Air Astana (Almaty) will start a weekly nonstop route linking the capital of Astana with London (Heathrow) starting on October 31. The new route will complement existing Almaty-London (Heathrow) flights and will be operated with Boeing 757-200s per Airline Route.
Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 757-2G5 P4-GAS (msn 28112) arrives at the resort destination of Antalya, Turkey.
Air Astana:ย 
Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) yesterday (September 20) grounded upwards of 30 McDonnell Douglas MD-80s (DC-9-80s). The cancellation of flights was due to an inspection of the emergency chutes of its 52 MD-80s.
Allegiant issued this statement:
Allegiantย announces it has discovered a compliance issue which will require immediate re-inspection of many slides in its MD-80 fleet. The Company has already begun the re-inspections and expects to complete the process by the end of September. MD-80 aircraft will be placed back in service as soon as possible after the slides pass re-inspection.ย In the meantime, Allegiant will take as many as 30 MD-80s out of service and delay, reschedule or cancel a number of flights over the next several days.
“We apologize for the disruption to our passengers and ask that they please remain patient as we work to correct the issue, reschedule affected flights and accommodate any passengers impacted,” said Andrew Levy, Allegiant Travel Company President. “Allegiant is committed, above all else, to the safety of our passengers and crew, and we are dedicated to working around-the-clock to ensure that all of our fleet meets the highest standards.”
At this time, it is unknown how long the disruption in flight schedule will last.
The company has secured sub-service on seven aircraft from other carriers to assist in operating its Sunday and Monday flight schedule and expects to have 22 MD-80 aircraft in service by Saturday. Allegiant expects delays and reschedules to continue, but is working around-the-clock to re-accommodate and update passengers.
During a thorough incident review earlier this week, Allegiant maintenance became aware of a discrepancy in its slide maintenance schedule. In 2007, the original manufacturer recommendation for slide maintenance schedule changed from once every three years to once a year for slides older than 15 years. Allegiant discovered that many of the slides had not been inspected within the last year and did not comply with this recommendation. This prompted Allegiant to proactively remove aircraft from service until all slides could be brought into compliance. To inspect and overhaul the slides, the slides must be removed and sent to a regulated inspection and maintenance facility.
Allegiant teams are working to accommodate all affected passengers and will offer the following compensation:
For passengers delayed overnight, hotel accommodations and meals will be provided. For travel and compensation questions, please call Allegiant Customer Care at 702-505-8888
Read the full report from Reuters: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Officially designed as a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83), N417NV (msn 53347) prepares to depart from Long Beach.
Allegiant Air:ย
Virgin Australia Airlines (Brisbane) has officially launched its new wireless in-flight entertainment system, representing a new era in the way travelers experience entertainment in the sky according to the airline.
The entertainment platform is the first of its kind in the Asia Pacific region, giving customers the ability to stream content to their own devices, including smartphones, laptops and tablets, through in-built wireless technology on board.
Following a successful trial earlier this year, Virgin Australia is now extending the wireless innovation across its domestic and short-haul international network. Thirty-seven aircraft are now fitted out with the new technology, including aircraft operating on routes to New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, which went live today.
The roll-out across Virgin Australiaโs Boeing 737-800 and Embraer ERJ 190 fleet will be complete before the end of the year.
Since the trial started in August 2012, the App has been downloaded close to 200,000 times.
The wireless in-flight entertainment system supports Wi-Fi-enabled Apple iOS devices (iPadยฎ; iPhoneยฎ; iPod touchยฎ), Android devices (phone or tablet) and Windows laptops. To access the system, download the free โIn-flight Entertainment by Virgin Australiaโ App to your phone or tablet, or have the latest version of Microsoft Silverlight downloaded on your laptop.
Copyright Photo: Roy Lock/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-3ZG ER VH-VOZ (msn 35302) taxies to the gate at Los Angeles International Airport.
Virgin Australia:ย
Air France (Paris) has announced a new round of job cuts as the airline is headed towards its sixth consecutive annual operating loss due to weakening air travel demand. The carrier is plan to cut another 2,800 jobs in 2014. The airline is already cutting around 5,120 positions by the end of this year according to Reuters.
The airline issued this statement and update on its recovery plan:
Air France management presented an update on Transform 2015 to the Central Works Council.
Air Franceโs recovery has begun and Transform 2015 is taking effect. In the first half, the implementation of measures led operating income to increase by 100 million euros. However, in 2013, the Air France Group will not achieve its objective of returning to equilibrium.
To ensure the sustainability of the Company and to continue investing for our customers, the return to equilibrium in 2014 is essential. This return to equilibrium requires the deployment of all action plans and the completion of Transform 2015, which requires additional measures to reduce costs and accelerate the recovery of short and medium-haul operations and cargo.
The number of excess staff has been estimated at 2,800 people for 2014. New Voluntary Departure Plans will be implemented. They will be thoroughly discussed with staff representatives and unions as from October 4. In addition, Air France will continue its policy of wage moderation in 2014 and a better adaptation of business costs to the seasonality of operations will be required.
Concerning short and medium-haul operations, the Air France Group intends to maintain its strong presence on the French market. It has therefore decided to develop the activity of Transavia France on departure from Paris-Orly, to adjust its domestic point-to-point network and provincial bases, to increase seasonal capacity and to reorganize French stations.
โข Transavia France, which will operate five additional aircraft as from the summer 2014 season, will expand its offering to new high-potential European destinations on departure from Paris-Orly. In parallel, the Air Franceโs point-to-point network will be adjusted downwards. Also, the seasonal adjustment of the schedule implemented in 2013 at the provincial bases has been a success and will be continued in 2014.
โข For all French stations, a change in production methods is necessary to ensure the Air France Group is in line with market standards, to better handle customers and reduce costs in a sustainable way. This will induce a reorganization of processes and a greater use of outsourcing. The objectives, station by station, will be specified at the Central Works Council meeting on 4 October.
Concerning cargo operations, the contribution of hold cargo remains essential to the long-haul economy. Furthermore, the cargo capacity of holds on passenger aircraft carries an increasing share of global air freight and the global air freight market is permanently in overcapacity. In this context, Air France has decided to refocus its cargo fleet on its two Boeing 777F. The Boeing 747 all-cargo aircraft will leave the fleet in 2015, at the same time as the 747 will leave the passenger fleet.
In addition, cargo operations at Paris-Orly, which have never reached a sufficient size, are currently operating at non-market costs. For this reason, an outsourcing project will be implemented in 2014.
Growth will continue on long-haul routes and new routes will continue to be launched. In parallel, the renewal of the long-haul fleet will be accelerated with the early retirement of the Boeing 747 by 2015 and the arrival of the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, respectively in 2017 and 2018.
At Paris-Charles de Gaulle, a new “Future hub” plan is being set up to enhance the hubโs attractiveness and competitiveness. It will be based in particular on the development of technological changes in passenger operations, as well as the move upmarket of Air France products and services.
In the engineering and maintenance sector, Air France will continue its development of engine and equipment products with its external customers. This strategy is contributing to Air Franceโs recovery thanks to lower maintenance costs and a positive contribution to operating income.
“Transform 2015 is taking effect and has had positive results in 2012. Air France is continuing its thorough transformation based on the commercial development of its markets with high growth potential, the move upmarket of its products and services and the reduction of its costs. I intend, together with all Air France staff, to concentrate on customer service and the successful recovery of our Company”ย declared Frรฉdรฉric Gagey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Air France.
Read the analysis by Reuters: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Ole Simon/AirlinersGallery.com. All of the Air France Boeing 747s, both passenger and cargo, will be retired by 2015. Boeing 747-428 F-GITF (msn 25602) taxies at the Paris (CDG) hub.
Air France:ย
Singapore Airlines (Singapore) and the Tata Group of India are coming to together to form a new full service Indian airline based in Delhi. Tata Sons will control 51 percent of the shares and Singapore the other 49 percent. The two entities will invest $100 million together according to this report by Reuters. Tata is the largest business group in India. Previously Tata in February announced a partnership with AirAsia (Kuala Lumpur) to form a new low-cost carrier based in Chennai, India.
Read the full report from Reuters: CLICK HERE
Singapore Airlines:ย
Volarisย (Mexico City) will become a publicly-owned company. The Mexican carrier has issued this statement:
Volaris hasย announced it has priced its initial public offering comprised of 61,992,540 Series A shares for the Mexican offering and 226,469,000 Ordinary Participation Certificates (CPOs) in the form on American Depositary Shares (ADSs) for the international offering at an initial offering price of Ps.15.51 per Series A share and U.S. $12.00 per ADS. Each ADS represents 10 CPOs and each CPO represents a financial interest in one Series A share of common stock of the Company. Shares are expected to begin trading on the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), under the symbols “VOLAR” and “VLRS”, respectively.
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and UBS Securities, LLC acted as international joint bookrunners; Santander Investment Securities Inc. and the before mentioned acted as joint local bookrunners. Santander, Evercore, Barclays Capital Inc., and Cowen and Company, LLC served as international co-managers; Evercore Casa de Bolsa, S.A. de C.V.and Barclays served as local co-managers.
Copyright Photo:ย Juan Carlos Guerra/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A319-133 XA-VOP (msn 4403) in the promotional Puebla livery departs from the Mexico City hub.
Volaris:ย
FedEx Corporation (FedEx Express) (Memphis)ย reported earnings of $1.53 per diluted share for the first quarter ended August 31, compared to $1.45 per share last year.
โGrowth in overall demand for our broad global portfolio of solutions drove our improved first quarter results,โ said Frederick W. Smith, FedEx Corp. chairman, president and chief executive officer. โFedEx Express remains focused on reducing costs while facing challenging global economic conditions. Meanwhile, FedEx Ground continues to generate strong profitability on growing customer demand for its services.โ
First Quarter Results
FedEx Corp. reported the following consolidated results for the first quarter:
โข Revenue of $11.0 billion, up 2% from $10.8 billion the previous year
โข Operating income of $795 million, up 7% from $742 million last year
โข Operating margin of 7.2%, up from 6.9% the previous year
โข Net income of $489 million, up 7% from last yearโs $459 million
Revenue and earnings increased during the quarter, driven by solid performance at each of the companyโs transportation segments. Results include significant headwinds from the net year-over-year impact from the timing lag that exists between when fuel prices change and indexed fuel surcharges automatically adjust, as well as one fewer operating day.
Outlook
FedEx reaffirmed its forecast of full-year earnings per share growth of 7% to 13% from last yearโs adjusted results. This outlook assumes the market outlook for fuel prices, U.S. GDP growth of 2.1% and world GDP growth of 2.6%. The capital spending forecast for fiscal 2014 remains $4 billion.
โWe remain confident in our full year earnings outlook despite tepid global economic growth,โ said Alan B. Graf, Jr., FedEx Corp. executive vice president and chief financial officer. โFedEx Express continued to execute on its profit improvement initiatives during our first quarter. We remain focused and are committed to FedEx Express achieving its $1.6 billion operating profit improvement target by the end of fiscal 2016.โ
2014 Rate Increases
FedEx Express will increase shipping rates by an average of 3.9% for U.S. domestic, U.S. export and U.S. import services effective January 6, 2014. The FedEx Ground and FedEx SmartPost pricing changes for 2014 will be announced later this year. FedEx Freight implemented a 4.5% general rate increase on July 1, 2013.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-FS2 N852FD (msn 37723) approaches Anchorage International Airport for landing.
FedEx Express:ย
JetBlue Airways (New YorK)ย today announced the intent to begin service to Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (POS) with once daily nonstop flights from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Service is set to begin on May 1, 2014. The airline will also begin once-daily nonstop service to POS from New York’s JFK International Airport starting on February 24, 2014. These flights are subject to receipt of government operating authority.
Destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean now make up almost one-third of JetBlue’s route network. In the Caribbean, JetBlue is the largest carrier in terms of capacity in both Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, offering more flights than any other carrier. JetBlue serves 27 Latin American and Caribbean destinations, including: Aruba; The Bahamas (Nassau); Barbados; Bermuda; Cayman Islands (Grand Cayman); Colombia (Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena); Costa Rica (Liberia and San Jose); Dominican Republic (La Romana, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Samana, Santiago and Santo Domingo); Jamaica (Kingston and Montego Bay); Mexico (Cancun); Puerto Rico (Aguadilla, Ponce and San Juan); St. Croix; Saint Lucia; St. Maarten; St. Thomas; and, Turks and Caicos (Providenciales). The airline will also begin service to Port-au-Prince, Haiti this winter, subject to receipt of government approval.
JetBlue’s schedule between Fort Lauderdale and Port of Spain:
| FLL to POS: | POS to FLL: |
| Depart – Arrive | Depart – Arrive |
| 7:00 a.m. โ 10:45 a.m. | 11:45 a.m. โ 3:54 p.m. |
| – First flight operates daily beginning May 1 , 2014 (a) — All times local – | |
JetBlue’s flights from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and JFK to Port of Spain will be operated with its Airbus A320 fleet with seating for 150.
In addition, JetBlue will also launch twice-daily nonstop service between Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), convenient to both Georgia and South Carolina, and New York (JFK) on February 13, 2014.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N585JB (msn 2159) taxies to runway 9L at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
JetBlue Airways:ย
Avianca Colombia (Bogota) has cancelled 160 domestic flight through next Wednesday because its pilots are refusing to work overtime due to a pay dispute according to Reuters.
Avianca’s 1,000 pilots are demanding a 15 percent pay increase from the company. Avianca Colombia is a part of Avianca Holdings. TACA’s pilots and other pilots under the Avianca brand are not involved in the dispute.
Read the full report: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Aldo Ciarini. Avianca added its first ATR 72 on July 3, 2013 when the pictured ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-600) F-WWEE was handed over as HK-4954 (msn 1092). The new type is pictured landing at Toulouse before the delivery.
Avianca (Colombia):ย
Air Georgian Limitedย (AGL) (Air Canada Express) (Toronto-Pearson) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Regional 1 Airlines (R1) (Calgary), a subsidiary of Avmax Group Inc., a fully integrated aviation company with operations in Canada, United States, Africa and Afghanistan. Regional 1 Airlines and Air Georgian Limited will merge operations under one management team through the creation of a parent holding company.
Air Georgian will continue to focus primarily on its CPA relationship with Air Canada (Montreal). Air Georgian currently operates Beechcraft (Raytheon) 1900D aircraft under the brand name of Air Canada Express. R1 will focus on expanding its domestic presence, specializing in serving the natural resource sector. R1 will further expand upon its existing international operations, specializing in ACMI contracts in remote regions, as well as continuing to support the United Nations World Food Program and other peacekeeping and humanitarian programs.
This strategic merger will allow the new combined entity to position itself as a unique, fully integrated airline leveraging the technical, geographical and asset strengths of Avmax and the professional management and strong operational background of Air Georgian. Air Georgian and Regional 1 Airlines will benefit from having access to the world’s largest private fleet of Dash 8 and CRJ series aircraft, over $100 million in spare parts and domestic maintenance bases in Halifax, Montreal, Kingston, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. International operations will be supported through Avmax maintenance bases in Great Falls, Montana, Jacksonville, Florida, Nairobi, Kenya and N’djamena, Chad in Africa.
Eric Edmondson will assume the President and CEO role at the newly formed parent company, as well as the role of President at both Air Georgian and Regional 1 Airlines. Daniel Revell will continue to be the CEO of Air Georgian and John Binder will continue in his role as CEO of Regional 1 Airlines. Scott Monsen will become the CFO & VP Finance at the parent company and its subsidiaries. Daniel Bockner will be the VP, Flight Operations & Security, while Brad Warren will fill the role of VP, Maintenance & Technical. Rick Giacomuzzi will hold the position of VP, Finance at Regional 1 Airlines. This merger does not impact the current structure or operations of any other subsidiary within AvMax Group Inc.
Upon closing, the combined operations will utilize Beechcraft 1900D, de Havilland Canada (Bombardier) DHC-8-100, DHC-8-300 and CRJ100/200 aircraft types, with the ability to quickly add additional larger gauge aircraft types with the long term goal of positioning the brands as major players in the 18-76 seat turbo-prop and jet market. Air Georgian will continue to operate, maintain and support the corporate jet charter market in Toronto as well as offering third-party training to the airline and corporate aviation sectors.
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Beechcraft (Raytheon) 1900D C-GORA (msn UE-326) taxies at the Toronto (Pearson) hub in the Air Canada Express livery.
Air Canada Express/Air Georgian:ย
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