlines to start Miami-Washington Dulles flights on December 21

Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) has announced plans to add twice-weekly service between Miami International Airport (MIA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) beginning in December according to Miami International Airport. The new service announcement comes less than one month after the domestic low-cost carrier revealed that it would be launching 38 weekly departures from MIA to four additional domestic destinations.

The new nonstop Miami-Washington D.C. service is scheduled to begin on December 21, the same day that Frontier will launch nonstop flights from MIA to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Flights to Washington Dulles will operate on Thursdays and Sundays, using the carrier’s 168-seat Airbus A320 aircraft (above). On December 20, Frontier will launch nonstop service from Miami to Denver, Philadelphia and New York’s LaGuardia Airport.

Previously in September, Frontier announced it was coming to Miami starting on December 20 with new routes operating to Chicago (O’Hare), Denver, New York (LaGuardia) and Philadelphia. Washington Dulles is a new addition to the original announcement.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 N227FR (msn 6184) with Grizwald, the Bear, arrives in Washington (Reagan National) in the new 2014 livery.

Frontier Airlines (2nd):

Republic Airways Holdings reports third net income of $18.5 million, will sublease 24 Bombardier Q400s to Flybe

Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Indianapolis) reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2014:

Republic’s pre-tax income from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2014 was $30.5 million compared to $5.4 million for the prior year’s third quarter. In the third quarter of 2013, the Company incurred an impairment charge of $21.2 million. Absent this impairment, Republic’s pre-tax income from continuing operations increased $3.9 million, or 14.7%.

Republic’s net income for the third quarter of 2014 was $18.5 million, or $0.35 per diluted share.

Republic’s pre-tax income from continuing operations for the nine months ending Sept. 30, 2014, was $86.6 million compared to $51.7 million for the same period of 2013. Absent impairment charges in both years and a fair value gain recorded in 2014, Republic’s pre-tax income from continuing operations increased from $72.9 million to $88.1 million, or 20.9%. Republic’s net income for the nine months ending Sept. 30, 2014, was $52.6 million, or $1.01 per diluted share.

During the quarter, the Company announced it would add 50 new E175 aircraft to its Capacity Purchase Agreement with United. The aircraft, which each have a term of 12 years, are expected to be delivered between mid-2015 and mid-2017. The Company and United also agreed to an early wind-down schedule for the Company’s 31 Q400 aircraft currently in operation between early 2015 and late 2016.

As previously report, Republic has entered into a sublease with Flybe Limited, a UK airline, for 24 Q400 aircraft, with deliveries to Flybe coordinated with the removal of the aircraft from United service. The remaining Q400 aircraft will be sold, leased or returned to the lessor after removing them from United service.

Operating Revenue Highlights

Operating revenues increased $11.1 million, or 3.3%, as compared to the third quarter of 2013 to $349.7 million in the third quarter of 2014. Fixed-fee service revenue increased $23.4 million, or 7.3%, to $343.7 million due to increased E175 flying with American Airlines offset by the removal of 15 E140 and 12 E145 aircraft from service. Passenger service revenue decreased $12.6 million because of the removal of E190 aircraft operating under pro-rate agreement with Frontier Airlines.

Operating Expense Highlights

The increase in wages and benefits expenses of $6.7 million, or 7.7%, was primarily due to an increase in E175 operations, an increase in the cost of benefits we provide to our employees and new pilot flight and duty rest regulations.

Fuel expense for the third quarter of 2014 decreased $6.2 million, or 54.9%, as compared to the third quarter of 2013 to $5.1 million primarily due to a 56.9% decrease in gallons consumed related to the elimination of pro-rated flying for Frontier. Fuel expense is primarily attributable to our fixed-fee charter operations and is a pass-through to our customers.

Depreciation and amortization expense for the third quarter of 2014 increased $6.7 million, or 18.1%, as compared to the third quarter of 2013 due primarily to the increase in the E175 fleet.

The other impairment charge of $21.2 million during the third quarter of 2013 was due to an impairment charge on owned E190 aircraft and the write-off of maintenance deposits on leased E190 aircraft.

Fleet Highlights

As of September 30, 2014, Republic operated a fleet of 240 aircraft. Through September, the Company has removed 27 ERJ aircraft from CPA service, and has taken delivery of 17 Embraer E175 aircraft and expects to take delivery of seven additional E175 aircraft during the remainder of 2014. As of September 30, 2014, within its fixed-fee and charter agreements, the Company operated 42 aircraft with 44-50 seats and 198 aircraft with 69-99 seats.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

The Company’s total cash balance decreased $17.2 million to $283.5 million as of Sept. 30, 2014, compared to Dec. 31, 2013. Restricted cash increased $1.8 million, to $25.8 million, from Dec. 31, 2013, due to the escrow requirements under fixed-fee charter agreements. The Company’s unrestricted cash balance decreased $19.0 million, to $257.7 million, from Dec. 31, 2013, due mainly to equity investments into new aircraft and the redemption of a $22.3 million convertible note. A consolidated balance sheet and summary cash flow statement have been included in the tables section of this release.

During the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2014, the Company purchased 212,881 shares of its common stock on the open market at a weighted average price per share of $9.98 pursuant to the open market purchase plan approved on April 7, 2014, for total consideration of $2.1 million.

The Company’s debt increased to $2.35 billion as of September 30, 2014, compared to $2.17 billion at December 31, 2013, primarily related to the financing of 17 new E175 aircraft purchased for our American Airlines fixed-fee agreement partially offset by the Company’s debt repayments. As of September 30, 2014, about 97% of the Company’s debt is at a fixed interest rate. The Company has significant long-term lease obligations for aircraft that are classified as operating leases and are not reflected as liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. At a 6% discount factor, the present value of these lease obligations was about $0.51 billion and $0.59 billion as of Sept. 30, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2013, respectively.

Republic Airways Holdings Inc. is an airline holding company that owns Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines (2nd) and Shuttle America.

As of Sept. 30, 2014, the three airlines operated a combined fleet of about 240 aircraft and offered scheduled passenger service on more than 1,300 flights daily to about 100 cities in the U.S. and Canada through fixed-fee flights operated under our major airline partner brands, including American Eagle, Delta Connection, United Express and US Airways Express.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. As previously reported, United Airlines is dropping the Bombardier Q400 services operated by Republic Airlines (2nd). Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N346NG (msn 4346) arrives at Washington (Reagan National).

United Express-Republic Airlines (2nd) Aircraft Slide Show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-UnitedStates-3/Airlines-United-States3-QZ/United-Express-Republic

Alaska Airlines to launch San Diego-Kona flights on March 5, 2015

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) is bringing more Hawaii to its customers in San Diego with new nonstop flights between San Diego and Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii. Starting March 5, 2015, the new flights will operate three times weekly.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-890 N593AS (msn 35107) completes the river approach into Washington’s Reagan National Airport.

Alaska Airlines:

Frontier Airlines places six crew members on paid 21-day leave after flying a nurse who later tested positive with Ebola

Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) has placed six crew members on a paid 21-day leave after a second Dallas nurse was diagnosed with Ebola the following day. The crew operated flight 1143 from Cleveland to Dallas/Fort Worth on October 13 carrying nurse Amber Vinson, 29, the second Texas nurse to test positive for the Ebola virus. Nurse Vinson was put into isolation the following day when she tested positive. Vinson had been caring for Thomas Duncan who arrived from West Africa with the deadly virus.

The pictured Airbus A320-214 N220FR (msn 5661) was cleaned and returned to service the next day according to Frontier Airlines and this report by ABC News.

Meanwhile the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reaching out to the 132 passengers who were on the same flight.

Read the full story from ABC: CLICK HERE

The CDC issued this statement in cooperation with Frontier Airlines:

CDC and Frontier Airlines Announce Passenger Notification Underway

On the morning of October 14, the second healthcare worker reported to the hospital with a low-grade fever and was isolated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms that the second healthcare worker who tested positive last night for Ebola traveled by air October 13, the day before she reported symptoms.

Because of the proximity in time between the evening flight and first report of illness the following morning, CDC is reaching out to passengers who flew on Frontier Airlines flight 1143 Cleveland to Dallas/Fort Worth October 13.

CDC is asking all 132 passengers on Frontier Airlines flight 1143 Cleveland to Dallas/Fort Worth on October 13 (the flight route was Cleveland to Dallas/Fort Worth and landed at 8:16 p.m. CT) to call 1 800-CDC INFO (1 800 232-4636). After 1 p.m. ET, public health professionals will begin interviewing passengers about the flight, answering their questions, and arranging follow up. Individuals who are determined to be at any potential risk will be actively monitored.

The healthcare worker exhibited no signs or symptoms of illness while on flight 1143, according to the crew. Frontier is working closely with CDC to identify and notify passengers who may have traveled on flight 1143 on October 13. Passengers who may have traveled on flight 1143 should contact CDC at 1 800-CDC INFO (1 800 232-4636).

Frontier Airlines Statement

“At approximately 1:00 a.m. MT on October 15, Frontier was notified by the CDC that a customer traveling on Frontier Airlines flight 1143 Cleveland to Dallas/Fort Worth on October 13 has since tested positive for the Ebola virus. The flight landed in Dallas/Fort Worth at 8:16 p.m. local and remained overnight at the airport having completed its flying for the day at which point the aircraft received a thorough cleaning per our normal procedures which is consistent with CDC guidelines prior to returning to service the next day. It was also cleaned again in Cleveland last night. Previously the customer had traveled from Dallas/Fort Worth to Cleveland on Frontier flight 1142 on October 10.

Customer exhibited no symptoms or sign of illness while on flight 1143, according to the crew. Frontier responded immediately upon notification from the CDC by removing the aircraft from service and is working closely with CDC to identify and contact customers who may traveled on flight 1143.

Customers who may have traveled on either flight should contact CDC at 1 800 CDC-INFO.

The safety and security of our customers and employees is our primary concern. Frontier will continue to work closely with CDC and other governmental agencies to ensure proper protocols and procedures are being followed.”

Meanwhile the Association of Flight Attendants applauded the swift actions of Frontier Airlines and issued this statement:

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), representing Frontier Airlines Flight Attendants, applauds Frontier Airlines management for responding immediately to the concerns of frontline workers and taking decisive action to safeguard the health and safety of Flight Attendants affected by transport of the confirmed Ebola patient.

“We applaud Frontier Airlines management for working with AFA and not only following CDC guidance, but exceeding recommendations in an abundance of caution,” stated Sara Nelson, AFA International President. “Management quickly and affirmatively responded to advocacy to remove directly affected crew from schedule and pay protect them for 21 days. We continue to work with management to provide necessary support for these crewmembers.”

“Frontier management’s actions should serve as a good template for the industry should other airlines encounter a similar incident. Their actions to communicate fully with Flight Attendants all of the actions taken to address cleaning of the aircraft and addressing other concerns. We will continue to work with Frontier management on communicating procedures for Flight Attendants and providing tools to manage any potential future incident,” added Nelson.

AFA is adamant that all airlines need to provide specific briefings for crews on what the procedures are to contain any blood borne pathogens, report and manage a potential onboard detection of Ebola, and provide universal precaution kits and other resources for all crew and potential healthcare responders on each flight.

The CDC issued this overview of the Ebola cases in the United States:

CDC confirmed on September 30, 2014, the first laboratory-confirmed case of Ebola to be diagnosed in the United States in a person who had traveled to Dallas, Texas from West Africa. The patient did not have symptoms when leaving West Africa, but developed symptoms approximately four days after arriving in the United States.

The person sought medical care at Texas Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas after developing symptoms consistent with Ebola. Based on the person’s travel history and symptoms, CDC recommended testing for Ebola. The medical facility isolated the patient and sent specimens for testing at CDC and at a Texas laboratory. Local public health officials have identified all close contacts of the person for further daily monitoring for 21 days after exposure. He died of Ebola on October 8 and was cremated.

On October 10, a healthcare worker at Texas Presbyterian Hospital who provided care for the index patient reported a low-grade fever and was referred for testing. The healthcare worker has tested positive for Ebola according to preliminary tests by the Texas Department of State Health Services’ laboratory. The healthcare worker was isolated after the initial report of a fever. CDC confirms that the healthcare worker is positive for Ebola.

CDC recognizes that any case of Ebola diagnosed in the United States raises concerns, and any death is too many. Medical and public health professionals across the country have been preparing to respond. CDC and public health officials in Texas are taking precautions to identify people who had close personal contact with the patient and health care professionals have been reminded to use meticulous infection control at all times.

October 12, 2014 Update

CDC did not recommend that people on the same flights as the index patient undergo monitoring because the index patient did not exhibit symptoms of Ebola during the flights from West Africa. Ebola is only contagious if the person is experiencing active symptoms.

A healthcare worker at Texas Presbyterian Hospital who provided care for the index patient has tested positive for Ebola according to preliminary tests by the Texas Department of State Health Services’ laboratory. The healthcare worker was isolated after the initial report of a fever and remains so now.

The hospital and healthcare worker were notified of the preliminary positive result. In addition, CDC has interviewed the healthcare worker to identify any contacts or potential exposures in the community.

Meanwhile Airports Council International (ACI) issued this statement:

The Airports Council International (ACI) World Governing Board met this past Sunday, 12 October in Durban during the 23rd Annual ACI Africa Assembly, Conference and Exhibition and discussed how best ACI can assist airports in their response to the Ebola outbreak.

The focus of international efforts remains on providing the medical response to contain and prevent the spread of the disease in affected countries (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone) and on the exit screening controls in those countries. Although isolated cases have been reported in four other countries (Nigeria, Senegal, the US and Spain), transmission has been limited and prompt containment action has been taken.

The Board provided its full support to ACI’s ongoing collaborative efforts with the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other stakeholders in the travel and transportation sectors.

Since the WHO declared the Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in August of this year, ICAO has convened a special Travel and Transportation Task Force comprising ICAO, the WHO and international organizations from the aviation, maritime and travel sectors. ACI represents the global airport community in this task force, which coordinates the dissemination of information and technical guidance to these sectors.

ACI is also a founding partner in the ICAO Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA) programme, which brings together countries and industry stakeholders under a collaborative framework to build the capacity of public health agencies, airports and airlines to handle public health emergencies.

“The CAPSCA programme has been running for more than a decade, and there is a high degree of preparedness within the industry,” said Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World. “Furthermore, the air transport industry has successfully responded to other Public Health Emergencies of International Concern in the past, including Swine Flu, Avian Influenza and SARS. As such, the industry has well established contingency plans developed with public health agencies and emergency services at international, national and local levels to respond to such events.”

The Board recognized that the current Ebola outbreak is having a very serious impact on the three affected countries and that it will take time for the international response to bring it under control. There is therefore a risk that some cases will emerge elsewhere. ACI stresses that these cases are isolated and appropriate and quick action has been taken to protect the public.

As recently communicated by ACI EUROPE, the WHO and the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) have expressed reservations about the effectiveness of temperature screening of passengers on arrival, implemented in some US and Canadian airports and currently being contemplated by some EU countries. Indeed, the WHO does not currently recommend screening passengers at entry points. Conversely, the WHO and ECDC support exit screening of departing passengers, which has been implemented at airports in the three main affected African countries over the last two months.

“The fear of contracting Ebola greatly exceeds the actual risk, and providing factual and scientific information to the travelling public and employees in the aviation sector is vitally important,” Gittens added. “The scientific fact is that to contract Ebola one has to have direct contact with the body fluids, blood, secretions or articles contaminated with these fluids from an infected person. As a result, unless an individual has been to one of the three affected countries in West Africa and/or has been in contact with persons infected with Ebola, the risk of contracting the disease is very, very small.”

To this end, ACI has committed to providing guidance to its members on how to proactively communicate factual information on Ebola to airport workers and to suggest ways to lessen the anxiety they may have in carrying out their duties. ACI will also continue to share guidance on the contingency procedures for responding to events of this nature so that staff can gain confidence in their ability to respond properly.

Related to this event, Planefinder.net (above) has come up with a new topical feature that allows you track airliners that have visited an Ebola affected area in west Africa. Enter the aircraft registration to find out if the aircraft has recently visited one of these affected areas. The website uses Google Maps as its platform.

The website explains how it all works:

1) Plane positional data is broadcast by aircraft and received by our massive network of land based receivers around the world.
2) We match this to tons of other data like aircraft details and photographs, arrivals and departures information to bring everything to your fingertips.

Planefinder.net also allows you to track any flight outside of this affected area.

Top Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 N220FR (msn 5661) with Sharklets at Washington (Reagan National) prior to the incident.

Frontier Airlines (2nd):

Frontier Airlines (2nd) Aircraft Slide Show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-UnitedStates-2/Airlines-UnitedStates-2/Frontier-Airlines-2nd

Virgin America announces two new seasonal routes to Fort Lauderdale and Las Vegas

Virgin America (San Francisco) today announced two new seasonal routes – daily nonstop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and four times weekly service between Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS).

Additionally, the airline announced today that it will operate two extra roundtrip frequencies weekly between Las Vegas-New York (JFK) over winter and early spring to bring weekly frequencies on this popular route from the current seven to nine.

Schedule:

Virgin America’s 2014-2015 new seasonal services are as follows:

December 18, 2014 – April 28, 2015

JFK- FLL: depart 8:00am and arrive 11:05am daily.
FLL- JFK: depart 9:15am and arrive 11:55am daily.

January 8, 2015 – April 28, 2015

BOS-LAS: depart 10:30am and arrive 1:40pm on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
LAS-BOS: depart 2:50pm and arrive 10:40pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
LAS-BOS: depart at 3:35pm and arrive 11:25pm on Thursday.

January 5, 2015 – April 28, 2015*

JFK-LAS: depart at 11:35am and arrive 2:35pm on Wednesday and Thursday.
LAS-JFK: depart at 3:10pm and arrive at 11:00pm on Monday.
LAS-JFK: depart at 3:35pm and arrive at 11:25pm on Wednesday.

*In addition to existing daily roundtrip schedule on this route.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 N844VA (msn 4851) climbs away from Washington (Reagan National).

Virgin America:

United Airlines choses Republic Airways Holdings to operate 50 new Embraer E175s, United will phase out the Q400s

United Airlines (Chicago) today (September 17) announced the company will amend its existing agreement with regional carrier Shuttle America, to add 50 Embraer E175 aircraft. Shuttle America‘s (Indianapolis) parent company, Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Indianapolis), will determine which of its carriers will operate the new 76-seat aircraft under the United Express brand.

United anticipates deliveries will begin in July 2015 and continue through the summer of 2017. The new aircraft will replace large turboprop airplanes and older, less-efficient aircraft and are in addition to 70 E175s whose deliveries began this year for other carriers to operate as United Express.

E175 Features:

The E175s will offer 12 seats in United First and 64 seats in United Economy, including 16 extra-legroom United Economy Plus seats. The aircraft also offer more personal space for customers, with wider seats and aisles than other regional aircraft; a power outlet at each United First seat; and large overhead bins that can accommodate standard-size carry-on bags.

Additional Fleet Updates:

In addition to expanding the E175 fleet, United plans to make the following changes to its United Express service:

1. Extend the airline’s agreement with Shuttle America on 38 E170s, with new expiration dates beginning in September 2019 and continuing through December 2022; and

2. Begin removing, in 2015, 31 Bombardier Q400s operated by Republic Airlines, a carrier also owned by Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (some of the aircraft will go to Flybe).

In related news, Embraer S.A. and Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Indianapolis), operator of the largest E-Jets fleet in the world, announced a contract today for the sale and purchase of 50 firm E175 jets. The value of the firm order, which will be included in Embraer’s 2014 third-quarter backlog, is estimated at $2.1 billion, based on 2014 list prices. The aircraft will be operated for United Airlines under the United Express brand. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2015 and extend until 2017.

This contract is in addition to the order signed by Embraer and Republic in January 2013 for 47 firm and 47 option E175s – 34 of which have already been delivered. In addition to the new order, Republic maintains 32 options for E175s.

This transaction is in connection with the transfer of Q400 turboprop airplanes currently operated by Republic Airlines to UK’s carrier Flybe Limited. Concurrently, Flybe and Embraer have agreed to reduce by 20 the outstanding order for 24 E175’s the airline has on order backlog. Therefore, the net increase to Embraer’s backlog in the 3rd quarter will be 30 E175 jets.

Republic Airways was one of the first U.S. carriers to fly Embraer E-Jets, operating its first E170 in 2004. With this new order, the Republic Airways E-Jet fleet will consist of 72 E170s and 151 E175s for a total of 223 E-Jets. Republic Airways is also a long-time customer of the ERJ 145 regional jet family with 41 flying as Delta Connection aircraft.

Finally, United Airlines launched its Mercedes-Benz tarmac transportation service at Denver International Airport, offering chauffeured convenience at more airports than any other carrier. With this expansion, United offers the service at all of its U.S. hub airports.

The Mercedes-Benz tarmac transportation service provides the airline’s top frequent flyers with greater comfort and convenience, offering an additional way for these customers to save valuable time when connecting through the airline’s hubs. United will chauffeur selected Global Services members and United Global First customers to their connections in Denver in a Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC SUV, powered by environmentally friendly, clean diesel technology.

United representatives will meet customers at the aircraft, escort them to the waiting Mercedes-Benz vehicle and drive them across the tarmac to their connecting flight. The expediting service gives priority to customers with close connections.

United also offers the transfer service at its hub airports in Chicago, Houston, New York/Newark, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington Dulles.

Along with tarmac transportation, the airline and Mercedes-Benz USA partner to provide promotional packages and bonus miles to United’s MileagePlus Premier members, which include Global Services members, who purchase or lease certain new Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Current offers are available at united.com/Mercedes.

Earlier this year, United opened a new Global Services reception lobby for its top frequent flyers at the airline’s New York hub at Newark Liberty International airport. In October, the airline will open a Global Services reception lobby at San Francisco International Airport. In June, United unveiled an all-new United Club airport lounge and United Global First Lounge at London Heathrow International Airport’s new Terminal 2, The Queen’s Terminal.

Top Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen/AirlinersGallery.com. Shuttle America currently operates 38 Embraer ERJ 170-100SE aircraft for United Airlines under the United Express brand. N637RW (msn 17000051) arrives at Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA).

United Airlines (current):

United Express-Shuttle America:

United Express-Republic Airlines (2nd):

Bottom Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen/AirlinersGallery.com. Republic Airlines (2nd) currently operates 31 Bombardier DHC-8-402s (Q400s) for United Airlines at its hubs. N202WQ (msn 4202) arrives at Raleigh-Durham (RDU).