Tag Archives: Sao Paulo

Gol to operate biofuel flights to the United States

Gol Transportes Aereos (Sao Paulo) will soon operate biofuel flights to the United States. In association with Amyris, the two parties have issued this announcement:

Amyris has partnered with Gol to begin the first commercial route with farnesane, the recently approved renewable jet fuel.

Gol has committed to fly its Boeing 737 fleet with up to a 10 percent blend of the renewable fuel on its U.S. to Brazil routes starting with initial flights later in July 2014. Supported by Boeing, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and other partners, Amyris is working to bring this new, renewable jet fuel to commercial airlines starting with Gol.

Developed by Amyris, an industrial bioscience company, and Total, one of the world’s leading energy companies, this new aviation renewable fuel meets the rigorous performance requirements set for Jet A/A-1 fuel used by the global commercial aviation industry. On June 15, 2014 ASTM revised the ASTM for jet fuel standard, paving the way for airlines to use Synthesized Iso-Paraffin (SIP) farnesane as a jet fuel component in commercial airlines globally. When produced sustainably, farnesane can reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by up to 80% on a lifecycle basis compared to traditional petroleum fuels.

Amyris is an integrated renewable products company focused on providing sustainable alternatives to a broad range of petroleum-sourced products. Amyris uses its industrial bioscience technology platform to
convert plant sugars into a variety of hydrocarbon molecules – flexible building blocks that can be used in a wide range of products. Amyris is commercializing these products both as No Compromise (R) renewable ingredients in cosmetics, flavors and fragrances, polymers, lubricants and consumer products, and also as No Compromise renewable diesel and jet fuel. Amyris Brasil Ltda., a subsidiary of Amyris, oversees the establishment and expansion of Amyris’s production in Brazil.

Copyright Photo: Rodrigo Cozzato/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-8HX PR-GUT (msn 38878) arrives in Sao Paulo (Congonhas).

Gol:

Gol announces a code-share agreement with Etihad Airways

Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. (Gol Transportes Aereos) (Sao Paulo) has signed a codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi). The agreement depends on approval from ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency) and CADE (Brazil’s antitrust authority).

The companies already have an interline agreement and the expansion of the partnership through the codeshare agreement will initially allow Etihad Airways to include its code on flights operated by Gol, giving its customers a greater number of connections for destinations in Brazil and South America.

Both companies will soon sign a Frequent Flyer Program (FFP) agreement offering all their customers the benefits of their respective mileage programs – GOL’s Smiles and Etihad’s Etihad Guest.

In other news, Gol has announced it has filed a formal request to Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) to operate domestic flights to Carajás and Altamira, in the state of Pará. These destinations have an accelerated level of growth, generating demand for new services.

The request was made to operate in Carajás – with four weekly frequencies and Altamira – three weekly frequencies. The operation, still pending approval by ANAC, is expected to begin in September 2014.

Top Copyright Photo: Rodrigo Cozzato/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-8EH PR-GUO (msn) of Gol in the special FIFA World Cup 2014 livery prepares to land at Sao Paulo (Congonhas).

Gol:

Etihad Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Rodrigo Cozzato/AirlinersGallery.com. The 2014 version of the Etihad Airways special Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Formula 1 livery on Airbus A340-642 A6-EHJ (msn 933) prepares to land at Sao Paulo (Guarulhos).

Emirates cancels its Airbus A350 order, upgrades the Boston route and introduces a Boeing 777-300 World Cup logo jet

Emirates (Dubai) in a stunning development has cancelled its order for 70 new Airbus A350s (50 A350-900s and 20 A350-1000s) (above). Airbus issued this statement: “Airbus confirms that Emirates Airline has decided to cancel its order of 70 A350 XWB aircraft. The decision follows on-going discussions with the airline in light of their fleet requirement review, as demonstrated by their order of 50 additional A380 at the last Dubai Airshow and their continuous interest in the program. Airbus and Emirates Airline benefit from a long-standing relationship and the airline recently reiterated its confidence in Airbus products particularly by praising the A380 and the benefits the aircraft brings to their operations. The order of 50 A350-900 and 20 A350-1000 was originally placed by Emirates Airline in 2007 with first delivery slots scheduled from 2019. Airbus is very confident in its A350 XWB programme. Half a year before entry into service, the A350 XWB order book stands at a healthy 742 firm orders. The A350 flight test campaign is progressing well and is on track for Type Certification in the coming months. Interest in the game changing A350 has always been very high with customers. Airbus expects the A350 order book to continue growing in 2014.” In other news, Emirates from August 1, will switch from its Boeing 777-200 LR currently operating the route to Boston to a larger Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, adding passenger and cargo capacity. Emirates launched its Boston service – its eighth US gateway – on March 10, 2014. The Boeing 777-300 ER will offer 88 additional Economy Class seats, representing a 40% increase in seating. This is in addition to offering customers a choice of eight First Class Suites and 42 Business Class seats. In additional other news, Emirates has decorated a Boeing 777-300 ER to feature the distinguishable signature of Emirates’ Global Ambassador and three times World Cup winner, Pelé. The airline issued this statement and photo: Just hours before the first World Cup match kicks off in Brazil, Emirates, an Official FIFA Worldwide Partner, is pleased to unveil the first Boeing 777-300 ER to feature the distinguishable signature of Emirates’ Global Ambassador and three times World Cup winner, Pelé (above). The first Emirates Pelé-ane will be connecting football fans with the action this summer on the Dubai to São Paulo route. Identifiable from the ground or the air, the 350 seater aircraft now has a creative design, specific to the FIFA World Cup™, emblazoned on the fuselage along with the recognisable signature of the legendary Brazilian football great. Two further Boeing 777 Pelé-ane’s will be unveiled on the day of the opening match and one Airbus A380 will launch shortly afterwards. 115 Boeing 777 from the Emirates fleet, which will fly football fans to Brazil, will also carry a large 2014 FIFA World Cup™ logo. Those passengers lucky enough to be travelling to Brazil, or any of the other 142 destinations served by Emirates, can also experience different facets of the tournament in a number of ways: At the airport: The world Cup buzz begins at the airport, especially at the airline’s hub in Dubai, where check-in desks now prominently feature the hero image from the Emirates #AllTimeGreats commercial featuring Pele and Cristiano Ronaldo. In the award-winning lounges both in Dubai and the many other locations around the world, passengers can relax with a bite to eat in front of the live streamed games. Ice TV Live will be featured on 16 Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft: From June 12 to July 13, passengers on board one of these 16 Emirates aircraft can watch all 64 matches ‘as live’ on the Sport 24 channel. This capability means not even a flight can get in the way of a football fan’s passions. Or if watching the whole match is too much, one of the seven rolling news channels can keep everyone up to date with the goals. If the flight doesn’t have ice TV Live: Passengers can still get goal-by-goal text updates on the ice Airshow moving map channels. On ice Digital Widescreen, the scores are shown in the news headlines under a dedicated FIFA Update section. Fun for young fliers: To keep the children on board entertained, Emirates will be providing colourful snack boxes with cardboard cut-outs and stylish wrist bands in support of participating teams. The Emirates World Cup initiatives will be on flights for the duration of the tournament starting from 10 June. The airline expects to fly over 18,000 passengers on its daily flights to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo over the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ period. Emirates: Bottom Copyright Photo: Rodrigo Cozzato. Boeing 777-31H ER A6-ECV (msn 35594) arrives on June 10 in an overcast Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) with the special Pelé signature and 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil markings.

TAM Airlines doubles the number of overnight flights from New York to Sao Paulo

TAM Airlines (TAM Linhas Aereas) (Sao Paulo), part of LATAM Airlines Group, has just introduced seven weekly night frequencies between New York and São Paulo (Guarulhos). The new flight will double TAM’s overnight flights to Sao Paulo in August and replace the existing daytime flights JJ 8082 and JJ 8083.

The new flight JJ 8103 (New York – São Paulo/Guarulhos) will depart New York (JFK) at 10:00 p.m. (2200) and land in São Paulo at 8:50 a.m. (0850) with the return flight JJ 8102 departing São Paulo (Guarulhos) daily at 9:50 p.m.(2150) and arriving in New York (JFK) at 6:55 a.m. (0655).

The increase in these night services reflects customers’ preference for traveling overnight and arriving at their destinations in the early hours of the following day, either to participate in business meetings or to visit the city’s tourist attractions.

The new service will be operated by Boeing 767-300 aircraft (from LAN Airlines), whose interiors have been completely refurbished providing full-flat seats that recline 180o, as well as increased leg room in Business Class. Passengers in Business and Economy will also have access to individual on-board entertainment services in both cabins, with around 100 movies from diverse genres and TV series, and can listen to music and browse the duty free product catalog. Children can enjoy the exclusive entertainment package that consists of cartoons, movies and games.

The other seven night frequencies offered by TAM are currently operated by Boeing 777-300 aircraft under flight numbers JJ 8080 and JJ 8081. In line with the company’s objective of continuously improving its products, the Boeing 777-300 fleet will be refurbished starting in September (TAM is removing the first class section from the 777-300) and will be back in operation in March 2015 . During this period, the flights will be operated by TAM’s Airbus A330 aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Marcelo F. De Biasi/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 767-33A ER PT-MSU (msn 27376) completes its final approach back to the Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) base.

TAM:

Gol to enter the Sao Paulo (Viracopos) – Rio de Janeiro (Santos Dumont) market

Gol Transportes Aereos (Sao Paulo) is entering the competitive Sao Paulo (Viracopos) (Viracopos is the home of Azul) – Rio de Janeiro (Santo Dumont) market on July 18 per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Christian Volpati/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-8EH PR-GGB (msn 35064) prepares to takeoff from the downtown Santos Dumont Airport in Rio de Janeiro.

Gol:

Gol hires Brazilian graffiti artists Os Gêmeos to paint this FIFA World Cup logo jet

Gol Transportes Aereos‘ (Sao Paulo) pictured Boeing 737-8EH PR-GUO (msn 35850) PR-GUO has been painted by the famous Brazilian Graffitti artist twins, Os Gêmeos. The design represents the Brazilian people who are getting ready to support the Brazilian football (soccer) team during the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

The aircraft paint is expected to last at least two years.

Os Gêmeos (Portuguese for The Twins) twins live in São Paulo, Brazil. Otavio and Gustavo Pandolfo are graffiti artists and identical twins. According to Wikipedia, “the twins started painting graffiti artwork in 1987 and gradually became a main influence in the local scene, helping to define Brazil’s own style. Their work often features yellow-skinned characters – taken from the yellow tinge both of the twins have in their dreams – but is otherwise diverse and ranges from tags to complicated murals. Subjects range from family portraits to commentary on São Paulo’s social and political circumstances, as well as Brazilian folklore. Their graffiti style was influenced by both traditional hip hop style and the Brazilian culture”.

Special thanks goes to Alvaro Romero, reporting from Chile.

Gol:

Boliviana de Aviacion is coming to Miami on June 6

Boliviana de Aviacion-BoA (Cochabamba) is planning to launch the Cochabamba-Santa-Cruz-Miami route (fours days a week) via a refueling stop at Panama City, Panama with Boeing 737-300 aircraft on June 6 per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Rodrigo Cozzato/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-3Q8 CP-2554 (msn 26303) slips into the blue sky at Sao Paulo (Guarulhos).

BoA:

LATAM Airlines Group reports first quarter net income of $80.7 million, will phase out its Airbus A330s, A340s, Boeing 737s and Bombardier Q400s

LATAM Airlines Group (LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines) (Santiago) reported operating income of $146.7 million (US) for first quarter 2014 excluding non-recurring costs related to fleet restructuring. The increase of 28.5% as compared to the first quarter 2013 was driven by strong improvements in the results of LATAM’s passenger operations in most markets, especially in the Brazilian domestic operations, offset by the 18.5% depreciation of the Brazilian real over this period as well as by weaker results in the cargo business. Operating margin excluding fleet restructuring costs reached 4.6%, an increase of 1.2 points compared to 3.4% in 2013.

LATAM Airlines Group’s net income reached $80.7 million (US) for first quarter 2014, excluding non-recurring costs related to fleet restructuring, compared to net income of $42.7 million (US) for the same period 2013.

The group further stated:

Having concluded a thorough review of its post-merger fleet plan and fleet requirements, and the changes in the competitive environment, the Company is undertaking a broad fleet restructuring plan with the aim of reducing the number of models operated, phasing out less efficient models and allocating aircraft best suited to each one of its markets. As a result, the Company expects to redeliver a significant number of aircraft between 2013 and 2016, and to fully phase out its Airbus A330s, A340s, Boeing 737s and Q400s. During the first quarter of 2014, LATAM has provided for estimated penalties related to anticipated redeliveries and other redelivery expenses expected to be incurred as a result of this process, recognizing non-recurring costs of $147 million (US). Of this total amount, $34 million(US) are recorded as aircraft maintenance operating expenses and $112 million (US) are recognized as Other Non-Operating Costs.

During the first quarter of 2014, LATAM continues to rationalize capacity in both passenger and cargo operations. As a result, passenger ASKs declined by 4.3% and cargo ATKs declined by 6.6% as compared to the first quarter of 2013. In the passenger markets, capacity cuts were mainly driven by reductions on international routes, which decreased by 7.5% as compared to the same period in 2013, and the continued rationalization of our domestic Brazil operations. Load factors continue to increase in all markets, reaching record levels at 82.7%.

On March 31, 2014, TAM celebrated its official entrance into the oneworld alliance. This allows TAM to offer customers an improved network in regions that are most important to them, and represents a significant milestone for LATAM Airlines Group as it continues to develop its international connectivity.

Copyright Photo: Marcelo F. De Biasi/AirlinersGallery.com. TAM is phasing out its Airbus A330s and its A340s as the group concentrates around its Boeing 767/777/787 fleet for its long-range flights. Airbus A340-541 PT-MSN (msn 445) in the 1999 color scheme arrives back at TAM’s Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) hub.

LAN Airlines (Chile):

TAM Airlines (TAM Linhas Aereas):

Gol to start Sao Paulo-Santiago flights on July 3, reports a $65.1 million operating profit in the first quarter

Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (Gol Transportes Aereos) (Sao Paulo) will start a new international twice-daily route on July 3, 2014 between São Paulo (Guarulhos) and Santiago.

The flights will be operated by Boeing 737-800 aircraft in the GOL+ configuration, ensuring more space between seats. The flight will have on-board service with the option of hot meals, sandwiches, and hot and cold drinks.

On the financial side, the company announced its results for the first quarter of 2014 (all figures in Brazilian Real):

Operating income (EBIT) totaled R$144 million ($65.1 million US) in 1Q14, 43% increase versus 1Q13, with an operating margin of 5.8%. In the last 12 months (LTM), GOL achieved an EBIT of R$309 million and a margin of 3.3%.

Net revenues reached R$2.5 billion, 20% or R$411 million, up year over year and the Company’s highest ever first-quarter figure. LTM net revenue stood at R$9.4 billion.

Total load factor of 76.1% on the 1Q14 represented an 8.9 percentage point improvement over 1Q13 and also a first-quarter record, while yield maintained its upward trajectory, increasing by 4% in the period. These factors helped push RASK and PRASK by 18% to R$19.90 cents and R$18.23 cents, respectively.

Given the average 18% devaluation of the Real against the Dollar and fuel prices reaching record levels for a quarter, R$2.62/liter, total CASK moved up 17% over 1Q13, while CASK ex-fuel increased by 22%. LTM total CASK increased 3%.

EBITDAR totaled R$493 million, 34% more than in 1Q13. LTM EBITDAR of R$1,652 million, a Company record, reducing leverage (adjusted gross debt/LTM EBITDAR) from 27.9x, in 1Q13, to 6.5x in 1Q14.

GOL closed the first quarter with a total cash position of R$2.8 billion, equivalent to 30% of LTM net revenue. The Company remains committed to maintaining ample liquidity, which is essential at times of high volatility in the economic scenario.

Given the devaluation of the Venezuelan Bolivar against the Dollar, the Company recognized an exchange variation adjustment of R$75.9 million in its 1Q14 financial result. As a result, the realizable value of its cash in Venezuela was R$274.6 million on March 31, 2014.

Smiles S.A. reported first-quarter net income of R$78.3 million in 1Q14, 162% up on 1Q13, with a net margin of 41.6%, driven by the 61% period increase in net revenue to R$188 million.

Copyright Photo: Rodrigo Cozzato/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-8EH PR-GXH (msn 39621) advertising the GOL+ seating configuration arrives at São Paulo (Guarulhos).

Gol:

US Airways and British Airways start their codeshare partnership today

US Airways (Phoenix and Dallas/Fort Worth), part of American Airlines Group, today announced the launch of its codeshare agreement with trans-Atlantic joint business partner and fellow oneworld® member British Airways (London), further enhancing its relationship with the British carrier. Beginning today, customers can book tickets on codeshare flights for travel beginning on May 14.

Launched in a phased approach, the codeshare will initially cover nearly all of the two carriers’ trans-Atlantic flights. Customers will now have access to British Airways flights to London from 21 destinations in the United States, and British Airways will place its code on US Airways flights to Charlotte and Philadelphia from 17 destinations throughout Europe.

The remaining flights in the codeshare will be implemented in phases and will include British Airways routes from London to more than 70 destinations throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and US Airways flights to nearly 40 destinations in North America and the Caribbean. Customers can expect to have access to all codeshare flights by the end of this summer.

US Airways expects in the coming weeks to begin implementing codeshare agreements with the other member airlines in the trans-Atlantic joint business, Iberia and Finnair, providing customers easy access to the joint venture’s combined global network.

As part of the joint business relationship, members of the US Airways Dividend Miles and British Airways Executive Club frequent flyer programs are able to earn and redeem miles on flights operated by the other carrier, providing another valuable benefit to customers. In addition, customers will be able to earn miles when traveling on codeshare flights operated by the other airline.

US Airways joined the joint venture as an affiliate member earlier this year, and will remain as such until it fully integrates with American Airlines as part of their merger to create the largest airline in the world.

Top Copyright Photo: Rodrigo Cozzato/AirlinersGallery.com. US Airways’ Airbus A330-243 N288AY (msn 1441) arrives in Sao Paulo (Guarulhos).

US Airways:

British Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Keith Burton/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-336 ER G-STBA (msn 40542) beautifully climbs away from the runway at London’s Heathrow Airport hub.