Tag Archives: Washington

Mesa Airlines expands its E175 agreement with United Airlines

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Mesa Airlines, Inc. (Phoenix) has announced the expansion of its agreement with United Airlines (Chicago) to operate three additional Embraer 175 aircraft, bringing the total number of United Express aircraft operated by Mesa to 68. In October, the Company announced an agreement for the addition of 15 new aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2016, which has now increased to 18. Mesa currently operates 30 Embraer E175 aircraft and 20 Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft under the United Express brand.

The E175’s 76-seat dual-class configuration features 12 First-Class, 16 Premium Economy and 48 Coach seats. The aircraft has Inflight Wi-Fi connectivity, leather seating and electric outlets in First Class.

Mesa Airlines currently operates as American Eagle from hubs in Phoenix and Dallas/Fort Worth and as United Express from Washington Dulles and Houston. Founded on a mesa in New Mexico in 1982 by Larry and Janie Risley, Mesa currently operates 115 aircraft, with more than 530 daily system departures to 103 cities, 38 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and Mexico.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N84307 (msn 17000419) departs from United’s Washington Dulles International Airport hub.

United Express-Mesa aircraft slide show:

Royal Air Maroc is coming to Washington

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Royal Air Maroc (Casablanca) will launch the Casablanca – Washington (Dulles) route starting on September 8, 2016. The new route will be operated three days a week with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Fred Freketic/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner CN-RGC (msn 43818) approaches the runway at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York.

Royal Air Maroc aircraft slide show:

Southwest Airlines reports a record third quarter net profit

Southwest Airlines Company (Dallas) today reported its third quarter 2015 results:

Record third quarter net income, excluding special items, of $623 million, or $.94 per diluted share. This represented a $241 million increase from third quarter 2014 and exceeded the Thomson Reuters First Call mean estimate of $.92 per diluted share.

Record third quarter GAAP net income of $584 million, or $.88 per diluted share, compared with third quarter 2014 GAAP net income of $329 million.

Gary C. Kelly, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are very pleased to report outstanding third quarter 2015 results marked by a 63.1 percent year-over-year increase in net income, excluding special items. Our record third quarter operating income, excluding special items, of $1.0 billion produced a strong 20.3 percent operating margin, which is a 680 basis point improvement from the year-ago period. The significant margin expansion was driven largely by lower fuel prices. Our results also benefited from a continued focus on cost control and solid overall revenue performance, including a significant contribution from our Rapid Rewards program. Customer demand for our low fares was evident with an all-time quarterly record load factor of 85.4 percent for third quarter 2015. That’s what low fares without ‘gotcha’s’, which we call TransfarencySM, will do for you. My thanks to our superb Employees for producing our tenth consecutive quarter of record profits and my congratulations to them on their record $484 million profitsharing accrual, thus far this year.

Fleet and Capacity

During third quarter 2015, the Company received three pre-owned Boeing 737-700s to end the quarter with 692 aircraft. The Company continues to manage to approximately 700 aircraft at year-end 2015 and continues to expect to grow its fleet approximately two percent, year-over-year, in 2016. Additional information regarding the Company’s aircraft delivery schedule is included in the accompanying tables. The Company’s capacity plans remain unchanged with expected available seat mile growth of approximately seven percent this year, and an estimated five to six percent in 2016, both year-over-year.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-3H4 HL N644SW (msn 28329) approaches the runway at Washington’s Reagan National Airport.

Southwest Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):

United to add summer seasonal fights from Newark and Washington Dulles to three international destinations

United Airlines (Chicago) is adding daily trans-Atlantic summer-season service next year between:

Newark and Athens, Greece, from May 25 through October 5, 2016
Washington/Dulles and Barcelona, Spain, from May 25 through September 6, 2016
Washington/Dulles and Lisbon, Portugal, May 25 through September 6, 2016

All services are subject to government approval.

Newark to Athens

United’s daily nonstop service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Athens (ATH) will operate using Boeing 767-300 aircraft.

Flight times will be 9 hours 50 minutes eastbound and 11 hours westbound.

Washington/Dulles to Barcelona

The nonstop flights between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Barcelona (BCN) will operate daily with Boeing 767-400 aircraft (above).

Flight times for the Barcelona service will be 8 hours 10 minutes eastbound and 9 hours 15 minutes westbound.

United has served Spain for more than 20 years, and this new service complements the airline’s existing year-round flights to both Barcelona and Madrid from Newark.

Washington/Dulles to Lisbon

The airline will use Boeing 757-200 aircraft for flights between Washington/Dulles and Lisbon (LIS).

Flight times will be 7 hours 25 minutes eastbound and 8 hours 20 minutes westbound.

These flights are in addition to United’s existing year-round service to Lisbon from Newark. In 2016, United will mark 19 years of Lisbon service.

United and United Express offer nearly 500 daily departures from the New York/Newark area to more than 150 destinations – the most in North America, the most across the Atlantic, the most across the Pacific and the most to and from Latin America.

United, together with United Express, operates nearly 225 flights daily from its Washington/Dulles hub to destinations throughout the United States and to Europe, Asia, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.

United Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):

Boeing begins final assembly of the first 737 MAX

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) employees in Renton, Washington, have started final assembly on schedule of the first 737 MAX 8, the first member of Boeing’s new, more efficient single-aisle family.

After the first fuselage arrived on August 21 from Spirit Aerosystems in Wichita, Kansas, mechanics began installing flight systems and insulation blankets.

Crews next moved the fuselage to the wing-to-body join position on the new production line where the first MAXs will be built. Mechanics then attached the wings to the body of the airplane.

The wings feature Boeing’s new Advanced Technology winglets. Designed exclusively for the 737 MAX, they will give customers up to 1.8 percent additional fuel-efficiency improvement over today’s inline winglet designs.

Boeing will build the first 737 MAXs exclusively on the new production line in the Renton factory. Once mechanics prove out the production process, the team will extend MAX production to the other two final assembly lines in Renton.

The 737 MAX team remains on track to roll out the first completed 737 MAX by the end of the year and fly it in early 2016. Launch customer Southwest Airlines is scheduled to take delivery of the first 737 MAX in the third quarter of 2017. In total, the 737 MAX family has 2,869 orders from 58 customers worldwide.

Photos: Boeing.

Republic Airways Holdings to go to federal arbitration with its pilots on September 16

Republic Airways Holdings (Indianapolis) has issued this statement regarding its on-going dispute with its pilots for a new contract under federal mediation:

Republic Airways Holdings Inc. received notification from the National Mediation Board (NMB) requesting the Company meet with the NMB on September 16, 2015, in Washington, D.C. As our case remains under the control of the NMB, the Company intends to fully comply with the request of the mediator.

Although the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has deferred a vote by our Pilots, our proposed contract remains on the table, and we continue to believe the appropriate next step is for the Union to abide by its constitution and let our Pilots vote on their own future. A week ago, we offered to meet with the elected leadership of the Union to discuss their language concerns in the proposed contract. To our dismay, there has been no response from the Union leadership to this invitation as a way to collaboratively bring this process to a close.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Operated by Republic Airlines (2nd), Embraer ERJ 170-100SU N806MD (msn 17000019) completes the final approach to the runway at Washington (Reagan National).

Republic Airways:

Frontier Airlines to start Detroit – Orlando service

Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) will start daily Detroit-Orlando flights starting on November 18.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 N229FR (msn 5581) with Peachy, the Fox, on the tail arrives at Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington.

Frontier Airlines aircraft slide show:

Route Map (click on the map for the full size view):

South African Airways celebrates the inaugural flight from Washington Dulles to Accra, Ghana

South African Airways (SAA) (Johannesburg) continues to expand its West African network and celebrated its inaugural flight between Washington (Dulles) and Accra, Ghana, on August 3, 2015.

Flight SA 209 from Accra arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport at 6:05 AM and flight SA 210 departed at 5.40 pm under a ceremonial water cannon salute (above).

Both flights were operated with Airbus A340-600 aircraft, featuring 42 full-flat 180 degree beds in Premium Business Class and 275 seats in Economy Class.

Celebrations at Washington Dulles Airport included local Washington, D.C.-based Ghanaian drummers and dancers, who performed at the boarding gate for SAA’s first passengers departing to Accra and representatives from the Ghanaian Embassy, the South African Embassy, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and Destination D.C.

With the introduction of this new flight, SAA is providing the only nonstop flight between Washington D.C. and Ghana, as well as the only Skytrax 4-Star rated airline service and world-class quality from North America to the entire West Africa region. South African Airways also offers convenient connections from over 50 markets in the U.S. and Canada through its airline partners United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, American Airlines and Virgin America via Washington, D.C.-Dulles.

South African Airways’ flights to Accra are available four days a week with continuing service to Johannesburg, South Africa, operating on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. SAA also provides nonstop service from Washington D.C.-Dulles to Dakar, Senegal and onwards to Johannesburg, three-times per week, operating on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

This new route is part of South African Airways’ continued expansion in North America, where the airline is the only carrier to offer daily nonstop service from New York -JFK International Airport to Johannesburg, South Africa.

Photo: South African Airways.

SAA aircraft slide show:

Frontier announces new routes from Orlando and Las Vegas

Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver) is adding new routes from the two biggest leisure markets in the United States, Orlando and Las Vegas.

Today the carrier announced two new routes from Orlando to both Indianapolis and Los Angeles.

From Las Vegas, the ultra low-fare carrier is adding four new routes to Houston (Bush Intercontinental), Miami, Milwaukee and San Francisco.

Additionally, the airline will start new service from Philadelphia to both Fort Myers and Montego Bay.

The new routes begin on October 25.

The company issued this statement on the new service:

Frontier Airlines will add new nonstop service in leisure markets across its network with the addition of new flights in eight cities throughout the United States and Caribbean. This new service begins October 25.

Four new cities from Las Vegas

Frontier will add four daily nonstop flights between Las Vegas and Miami, Milwaukee, Houston and San Francisco. These flights will operate daily on Frontier’s fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft. The addition of the four new cities brings Frontier’s nonstop destinations from Las Vegas to 13. Currently, Frontier serves Atlanta; Austin Texas; Chicago O’Hare; Cleveland; Cincinnati; Denver; Orlando; St. Louis and Washington — Dulles from Las Vegas.

Four new markets in Florida and the Caribbean

Frontier also will add new service between Orlando and Indianapolis and Los Angeles as well as adding new service between Philadelphia and vacation destinations, Fort Myers and Montego Bay. From Orlando the number of nonstop Frontier destinations will increase to 12, more than doubling its level of service in the past year.

New Service Summary:

LAS VEGAS (LAS) — HOUSTON (IAH)
F9 1238 Leave LAS: 2:30 p.m. Arrive IAH: 7:30 p.m.
F9 1239 Leave IAH: 9 p.m. Arrive LAS: 10:25 p.m.
Aircraft: A319
Frequency: Daily

LAS VEGAS-MIAMI (MIA)
F9 1232 Leave LAS 11:20 p.m. Arrive MIA: 6:45 a.m. (+1 arrives next day)
F9 1233 Leave MIA 9 a.m. Arrive LAS: 11:20 a.m.
Aircraft A319
Frequency: Daily

LAS VEGAS-MILWAUKEE (MKE)
F9 1226 Leave LAS: 1:30 p.m. Arrive: MKE 6:55 p.m.
F9 1227 Leave MKE: 6:40 p.m. Arrive: LAS 8:40 p.m.
Aircraft A319
Frequency: Daily

LAS VEGAS-SAN FRANCISCO (SFO)
F9 1125 Leave LAS: 7:00 p.m. Arrive: SFO 8:35 p.m.
F9 1124 Leave SFO: 9:29 p.m. Arrive: LAS 10:59 p.m.
Aircraft A320
Frequency: Daily

ORLANDO (MCO) — INDIANAPOLIS (IND)
F9 1197 Leave MCO: 2:45 p.m. Arrive IND: 5:05 p.m.
F9 1196 Leave IND: 3:45 p.m. Arrive MCO: 6:05 p.m.
Aircraft: A320
Frequency: Daily

ORLANDO-LOS ANGELES (LAX)
F9 1181 Leave MCO: 4:55 p.m. Arrive LAX: 7:25 p.m.
F9 1180 Leave LAX 8:50p.m. Arrive MCO: 4:30 a.m. (+1 arrives next day)
Aircraft: A319
Frequency: Daily

PHILADELPHIA (PHL) – FORT MYERS (RSW)
F9 1095 Leave PHL: 5 p.m. Arrive RSW: 8 p.m.
F9 1096 Leave RSW: 8:45 p.m. Arrive PHL: 11:25 p.m.
Aircraft: A320
Frequency: Daily except Tuesday

PHILADELPHIA – FORT MYERS
F9 1095 Leave PHL: 5:30 p.m. Arrive RSW 8:30 p.m.
F9 1096 Leave RSW: 9:15 p.m. Arrive: PHL 11:55 p.m.
Aircraft: A320
Frequency: Tuesday

PHILADELPHIA — MONTEGO BAY
F9 107 Leave PHL: 7:30 a.m. Arrive MBJ: 11:25 a.m.
F9 108 Leave MBJ: 12:20 p.m. Arrive PHL: 4 p.m.
Aircraft: A320
Frequency: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 N227FR (msn 6184) arrives at Dulles International Airport near Washington.

Frontier Airlines aircraft slide show:

Republic Airways Holdings reports preliminary 2Q results, will reduce contract flying

Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Republic Airlines 2nd and Shuttle America) (Indianapolis) has announced its preliminary second quarter 2015 financial results. The company also gave guidance from its perspective on the on-going contract negotiations with its pilots, represented by the IBT. The company also warned of possible operational disruptions (see below – the highlights are mine)

Preliminary Second Quarter 2015 Results

The Company expects to report second quarter net income of $4.0 to $5.0 million or $0.08 to $0.10 per diluted share, and pretax margins of 2.5% to 3.0% on operating revenues of $338 to $340 million. The second quarter results were negatively impacted by, among other factors, an operation that produced approximately 4% fewer block hours than forecasted due to the ongoing operational disruption caused by regulatory changes and further intensified by our ongoing pilot labor dispute.

National Pilot Shortage and Labor Dispute Continue to Disrupt Operations

The Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Extension Act of 2010 directed the FAA to enact significant regulatory changes. The law had several elements, one of which was a change to pilot qualification standards that became effective on August 1, 2013, adding new requirements for first officers to hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, requiring additional training and a minimum 1,500 hours total flight time as a pilot. Previously, first officers were required to have only a commercial pilot certificate, which required 250 hours of flight time before beginning an FAA approved commercial airline training program. Another element of the law required the FAA to implement more restrictive limits on pilot flight and duty times. The new limits became effective on January 1, 2014 and immediately had the effect of reducing pilot productivity 5-7%, further exacerbating the growing pilot shortage.

The Company’s ongoing labor dispute with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), the union which represents the bargaining rights of all Republic pilots, is further amplifying our pilot staffing challenges. The IBT and the Company are currently negotiating under the supervision of the National Mediation Board for an amended collective bargaining agreement. Since April 2015, limited progress has been made in the negotiations due to the IBT’s unrealistic and unsustainable demands. The Company has presented a comprehensive proposal to the IBT that would place our pilots ahead of their peers in the regional airline industry for both compensation and work rules. The lack of a new agreement for our pilots requires the Company to maintain its below market contract and is contributing to increased levels of attrition and an inability for the Company to attract new pilots.

Due to the IBT’s unrealistic bargaining position, the Company cannot predict with any certainty a timeline for resolution. As a result, the Company anticipates continued operational disruption related to the ongoing labor dispute and the growing national pilot labor shortage. The Company has initiated discussions with our mainline partners to take the necessary actions to both temporarily and permanently reduce scheduled flying commitments for the remainder of 2015 and the first half of 2016.

In light of the anticipated fleet reductions, the Company is rescinding all previously issued financial and operational guidance.

On July 9, 2015, the IBT filed suit against the Company alleging that the Company unilaterally increased compensation for its pilots and new hire pilots in violation of the Railway Labor Act. We believe the suit is completely without merit, and the Company will take appropriate steps to respond.

The Company is exploring all of its options to mitigate any adverse impact from these matters and restore its operational and financial performance to normal levels. The Company has engaged Seabury Group as an advisor to assist in these efforts.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. From this statement, it is unclear which mainline partner contracts could be reduced creating opportunities for other carriers. In the case of Shuttle America, it flies Embraer aircraft for both Delta and United. Shuttle America’s Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N209JQ (msn 17000258) approaches the runway at Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Delta Connection colors.

Delta Connection-Shuttle America aircraft slide show:

Current Combined Route Map (click to expand):