Malaysia Airlines Boeing 747-4H6(9M-MPB) with the hibiscus livery took off from Amsterdam-Schiphol(AMS) on March 10, 2007.
Source: airliners.net
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Picture of the Day(30 November 2011)
Malaysia Airlines Boeing 747-4H6(9M-MPB) with the hibiscus livery took off from Amsterdam-Schiphol(AMS) on March 10, 2007.
Source: airliners.net
American Airlines files for bankruptcy protection
American Airlines has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced that its president, Thomas Horton, has succeeded Gerard Arpey as chief executive.
The carrier today filed voluntary petitions for reorganisation with the Southern District of New York bankruptcy court, citing the move as being "in the best interest of the company and its stakeholders".
Horton said: "We have met our challenges head on, taking all possible action to secure our long-term position. In recent years, even as the airline industry faced unprecedented challenges, American strengthened our domestic and global network; fortified our alliances with the best partners around the world; launched a transformational fleet deal that will give American the youngest and most efficient fleet in the industry; and invested in our product, service and technology to build a world class customer experience.
"But as we have made clear with increasing urgency in recent weeks, we must address our cost structure, including labour costs, to enable us to capitalise on these foundational strengths and secure our future. Our very substantial cost disadvantage compared to our larger competitors, all of which restructured their costs and debt through Chapter 11, has become increasingly untenable given the accelerating impact of global economic uncertainty and resulting revenue instability, volatile and rising fuel prices, and intensifying competitive challenges."
Horton added that the carrier is committed to working "as quickly and efficiently as possible" to restructure the airline and emerge from bankruptcy protection.
American intends to carry out its operations as normal during its restructuring process, and will "maintain a strong presence in domestic and international markets, including our cornerstones in Dallas Fort Worth, Chicago, New York, Miami and Los Angeles", said Horton.
American will enter negotiations with its unions aimed at improving its cost structure.
The airline has $4.1 billion in unrestricted cash reserves and short-term investments, which it said will be "more than sufficient to assure that its vendors, suppliers and other business partners will be paid timely and in full for goods and services provided during the Chapter 11 process".
The carrier today filed voluntary petitions for reorganisation with the Southern District of New York bankruptcy court, citing the move as being "in the best interest of the company and its stakeholders".
Horton said: "We have met our challenges head on, taking all possible action to secure our long-term position. In recent years, even as the airline industry faced unprecedented challenges, American strengthened our domestic and global network; fortified our alliances with the best partners around the world; launched a transformational fleet deal that will give American the youngest and most efficient fleet in the industry; and invested in our product, service and technology to build a world class customer experience.
"But as we have made clear with increasing urgency in recent weeks, we must address our cost structure, including labour costs, to enable us to capitalise on these foundational strengths and secure our future. Our very substantial cost disadvantage compared to our larger competitors, all of which restructured their costs and debt through Chapter 11, has become increasingly untenable given the accelerating impact of global economic uncertainty and resulting revenue instability, volatile and rising fuel prices, and intensifying competitive challenges."
Horton added that the carrier is committed to working "as quickly and efficiently as possible" to restructure the airline and emerge from bankruptcy protection.
American intends to carry out its operations as normal during its restructuring process, and will "maintain a strong presence in domestic and international markets, including our cornerstones in Dallas Fort Worth, Chicago, New York, Miami and Los Angeles", said Horton.
American will enter negotiations with its unions aimed at improving its cost structure.
The airline has $4.1 billion in unrestricted cash reserves and short-term investments, which it said will be "more than sufficient to assure that its vendors, suppliers and other business partners will be paid timely and in full for goods and services provided during the Chapter 11 process".
Source: Flightglobal
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Picture of the Day(29 November 2011)
Air Berlin Airbus 330-223(D-ALPF) making a landing at Miami-International(MIA) on 7 July 2011.
Source: airliners.net
Etihad eyes airline tie-ups to expand global reach
Etihad CEO James Hogan. The carrier has a fleet of 63 aircraft that fly to 86 destinations
Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi’s flagship airline, would consider tie-ups with other carriers in a bid to bolster revenues and expand its global reach, its CEO said.
The state-backed airline has previously been linked to stake talks for Ireland’s Aer Lingus and British Midland International (BMI), the loss-making airline likely to be sold to IAG.
“If we see an opportunity to partner with another carrier that drives incremental revenue, strengthens our position in the market ... we’d like to do that,” James Hogan told the Financial Times, adding that Aer Lingus “flies to many parts of Europe that we don’t fly to.”
Etihad has a fleet of 63 aircraft and flies to 86 destinations. It has successfully expanded its reach to a further 118 cities through a series of code-sharing partnerships, the latest of which was a link-up with Russian carrier S7 Airlines.
As Russia’s largest domestic carrier, the partnership will give Etihad access to cities such as Kazan, Samara, Krasnodar and St Petersburg.
In addition to codesharing deals, Etihad has an alliance with Australia’s Virgin Blue and was reported to have held talks with the Irish government to buy its 25 percent stake in Aer Lingus. The Gulf carrier also was reported to have held talks about a partnership with Virgin Atlantic to
Abu Dhabi’s Etihad was reported in October to have held talks with Virgin over a potential partnership, should the British airline make a bid for BMI.
State-backed Etihad would be unable to make a bid of its own due to foreign ownership rules, as is the case in many countries around the world under regulatory requirements.
Emirates Airline, the largest international carrier and Etihad’s rival, has said it will expand through growing its fleet and has little interest in dealmaking. “We believe the M&A process of growth is beset with problems,” he told the paper.
The airline is the largest customer of the Airbus A380 superjumbo, with a fleet of 161 wide-bodied aircraft and orders for a further 190. The carrier, which plans to grow its fleet to as many as 260 by 2018, placed an $18bn order for 50 Boeing 777s at this month’s Dubai Airshow.
Source: arabianbusiness
Monday, 28 November 2011
Qatar Airways CEO eyes further Indian expansion
Qatar Airways is keen to grow further its presence in India.
Qatar Airways is looking for further expansion opportunities in India for both passenger flights and cargo, the airline's CEO has said.
Akbar Al Baker said he was keen to develop more routes in India, stressing the importance of the "strong market".
He said: "This is a market that is strong and full of confidence. We are eyeing more opportunities here in India and look forward to developing our footprint further to give the travelling public a wider choice of services they deserve, and the cargo community more flights to ease the flow of goods, produce and other shipments to and from India."
Qatar Airways currently operates a total of 110 flights a week in India, a four-fold increase from just a few years ago."Having launched flights to Goa, Amritsar, Bengaluru and Kolkata over the past 24 months, our new routes have facilitated growing demand for more capacity to and from India," Al Baker added.
Qatar is India's largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) while exports from India to Qatar centre on food, machinery, chemicals, jewellery and textiles.
Al Baker said India played a key role in Qatar Airways' infrastructure. The airline is a key employer of Indian nationals, who represent around 25 percent of the state-backed carrier's 20,000-strong workforce.
Kolkata joined the carrier's Indian routes in July with the launch of daily non-stop services from Doha, becoming its 12th passenger gateway in the country.
The Indian network covers daily flights to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Goa, Hyderabad, Kozhikode, Trivandrum, Chennai, Bengaluru (Bangalore), with 11-flights-a-week to Cochin and double daily to the capital, Delhi.
During 2011, Qatar Airways has so far inducted 14 destinations into its network and will launch flights to Chongqing in China on Monday.By 2013, Qatar Airways plans to serve over 120 destinations worldwide with a fleet of more than 120 aircraft.
As part of its aggressive growth plans, Qatar Airways placed orders for 90 aircraft at the recent Dubai Airshow.
Source: arabianbusiness
Picture of the Day(28 November 2011)
Delta Airlines Boeing 767-332(N129DL/129) took off from Boston Logan International(BOS) on November 11, 2011.
Source: airliners.net
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Picture of the Day(27 November 2011)
KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 747-406 (PH-BFL/FL-004) on approach to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport(AMS)'s shortest runway. Two 747 are preparing to slam their breaks on runway 22!
Source: airliners.net
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Boeing Announces 787 Dream Tour
Boeing soon will begin a six-month Dream Tour with its all-new 787 Dreamliner.
Customers and partners around the world will experience the revolutionary technology and passenger innovation offered on the first new airplane of the 21st century.
"The 787 Dreamliner is a game-changing airplane and we're delighted to be able to bring this innovative product to our customers who will soon be receiving their own 787s," said Ray Conner, vice president of Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes in a statement from Everett, Washington.
"This airplane is now changing the way the world flies, and we want to share that excitement with as many people as we can."
The December schedule for the 787 Dream Tour includes six stops in Asia, Africa and the Middle East:
Dec. 4-11: China with stops in Beijing, Guangzhou and Haikou to visit customers, partners, and government officials including representatives from Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Air China, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Aviation Industries of China (AVIC) and Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Co. (CAC).
Dec. 11-16: Africa with stops in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Nairobi, Kenya to visit Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways.
Dec. 16-19: Middle East stop in Doha to visit Qatar Airways.
Specific dates for the subsequent segments of the tour will be announced about one month prior to the events.
Additional tour stops are being planned for January through April 2012 and will be detailed in future announcements.
Many of the stops will include opportunities for local media to tour the airplane and talk with Boeing executives and pilots.
Aviation enthusiasts can follow the progress of the 787 tour at www.newairplane.com.
Videos, photos and reports from the tour stops as well as an inside look at the airplane, will be featured beginning with the first stop next week.
Dream Tour Airplane
The Dream Tour airplane, ZA003, has been retrofitted with special interior features designed to highlight the unique cabin features and performance capabilities of the Dreamliner.
The flight test equipment on board ZA003, the third 787 to be built, has been removed and a stunning new interior has been installed.
The airplane also has received a refreshed Boeing livery.
"Our flight test airplane has turned into a show piece," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program.
"Anyone who has seen the inside of a flight test airplane will be amazed at the transformation. All of the 787 passenger features are here."
Visitors will be greeted by the spacious signature 787 entryway sky light and gathering area.
The LED lighting, standard on all 787s, will be demonstrated throughout the tour airplane.
Visitors will experience the dynamic affect of this new technology to make meal time more enjoyable, sooth passengers during restful periods and gently wake them following a long flight.
Visitors also will find a luxurious business-class cabin with a dozen lay-flat seats, an overhead crew rest compartment and an economy class section.
A large open space between the two economy class sections allows Boeing to spotlight the features of the 787 with displays and demonstrations.
The exterior of the airplane has been repainted in the standard Boeing livery.
Source: Bernama
Customers and partners around the world will experience the revolutionary technology and passenger innovation offered on the first new airplane of the 21st century.
"The 787 Dreamliner is a game-changing airplane and we're delighted to be able to bring this innovative product to our customers who will soon be receiving their own 787s," said Ray Conner, vice president of Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes in a statement from Everett, Washington.
"This airplane is now changing the way the world flies, and we want to share that excitement with as many people as we can."
The December schedule for the 787 Dream Tour includes six stops in Asia, Africa and the Middle East:
Dec. 4-11: China with stops in Beijing, Guangzhou and Haikou to visit customers, partners, and government officials including representatives from Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Air China, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Aviation Industries of China (AVIC) and Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Co. (CAC).
Dec. 11-16: Africa with stops in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Nairobi, Kenya to visit Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways.
Dec. 16-19: Middle East stop in Doha to visit Qatar Airways.
Specific dates for the subsequent segments of the tour will be announced about one month prior to the events.
Additional tour stops are being planned for January through April 2012 and will be detailed in future announcements.
Many of the stops will include opportunities for local media to tour the airplane and talk with Boeing executives and pilots.
Aviation enthusiasts can follow the progress of the 787 tour at www.newairplane.com.
Videos, photos and reports from the tour stops as well as an inside look at the airplane, will be featured beginning with the first stop next week.
Dream Tour Airplane
The Dream Tour airplane, ZA003, has been retrofitted with special interior features designed to highlight the unique cabin features and performance capabilities of the Dreamliner.
The flight test equipment on board ZA003, the third 787 to be built, has been removed and a stunning new interior has been installed.
The airplane also has received a refreshed Boeing livery.
"Our flight test airplane has turned into a show piece," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program.
"Anyone who has seen the inside of a flight test airplane will be amazed at the transformation. All of the 787 passenger features are here."
Visitors will be greeted by the spacious signature 787 entryway sky light and gathering area.
The LED lighting, standard on all 787s, will be demonstrated throughout the tour airplane.
Visitors will experience the dynamic affect of this new technology to make meal time more enjoyable, sooth passengers during restful periods and gently wake them following a long flight.
Visitors also will find a luxurious business-class cabin with a dozen lay-flat seats, an overhead crew rest compartment and an economy class section.
A large open space between the two economy class sections allows Boeing to spotlight the features of the 787 with displays and demonstrations.
The exterior of the airplane has been repainted in the standard Boeing livery.
Source: Bernama
Picture of the Day(26 November 2011)
Air France Boeing 777-328/ER(F-GSQK) approaching Los Angeles International(LAX) by passing the LAX employee parking lot after a 11 hours flight from Paris, France on September 6, 2006.
Source: airliners.net
Friday, 25 November 2011
Picture of the Day(25 November 2011)
Thai Airways International's Boeing 747-4D7(HS-TGW) with the Star Alliance's livery rotate in a large steep angle at Phuket International Airport(HKT) on December 19, 2004.
Source: airliners.net
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Picture of the Day(24 November 2011)
Air Asia X's Airbus 340-313X(9M-XAC) with the Oakland Riders livery lifting off from Paris-Orly Airport(ORY) on November 4, 2011.
Source: airliners.net
Qantas reveals new Airbus A380 layout
Qantas' flagship Airbus A380 fleet will get a makeover next year, with the business class cabin being pared back while 42 seats are added to the premium economy and economy sections.
A Qantas spokeswoman confirmed that while the swanky first class cabin remains at the point end, an extra 39 seats will be squeezed into the economy cabin situated behind this, boosting the 'cheap seats' count from 332 to 371.
On the A380's upper deck, eight seats will be dropped from business class (going from 72 down to 64) while the rear premium economy section will gain three seats (up from the current 32).
That makes a total of 484 seats, or 34 more than today's A380 tally.
Qantas already has 10 A380s with two more for delivery by year's end. Those final two superjumbos will be delivered in the current configuration, and starting in 2012 the dozen double-decker jets will all be retrofitted to the new layout.
This will make 2012 a big year for the big bird, with Qantas also set to trial in-flight internet on a limited number of A380 flights early next year and the possibility of introducing the A380 onto the Sydney-Dallas/Fort Worth service.
A Qantas spokeswoman confirmed that while the swanky first class cabin remains at the point end, an extra 39 seats will be squeezed into the economy cabin situated behind this, boosting the 'cheap seats' count from 332 to 371.
On the A380's upper deck, eight seats will be dropped from business class (going from 72 down to 64) while the rear premium economy section will gain three seats (up from the current 32).
That makes a total of 484 seats, or 34 more than today's A380 tally.
Qantas already has 10 A380s with two more for delivery by year's end. Those final two superjumbos will be delivered in the current configuration, and starting in 2012 the dozen double-decker jets will all be retrofitted to the new layout.
This will make 2012 a big year for the big bird, with Qantas also set to trial in-flight internet on a limited number of A380 flights early next year and the possibility of introducing the A380 onto the Sydney-Dallas/Fort Worth service.
Source: Australian Business Traveller
Monday, 21 November 2011
Picture of the Day(23 November 2011)
Qatar Airways Boeing 777-2DZ/LR lifting off runway 3L at Johannesburg-OR Tambo International(JNB) on November 4, 2011.
Source: Airliners.net
Picture of the Day(22 November 2011)
Singapore Airlines Airbus 330-343E(9V-STA) making a landing during a rain at Singapore Changi Airport on March 19,2010.
Source: Airliners.net
Copa, Avianca-Taca to join Star Alliance in April 2012
Copa Airlines 737-800. Courtesy, Boeing
Copa Airlines CEO Pedro Heilbronn confirmed that Copa and Avianca-Taca will join Star Alliance in April 2012.
Speaking in Rio de Janeiro during the ALTA conference, Heilbronn told ATW, “We hope that Star carriers from overseas will fly into Panama City (PTY). But so far nothing is concrete right now.”
Earlier this year, the carrier increased arrival/departure banks to 6X-daily at its Hub of the Americas in PTY. Heilbronn said Copa will add 10 Boeing 737-800s next year as some 737s are paid off and could be parked, if necessary, he said.
The fast-growing airline showed no interest in the 737-900 series. Heilbronn also ruled out adding a long-haul fleet connecting PTY with Europe or Asia. “We have still many destinations available to expand in North and South America,” he said.
Copa Holdings, parent of Panama's Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia (formerly Aero Republica), posted third-quarter net income of $70.3 million, nearly on par with a $71.5 million net profit earned in the prior-year period. The carrier said full-year consolidated capacity will be 21% higher than 2010 capacity while 2012 capacity will increase another 20%.
Source: ATW
Picture of the Day(21 November 2011)
KLM-Royal Dutch Airline's Airbus 330-203(PH-AOL) operating as KL681 making a final approach at Vancouver International Airport(YVR) on February 27, 2009.
Boeing Makes History With Orders & Commitment For 359 Airplanes Within A Week
Boeing's history-making week has resulted in orders and commitments for 359 airplanes.
"This has been an outstanding week for our customers and our employees," Boeing Commercial Airplanes' president and chief executive officer, Jim Albaugh said.
"We're pleased that in planning for their future, our customers have chosen Boeing airplanes," he said in a statement today.
Boeing has now set a record for 777 orders in a single year with 192 to date. That surpasses the previous record of 154 set in 2005.
The company also announced two record-setting deals with Emirates and Lion Air, as well as other deals during and after the Dubai Airshow:
* Emirates Airline ordered 50 777-300ERs, with options for 20 more.
* Oman Air ordered six 787-8s.
* Qatar Airways ordered two 777 Freighters.
* Lion Air committed to buy 201 737 MAXs and 29 Next Generation 737-900ERs.
The agreement also includes purchase rights for an additional 150 airplanes.
* Aviation Capital Group (ACG) committed to buy 35 737 MAX airplanes and finalised a firm order for 20 Next-Generation 737-800s.
* Singapore Airlines finalised order for eight 777-300ERs.
* An unidentified customer ordered eight 777s.
"We continue to see worldwide expansion in air traffic, and as a result, strong customer demand for our products and services," added Albaugh.
"Our product strategy is playing out as we expected with our wide-body offerings being the airplanes of choice and the 737 MAX enjoying tremendous customer acceptance."
Demand for Boeing's airplanes is also fueling and sustaining American jobs. Since the start of this year, Boeing has added more than 11,000 jobs in its commercial airplanes division. As production rates increase across all airplane programs, the company will continue to hire a highly skilled workforce that is critical for the future of aviation.
"This has been an outstanding week for our customers and our employees," Boeing Commercial Airplanes' president and chief executive officer, Jim Albaugh said.
"We're pleased that in planning for their future, our customers have chosen Boeing airplanes," he said in a statement today.
Boeing has now set a record for 777 orders in a single year with 192 to date. That surpasses the previous record of 154 set in 2005.
The company also announced two record-setting deals with Emirates and Lion Air, as well as other deals during and after the Dubai Airshow:
* Emirates Airline ordered 50 777-300ERs, with options for 20 more.
* Oman Air ordered six 787-8s.
* Qatar Airways ordered two 777 Freighters.
* Lion Air committed to buy 201 737 MAXs and 29 Next Generation 737-900ERs.
The agreement also includes purchase rights for an additional 150 airplanes.
* Aviation Capital Group (ACG) committed to buy 35 737 MAX airplanes and finalised a firm order for 20 Next-Generation 737-800s.
* Singapore Airlines finalised order for eight 777-300ERs.
* An unidentified customer ordered eight 777s.
"We continue to see worldwide expansion in air traffic, and as a result, strong customer demand for our products and services," added Albaugh.
"Our product strategy is playing out as we expected with our wide-body offerings being the airplanes of choice and the 737 MAX enjoying tremendous customer acceptance."
Demand for Boeing's airplanes is also fueling and sustaining American jobs. Since the start of this year, Boeing has added more than 11,000 jobs in its commercial airplanes division. As production rates increase across all airplane programs, the company will continue to hire a highly skilled workforce that is critical for the future of aviation.
Source: Bernama
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Picture of the Day(20 November 2011)
TAM Airlines's Boeing 777-32W/ER(PT-MUB) flying across the skies of Germany on September 10, 2011
Source: Airliners.net
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Picture of the Day(19 November 2011)
Emirates's Airbus A380-861(A6-EDI) approaching Manchester Ringway International Airport(MAN) on October 17, 2011. The aircraft operates as EK017 from Dubai, after 7 hours and 50 minutes of flight journey.
Picture Source: Airliners.net
Lion Air commits to up to 380 Boeing 737s
Boeing has received a record provisional order worth $21.7 billion from Indonesian low-cost carrier Lion Air for up to 380 single-aisle 737-family aircraft, including 201 of its re-engined 737 Max.
The 230 aircraft order, which also includes 29 CFM International CFM56-powered 737-900ERs, is a record for the airframer in both list price value and the total number of aircraft. The order includes purchase rights for a further 150 aircraft.
The announcement coincides with US President Barack Obama's arrival in Indonesia and comes just days after Boeing broke its own order record with Emirates' $18 billion purchase of 50 777-300ER.
Boeing said President Obama will witness the official announcement ceremony on the morning of 18 November in Bali, Indonesia, site of the East Asia Summit.
Lion Air joins American Airlines as the second disclosed customer for the 737 Max, whose total commitments stand at 700 from nine customers according to the airframer.
To date, Boeing has not announced its intended list price for any of the three 737 Max models, the -7, -8 and -9, though the indicated Lion Air order price places the 737 Max at approximately $95 million per aircraft.
Boeing's 737-900ER catalog price is listed at $89.6 million.
According to to Flightglobal's ACAS database, Lion Air already has 125 737-800 or -900ERs on order.
Boeing has yet to firm any orders for the recently launched CFM International Leap-1B-powered 737 Max.
Source: Flight global
Friday, 18 November 2011
Extra A380 Dubai-London flight on Emirates: more connection options
Emirates will upgrade a third daily return flight between Dubai and London's Heathrow Airport to the airline's flagship Airbus A380 this January.
For Australian travellers on the Kangaroo Route, that means another option for more comfortable seats on their connecting flight -- especially in business class -- and more seats available on the route.
The flights, EK029 to Heathrow and EK030 back to Dubai, will be upgraded to the A380 from 24 January 2012.
Currently, they're on Boeing 777-300ER planes, which have a less comfortable angled lie-flat business class seat than Emirates' world-class A380 business class fully flat bed.
That extra comfort, the stand-up bar at the back (ever popular on London flights), direct aisle access, more privacy, extra space and quieter A380 cabin all mean that savvy business travellers prefer Emirates' A380 flights where the schedules match up.
EK029 leaves Dubai at 0940 and arrives in London at 1330. Return flight EK030 departs at 1635 and arrives back in Dubai at 0325 the next morning. Each flight takes just under seven hours.
Eastbound, that's just enough time for a bite to eat, a drink and a chat at the bar, and a movie or a snooze before connecting in Dubai for the 14-hour onward journey to Australia. Westbound, it means you'll be able to top up your sleep onboard before hitting London at lunchtime.
Many Australian flights via Dubai are timed to connect with EK001 (also an A380 flight) to London, which departs at 0745. But an extra A380 connection a couple of hours later is useful in case of delays and in case that EK001 flight is full.
Eastbound, the extra flight is less useful -- except if you're doing business in Dubai or happen to be taking Emirates up on one of its regular free hotel stopover in Dubai offers. In those cases, it's one more option to get to and from London in greater comfort.
If you're flying on Emirates' A380, make sure you pick the best seats in business class -- buzzing seat next to a colleague near the bar, or quiet private corner near the front of the plane?
Source: Australian Business Traveller
Sunday, 6 November 2011
IAG reaches agreement with Lufthansa to acquire bmi
International Airlines Group (IAG) and Lufthansa Group (LH) reached an agreement for the sale of LH’s loss-making British Midland (bmi) to IAG. The purchase of bmi could increase IAG subsidiary British Airways' (BA) share of slots at London Heathrow (LHR) to 53%, although regulators most likely will require some slot divestments.
“The sale and closing of the deal remain subject to conditions, including a binding purchase agreement, further due diligence and regulatory clearances. It is envisaged that the purchase agreement will be signed in the coming weeks and the aim is for the transaction to be completed in the first quarter of 2012,” IAG and LH announced in a statement released Friday morning.
The companies did not detail whether the agreement is for the sale of the entirety of bmi, or just the carrier's mainline operation. Recently, bmi confirmed it was “in advanced discussion” to sell bmi regional to a UK-based investor group “previously associated with the regional business,” indicating its owner was negotiating to divest its loss-making UK subsidiary in parts. It is not clear what will happen with the company’s low-cost carrier, bmibaby.
Virgin Atlantic Airways (VS), which was also interested in acquiring bmi, said the deal announced Friday is anti-competitive. “British Airways' hold over Heathrow is already too dominant and we are very concerned—as the competition authorities should also be—that BA's purchase of bmi would be disastrous for consumer choice and competition,” the airline said. “With the government limiting growth at London Heathrow, they cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the deterioration of competition that would result.”
Bmi reported a €154 million ($211.6 million) operating loss for the first nine months of 2011, deepened from a €90 million loss in the year-ago period, despite lower costs achieved by restructuring activities and the sale of six slots at LHR. Those slots were either already leased to other airlines or could not be used profitably by bmiRevenue declined 5.5% year-over-year to €658 million and passengers carried fell 7.4% to 4.5 million.
Source: ATW
Friday, 4 November 2011
Boeing Selects 737 MAX Engine Size and Says Orders Now Top 600
Boeing has selected a 68-inch fan diameter for the CFM LEAP-1B engine for its new 737 MAX family.
The manufacturer says the Boeing 737 MAX has continued “to receive overwhelming acceptance from customers”. Boeing reveals it has now received order commitments for more than 600 aircraft to date from eight airlines, up from 496 aircraft from five airlines when the program launched in August.
According to Boeing, the 737 MAX program is on schedule in terms of internal design-configuration milestones. The manufacturer says it continues to focus on engagement with customers and partners to optimize the engine core architecture. Firm configuration for the 737 MAX family is scheduled for 2013. First flight for the 737 MAX is scheduled in 2016, with deliveries to customers beginning in 2017.
Boeing has named its new, re-engined 737 family the 737 MAX and the capacity-equivalent of the 737-800 (the highest-selling version of the 737NG family) is to be the 737 MAX 8
“The 737 is a more efficient, lighter design and requires less thrust than other airplanes in this class, which is important because weight and thrust have a significant effect on fuel efficiency and operating costs,” says John Hamilton, 737 chief program engineer.
“With airlines facing rising fuel costs and weight-based costs equating to nearly 30 per cent of an airline’s operating costs, this optimized 68-inch fan design will offer a smaller, lighter and more fuel-efficient engine to ensure we maintain the current advantage we have over the competition,” adds Hamilton.
The new 737 family will be powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines. Boeing says the new-engine 737 family will burn 10 to 12 per cent less fuel than current 737s.
Boeing claims the 737 MAX family will also have a 7 per cent operating cost advantage over the competing Airbus A320neo family, which is offered with CFM LEAP-1A and Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1100G geared-turbofan engines.
The Boeing 737 MAX 9, the biggest model in the new, re-engined 737 MAX family, corresponds to the 737-900ER model in the 737NG family
At the lower end of the aircraft-size scale, fuel-burn comparisons against the competing Bombardier CSeries family, which is powered by the PurePower PW1500G engine, are not yet clear.
Bombardier said earlier this week that, together with data from flight-testing of the PW1500G, final results from five years of wind-tunnel testing of the CSeries design have validated the Canadian manufacturer’s predictions that the CSeries family will burn 20 per cent less fuel than comparably sized existing jets. Among such aircraft are the Boeing 737-700, the Airbus A319 and the Embraer 190 and Embraer 195.
Boeing says the 737 MAX family will have the capacity for increased range, while providing better fuel-efficiency than today’s 737 family.
The manufacturer also makes the claim that, when 100 aircraft of the 737 MAX family are compared to a fleet of 100 of today’s most fuel-efficient aircraft of comparable size, they will emit 277,000 fewer tons of CO2 and save nearly 175 million pounds of fuel per year, which translates into $85 million in cost savings.
Boeing says its new family of re-engined 737s – the 737 MAX 7, 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9 – builds on the strengths of the Next-Generation 737
Boeing expects the fuel burn of the 737 MAX family to be 16 per cent lower than the current A320 family and 4 per cent lower than the A320neo family, though Airbus has said that engines and new ‘Sharklet’ wing-tip devices combined will make the A320neo family at least 15 per cent more fuel-efficient than today’s A320-family jets.
The Boeing 737 family is the world’s most-ordered commercial jet transport, having won orders for more than 9,000 aircraft since the first 737 version, the 737-100, entered service in 1967.
Today’s Boeing 737NG family represent the third generation of the Boeing 737 and the 737 MAX will represent the fourth generation. The A320neo represents the second generation of the A320 family, while the Bombardier CSeries family is completely new.
Source: airlinesanddestinations
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Garuda's big plans for Indonesia, Europe, SkyTeam & frequent flyers
Garuda Indonesia is hoping to snare business travellers from Australia with its fully flat beds and daily flights to Jakarta, which Australian Business Traveller reviewed recently.
We sat down in Jakarta with Bagus Siregar, Garuda's Senior General Manager for the Australian market, to talk more about how Garuda is planning to take business travellers by storm.
Bagus was keen to big up Garuda's new fully flat seats in business class to start off with. "The long-haul Airbus A330-200s are equipped with flat beds in Executive Class, a first for an Indonesian carrier," he told us.
Garuda is the only airline with daily flights to Indonesia's capital from Sydney -- and the only one with fully flat beds in business class. Competitor Qantas flies direct three times a week from Sydney, with angled lie-flat seats in business.
"In Australia the A330-200s are used on our Jakarta service, providing a 180 degree flat bed and a very generous 75 inch seat pitch, which is being well received by our corporate and platinum frequent flyers," Bagus explained. "Jakarta has such a strong corporate market, we believe there was a need to introduce a superior product."
Here's Garuda's flat bed cabin in flight:
"Our Denpasar service has also been refurbished with a new Executive class product – a 165 degree lie-flat bed."
Garuda demonstrated the new lie-flat bed -- also seen on Melbourne-Jakarta flights -- to Australian Business Traveller in its Jakarta airport maintenance facility, and it's not half bad for a lie-flat:
(Need a refresher on the difference between a 180 degree fully flat bed and an angled lie-flat seat? )
Garuda's Bagus was also keen to highlight his airline's connecting timetable for Indonesia's economic powerhouses: "From Australia, our direct Jakarta flights from both Sydney and Melbourne have good connectivity to Jogyakarta and Solo City (Central Java)."
In additon to the Sydney and Melbourne flights, Garuda also flies to Jakarta from Perth daily.
A minus for Australian travellers is the lack of frequent flyer affiliations with Garuda's own loyalty program. Only Korean Air's program allows reciprocal earning and burning. But that changes next year.
"Garuda Indonesia is very excited about joining the SkyTeam airline alliance," Bagus enthused. Plans are on track for mid-2012, when you'll be able to earn miles and points across that airline network, although there's no Australia-based SkyTeam airline for redemptions closer to home.
Garuda also has big plans for Europe once the airline takes delivery of its Boeing 777-300ER planes next year, which CEO Emirsyah Satar outlined to Australian Business Traveller just before we sat down to press Garuda's Bagus for more details.
Garuda is planning a swish new Super First Class suite (bearing a striking resemblance to Jet Airways' offering) for its 777s, plus business and economy further back on the plane.
"As mentioned by Pak Emir this week, the Boeing 777 will be introduced in 2013 and Garuda has a total of 10 aircraft on order," Bagus told us.
"The 777 will allow GA to operate a non-stop service to Europe," explained Bagus, "and the current A330-200 will then be used on medium to long haul routes within eight hours' proximity of Jakarta."
On the cards are direct flights to London, Frankfurt, Paris and Rome, plus upgrades to the existing one-stop service to Amsterdam via Dubai.
With the strong SkyTeam European connections from Air France's hub in Paris, KLM's base in Amsterdam and Alitalia's Rome operation, Garuda sounds like an interesting option for business travellers connecting to Europe.
Source: Australia Business Traveller
We sat down in Jakarta with Bagus Siregar, Garuda's Senior General Manager for the Australian market, to talk more about how Garuda is planning to take business travellers by storm.
Bagus was keen to big up Garuda's new fully flat seats in business class to start off with. "The long-haul Airbus A330-200s are equipped with flat beds in Executive Class, a first for an Indonesian carrier," he told us.
Garuda is the only airline with daily flights to Indonesia's capital from Sydney -- and the only one with fully flat beds in business class. Competitor Qantas flies direct three times a week from Sydney, with angled lie-flat seats in business.
"In Australia the A330-200s are used on our Jakarta service, providing a 180 degree flat bed and a very generous 75 inch seat pitch, which is being well received by our corporate and platinum frequent flyers," Bagus explained. "Jakarta has such a strong corporate market, we believe there was a need to introduce a superior product."
Here's Garuda's flat bed cabin in flight:
"Our Denpasar service has also been refurbished with a new Executive class product – a 165 degree lie-flat bed."
Garuda demonstrated the new lie-flat bed -- also seen on Melbourne-Jakarta flights -- to Australian Business Traveller in its Jakarta airport maintenance facility, and it's not half bad for a lie-flat:
(Need a refresher on the difference between a 180 degree fully flat bed and an angled lie-flat seat? )
Garuda's Bagus was also keen to highlight his airline's connecting timetable for Indonesia's economic powerhouses: "From Australia, our direct Jakarta flights from both Sydney and Melbourne have good connectivity to Jogyakarta and Solo City (Central Java)."
In additon to the Sydney and Melbourne flights, Garuda also flies to Jakarta from Perth daily.
A minus for Australian travellers is the lack of frequent flyer affiliations with Garuda's own loyalty program. Only Korean Air's program allows reciprocal earning and burning. But that changes next year.
"Garuda Indonesia is very excited about joining the SkyTeam airline alliance," Bagus enthused. Plans are on track for mid-2012, when you'll be able to earn miles and points across that airline network, although there's no Australia-based SkyTeam airline for redemptions closer to home.
Garuda also has big plans for Europe once the airline takes delivery of its Boeing 777-300ER planes next year, which CEO Emirsyah Satar outlined to Australian Business Traveller just before we sat down to press Garuda's Bagus for more details.
Garuda is planning a swish new Super First Class suite (bearing a striking resemblance to Jet Airways' offering) for its 777s, plus business and economy further back on the plane.
"As mentioned by Pak Emir this week, the Boeing 777 will be introduced in 2013 and Garuda has a total of 10 aircraft on order," Bagus told us.
"The 777 will allow GA to operate a non-stop service to Europe," explained Bagus, "and the current A330-200 will then be used on medium to long haul routes within eight hours' proximity of Jakarta."
On the cards are direct flights to London, Frankfurt, Paris and Rome, plus upgrades to the existing one-stop service to Amsterdam via Dubai.
With the strong SkyTeam European connections from Air France's hub in Paris, KLM's base in Amsterdam and Alitalia's Rome operation, Garuda sounds like an interesting option for business travellers connecting to Europe.
Source: Australia Business Traveller
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
Cathay Pacific Receives Its First Boeing 747-8 Freighter
Cathay Pacific Airways has taken delivery of its first Boeing 747-8 Freighter, making the Hong Kong-based carrier the second freight operator worldwide to receive Boeing’s newest freighter.
With this new addition to its fleet, Cathay Pacific Airways also becomes the first carrier in Asia Pacific to operate the Boeing 747-8.“We are pleased to take delivery of this excellent new freighter, which will be a perfect addition to the Cathay Pacific cargo fleet,” says John Slosar, Cathay Pacific Airways’ chief executive officer. “The B747-8F will help us further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as the world’s leading international air cargo hub. We look forward to the efficiency and environmental benefits that we expect to realise with this great new airplane.”
The 747-8 Freighters are expected to progressively replace 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCFs) in the Cathay Pacific Cargo fleet. Cathay Pacific currently operates six 747-400 Freighters, six 747-400ER Freighters and eight 747-400BCFs.
“Cathay Pacific’s integration of this new freighter into their fleet strengthens their industry position and proves once again their commitment to being a market leader,” says Jim Albaugh, Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ president and CEO.
With this new addition to its fleet, Cathay Pacific Airways also becomes the first carrier in Asia Pacific to operate the Boeing 747-8.“We are pleased to take delivery of this excellent new freighter, which will be a perfect addition to the Cathay Pacific cargo fleet,” says John Slosar, Cathay Pacific Airways’ chief executive officer. “The B747-8F will help us further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as the world’s leading international air cargo hub. We look forward to the efficiency and environmental benefits that we expect to realise with this great new airplane.”
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways took delivery of its first Boeing 747-8 Freighter on October 31, 2011, making it the second freight operator worldwide to take delivery of Boeing’s newest and largest freighter. Cathay Pacific also became the first carrier in Asia Pacific to operate the 747-8. The new aircraft was the first of 10 747-8 Freighters ordered by Cathay Pacific
“Cathay Pacific’s integration of this new freighter into their fleet strengthens their industry position and proves once again their commitment to being a market leader,” says Jim Albaugh, Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ president and CEO.
From the day it is delivered, the 747-8 Freighter will give Cathay Pacific double-digit-percentage improvements in fuel burn, operating costs and lower emissions compared with the 747-400 Freighter, according to Boeing.
The Boeing 747-8 Freighter provides 16 per cent more revenue-generating cargo volume than the 747-400F and boasts a significantly improved environmental performance. Per seat-kilometer, its carbon dioxide emissions are 16 per cent lower than those of the 747-400 Freighter. It also reduced its noise footprint by more than 30 per cent.
Eight customers have ordered a total of 75 747-8 Freighters.
The Boeing 747-8 Freighter provides 16 per cent more revenue-generating cargo volume than the 747-400F and boasts a significantly improved environmental performance. Per seat-kilometer, its carbon dioxide emissions are 16 per cent lower than those of the 747-400 Freighter. It also reduced its noise footprint by more than 30 per cent.
Eight customers have ordered a total of 75 747-8 Freighters.
Source: airlinesanddestinations and flighglobal
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Singapore Airlines names budget long-haul carrier 'Scoot'
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has confirmed its wholly-owned low-cost medium-long-haul carrier will be named "Scoot" and operate Boeing 777-200s in a two-class configuration with economy seating 3-4-3, as CAPA reported in September. Scoot is preparing to launch services around mid-2012 on medium and long-haul routes from its Singapore base. It plans to pursue a relatively high growth in its first four years, with its fleet slated to reach 16 aircraft in mid-2016.
“We chose the name ‘Scoot’ for many reasons, not least because it‘s different. Rather than the tried and tired 'airlines' this, 'airways' that or 'air' yawn, it’s short, sharp and snappy. It stands out. It’s geographically independent, and can be a verb or a noun. Besides difference, it conveys spontaneity, movement, informality and a touch of quirkiness—all attributes we intend this Company to be known for,” said Scoot CEO Campbell Wilson in a statement.
Scoot was trademarked earlier this year by New Aviation, the working name of the airline. Mr Wilson is a 15-year veteran of SIA.
"The light, bright logo conveys warmth, energy and informality, while the tilted 't' of the name Scoot hints that this airline is not cut from the same conformist mould of others," Scoot said in a statement. "The aircraft livery, with its waves and colour, likewise gives a sense of motion, happiness, lightheartedness and youth, reflecting a casual, leisure-oriented vibe that should capture and enhance the mood of those travelling."
Scoot livery on a B777-200
The branding was created by Singapore agency Sparkfury and sister agency Tangoshark. Scoot says the public will be invited to make a tagline for the carrier.
Engineering retrofit and certification of Scoot's first B777-200, a former Singapore Airlines aircraft, is scheduled for April-June-2012. Ticket sales will commence next year on initial routes to Asia and Australasia. Scoot is targeting routes over four hours and expects to eventually also serve points in Europe - including the UK - and the Middle East. Only Southeast Asia is ruled out as flights to points in that region are under four hours.
Scoot had been interested in wireless streaming in-flight entertainment, in-flight connectivity and pay-as-you-go power supply, as we reported in September. But Scott says no decision on those features have been made. "Specific seats, cabin features and offerings are currently being evaluated."
Scoot will operate from Singapore Changi's terminal two, as opposed to the low-cost carrier terminal, which would be stretched to accommodate B777s.
Source: CAPA