Brussels Airlines (Brussels) has unveiled its new Tintin color scheme on the pictured Airbus A320-214 OO-SNB (msn 1493). The new logo jet made an appearance at the Airbus’ facilities at Toulouse, France yesterday (March 16).
Airbus issued this statement:
An Airbus A320 of Brussels Airlines with a special livery inspired by the Tintin comic book โRed Rackhamโs treasureโ landed on March 16 at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport. The livery was unveiled at the airlinesโ Brussels Airport home base in Belgium. The aircraft is named โRackhamโ after one of Tintinโs most popular adventures.
The unique livery represents a great black shark, based on the shark shaped submarine invented by popular character Professeur Tournesol in the comic. The painting was carried out by aircraft paint artist Andre Eisele in Ostrava, Czech Republic and took 1,500 man hours in total. The special livery will remain until 2019.
Brussels Airlines is proud to be an ambassador taking Belgian culture around the world. The Tintin livery was developed with Moulinsart, who are custodians of Hergรฉโs oeuvre, the famous Belgian comic book artist who created Tintin.
Close-Ups below by Airbus:
Video: Brussels Airlines. Meet Rackham.
Brussels Airlines operates a fleet including 32 Airbus aircraft, 24 single-aisle aircraft and 8 A330s. The A320 Family is the worldโs best-selling single aisle product line with more than 11,500 orders to date and over 6,400 aircraft delivered.
Airbus (Toulouse) on January 12 issued this statement:
The newest evolution in Airbusโ market-leading widebody jetliner product line โ the A330 with an increased 242-ton maximum takeoff weight capability โ is another step closer to entering service later this year after its successful maiden flight.
Taking off from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport today (January 12), the A330-300 variant carried out an airborne evaluation that concluded with its return to the southwestern France location โ which is home to Airbus headquarters and the A330 final assembly line.
During the flight, a five-person crew โ comprised of Captain Thierry Bourges and First Officer Jean-Louis Rabilloud, along with flight test engineers Joan Andre and Gert Wunderlich and test flight engineer Alain Pourchetโ checked the jetlinerโs flight control system and validated its flight envelope. This activity kicked off the increased takeoff weight A330-300โs flight test campaign, which is to involve some 15 total hours aloft to confirm its new aerodynamic package and performance.
The increased maximum takeoff weight A330 results from Airbusโ focus on incremental innovation, and will further increase the cost-effectiveness and versatility for its popular twin-engine A330 product line. Operators will benefit from these jetlinersโ additional range and fuel-burn reduction, resulting from a combination of improved engine performance and the aircraftโs enhanced aerodynamics.
The 242-ton A330-300 maximum takeoff weight variant launch customer is U.S.-based Delta Air Lines, which is scheduled to take delivery of its first aircraft in the second quarter of this year. The shorter-fuselage A330-200 in the 242-ton configuration is planned to enter commercial service in early 2016.
In addition to Delta Air Lines, eleven customers worldwide have already selected this option since the launch in November 2012.
Airbusโ latest A330 variant is the basis for the A330neo (new engine option) version โ which will incorporate new Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 powerplants and aerodynamic improvements to provide unmatched operating economics, along with the latest in cabin technology.
Copyright Photo: Eurospot/AirlinersGallery.com. Registered F-WWYY (msn 1628), the first flight is captured today at Toulouse.
Airbus (Toulouse) today (December 22) delivered the first Airbus A350 to launch customer Qatar Airways (Doha). The pictured A350-941 A7-ALA (msn 006, ex F-WZFA) was handed over in a ceremony at Toulouse. Airbus issued this statement and photos:
Airbus has delivered the first A350 XWB, the worldโs latest generation widebody airliner, to launch customer Qatar Airways. The A350 XWB redefines the way people fly for the coming decades and opens up a new era in comfortable, efficient long-haul air travel when it enters service with Qatar Airways, renowned for leading the industry to new heights in service excellence.
The A350 XWB embodies the most advanced technologies and breakthrough innovations in aerodynamics, light-weight materials and aircraft systems. Powered by ultra-fuel-efficient and very quiet Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines and an extra-wide, bright and spacious cabin, the A350 XWB promises to be a firm favourite with travellers who will discover a whole new way of flying. Airlines will also benefit from unequalled levels of operating efficiency and cost effectiveness.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said, โReceiving the A350 XWB as global launch customer is a very proud moment for Qatar Airways, and after much anticipation, I am delighted that the day has come when we will welcome this latest generation aircraft into our rapidly expanding fleet.
โIn the seven years since we first placed our order for this new aircraft type at the Paris Air Show, investing in a partnership programme with Airbus, there has been significant growth in the airline industry. I am confident that this increase in passenger numbers around the world will only increase further in the years to come, and delighted that Qatar Airways will be leading the way in the aviation sector in offering our passengers the opportunity to travel on board the most modern of airliners in the sky.โ
John Rishton, Rolls-Royce, Chief Executive Officer said: โWe are very proud to have worked with Qatar Airways and Airbus on the A350 XWB, using the latest technology to deliver new standards in customer service. This is a very important day for everyone at Rolls-Royce. It is the culmination of years of hard work and the start of a new chapter for our business.โ
Fabrice Brรฉgier, Airbus President and CEO said: โHanding over the first A350 XWB represents a significant step in Airbus and aviation history. The A350 XWB becomes the most modern aircraft in service, developed with our excellence established over 45 years in meeting our customersโ needs. The A350 XWB is the latest Airbus aircraft to join the skies, revolutionising our industry and redefining the way people fly.โ He adds: โIt is with tremendous pride that we are delivering our first A350 XWB today to our launch customer, Qatar Airways. Itโs a perfect match, to be handing over the first of an all-new, world class aircraft to a leading, world class airline.โ
Video:ย Follow the initial Airbus A350-900 aircraft for global launch customer Qatar Airways through the manufacturing process โ from delivery of components to the final assembly line in Toulouse, France to its maiden flight in autumn 2014. The video also highlights the โXtraโ that makes the difference for this Airbus next-generation widebody jetliner โ including its spacious and comfortable cabin, use of advanced composite materials along with the aircraftโs highly-efficient and quiet Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.
Vistara (Delhi) has announced it will launch its joint venture operations on January 9, 2015. The full service airline will start operations from Delhi to bothย Mumbai and Ahmedabad with 148-seat Airbus A320s.
The airline issued this statement:
With its distribution channel and booking website going live, Vistara, the much-awaited JV between Tata and SIA is ready to take to the skies. The full service carrier announced that its first flight would take-off on January 9, 2015. With Delhi as its hub, Vistara will initially offer flights to Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Delivering on its brand promise of โa world class flying experienceโ Vistara is the first full service carrier in India to introduce the โPremium Economyโ class. Vistaraโs 148-seater A320-200 will offer three separate cabins, with 16 seats in Business, 36 in Premium Economy and 96 in Economy Class. Seats for all three classes are on sales and there will not be a separate fuel surcharge. Vistara is also the first airline in India to offer a value based frequent flyer program called Club Vistara, wherein loyalty points are accrued based on actual spend on the ticket fare rather than miles travelled. Keeping up with the times, airline has done away with the physical loyalty card.
Vistaraโs technology partners โ Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro and Amadeus โ will be responsible for its customer support system and IT services. The technology partners are poised to help Vistara fulfill its brand promise of personalization of service and providing a seamless experience to customers. Wipro will manage the Vistara Customer Service Centre, which will handle all customersโ enquiries on reservations, ticketing and Club Vistara FFP. As Vistaraโs strategic partner, TCS will be engaged in its various IT initiatives ranging from application service transformation to consulting and business-impacting technology initiatives. Amadeus Altรฉa Suite will power Vistaraโs travel reservations, inventory management, airport departure control systems, as well as revenue accounting and revenue management.
The brand name of the airline, Vistara is derived from the Sanskrit word, โVistaarโ, which means โlimitless expanseโ, and draws inspiration from the brandโs domain โ the โlimitlessโ sky. The logo is derived from a โyantraโ, a perfect mathematical form that reflects the unbounded universe. Its fluid interconnecting lines reflect the seamless experience the airline wants to offer its customers. The eight-pointed star at the centre of the logo reflects the high standards Vistara is committed to and the excellence that will be a hallmark of the airline.
Copyright Photo: Eurospot/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 F-WWDF (msn 6388) will be delivered as VT-TTF.
Finnair (Helsinki) in the fall of 2015 will take delivery of its first Airbus A350, specially the pictured A350-941 (msn 018).
Airbus has issued this picture and short message:
The first A350-900 for Finnair is taking shape in the Roger Bรฉteille Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France. Finnair will be the first European airline to fly the A350 XWB and the third operator in the world. Scheduled for delivery in autumn 2015 the aircraft is now in the fuselage section joining phase.
Following this, the aircraft will move to wing junction, cabin installation and first power-on, all achieved in one single station. Once these phases are completed, the aircraft will undergo system tests, cabin completion, painting and engine installation before starting the delivery process, including flight testing.
Finnair has a total of 19 A350 XWB on order. The aircraft will be deployed on Finnairโs long-haul routes to Asia and America.
Qatar Airways (Doha) and Airbus (Toulouse) have announced the highly anticipated date of the official delivery of the first of its 80 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft on order, set to take place in Toulouse, France, on Saturday, December 13. The pictured A350-941 F-WZFA (msn 006) will be handed over as A7-ALA.
The first commercial service will be deployed on the Doha-Frankfurt route starting on January 15, 2015.
Over 70 percent of the A350 XWB’s weight-efficient airframe is made from advanced materials combining composites (53 percent), titanium and advanced aluminium alloys. The aircraft’s innovative all-new Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) fuselage results in lower fuel burn as well as easier maintenance.
Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 17 years of operation, to the point where today it is flying a modern fleet of 142 aircraft to 145 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.
Hong Kong Airlines (Hong Kong) is celebrating its 8th anniversary. The airline issued this statement and logo:
Since its establishment in 2006, Hong Kong Airlines has grown to become an internationally-acclaimed SKYTRAX 4-star airline and was awarded “World’s Most Improved Airline” by SKYTRAX in 2014, recognizing the warmth of its service and the quality of its onboard offering. The Airline operates an all-Airbus fleet with an average age of approximately 2.4 years as of May 2014, which is one of the youngest fleets among major international airlines in the world. To mark the 8th anniversary, Hong Kong Airlines launches a series of exciting activities and promotions, as an appreciation gesture for customers’ continuous support and sharing joy with the whole city.
To spread the birthday joy across Hong Kong, the airlines is delighted to organize “8th Anniversary Roadshow”. A party truck decorated into airplane cabin (below) will travel across different places in Hong Kong, giving out more than 18,000 gifts and up to 888,888 Fortune Wings Miles reward. The first five days of roadshow have attracted numerous visitors, who had fun with games and won attractive prizes. With the wish to earn miles and redeem free air tickets, many of them registered as Fortune Wings Club members.
Many visitors queued up to join โ8th Anniversary Roadshowโ. They had fun with games on the party truck and won attractive prizes. During the promotion period, visitors can get a birthday stamp card on truck and collect stamps on different roadshow locations. Having at least 5 stamps and writing birthday messages on card, the top ten creative participants will be awarded a total of 888,888 miles. Let’s grasp this opportunity and join the party in coming five days!
Top Copyright Photo: Olivier Gregoire/AirlinersGallery.com (all others by Hong Kong Airlines). Airbus A330-343 F-WWYP became B-LNO (msn 1384) on delivery.
Hong Kong Airlines aircraft slide show:ย
Video: The new business class on Hong Kong Airlines:
Jet Airways (Mumbai) is getting out of the low-fare business and will concentrate on full service flights under its own brand. All JetKonnect-branded flights will end on November 30 and on the following day all flights will be operated under Jet Airways brand.
JetKonnect (Mumbai) was originally known as Sahara Airlines which started operations on December 3, 1993. The airline changed its name to Air Sahara on October 2, 2000. Jet Airways acquired the airline and changed its name to Jetlite on June 1, 2007.
Jetlite was replaced and merged into Jet Airways’s JetKonnect brand on March 25, 2012.
Jet Airways issued this statement:
From December 1, 2014 all existing JetKonnect flights will operate as full service flights under a single brand, Jet Airways.
All guests booking flights on or after September 15, 2014 for travel on or after December 1, 2014 will enjoy a full service experience onboard all Jet Airways and JetKonnect operated flights across our domestic network. This enhancement will involve complimentary meal service onboard all our flights for travel effective December 01, 2014. Consequently Sky Cafรฉ, our Buy on Board service will be discontinued.
JetKonnect flies to 47 cities within India with over 430 daily flights with a mix of Boeing and ATR aircraft.
Copyright Photo: Eurospot. Jet Airways retained the Jetlite color scheme and simply added JetKonnect titles when the two brands were merged. ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-600) F-WWEQ (msn 1056) descends from the clouds at an overcast Toulouse. F-WWEO became VT-JCX on delivery on November 30, 2012.
SriLankan Airlines (Colombo), the national carrier of Sri Lanka, yesterday (October 30) took delivery of its first (of six) Airbus A330-300 becoming a new operator for the type. The wide-body aircraft arrived at Colombo International Airport, having flown from Toulouse, France, and joins the airlinesโ existing fleet of A320, A321, A330-200 and A340-300 aircraft. SriLankan will take delivery of a further five A330-300s.
SriLankan Airlines and Airbus embarked upon a long-term, strategic partnership in 1993 when the airline began operating the A320 and A340. It has since grown to be an all Airbus operator, and is now an award winning carrier, expanding and diversifying its wide range of products and services to drive the countryโs ongoing boom in tourism and economic development.
The carrier will introduce the new type on November 9 on a one-time Colombo-London (Heathrow) roundtrip followed by the Colombo-Bangkok-Guangzhou route on November 11 and finally the Colombo and Tokyo (Narita) route on November 15. The airline will also use the new type to Beijing and Shanghai (Pudong).
Top Copyright Photo: Oliver Gregoire/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-343 F-WWYX (msn 1564) became 4R-ALL on the handover.
SriLankan Airlines:ย
Bottom Copyright Photo: Airbus. The airline celebrates the signifiant milestone at the delivery ceremony.
Al Maha Airways (subsidiary of Qatar Airways) (Riyadh) will soon take delivery of its first Airbus A320. The first A320 has been painted at Toulouse pending delivery. The new domestic carrier of Saudi Arabia will launch operations “soon” according to its website. Previously the new subsidiary was expecting to enter the Saudi market in November.
Al Maha means “Oryx” in Arabic, the symbol of Qatar Airways.
Copyright Photo: Eurospot/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 F-WWBV (msn 6347) departs from Toulouse today (October 29) on a test flight. Green is the national color of the Kingdom. The first Airbus A320 will become HZ-ALA on delivery.
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