Tag Archives: Zurich

Air Canada increases the number of weekly flights on the Brisbane route

Air Canada (Montreal) has announced it plans to increase its new nonstop flights from Vancouver to Brisbane, Australia to daily from three times weekly beginning June 17, 2016.

The route is operated with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft featuring 20 International Brouteusiness Class lie-flat seat suites, 21 Premium Economy and 210 Economy Class seats.

As a result of its ongoing expansion, Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 63 airports in Canada, 52 in the United States and 86 in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America.

This year to date, Air Canada has launched new international services from Montreal-Venice, Montreal-Mexico City, Toronto-Amsterdam, Toronto-Dubai, Toronto-Delhi and Vancouver-Osaka.

Next summer, Air Canada will be launching new international services from Montreal-Casablanca, Montreal-Lyon, Toronto-Prague, Toronto-Budapest, Toronto-Glasgow, Toronto-London Gatwick, Toronto-Warsaw, Toronto-Seoul, Vancouver-Brisbane and Vancouver-Dublin.

Air Canada aircraft slide show:

SAS schedules the last Boeing 717 revenue flight for October 31

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) is now planning to operate the last Boeing 717 revenue flight on October 31. The last flight is currently scheduled to be flight SK1768 between Prague and Stockholm (Arlanda) according to Airline Route. The 717s are operated by Blue1 (Helsinki) for SAS.

As previously reported, SAS sold Blue1 to CityJet and will continue to operate operate other aircraft types for SAS under contract.

Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 717-23S OH-BLP (msn 55064) in the Star Alliance scheme departs from Zurich.

Blue1 aircraft slide show:

Airline Aircraft Type “Endangered Species List” (kept up to date): CLICK HERE

Germania Flug (Switzerland) takes delivery of its first Airbus A321

Germania Flug AG (Holiday Jet) (Switzerland) (Zurich) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321. The pictured Airbus A321-211 HB-JOI (msn 5843, ex D-ASTD) was delivered on October 21 from the German parent Germania (Berlin-Schonefeld). The new type went into service yesterday (October 25) from Zurich and Geneva to Pristina, Kosovo and Skopje for tour operator Air Prishtina according to ch-aviation.

Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A321-211 HB-JOI prepares for takeoff at Zurich with the new Swiss registration and flag.

Germania Flug (Switzerland) aircraft slide show:

CityJet to acquire Blue1, CityJet will operate 8 CRJ900s for SAS

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) has made this announcement today:

SAS’s strategy is to offer frequent travelers a broad network with frequent flights to, from and within Scandinavia. To adapt the size of the production to traffic flows SAS utilizes hired capacity, known as a wet lease, with smaller regional jet and turboprop aircraft.

In line with this strategy, SAS has entered into an agreement with CityJet (Dublin) on the wet lease of eight new Bombardier CRJ900s. SAS already operates twelve regional jet aircraft of this type through its subsidiary, Cimber.

The new aircraft, which each have 90 seats and are painted in SAS colors, will be put into service from March 2016 on routes and at times when there is a need for smaller aircraft. The wet lease agreement is for three years and covers eight Bombardier CRJ900s with an option on a further six aircraft.

As part of this collaboration, CityJet is acquiring 100% of the shares in SAS subsidiary Blue1. The sale of Blue1 will lead to a marginal impact on SAS’s income before tax, cash and net debt. The Group’s income after tax during Q4 2014/2015 will be negatively impacted of around MSEK 90, primarily due to write down of capitalized loss carry forwards. The sale and the new wet lease agreement are expected to increase cost efficiency and flexibility.

Above Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner/AirlinersGallery.com. It is unclear what CityJet will do with Blue1. Blue1 currently operates five Boeing 717-200s and SAS is selling the 717s to Volotea and Delta. The type is due to be retired at Blue1 next month. Will Blue1 operate the CRJ900s for SAS? Boeing 717-23S OH-BLM (msn 55066) taxies at Zurich.

Airline Aircraft Type “Endangered Species List”:

CityJet is a European airline that was founded in 1992. CityJet has a fleet of 18 Avro RJ85 jet aircraft and it operates over 680 flights per week throughout Europe.

In the meantime, CityJet made this announcement today:

CityJet wins major contract to operate SAS regional routes and places order for up to 14 Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft.

Irish airline CityJet has been awarded a major wet lease contract by SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) to operate a network of regional routes from Helsinki, Oslo and Stockholm . Commencing in March 2016, CityJet will operate services on behalf of SAS using eight new aircraft, with an option to increase to 14 aircraft in 2017.

CityJet has also announced that it is to acquire eight 90-seat Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets, major components of which are manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace in Belfast. The CRJ900 fleet will be operated exclusively on behalf of SAS, with all aircraft in SAS colors and crewed by CityJet staff.

In addition to the eight aircraft in 2016, the contract has potential to add six further aircraft in 2017, bringing the total aircraft value to over $650m;

Since becoming independent last year, CityJet has seen continual growth across its network, and will carry over two million passengers this year on its scheduled services, charter services, and a Paris-based wet lease programme for Air France.

The airline has recorded 40% growth on its key route Dublin to London City route in the last six months, as well as strong advance bookings for the new Cork to London City service, which commences today and will see up to eighteen flights a week on the route.

CityJet now employs almost 500 staff, with over 300 based at its headquarters in Swords, County Dublin, and additional crew bases in London and Paris.

Top Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. SAS Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) OY-KFD (msn 14221) prepares to land in Zurich.

SAS aircraft slide show:

CityJet aircraft slide show:

Blue1 aircraft slide show:

Finnair prepares for a national demonstration by labor unions

Finnair (Helsinki) has issued this statement for Friday, September 18:

The Finnish labor unions have announced an extensive, nationwide demonstration to take place in Finland on Friday September 18, 2015. The demonstration is expected to have a wide impact on different industries, including commercial aviation.

Finnair estimates the demonstration to have significant impacts on Finnair customer service, baggage handling and different processes and services related to flight departures at Helsinki Airport on Friday. These services are affected primarily between 11:00 and 13:00 EET, but the impacts can be visible to customers both prior to the demonstration period and after it – for example, transportation services at Helsinki Airport are impacted during 06:00-22:00 EET.

“We are extremely sorry about the disruption this demonstration causes to our customers’ travel plans. We will do our utmost to serve our customers in the best possible way in this difficult situation, and thus offer them the possibility to change their flights,” says Janne Tarvainen, Head of Finnair’s Operational Control Center. “We hope that despite this demonstration that is not dependent on Finnair, as many customers as possible will get to their destinations as planned.”

Friday is the busiest day in terms of passenger numbers for Finnair, and the demonstration thus impacts thousands of Finnair customers. The demonstration’s impacts are expected to cause flight delays, time table changes and possibly also flight cancellations during Friday. Even though the demonstration takes place on Friday, some impacts can still be expected in aviation over the weekend.

Finnair has started preparations to minimise the disruptions the demonstration causes on our customers’ travel plans. Customers who have reservations on Finnair flights during September 17-19, 2015, can change their trip to another time free of charge, and avoid traveling during the time when the demonstration causes delays and other disruption on Finnair traffic.

Finnair continues to estimate the detailed impacts of the demonstration, and will communicate possible time table changes and/or cancellations starting on Wednesday, September 16. Finnair advises customers to take the following action:

Customers who are travelling with Finnair on September 17-19, 2015 can already now change their travel dates free of charge, following instructions given at http://www.finnair.com/info
Please make sure that you have the correct mobile number and other contact information in your reservation.
Decisions on timetable changes and/or cancellations are made starting on Wednesday, September 16,2015, and we will communicate the changes directly to customers, and also on our webpages at http://www.finnair.com/int/gb/flights/flightlist
If a flight is cancelled, customers can change their travel date to an earlier or later date, get rerouted when possible, or seek a refund for the ticket price.
We advise customers to reserve enough time to get to Helsinki Airport, as the demonstration is expected to have impacts on public transportation as well as on transportation services near the airport.

We apologize if our customer service lines are busy during the next few days.

Finnair aircraft slide show:

SAS to open new routes to Los Angeles and Miami

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) is expanding and opening three new nonstop routes to USA in 2016. The new routes being launched are Los Angeles from Stockholm (Arlanda), Miami from Oslo and Miami from Copenhagen.

SAS is also increasing the number of departures from Stockholm (Arlanda) to New York (JFK) and Chicago (O’Hare) and between Copenhagen and Shanghai.

That means that SAS will now offer over 330,000 additional seats on its intercontinental routes in 2016.

The first flight to Los Angeles will depart on March 14, 2016 and SAS will have daily departures from Stockholm to Los Angeles throughout the summer season and five-six departures a week in the winter season.

The first flights to Miami are expected to depart in the fall of 2016 and the Miami route will have a daily departure from Scandinavia.

Timetable Stockholm Arlanda – Los Angeles

Daily departures from Arlanda (SK933) at 09.50 arriving in Los Angeles 12.15.
Daily departures from Los Angeles (SK934) at 14.15 arriving at Arlanda 10.00.

Timetable Copenhagen – Miami

Departures Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Copenhagen (SK953) 09.30 arriving in Miami 13.50.

Departures Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from Miami (SK954) 15.50 arriving in Copenhagen 07.10.

Timetable Oslo – Miami

Departures Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays from Oslo(SK955) 09.35 arriving in Miami 13.50.
Departures Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Miami (SK956) 15.50 arriving in Oslo 07.05.

Stockholm – Hong Kong, September 2015

In addition to the new routes, SAS is increasing the frequency of its long haul routes starting with the winter program. SAS will then offer daily flights on the following routes:

Copenhagen – Shanghai (two additional departures each week)
Stockholm – Chicago (one additional departure each week)
Stockholm – New York (one additional departure each week)
Oslo – New York (one additional departure each week)
Copenhagen – San Francisco (one additional departure each week)

These new long haul routes and additional departures mean SAS will now offer its customers over 330,000 more seats on its intercontinental routes in 2016. SAS currently offers long haul flights from Scandinavia to New York, Washington DC, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo.

SAS aircraft slide show:

Finnair narrows its second quarter loss, hopes to break even or better for the year

Finnair (Helsinki) reported a second quarter net loss of €6 million, down from a larger 2Q net loss of €23.9 million in the same period a year ago.

CEO Pekka Vauramo commented on the results:

Our passenger traffic revenue from tickets and ancillary services saw strong growth in the second quarter of 2015, and we achieved a new record in June by carrying more than 37,500 passengers in one day. At the same time, ancillary sales grew by one third from the previous year. Our customers have heartily welcomed the Chicago route as well as our new seasonal summer routes, with demand exceeding our expectations. Furthermore, business travel has picked up noticeably.

Profitability improved significantly, although the operational result still showed a loss of 12.9 million euros. The result improvement is attributed to revenue growth in our core business operations, the progress of cost reduction measures and the decline in fuel prices, which is reflected in our costs gradually due to our hedging policy. The appreciation of the dollar diluted the benefit from fallen jet fuel price and significantly increased our other dollar-denominated costs, but at the same time, the appreciation of our income currencies boosted our revenues particularly in Asia. In addition, our positive performance was supported by the result improvement at Aurinkomatkat Suntours.

While we cannot be satisfied with our loss-making result, our financial position and liquidity are very strong. Our long-haul fleet renewal, which will start this autumn, will significantly improve the cost-competitiveness and customer experience of our long-haul traffic. At the same time, we will continue to focus on increasing our revenue through, for example, ancillary services and product improvements in intercontinental traffic.

We are moving in the right direction and our strategy, which was updated in the spring, is clear. Our goal is profitable growth, which we will be better equipped to achieve once the Airbus A350 aircraft start joining our fleet later this year. They will enable the gradual growth of capacity and substantially reduce our fuel costs on long-haul flights. In addition, we have begun to recruit cabin crew with a view to future growth. Our whole team is enthusiastically preparing for Finnair’s next phase.

Here are the details:

Finnair Plc. Interim report August 14, 2015:

April-June 2015

Revenue on a par with second quarter of 2014, at 561.0 million euros (565.7).
Operational result improved to -12.9 million euros (-19.6).
Operational EBITDAR was 37.4 million euros (35.5).
Net cash flow from operating activities stood at 88.4 million euros (69.2), and cash flow from investments totalled -53.7 million euros (-92.3).
Unit cost at constant currency excluding fuel (CASK excl. fuel) increased by 0.7% year-on-year.
Unit revenue at constant currency (RASK) decreased by 1.9% year-on-year.
Earnings per share amounted to -0.06 cents (-0.20).

January-June 2015

Revenue on a par with first half of 2014, at 1,101.4 million euros (1,109.0).
Operational result improved to -41.3 million euros (-53.9).
Operational EBITDAR was 56.6 million euros (53.0).
Net cash flow from operating activities stood at 101.4 million euros (48.7), and cash flow from investments totalled 89.2 million euros (141.4).
Unit cost at constant currency excluding fuel (CASK excl. fuel) increased by 0.9% year-on-year.
Unit revenue at constant currency (RASK) decreased by 1.2% year-on-year.
Earnings per share amounted to -0.16 cents (-0.44).
Finnair updates its guidance and estimates that, in 2015, its operational result is around break-even or slightly positive.

Outlook

Outlook published on May 7, 2015

The demand outlook for passenger and cargo traffic in Finnair’s main markets still involves uncertainty. Finnair estimates that, in 2015, its capacity measured in Available Seat Kilometres will grow by approximately 3 per cent and that its revenue will remain at the 2014 level. Finnair further estimates, as a change to its previous guidance, and when calculated with the same accounting principles as earlier, that its unit costs excluding fuel will increase from the 2014 level due to the structural changes in the company’s business and the strong appreciation of the US dollar. By applying the changed calculation method, that neutralises the effect of these changes as defined in notes 16 and 18 to the interim financial statements, Finnair estimates that its 2015 unit costs excluding fuel at constant currency will decrease from the 2014 level.

The lower price of jet fuel and the full impact from the completed savings program are supporting the financial performance of Finnair 2015.

According to its disclosure policy, Finnair will issue guidance on the expected development of its operational result in connection with the January–June interim report. As a separate guidance Finnair estimates that, when calculated using the exchange rates effective at the end of the review period, the non-recurring items associated with the long haul fleet renewal in 2015 will have a substantial positive impact on Finnair’s operating result due to the strengthened US dollar. Finnair has previously estimated that the long haul fleet renewal would not have a significant effect on its operating result in 2014 and 2015. The non-recurring items related to the long haul fleet renewal react substantially to changes in the euro-dollar exchange rate.

Outlook on August 14, 2015

Finnair estimates that, in 2015, its operational result is around break-even or slightly positive.

Finnair reiterates its previous estimate that its capacity measured in Available Seat Kilometers will grow by approximately 3 per cent and that its revenue will remain approximately at the 2014 level. As a change to its previous estimate, the company now estimates that its 2015 unit costs excluding fuel at constant currency will remain at the 2014 level.

Finnair also reiterates as a separate guidance that, when calculated using the exchange rates effective at the end of the review period, the non-recurring items associated with the long haul fleet renewal in 2015 will have a substantial positive impact on Finnair’s operating result due to the strengthened US dollar.

Finnair aircraft slide show:

Video: Finnair is depending on the new Airbus A350-900 to boost its bottom line later this year.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxD0MEpJT9M&w=560&h=315%5D

Airberlin’s second quarter and first half loss widens

Airberlin (airberlin.com) (Berlin) has not stemmed its losses. The airline reported a second quarter net loss of €37.5 million ($41.8 million). This represents a 2Q widened net loss from €8.6 million ($9.5 million) reported in the same period a year ago.

The company’s first half net loss was also reported as €247.6 million ($276 million), widened from the €201.2 million net loss ($224.4 million) previously reported for the same period a year ago.

The airline issued this financial report:

Revenue performance in the second quarter of 2015 was characterized by tactical capacity adjustments. At 1.07 billion euros in Q2 2015, revenue fell by 7.0 percent compared to the same period last year (Q2 2014 1.15 billion euros). Accordingly, Group revenue also declined by -2.3 percent (from 1.91 billion euros to 1.87 billion euros) in the first half of 2015. As a result of capacity consolidation, revenue decreased compared to last year, but capacity utilisation and revenue per available seat kilometre (RASK) improved.

Stefan Pichler, CEO airberlin:

“Following a good first quarter, the second quarter was a transition quarter in line with the market trend, as expected and announced. We are optimistic about the outlook for the second half of the year. I am convinced that airberlin is well positioned, thanks to the efficiency improvement measures we have introduced. The noticeable 2.1 percent load factor improvement in July to 87.3 percent shows that we’re on the right track. In the fourth quarter, we will begin the consistent transformation of our business model.”

Operating earnings (EBIT) were -15.9 million euros in Q2 2015 (Q2 2014: -6.9 million euros). This year’s shift in the Easter holidays and last year’s Lufthansa strike affected earnings performance during Q2 2015. Benefits due to the low oil prices were offset by fuel hedging and the US dollar development. Over the half-year, however, airberlin improved its operating earnings (EBIT) by 7.3 percent compared to last year (HY 2014: -189.7 million euros, HY 2015: -175.8 million euros).

Net profit in the second quarter is -37.5 million euros (Q2 2014: 8.6 million euros). In the first half-year, net profit was -247.6 million euros (HY 2014: -201.2 million euros), which was primarily due to pronounced currency effects when evaluating derivates.

Positive RASK performance thanks to efficient capacity and revenue management

In a competitive market environment, Airberlin slightly increased revenue per available seat kilometer (RASK) in the second quarter, which coincided with the system-driven realignment of its revenue management. Total revenue per available seat kilometre (RASK) was 7.20 eurocts (Q2 2014: 7.16 eurocts), which represents a 0.6 percent increase. In terms of half-year results, RASK also increased by 1.2 percent, from 6.90 eurocts to 6.99 eurocts. In terms of yield performance, the average yield fell by -1.6 percent, from 120.5 euros to 118.5 euros. Compared to the same half-year period last year, the yield improved by 0.7 percent, from 119.0 euros to 119.8 euros.

In the second quarter, Airberlin offered 15.0 billion available seat kilometers (ASK), which, in accordance with its capacity planning, represents a fall of 7.1 percent (Q2 2014: 16.0 billion). Cost per ASK (CASK) rose by 1.5 percent from 7.20 eurocts to 7.31 eurocts.

Realignment of business model

During the first phase of the realignment, the management structure and management processes of the Airberlin Group were more closely aligned to operational airline processes. In addition to the short-term capacity consolidation, the airberlin group continues to focus its efforts on the redesign of its revenue management and sales.

A fundamental review of the current network operated by Airberlin is nearing completion and is aimed at significantly improving both the starting position of the operating costs per ASK (CASK) and the revenue per available seat kilometre. Optimising internal business processes and increasing focus on core business will continue during the 2nd half of 2015.

Outlook

The second half of the current financial year will aim at implementing the optimisation measures initiated during the first half year. Considerable improvements in yield, capacity utilisation and RASK are expected.

Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner/AirlinersGallery.com. Airberlin is phasing out its Boeing 737 fleet and is going to an all-Airbus fleet. The last 737 should be retired by the end of next year unless the carrier decides to cut additional loss-making routes. Boeing 737-86J D-ABME (msn 37766) painted in the Oneworld scheme taxies at Zurich.

Airberlin aircraft slide show:

Eurowings to add four new routes from Vienna

Eurowings (Dusseldorf) in February, through its parent (Lufthansa Group,) announced Vienna, Austria would be its first base outside of Germany:

“Following close consultation with Austrian Airlines (Vienna) and at the carrier’s own request, two Airbus A320 aircraft are being stationed at VIE initially, offering point-to-point connections on European routes. The aircraft are to fly in the colors of the new Eurowings. The aircraft will be staffed with crews from Austrian. This partnership is possible as a result of Austrian’s new collective agreement, which was entered into in December 2014 and offers additional prospects to the 900 pilots and 2,300 flight attendants.

With the new Eurowings brand, the Lufthansa Group is entering new markets in the price-sensitive leisure travel sector, thereby safeguarding its leading position in its home markets of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium. By the end of 2015, Eurowings and Germanwings along with other European airlines are to be united on a joint platform and should acquire new customers by offering low-cost short and long-haul services.”

In October, Eurowings will be taking over 55 routes from Germanwings along with the appropriate amount of aircraft and crews to fly the newly assigned routes.

Eurowings has now announced a further expansion at VIE with four additional routes starting on November 9 to Barcelona, London (Stansted), Palma de Mallorca and Rome (Fiumicino).

The new Eurowings will operate the Airbus A320s in Austria under a new Austrian AOC.

Eurowings aircraft slide show:

Air Serbia applies for codeshare service to the U.S. via partner Airberlin

Air Serbia (Belgrade) hopes to serve the United States again. Formerly as Jat Airways, the company previously flew to the USA starting in 1970 with Boeing 707s. Later McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30s were deployed on those routes starting in 1978 (below).

Above Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner/AirlinersGallery.com. JAT-Yugoslav Airlines (later Jat Airways) McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 YU-AMA (msn 46981) approaches Zurich.

Now as Air Serbia, the airline has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to serve the U.S. via a codeshare agreement with partner Airberlin (Berlin) using Airbus A330s (above).

If approved, the Air Serbia code would be shown on Airberlin flights to Chicago (O’Hare), Miami and New York (JFK) via Berlin (Tegel) and Dusseldorf according to Airline Route.

Top Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Airberlin’s Airbus A330-223 D-ALPC (msn 444) approaches the runway at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Air Serbia aircraft slide show:

Jat Airways aircraft slide show: