Flydubai (Dubai) has announced that it will launch a three times weekly service to Aden and a twice weekly service to Kandahar, starting on August 1 and July 25, 2014 respectively. These new route launches bring the airlineโs network to 68 destinations.
Flydubai will become the first UAE-based carrier to fly directly to both Aden in Yemen and Kandahar in Afghanistan. The airline first began operations to Sanaโa, the capital of Yemen, in 2012 and Kabul, the Afghan capital, in 2010.
Aden is the commercial capital of Yemen and its deep and naturally protected seaport remains a key driver of the countryโs economy. Due to its strategic geographic location, Aden Free Zone has established itself as a regional logistics and manufacturing hub which has helped strengthen economic and social development in the seaport city.
Flydubai will operate three flights per week to Aden, one of which will be via Djibouti. This new service will increase flights to Djibouti to six a week. In addition, flights are available for sale between Aden and Djibouti.
Located in southern Afghanistan, Kandahar is the capital of Kandahar Province with an estimated population of 500,000. The city is a major trading center for sheep, wool, cotton, silk, felt, grains and fresh and dried fruit.
Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Flydubai’s Boeing 737-8KN A6-FDL (msn 40239) taxies after being assembled at Renton at Boeing Field (King County Airport) in Seattle.
Shandong Airlines (Jinan, Shandong Province, China) has announced its intention to order 50 Boeing 737 aircraft including 16 Next-Generation 737s and 34 737 MAXs for delivery between 2016 and 2020. The order has not yet been finalized.
Boeing issued this short statement:
Shandong Airlinesโ commitment to order 50 Boeing 737s, including 16 Next-Generation 737s and 34 737 MAXs. The airline plans to expand its capacity to meet growing demand in China and Northeast Asia, one of the most dynamic markets for commercial airplanes.
Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com. Shandong is already a large Boeing 737 operator with three Boeing 737-300s (which are being retired), three 737-700s and 58 of the pictured 737-800. Boeing 737-85N B-5785 (msn 39113) in the special DEEJ taxies at Seattle’s Boeing Field (BFI).
Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) yesterday (April 16) delivered the 8,000th 737 to come off the production line to United Airlines (Chicago) as N68821, marking another important milestone for the world’s best-selling airplane. The airplane, a Next-Generation 737-900 ER (Extended Range), features a special logo.
The 737 is the first commercial airplane in history to reach this delivery milestone. The program has a strong backlog with more than 3,700 airplanes on order, including 1,934 orders for the new 737 MAX.
United was the first airline to order and take delivery of the 737-200. Since 1965, United has taken delivery of more than 550 737s and operated nearly every model.
Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-924 ER N68821 (msn 43535) lands at Boeing Field in Seattle. N68821ย has small “8000th 737” gray titles by the main cabin door.
Sunwing Airlines (Toronto) has taken delivery of a new Boeing 737-800 (737-81D C-GNCH, msn 39438) (above) with a new Sky Interior direct from Boeing. The airline issued this statement:
“Sunwing Airlines is pleased to announce it has taken delivery of its newest aircraft directly from the Boeing facility in Seattle. Earlier this month, Sunwing representatives travelled to the Seattle headquarters of Boeing to pick up their latest aircraft — the state-of-the-art 737-800 Boeing plane which is configured within Sunwing fleet specification to accommodate 189 passengers. Sunwing Captain, John Hudson and crew operated the brand new aircraft carrying the Sunwing representatives from Seattle to Toronto.
The Next-Generation aircraft contains most modern interior features such as an innovative cabin mood lighting system, pivoting overhead stowage bins that add to the openness of the cabin, as well as advanced-technology wing design that helps increase fuel capacity and efficiency. After leaving Boeing, the 737-800 series plane was retrofitted with the Split Scimitar Winglets technology prior to its integration into Sunwing Airlines flight operations. This technology improves performance of the aircraft and decreases fuel burn by approximately seven per cent over the same aircraft with no Winglets.”
Top Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-81D C-GNCH taxies at Boeing Field (King County) in Seattle on a clear day.
Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) has kicked off expansion of its 737 Commercial Delivery Center (CDC) at Boeing Field inย Seattle. The project more than doubles the space that will be available for customers and groups supporting increased 737 deliveries.
The expanded CDC will be more than 90,000 square feet and include a new three-story building, as well as new delivery and departure areas with three covered jetways. The design features an open, airy look with large windows overlooking the Boeing Field flight line. The CDC expansion is the latest of many investments Boeing is making across the Puget Sound region and in the future of the 737 program.
Production of the 737 is set to increase to 42 airplanes per month in April and to 47 airplanes per month in 2017, an increase in output of nearly 50 percent since 2010. Deliveries of the 737 MAX, with the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines and other efficiency enhancements like Advanced Technology winglets, will also begin in 2017 at the upgraded facility.
Plans are in place to ensure seamless deliveries to 737 customers during construction, which includes the demolition of one building. The CDC expansion is scheduled for completion in mid-2015.
SilkAir (Singapore) and Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) celebrated the delivery of the carrier’s first Next-Generation 737-800 (737-8SA 9V-MGA, msn 44217). The delivery also marked the start of the airline’s transition to an all-Boeing fleet. Over the coming years, Boeing will deliver a total of 23 737-800s and 31 737 MAX 8s to SilkAir.
SilkAir’s new 737 will enter service later this month, flying to existing destinations including inย Malaysia,Thailandย andย Indonesia. With the follow-on 737 deliveries, SilkAir will fly the aircraft to more destinations in Cambodia,ย Vietnam, India andย the Philippinesย starting in March.
SilkAir is a full-service airline and the regional wing of Singapore Airlines. It currently flies more than 350 weekly flights to 45 destinations in 12 countries.
SilkAir is also celebrating its 25th Anniversary. The airline issued this statement in January:
With 25 years in the air under its wing, SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will be celebrating its Silver anniversary this year. Marking its anniversary celebrations, the airline will be taking delivery of the first aircraft in its new fleet of 54 Boeing 737s in early February 2014. A total of eight planes are expected this year, with the remaining aircraft to be delivered by the end of this decade. This delivery will enable SilkAir to maintain a young and modern fleet, and cater for the airlineโs continued network expansion plans by significantly growing its existing fleet. With the new aircraft, several enhancements will be offered to improve the in-flight experience for travellers including upgraded cabin interiors with more spacious overhead luggage compartments and lighting systems.
In addition to the milestone aircraft delivery, SilkAir will roll out a host of surprises and celebrations for their avid Asian traveller target. For starters, to rally consumers and involve them in SilkAirโs historic Boeing delivery, the airline will bring fans and aviation lovers together to virtually deliver the new aircraft to Singapore. Tracking the actual delivery route, from the Boeing Renton factory in Seattle to Singaporeโs Changi Airport via Honolulu, Majuro and Guam, theย โBringing Boeing Home with SilkAirโย program is Asiaโs first 25-hour flight simulator event that will allow up to 150 selected members of the public to fly a simulator SilkAir Boeing 737-800 plane into Singapore. The event will take place overnight from February 7-8, 2014 at Flight Experience Singapore, located at the Singapore Flyer.
SilkAir travellers will also be rewarded through special promotional deals where 250,000 tickets will be made available at special rates for consumers in Singapore and across the region.
Commenting on the anniversary celebrations, SilkAir Chief Executive, Mr. Leslie Thng, said โIt is a tremendously exciting time for the airline, and I am honoured and humbled to be part of such a milestone celebration. I would like to pay a special tribute to our 1,500 employees who have been with us on our incredible 25 year journey. Without their unwavering support, dedication and heart, we would not be here today.โ
He added, โSilkAirโs success is also due to the on-going support from our passengers and the public. Helping travellers discover Asiaโs newest frontiers for the past 25 years, we are always looking at ways to enhance the journey for our customers. Our new Boeing fleet will enable us to put the passenger at the centre of our focus, with the objective to deliver a higher level of quality and experience. Despite aggressive competition, we have maintained a strong foothold in the market as a full service regional carrier and become known for offering access to unique destinations, with genuine and thoughtful service that exemplifies true Asian hospitality. Moving forward, we will continue to improve and adapt, catering to the evolving needs of travellers in Asia. For instance, to appeal to a more well-travelled audience looking for adventure, we will focus on expanding our network to unique destinations especially in key markets such as China, India and Indonesia. We will continue to build on the last 25 years, and soar to new heights of air travel excellence.โ
The demand for flight travel in Asia-Pacific continues to rise, presenting vast opportunities for growth. The Boeing 737-800 delivery allows SilkAir to tap into the growing demand and explore the opening of routes across Asia for our travellers. To meet the need for more crew and pilots with the right skills to operate and run the Boeing 737 fleet, SilkAir has invested in conversion training at Singaporeโs Boeing Flight Services Training Centre to equip existing staff with the skills needed for the transition.
The first aircraft is planned to enter service from February 20, 2014, flying to destinations including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Phuket and Medan while the arrival of the second plane will allow the addition of other routes for the new aircraft including Siem Reap, Danang, Davao, Cebu and Kochi from March 17, 2014.
Since its inception, the airlineโs network has expanded to cover 45 exotic destinations in 12 countries across the region. A full-service carrier that offers services and features that ensure enjoyable and reliable travel experiences, SilkAir has maintained a strong position in the intra-Asian market and is already Asiaโs most awarded regional airline, with recent titles such as Regional Airline of the Year (Air Transport News 2013 Awards) as well as the TTG Asia Travel Awards Hall of Fame to its name.
Copyright Photo: Boeing.ย SilkAir and Boeing on Monday (February 3) celebrated the delivery of the carrierโs first Next-Generation 737-800. The delivery also marked the start of the Singapore-based airlineโs transition to an all-Boeing fleet. Pictured here is a celebration with company and airline employees at Boeing Field in Seattle on Monday.
Hainan Airlines (Haikou and Beijing) started operating its new Boeing 787-8 on its nonstop service between SeaTac International Airport and Beijing effective yesterday (Friday, January 10, 2014).ย The carrier has been operating the route since it inaugurated service on June 9, 2008 with Airbus A330 aircraft.ย Scheduled departure and arrival times at Seattle/Tacoma will not change, and Hainan will be the only foreign airline operating between the United States and China nonstop with Dreamliners.
Hainanโs high quality service has become well known to travelers who fly between Seattle and China. Hainan Airlines has built a reputation for quality. Its business class service features flat-bed seats with turndown service, gourmet dining and fine wines on bone china, and complimentary limo service in Beijing for both arrival and departure Even its economy class service is well regarded, as the airline received the award for the Best Economy Class Service in the world by World Travel Awards in Doha, Qatar just a few weeks ago. The Dreamliner will add more features to what Hainan refers to as a โCherished Experienceโ.
โHainan Airlines has strong ties to Seattle, operating 110 Boeing aircraft out of a fleet of 128โ, said Joel Chusid, Seattle-based Executive Director, US. โWe have been looking forward to this for a long time.โ The airline has ordered ten Dreamliners, and six are already in service. In addition to Seattle, the aircraft is used domestically and was recently introduced on its trans-Pacific route to Chicago.ย Plans are to have all its North American routes flown with Dreamliners, including Toronto (Pearson) and its newest announced destination, Boston, which will begin in June 2014.
Copyright Photo: Joel Chusid. Boeing 787-8 B-2728 (msn 34938) is pictured at SEA on the inaugural flight.
Boeing’s (Chicago) contract extension offer was approved by members of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers District 751 (IAM). Under the terms of the eight-year contract extension, the 777X and its composite wing will be built in the Puget Sound area by Boeing employees represented by the IAM. This work includes fuselage build, final assembly and major components fabrication such as interiors and wires.
“Thanks to this vote by our employees, the future of Boeing in the Puget Sound region has never looked brighter,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEOย Ray Conner. “We’re proud to say that together, we’ll build the world’s next great airplaneโthe 777X and its new wing โ right here. This will put our workforce on the cutting edge of composite technology, while sustaining thousands of local jobs for years to come.”
Boeing was considering moving the 777X production out of the Seattle area and was considering offers from many other states.
Spring Airlines Japan (Spring Airlines Japan Company Limited) (Tokyo-Narita), which was established in October 2012 and 33 percent of the stock is owned by Spring Airlines of China, received its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) on December 17, 2013 from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The remaining 67 percent of the stock is owned by local Japanese investors.
The new airline is planning to fly international flights and domestic flights starting on May 31, 2014.
According to the airline, Spring Airlines Japan will offer “cheap fares, with the aim to improve the convenience of the user and to stimulate new demand with the aim of development of the business, not only in tourism but will continue to contribute to the revitalization of the local economy.”
The airline will utilize 189-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft (above).
Domestically the low-fare airline will operate from Narita Airport to Takamatsu and Saga to Hiroshima.
Copyright Photo: Rick Schlamp/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured Boeing 737-81D ย N272LM (msn 39429) was delivered as JA01GR on July 17, 2013 and has been used to obtain the AOC.
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will add new daily nonstop flights to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport from San Jose International Airport and Juneau International Airport as well as an additional flight from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, all beginning on May 29, 2014. The new service will provide customers with convenient connections to the airline’s growing international network from Seattle/Tacoma.
Delta’s new and expanded Seattle/Tacoma service includes:
Four new daily nonstop flights from San Jose, California
One new daily summer seasonal flight from Juneau, Alaska โ a new city to Delta’s network
One additional summer seasonal flight from Anchorage for a total of three daily nonstop flights
“The Pacific Northwest economy is one of the fastest-growing in the U.S., and a big part of why we’re adding domestic flights in support of our growing global gateway in Seattle,” said Mike Medeiros, Delta’s vice president โ Seattle. “By next summer, we’ll offer more than 2,500 daily international seats as part of our 79 peakday departures to 25 destinations.”
Delta’s new service from San Jose will be operated by Delta Connection carrier SkyWest Airlines using 76-seat, two-class CRJ900s. The airline’s new Juneau service as well as the additional Anchorage summer seasonal flight will be operated with a Boeing 737-800. Each aircraft is equipped with First Class and Economy Comfort seating as well as onboard Wi-Fi.
The airline recently announced expanded Seattle/Tacoma service to Anchorage, Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Portland, Oregon, San Diego, San Francisco and Vancouver to support its increasing international network that currently operates nonstop flights to Amsterdam, Beijing, Paris, Shanghai-Pudong and Tokyo. The airline will also operate new nonstop international service in 2014 to London-Heathrow in March as well as Hong Kong and Seoul in June, pending government approval.
Delta currently operates 35 peak-day departures to 15 destinations from Seattle/Tacoma.
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Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Delta’s Boeing 737-832 N3757D (msn 30813) taxies to the gate at SeaTac.
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