Tag Archives: XFW

Hong Kong Airlines lands in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Hong Kong Airlines‘ (Hong Kong) reported its Ho Chi Minh City inaugural flight touched down in the Vietnamese city at 13:55 (1:55 pm) local time today (March 17). The passengers and flight crew received a warm welcome from the Airlines’ representatives upon their arrival.

Hong Kong Airlines Hong Kong – Ho Chi Minh route is operated by Airbus A320 aircraft configured with all-economy class. The flight operates every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The new flight service to Ho Chi Minh City is complimented by Hong Kong Airlines’ daily flight to Hanoi, bringing it to a total of 10 weekly flights between Hong Kong and Vietnam.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 D-AUBU (msn 6003) with Sharklets at Hamburg (Finkenwerder) will become B-LPL on delivery.

Hong Kong Airlines:

The 6,000th Airbus A320 Family aircraft is delivered

Airbus (Toulouse) has delivered the 6,000 A320 Family aircraft. Airbus has issued this statement:

This handover involved a Sharklet-equipped A320 received by Air Arabia (Sharjah) during a ceremony at Airbus’ Hamburg, Germany facilities – home to one of three A320 Family final assembly sites worldwide. The jetliner is the 37th A320 Family aircraft received by Air Arabia, a leading low cost-carrier in the Middle East and North Africa regions.

Since the A320’s service entry in 1988, ongoing improvements to the A320 Family developed by Airbus – including engine enhancements, aerodynamic refinements such as the incorporation of Sharklets, and upgrades to its widest-in-class passenger cabin – have resulted in the world’s best-selling and most modern single-aisle product line, with more than 10,200 aircraft ordered to date.

In addition, the company is continuing to apply innovations to the A320 Family with the A320neo (new engine option) – which has captured some 60 per cent market share ahead of its 2015 service entry. These jetliners share 95 per cent commonality with current engine option (CEO) aircraft, while incorporating two new powerplant choices – CFM International’s LEAP-1A and the PurePower PW1100G-JM from Pratt & Whitney – along with Sharklets wingtip devices as standard equipment.

Top Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 A6-ANW (msn 6000) was handed over to Air Arabia (United Arab Emirates) (Sharjah) on March 6 and wears a special emblem.

Air Arabia (UAE):

Bottom Copyright Photo: Airbus.

Finnair to operate a fifth daily flight to London Heathrow

Finnair (Helsinki) is increasing the number of flights it operates to London Heathrow from Helsinki from four to five times daily. Effective March 30, 2014, flight AY 995 departs Helsinki at 4:25 P.M. (1625) for arrival in London three hours later at 5:30 P.M. (1730), while AY 996 departs London at 7:35 P.M. (1935) and arrives in Helsinki at 12:30 A.M. (0030). The new frequency will be flown primarily with Finnair’s new Airbus A321 aircraft, which are equipped with fuel-efficient Sharklet wingtip devices and operate within Heathrow’s strictest noise parameters.

In addition to its own five daily frequencies, Finnair offers two daily codeshare roundtrips operated by fellow oneworld partner British Airways.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A321-231 D-AZAO with Sharklets became OH-LZG (msn 5758) on September 5, 2013.

Finnair:

JetBlue to introduce the new Airbus A321 tomorrow

JetBlue Airways (New York) tomorrow (December 19) will begin revenue operations of their new Airbus A321s. The first all-coach (JetBlue calls it “core”) A321s, outfitted with 190 seats, will debut on routes from New York JFK to Barbados, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and San Juan. By the launch of service, JetBlue have four A321s in service, the first of an order for 83.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured Airbus A321-231 with the temporary marks of D-AVZA was the first A321 and became N903JB on delivery on October 24. It was followed by N905JB on November 13 and N907JB on November 16. The new A321s are also introducing the new Prism tail design.

JetBlue Airways:

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American Airlines takes delivery of its first Airbus A321

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) today took delivery of the first Airbus A321 trans-continental aircraft, complete with fully lie-flat First and Business Class seats. The new aircraft is scheduled to enter service next year, making American the only U.S. carrier to offer customers more choices with a three-class configuration when flying between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles, and New York (JFK) and San Francisco.

The “A321T” (as American calls it) will offer a comfortable flying experience from coast to coast with fully lie-flat seats in First and Business Class, with direct aisle access for all First Class customers for ease of moving about the cabin. The aircraft is equipped with Main Cabin Extra seating, giving Main Cabin customers the option of up to six inches of extra legroom, and every seat onboard features in-seat entertainment with up to 200 movies, up to 180 TV programs, more than 350 audio selections and up to 20 games. Individual AC power outlets and USB jacks are available at every seat throughout the aircraft. Customers will have an enhanced experience connecting with Gogo’s upgraded ATG-4 Wi-Fi service.

American will begin operating the A321T between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in January. The aircraft will initially operate two of American’s daily flights between JFK and LAX and will operate all frequencies between the two airports in June, when American increases its frequencies to 13 daily flights. The A321T will also begin flying between JFK and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in March 2014 and will operate all frequencies between the two airports in June, when American increases its frequencies to five daily flights.

The new A321T incorporates the latest improvements to reduce fuel burn, marking another important advancement toward American’s efforts to build a more fuel-efficient fleet. On the road to building a younger and more modern fleet, American plans to take delivery of nearly 60 new aircraft total by the end of the year, including new Boeing 777-300 ERs, Boeing 737-800s, Airbus A319s and Airbus A321s. The airline will continue its fleet renewal program in 2014 with more new aircraft deliveries, including the Boeing 787, which is scheduled to join American’s fleet late next year.

In addition, American’s current and future deliveries from the Airbus A320 Family, including the A321T, feature Airbus’ Runway Overrun Prevention System (ROPS). This onboard cockpit technology increases pilots’ situational awareness during landing, reduces exposure to runway excursion risk, and, if necessary, provides active protection.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com. Officially the aircraft is an Airbus A321-231. The pictured D-AVZK (msn 5834) at Hamburg (Finkenwerder) became N101NN on the handover.

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American Airlines:

Avianca Holdings reports adjusted net income of $99.1 million in the third quarter

Avianca Holdings S.A. (Avianca) (Bogota) for the third quarter of 2013 reported a consolidated adjusted net income of $99.1 million (all amounts in US dollars) excluding FX effects related to liabilities denominated in Colombian Pesos and on the gain on sale of assets. This represents an increase of 151.3% over the same period in 2012. Avianca´s adjusted net profit margin increased by 450 basis points reaching 8.5%. Including the aforementioned effects on net income, Avianca Holdings S.A. and its subsidiaries generated a net income of $39.9 million.

Operating revenue came in at $1.182 million, representing an increase of 9.6% over the same period of 2012. Said increase is the result of a rise of 9.4% in passenger income resulting from a growth of 3.5% in carried passengers. Cargo and other revenues grew by 10.9%. This increase is mainly driven by the cargo and loyalty program business unit.

Revenue per Seat Kilometer (RASK) grew 3.6% whereas the Cost per Available Seat Kilometer (CASK) in 3Q 2013, grew from USD$10.3 cents to USD$10.4 cents, an increase of 1,5% with respect to the same period in 2013.

EBITDAR (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortization and aircraft rentals) increased 23.1% with respect to 3Q 2012. The EBITDAR margin reached 20.1%.

Operating income (EBIT) for 3Q 2013 rose to $132.2 million, a 32.2% increase with respect to the $100.0 million reached in the same period in 2012. The operating margin in 3Q 2013 came in at 11.2%, increasing by 1.9pp with respect to 3Q 2012. Said rise was generated by an increase in operating revenue as well as by cost control measures.

Capacity, measured in ASKs (Available Seats per Kilometer) grew by 5.87% throughout 3Q 2013. This growth is driven by the expansion of Avianca’s operations in its core markets, the incorporation of larger aircraft as well as an improvement in operating cycles of 1.1%. Traffic measured in RPKs (Revenue Passenger Kilometer) grew 5.9%, resulting in a Load Factor of 82.0% representing an increase of 20 basis points with respect to the Load Factor of 3Q 2012.

In accordance with the fleet renovation and modernization plan, between July and September 2013, the company through its subsidiary Avianca S.A., took delivery of one Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklets (see above), one ATR 72-600 and one A330-200 freighter. As a result, Avianca Holdings S.A. subsidiaries ended the quarter with a consolidated operating fleet of 154 aircraft.

With these third quarter results, Avianca Holdings S.A. reports a consolidated net income for the last 9 months of $183.4 million, reaching accumulated net margin of 5.4% year to date.

During the remainder of 2013, the company expects to continue with a capacity expansion in its key markets, as a result the company forecasts ASK growth between 7% and 8% for the full year 2013 compared to 2012. In terms of passenger traffic, the company expects a sustained growth during the remainder of 2013. Passenger numbers are expected to increase between 9% and 10% for the full year 2013 and as a result the load factor should stand between 79% and 80%.

Avianca Holdings S.A. is an investment firm that serves as an instrument for the execution of the shareholders agreement which resulted in the integration process known as AviancaTaca and acts as the controlling company for the integrated operation of various airlines that operate both domestically and internationally: Aerovías del Continente Americano S.A. Avianca (Avianca), Tampa Cargo S.A. incorporated in Colombia, Aerolíneas Galápagos S.A. Aerogal incorporated in Ecuador, and the companies that make up the TACA Group: TACA Internacional Airlines S.A., incorporated in El Salvador; Líneas Aéreas Costarricenses S.A., LACSA, incorporated in Costa Rica, Trans American Airlines S.A. TACA Peru incorporated in Peru, Servicios Aéreos Nacionales S.A., SANSA incorporated in Costa Rica, Aerotaxis La Costeña S.A., incoporated in Nicaragua and Isleña de Inversiones C.A. de C.V. ISLEÑA incorporated in Honduras.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured Airbus A320-233 D-AXAS (msn 5840) was handed over to Avianca (Colombia) as N603AV on November 5.

Avianca (Colombia):

The first Airbus A321 is painted for American Airlines

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) will soon take delivery of its first Airbus A321-200. The first, the pictured A321-231 with the temporary registration of D-AVZK (msn 5834), has been pulled out of the paint shop at the Airbus facility in Hamburg (Finkenwerder). The first airframe will be delivered as N101NN.

American plans to take delivery of 130 current generation Airbus aircraft from the A321 and A319 variants and up to 100 Boeing 737-800s through 2017. American plans to configure some of the A321s for use on trans-continental flights and intends to use the remaining A321s, as well as all of the A319s and new Boeing 737-800s to retire aging aircraft in its existing fleet.

The A321 aircraft will be equipped with V2500-A5 engines from International Aero Engines (IAE), a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, MTU and JAEC.

American intends to take delivery of the A321s beginning in November 2013 through 2014. The A321 trans-continental aircraft will replace American’s existing fleet of Boeing 767-200s and fly between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and JFK and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

American intends to replace its fleet of domestic Boeing 757-200s and DC-9-82/83s (MD-80s) with A321s, A319s and Boeing 737-800s.

Beginning in 2017, American expects to begin taking delivery of 130 aircraft from the A320neo (New Engine Option) family featuring next-generation technology. The new aircraft are about 15 percent more fuel efficient than today’s models. American is scheduled to be the first network airline in the U.S. to deploy this new technology. Engine selection for the A320neo family aircraft will be made in the future.

The new type provide a three-class layout for trans-continental flights on its new Airbus A321s – which includes these full lie-flat beds in business class (all photos from Airbus).

Inside American Airlines’ new A321s – which are equipped with Sharklets – passengers will benefit from Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the cabin, as well as inflight entertainment (IFE) and 100v AC power outlets and USB jacks at every seat.

The first class cabin offered in American Airlines’ new Airbus A321s will feature full lie-flat beds for coast-to-coast direct service initially between New York and Los Angeles, followed by a New York-San Francisco route.

Top Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com (all others by Airbus).

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American Airlines:

EVA Air takes delivery of its first Airbus A321 with Sharklets

EVA Air (Taipei) of Taiwan has taken delivery of its first Sharklet equipped Airbus A321 aircraft, on lease from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). The aircraft was handed over during a ceremony in Hamburg attended by Chang Kuo Wei, Chairman of EVA Air, and Norman Liu, President and CEO of GECAS.

This A321 is the first of eight A321s with Sharklets that will be operated by EVA Air under lease agreement from GECAS.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A321-211 D-AVZG (msn 5806) painted in the Star Alliance color scheme became B-16206 when it was handed over to the carrier on October 22.

EVA Air:

JetBlue to serve Barbados with daily Airbus A321 flights from New York

JetBlue Airways (New York) has announced plans to serve the New York (JFK) to Bridgetown, Barbados route with daily Airbus A321 service, adding up to 580 seats per week each way, starting on December 19, 2013. Additionally, JetBlue has filed to offer more capacity to Barbados during peak holiday times, including President’s Day and Easter, subject to receipt of government approval.

JetBlue expects to meet peak winter holiday demand by deploying brand new A321 aircraft on the route starting on December 19, 2013. These aircraft will be fresh from the Airbus factory and will not initially have LiveTV programming (television, movies or radio) available. As a new aircraft to the JetBlue fleet, the A321 must receive a supplemental type certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before JetBlue can install and activate the airline’s signature entertainment on all A321s. The certification timeline may be impacted by the partial U.S. government shut down. JetBlue anticipates offering LiveTV’s full suite of entertainment on the first A321 aircraft by April 2014.

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JetBlue Airways:

Sichuan Airlines receives its first Airbus A321 with Sharklets

Sichuan Airlines (Chengdu), the largest all Airbus operator in China, took delivery of its first A321 aircraft equipped with Sharklets fuel saving wing tip devices on September 26. The pictured A321-231 B-9967 (msn 5470) will also be the first A321 with Sharklets to be operated in China. The A321, powered by IAE V2500 engines, features a comfortable two class cabin, seating 194 passengers with 8 in business class and 186 in economy.

Sichuan Airlines is China’s largest all Airbus operator. It introduced an A320 in 1995 to become the first Chinese airline to operate an Airbus fly-by-wire aircraft. It was also the first airline to operate Airbus A321 in China. In 2009, the airline received the first A320 assembled at the Airbus Tianjin Final Assembly.

At the end of August 2013, Sichuan Airlines operated a fleet of six A330s and 75 A320 Family aircraft.

Sichuan Airlines: