Tag Archives: XFW

Vueling Airlines’ board accepts IAG latest raised bid, won’t be merged with Iberia

Vueling Airlines‘ (Barcelona) board of directors has approved the latest bid by the International Airlines Group (IAG) (London) after IAG raised its bid for the remaining shares by 32 percent to €9.25 a share.

IAG CEO Willie Walsh also stated Vueling Airlines will remain a separate carrier and will not be merged with the higher cost and troubled Iberia (Madrid).

Read the full report from Bloomberg: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss. Airbus A320-214 D-AXAS (msn 5533) with Sharklets at a snowy Hamburg (Finkenwerder) became EC-LVO when it was handed over on April 5.

Vueling Airlines:

Virgin America wants to fly to Hawaii

Virgin America‘s (San Francisco) CEO David Cush has stated the carrier would like to add new routes to Hawaii starting in 2015 when it has a sufficient number of new Airbus A320s with Sharklets. This will be the first use of A320s to the islands although Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu) will be using new Airbus A321s from Hawaii to the Mainland.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss. The pictured Airbus A320-214 WL D-AXAL (N361VA) (msn 5515) is the first Virgin America A320 with Sharklets.

Virgin America:

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Virgin America arrives in Newark, will name the first Airbus A320 with “Sharklets” as “Jersey Girl”

Virgin America (San Francisco) yesterday (April 9) celebrated the launch of its new service to Newark, New Jersey – the 20th destination in the carrier’s growing network. The carrier is serving Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) with three daily nonstop flights from both Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Late last month, the airline named the 53^rd member of its fleet in honor of the Garden State after inviting social audiences to show their “New Jersey” pride by submitting a name. The winning name, “Jersey Girl,” will grace the nose of the first aircraft in Virgin America’s fleet to be outfitted with Airbus’s new “Sharklet” technology, which promises to be one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft in the nation once she takes to the skies later this month.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss. The pictured Airbus A320-214 WL D-AXAL was handed over to the carrier as N361VA (msn 5515) on March 19 through a lease with AerCap. It is the first Virgin American A320 with Sharklets and will be named “Jersey Girl” in honor of the new service to Newark.

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Virgin America:

The first Airbus A380 for British Airways is rolled out of the paint shop

British Airways‘ (London) first A380 has been rolled out of the paint shop facility at Hamburg (Finkenwerder), following the application of its full livery. Its livery includes some 10,000 individual dots on the tailfin to produce the effect of the Union flag.

British Airways:

Armavia suspends operations, will file for bankruptcy

Armavia Air Company (Yerevan, Armenia) suspended all operations yesterday (March 29) and plans to filed for bankruptcy on Monday (April 1) according to local reports. The company was previously planning to operate through tomorrow but this has changed. No flights are operating today.

At the end, the flag carrier was operating one Airbus A320, three Boeing 737-500s and three Bombardier CRJ200s. One Airbus A319 was operated for the government of Armenia.

Armavia Air company LLC was established in December 12, 1996 and had been struggling financially.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss. Airbus A319-111 D-AVYM (msn 3834) became EK32007 on delivery. However this airframe has since gone on to FlyGeorgia as 4L-FGA.

Armavia:

Air Namibia modernizes its fleet and updates its route structure

Air Namibia (Windhoek) is making changes. The government of the Republic of Namibia, Air Namibia’s sole shareholder, has decided to recapitalize the airline, with an equity injection in the form of two brand new Airbus A319-100 aircraft (total now four) for use on regional routes. New A319 services from Windhoek to Gaborone (three times a week) and Harare (four times a week) will commence on May 15.

The airline is also adding two Airbus A330-200s to replace the current two A340-300s which are operated on the valuable Windhoek-Frankfurt route. The first of the A330-200 aircraft is expected to enter the fleet in October 2013 and the second one is expected to enter the fleet in November 2013. These aircraft will offer 30 business class seats with full flat beds and personalized video and audio inflight entertainment, and 214 economy class seats also fitted with personalized audio/video inflight entertainment system.

However the carrier is expected to drop the Windhoek-Accra route on April 11 per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss. Airbus A319-112 D-AVWG (msn 5366) became V5-ANM when it was handed over to the carrier. It is pictured at Hamburg (Finkenwerder) prior to the delivery.

Air Namibia:

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EVA Air becomes a new Airbus A321 operator

EVA Air (Taipei) of Taiwan has become a new operator of Airbus single aisle aircraft following the delivery today (October 31) of its first A321. The aircraft is being leased from Aviation Capital Group (ACG) and is the first of 12 A321s ordered by the US lessor. The aircraft was handed over at a ceremony in Hamburg attended by Chang Kuo Wei, President of EVA Air.

EVA currently plans to introduce 12 leased A321s into its fleet between now and end-2014 for operation on regional routes. The airline has specified a high comfort two class layout for the aircraft seating 184 passengers. EVA’s A321 fleet will be powered by CFM International CFM56 engines.

EVA Air plans to introduce the new A321 on November 10 on the Taipei (Taoyuan)-Macau route according to Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss. The first, the pictured Airbus A321-211 D-AVZD (msn 5354) at Hamburg (Finkenwerder), became B-16201 at today’s handover.

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EVA Air:

Thai Airways International to introduce its first Airbus A380 in October

Thai Airways International’s (Bangkok) first Airbus A380-800 aircraft bearing the airline’s distinctive livery has been rolled out from the Airbus paint shop in Hamburg. Now the pictured A380-841 with the temporary marks of F-WWAO (msn 087) is seen for the first time on the runway at Hamburg (Finkenwerder)

According to the carrier, “this important milestone marks the unveiling of the fully-painted, first Airbus A380 for Thailand’s national flag carrier. Thai’s symbol is an abstract image suggesting movement, inspired by the crown flower used in Thai handicraft work and Thai garlands used in traditional ceremonies such as weddings and auspicious events. Colors used are purple, magenta and gold representing, respectively, a Thai orchid, shimmering Thai silk and the brilliance of a Thai temple.”

Thai will become the ninth operator of the A380 when it takes delivery of first the aircraft later this month on September 27. The airline has firm orders for six A380s and will operate the aircraft on its premier routes from Bangkok to Europe.

Thai is now planning to introduce the new wide body type on October 6 between Bangkok and Hong Kong (instead of the original planned October 28 launch date).

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Thai Airways International:

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Hong Kong Airlines to drop the London Gatwick route on September 10, will concentrate on the Asian market

Hong Kong Airlines (Hong Kong) has confirmed it will discontinue the Business Class Hong Kong-London (Gatwick) route on September 10. The carrier added the route only in March 2012. The airline will concentrate on regional routes in Asia.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss. The airline is also modifying its color scheme. Newly-manufactured Airbus A320-214 F-WWIA (msn 5264) displays the updated look at Hamburg (Finkenwerder). The airline has been stylizing its name as Hongkong Airlines. The new airliner will become B-LPF on delivery.

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Hong Kong Airlines:

Thai Smile takes delivery of its first Airbus A320, will now launch operations on July 7

Thai Smile Air (subsidiary of Thai Airways International) (Bangkok) will now launch operations on July 7 (delayed from July 1) following the delivery of its first aircraft. The first route will be from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Macau. Eventually four A320s will be utilized to fly from BKK to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Kolkata, Jakarta, and Phnom Penh in the first year.

Thai Smile will be a “light-premium sub-brand” according to the parent.

In its first year of operations, using Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport as its main hub, Thai will replace the mainline service to Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai, and Surat Thani.

According to Thai, “the main target market for these initial in-country flights will be the young small and medium business traveler as well as local traveler, government agents, who wants a relaxed, stylish atmosphere on board without the premium price.”

Thai Smile’s light premium service will offer a complimentary meal and drink service, free passenger seat selections, faster check-in procedures, 15-20 kg baggage allowances, and the ability to accrue frequent flyer mileage on both Thai and the Star Alliance network.

Thai does not believe the new Thai Smile brand will be a conflict with low-cost subsidiary Nok Air since Nok Air only flies domestically out of Don Muang airport, while Thai Smile passengers will be able to connect to international flights out of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai Smile will also fly to Khon Kaen and Chiang Rai, two destinations not covered by Nok Air.

The name Thai Smile was chosen from 2,229 entries submitted in a contest to name the airline.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss. The pictured Airbus A320-232 with the temporary registration of D-AVVM, was handed over yesterday (June 30) as HS-TXA (msn 5198). It seen at the Hamburg (Finkenwerder) plant.

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