Alaska Airlines orders five additional Boeing 737-900ERs

by Devesh Agarwal

Alaska Airlines (NYSE: ALK) and Boeing (NYSE: BA) announced today the carrier is exercising options to purchase five Boeing 737-900ER (extended range) aircraft. The five new aircraft are worth $481 million at Boeing's current list price. Two of the aircraft will arrive in 2015 followed by two more in 2016 and one in 2017.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900ER N402AS. Image courtesy Alaska Airlines.

Mark Eliasen, Alaska Air Group's vice president of finance and treasurer said

"Today's announcement supports our goal of growing Alaska Airlines by 4 to 8 percent a year," "The 737-900ER is a great aircraft, with the cost efficiency and reliability needed for us to be successful in today's competitive marketplace."

This order supplements the 31 aircraft on firm order for delivery by the end of 2017. Alaska Airlines now has unfilled orders for 35 737-900ERs and 37 737 MAX airplanes. Alaska Airlines expects to have 134 Boeing 737s in its fleet by the end of 2014.

Brad McMullen, vice president of North America Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes said

"The order of five additional 737-900ERs is an affirmation of our hometown partner's successful strategy of offering customers good value, delivering a great onboard experience and running an on-time airline," "The 737-900ER offers Alaska Airlines the best seat-mile cost of any single-aisle airplane in production, which is especially important with today's high fuel prices. The interior also complements Alaska's excellent customer service, providing the passengers with a wonderful flying experience."

The largest and newest model in the Next-Generation (NG) 737 family (737-700, -800, -900ER), the 737-900ER (Extended Range) can carry up to 26 more passengers or fly about 500 nautical miles (926 km) farther than the older 737-900. Alaska Airlines operates the 737-900ER in a two-class configuration with 181 seats and features the Boeing Sky Interior.

The Boeing Sky Interior is the latest in a series of enhancements for both airlines and passengers that introduces new lighting and a curving architecture that create a distinctive entry way. Passengers enjoy a more open cabin feel and an environment simulated by light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. The interior also features sculpted sidewalls and newly improved and expanded pivot bins. In addition, all of Alaska's seats will feature outlets providing dual 110-volt and USB power.

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Delta receives first next generation Boeing 737-900ER

by Devesh Agarwal

Delta Air Lines commenced its single-aisle fleet renewal process when it took delivery of the first next generation Boeing 737-900ER aircraft. The delivery is part of Delta's 100-airplane order placed in 2011.

Delta Air Lines new next generation Boeing 737-900ER N801DZ. Boeing photo. All rights reserved.

Delta's new 737-900ER seats 180 passengers and features the new Boeing Sky Interior. This interior is the latest in a series of enhancements for both airlines and passengers. It introduces new LED lighting and curved architecture that welcomes passengers onboard and creates a greater sense of spaciousness and comfort in the cabin. The interior also features modern, sculpted sidewalls and overhead bins that disappear into the ceiling, yet carry more bags.

The airplane is also configured with B/E Aerospace's modular advanced lavatory system incorporating the company's patent pending Spacewall® technology, which frees up floor space in the cabin, to add up to six incremental passenger seats.

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Philips Healthcare to install 100 defibrilators at Mumbai airport

Under its sponsored Globally, Save Lives initiative Philips Healthcare will install 100 Automated External Defibrillators at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport (CSIA) by year end.

An AED is a portable device which is attached via paddles to a patient suffering signs of a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) or myocardial infarction (a heart attack). The AED will automatically confirm the diagnosis, and if the person is indeed suffering a heart attack, will give the needed electrical jolt to stabilise the heart-beat and help save the life with the press of a button. The AEDs can be used by anyone without formal training—each AED comes with audio and visual instructions for its operation.

With more than 660,000 deaths occurring every year in India alone as a result of SCA, the survival rate is less than one per cent as emergency medical services do not reach on time. This actually means that this is the leading cause of death and accounts for greater than 50 per cent of cardiovascular deaths in India. An AED, if used during an SCA within the first four to six minutes, can save more than 95 per cent of lives, stated the release.

Jitesh Mathur, Senior Director, Philips Healthcare, India said

"The instances of deaths due to SCA have been on the rise. Long working hours, hectic lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits are the main causes behind rising incidences of SCA”, “Unfortunately, an SCA does not happen only to people who suffer from heart diseases or with age or only to men. SCAs are unrelated to age, sex, existing heart ailments and family history. Recently we have seen increased incidences of deaths due to SCA in women and children,”

Highlighting the importance of AEDs in public places, Dr. Vijaya Reddy, Senior Consultant Emergency Medical Services, Max Hospital, stated,

“An AED and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) combined can save lives to a large extent but their availability in public places in India has still not happened. We have seen an increase in AEDs in aircraft and at airports where it is mandatory but an AED is still not mandatory in metros, malls, cinema halls or even ambulances.”

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Air India and State Bank of India launch co branded credit cards

By BA Staff

Air India and State Bank of India (SBI) have launched two co-branded credit cards. An Air India SBI Signature Visa card, and an Air India SBI Platinum Visa card.

Highlights of the Air India SBI Signature Card

• 4 points for every Rs 100 spent
• 20 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent on Air India website and booking offices
• Bonus reward points on annual spends of
• Rs. 3 lakh - 20,000 bonus reward points
• Rs. 5 lakh - 40,000 bonus reward points
• Rs. 10 lakh - 90,000 bonus reward points

Reward points can be redeemed for

• Air miles - 1 reward point = 1 Air Mile
• Attractive gifts from the SBI Card Rewards Catalogue

Premium privileges include

• 1 complementary domestic upgrade voucher
• Complementary lounge access

More details here.

Highlights of the Air India SBI Platinum Card

• 2 points for every Rs 100 spent
• 10 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent on Air India website and booking offices
• Bonus reward points on annual spends of
  • 2 lakh- 5,000 bonus reward points
  • 3 lakh- 10,000 bonus reward points
• Reward points can be converted to
  • Air India Air Miles for free air travel
• Premium privileges include complementary lounge access 

More details here

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easyJet to open new base in Hamburg, expand Berlin base

By BA Staff

easyJet, the UK’s largest airline, has announced it will open a base in Hamburg, Germany as well as increasing its fleet in Berlin in the spring of 2014.

Building on its success to date in both Hamburg and Berlin, easyJet’s new base will open with three A319 aircraft with the airline increasing its fleet in Berlin by an additional plane. easyJet will more than double its network from Hamburg with 15 additional new business and leisure routes on the top of its existing portfolio of six routes offering almost 170 flights a week during summer 2014. With more frequencies and early morning departures from Hamburg the schedule will make easyJet more attractive to business passengers.

Carolyn McCall, easyJet chief executive officer, commented:

"I am really pleased to be able to announce the launch of a new base in Hamburg which will enable us to double the size of our operation. Hamburg and its region is one of the most dynamic economies in Europe with a significant and growing tourist industry. In the last twelve months more than half a million passengers have enjoyed easyJet’s low fares combined with our friendly service. These expansion plans mean that we expect to carry twice as many passengers in the first year of operations which will take us to more than a million passengers annually for the first time."

Hamburg will be easyJet’s 23^rd base in its European network. Germany’s second largest city is also one of Europe’s wealthiest economies with a strong local industry in banking, aviation, renewable energy media & publishing and the second largest European harbour. easyJet expects to bring 275,000 additional business and leisure visitors in Hamburg in the first year.

First Mayor of Hamburg Olaf Scholz said:

"easyJet's recent decisions strengthen both the Hamburg Airport and the aircraft manufacturing location Hamburg - the third largest after Seattle and Toulouse. The most recent decision of the airline to purchase new aircraft is good for Airbus. It is also good news for suppliers that are involved in aircraft manufacturing. easyJet's decisions underscore the positive development that Hamburg is experiencing in regards to aviation. This development shows that it was the right decision of the Hamburg Senate in 2000 to invest in aviation in Hamburg and to give the aviation industry the importance it deserves."

In Berlin, the additional aircraft will take the total based there to eight. It will mean 130,000 more passengers on the top of the four million passengers easyJet has carried on the last 12 months (a 9.5% increase on the previous year). The aircraft will allow easyJet to increase frequencies on popular business and leisure routes. At Summer 2014 passengers will have the choice of up to 635 flights per week.

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AirAsia India granted no objection certificate

By BA Staff

AirAsia India today announced that the airline has been granted the no objection certificate by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and will begin the process of obtaining an Air Operating Permit and prepare to kick-start its operations.

AirAsia submitted a request to start a joint venture to begin AirAsia India earlier this year, partnering Tata Sons Limited and Mr. Arun Bathia of Telestra Tradeplace Pvt. Ltd., and was granted a formal approval by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (“FIPB”) of India two months later in April.

 Mittu Chandilya, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia India said:

“We are very thankful to the Ministry of Civil Aviation for granting the no objection certificate to us so quickly. This is the fastest an NOC has been granted and with this, we will focus on obtaining the Air Operating Permit.  We will continue with our preparations and get ourselves ready for take-off once the Air Operating Permit is acquired and we look forward towards being one of the dynamic contributors to the development of the Indian aviation industry.”

AirAsia India is confident that it will be able to replicate the success of its counterparts in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia; and enabling people to fly affordably through superior operational performance by emphasizing a focused and disciplined cost structure will tremendously benefit the Indian consumer. Currently, AirAsia India has a fleet of three Airbus A320 aircraft and over 200 members of staff.

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Celebrate Gandhi Jayanti with Air France - KLM

By BA Staff

To mark the birth anniversary for the father of India, Air France KLM, a member of the Sky Team alliance announced a special online contest for all their Air France and KLM follower base in India.

KLM India team will quiz their fans each day on location for two photographs of iconic Mahatma Gandhi statues around the world. The KLM India Twitter (www.twitter.com/KLMIndia) followers will need to identify both the photographs and tweet their answer with hashtag #Tribute2Gandhi.

While Air France India team will invite fans to share photos of Gandhiji’s memorabilia in their cities with interesting captions on Twitter (www.twitter.com/airfranceIN) channel with hashtag #GandhiInMyCity every day till the October 2, 2013.

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Wizz Air Ukraine annouces third base in Lviv

By BA Staff

Wizz Air Ukraine, announced today its third base which will open on 30 April 2014 in Lviv to Ukrainian travellers and visitors with one new based Airbus A320 aircraft, the 5th in the Ukraine. In addition to the existing routes to Venice Treviso, Dortmund and Milan Bergamo, Wizz Air Ukraine announced five new routes to Barcelona Girona, Naples, Kutaisi**, Rome, and Valencia.

The airline’s latest growth brings more low fares to Ukrainian travellers and visitors and shows that Wizz Air Ukraine is committed to air travel development and job creation. The new aircraft will support a total of 8 routes and increase seat capacity to over 300 thousand seats in 2014. Seats on the five new routes are already on sale on wizzair.com, starting from as low as UAH 309* (one way with all taxes included).

The flight schedule is below:

Wizz Air Ukraine Route Network From LVIV
To	Starts	Days	Fares from*
Barcelona Girona	30-Apr	Wed,Sun	UAH 419
Naples	30-Apr	Wed,Sun	UAH 309
Kutaisi**	1-May	Tue,Thu,Sat	UAH 419
Rome	1-May	Tue,Thu,Sat	UAH 309
Valencia	2-May	Mon,Fri	UAH 419

* One way price including taxes.

**Subject to regulatory approval

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Cebu Air Pacific grows Visayas hub passengers by up to 33%

By BA Staff

The Philippines’ leading low-cost carrier, Cebu Pacific Air (PSE:CEB) increased operations from its Visayas hubs, in line with its continued push for more tourism and trade in the destinations it flies to. From January to August 2013, the number of passengers through the airline’s Iloilo hub went up by 33%, while guests to and from its Cebu hub increased by 15%. Cebu remains the airline’s second largest hub, with over 2.3 million CEB passengers passing through the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in the first 8 months of the year.

Late last year, CEB doubled the routes it offered to and from the Iloilo International Airport. It provided direct connectivity to Tacloban, Puerto Princesa and General Santos, and pioneered the first international flights out of Iloilo to Hong Kong and Singapore. Previously, CEB only flew from Iloilo to Manila, Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog had this to say about the upgrades:

“We hope that our direct air linkages empower everyone to travel in the fastest way possible, and discover tourism and trade opportunities all over the Philippines. Cebu Pacific will always explore how else it can assist in the country’s tourism agenda, with the delivery of more brand-new aircraft until 2021,”

CEB currently operates more than 2,200 weekly flights to over 90 routes or city pairs. The airline flies to 34 domestic and 22 international destinations. Its newest international routes include Manila-Phuket, launched last August 16, 2013, and Manila-Dubai, to be launched on October 7, 2013.
CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 27 Airbus A320, 2 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. Its fleet of 47 aircraft is one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2013 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 15 more Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo, and 4 Airbus A330 aircraft.  

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Virgin Australia announces new direct service between Brisbane and Cloncurry

By BA Staff

Virgin Australia today announced that it will commence direct flights between Brisbane and Cloncurry in regional Queensland on 27 November 2013. Virgin Australia’s 98 seat Embraer E190 jet will operate a return Brisbane-Cloncurry service on Wednesdays and Fridays. 

Virgin Australia Chief Commercial Officer Judith Crompton said:

Cloncurry is an important regional centre that has seen strong growth in the agriculture and resources industries. Up until now, those wishing to travel to Brisbane have needed to transit through Mount Isa or Townsville. From November guests will be able to enjoy direct flights on our premium jet aircraft.

As we have seen in other markets such as Moranbah and Bundaberg, a direct service brings many benefits to the community including greater access to specialist services and increased visitation.

Today’s announcement would not have been possible without the support of the Cloncurry Shire Council especially the Mayor, Cr Andrew Daniels, Council CEO David Neeves and the entire council leadership team.

We are proud to be supporting local residents and businesses as well as the resources industry with choice and value. In addition, guests will be able to take advantage of Virgin Australia’s award-winning loyalty program, Velocity Frequent Flyer

Brisbane's is Virgin Australia's third largest hub, with more than 80 daily departures to 35 destinations around the Pacific.

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Boeing, WestJet firm up order for 65 737 MAX Airplanes

By BA Staff

Boeing and WestJet announced today that they have firmed up an order for 65 737 MAX airplanes, fulfilling the carrier's letter of intent to purchase the airplanes announced on Aug 29. The order, valued at $6.3 billion at list prices, consists of 40 737 MAX 8s and 25 737 MAX 7s. The airplanes are a key component of the Calgary-based airline's fleet renewal initiative.

WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky said:

"We are pleased to announce the finalization of the MAX purchase agreement and look forward to being among the first North American airlines to fly the 737 MAX in 2017. The increased fuel efficiency and enhanced in-cabin amenities provided by the Boeing 737 MAX will contribute to both lower operating costs and a remarkable in-flight guest experience which is supportive of our low-cost business model and combined with our lease renewal options, maintains our fleet plan flexibility going forward."

The 737 MAX brings the most advanced engine technologies to the world's best-selling airplane, building on the strengths of today's Next-Generation 737. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see a 13 percent fuel-use improvement over today's most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplanes. The order brings the total number of 737 MAX orders to date to 1,567 airplanes.

Brad McMullen, vice president of North America Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes said: 

"The 737 MAX is an excellent complement to the WestJet fleet and its low-cost business model. The airplane's efficiency, reliability and passenger amenities will enable WestJet to continue to provide its customers high-quality service at a low cost."

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PHOTOS: Star Alliance opens new lounge at Los Angeles International Airport

by BA Staff

The new joint Star Alliance lounge at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) at Los Angeles International Airport opened its doors on 25th September. The new lounge, designed by global architectural firm Gensler, has more than 18,000 square feet of floor space, and an open air terrace offering panoramic views of the airport's northern runway looking towards the Hollywood Hills. In addition to the terrace, the lounge also offers a bar area, a library space, a den, a study, a media room, and eight shower rooms.

The lounge has space for around 400 passengers, including an exclusive area for passengers traveling in First Class. Access is provided for passengers traveling in Business or First Class, or for passengers with Star Alliance Gold frequent flyer status. The following are pictures of the new lounge:

Image Credit: Star Alliance

Image Credit: Star Alliance

Image Credit: Star Alliance

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Pakistan routes news and analysis: Gulf Air, Pakistan International Airlines, and Turkish Airlines

by Vinay Bhaskara

Several pieces of routes news from Pakistan emerged over the past week, and Bangalore Aviation has prepared a summary of these changes

Gulf Air increases frequency to Pakistan

• Bahrain based  Gulf Air has added 7 new weekly frequencies on its offering to Pakistan, from mid-December 2013, bringing its total Pakistani operation to 21 flights per week to four destinations. A summary of the changes is shown below
• Bahrain - Islamabad increases from 2x weekly to 3x weekly Airbus A330-200
• Bahrain - Karachi increases from daily to 10x weekly Airbus A320
• Bahrain - Lahore increases from 3x weekly to 4x weekly A330-200
• Bahrain - Peshawar increases from 2x weekly to 4x weekly, split as 2x weekly Airbus A321, 1x weekly A330-200, and 1x weekly A320

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) increases service to Manchester/Toronto from November 2013

• Total frequency to Toronto increases to 4x weekly with addition of second weekly Karachi - Lahore - Toronto flights using Boeing 777-200LR equipment
• Total frequency to Manchester increases to 6x weekly with addition of third weekly Islamabad - Manchester on Boeing 777-200ER equipment
• Pakistan International Airlines continues to persist in operating a potpourri of routings for its intercontinental flights, by having low frequencies from each of Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, and even Peshawar. This is certainly not unprecedented; Saudia has a similar setup out of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. But it would likely be more efficient for PIA to choose just one airport to serve as its gateway for long haul flights; either Karachi, which has the highest yielding traffic, or Islamabad, which has the highest volume of passengers. 

Turkish Airlines switches to 737-900ER

• Istanbul based Turkish Airlines is planning on switching aircraft for some of its flights to Pakistan, replacing the Boeing 737-800 with the Boeing 737-900ER
• Interestingly, the decision to replace the 737-800 with the 737-900ER actually represents a downgrade in capacity, as the 737-800s are configured with 165 seats (12Y+ / 153Y), while the 737-900ERs are configured for 151 seats (16C / 135Y) including a true regional business class product. This is an indication that Turkish Airlines is seeing strong premium demand on its Pakistani routes, but volumes are a bit soft (understandable given the residual weakness in the Pakistani economy)
• The routes affected are:
• All 4x weekly flights to Karachi, Pakistan's business capital
• One of 3x weekly flights to Islamabad, Pakistan's political capital

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China Eastern increases Kunming - Kolkata and Kunming - Dhaka

by Vinay Bhaskara

Chinese full service carrier China Eastern Airlines is increasing its service to the Indian subcontinent from its Southwestern Chinese hub of Kunming. From 27th October 2013, its offering on each of Kunming - Kolkata and Kunming - Dhaka will increase from daily to 10x weekly, using Boeing 737-700 aircraft configured in a 134 seat, two class configuration (8J / 126Y). Flight schedules for the new and existing flights to Dhaka are as follow:

Flight Number	Route	Depart	Arrive	Frequency
MU 2589	KMG-DAC	0810	0820	246
MU 2035	KMG-DAC	1255	1310	Daily
MU 2590	DAC-KMG	0910	1320	246
MU 2036	DAC-KMG	1410	1815	Daily
MU 2599	KMG-CCU	1425	1420	246
MU 555	KMG-CCU	2355	2345	Daily
MU 556	CCU-KMG	0030	0510	246
MU 2600	CCU-KMG	1510	1935	Daily

Kunming is China Eastern's third largest hub after Hongqiao and Pudong, Shanghai's two airports, with more than 180 daily departures. China Eastern will be able to offer passengers from Kolkata and Dhaka onwards connections to 67 domestic destinations within China, as well as to 16 international destinations around Asia (though these connections require a transit visa). It serves as China Eastern's primary gateway to the Indian subcontinent, with  services to Colombo, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Kolkata, and Male. The airline also serves Delhi from its largest hub at Shanghai.

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Scoot to Launch Low Cost Flights Between Singapore and Hong Kong

By BA Staff

Scoot, the high density, low cost wing of Singapore Airlines, announced the launch of flights, subject to regulatory approval, from Singapore to Hong Kong, making Hong Kong the fast-growing airline’s 12th destination. Starting 15th November 2013 you’ll be able to fly Scoot to Hong Kong and tickets will go on sale from 30 September 2013 at 0900 hrs. Services will start five times weekly and ramp up to daily in December.


Campbell Wilson, CEO of Scoot, said:

Scoot is thrilled to fly between Singapore and Hong Kong, linking these two exciting and vibrant cities. Singapore travelers love Hong Kong for its distinctive cuisine and unique shopping experience. With Scoot’s low fares, you’ll have plenty of cash left in your wallet to indulge in Hong Kong’s dim sum delights. And once you’re fuelled up, you can exercise away those extra calories with a day of unbeatable shopping options. For the budget-conscious traveler, flying with Scoot is an easy choice to make. Whatever your travel plans are in Hong Kong, Scoot is delighted to be a part of it. Soak up the Scootitude flying experience the moment you step onto our aircraft and find out why flying Scoot is such a unique travel adventure. It’s time to start Scootin’ outta here to Hong Kong!

The flight schedule is below:

Singapore to Hong Kong
Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2	Depart 0130 hrs
Hong Kong International Airport	Arrive 0525 hrs

Hong Kong to Singapore
Hong Kong International Airport	Depart 0650 hrs
Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2	Arrive 1035 hrs

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Peach Starts Services on Okinawa (Naha) – Taipei (Taoyuan) Route

By BA Staff

Peach Aviation Limited announced today that it had started servicing an Okinawa to Taipei route. The Okinawa to Taipei route is Peach's first international route departing from and arriving at Naha airport, and is the first Japanese airline to operate regular international flight services from Naha airport in approximately 11 years.

Peach Representative Director & CEO Shinichi Inoue said on the opening of Peach’s fifth international route:

“I am truly happy that we have started servicing our first international route departing from and arriving in Okinawa, between Naha and Taipei (Taoyuan). Peach focuses on Okinawa and we are planning to make Okinawa’s Naha airport its second hub after Kansai International Airport and we have started services on 4 routes related to Okinawa soon after the launch of an Okinawa (Naha) to Osaka (Kansai) route on October 18, 2012. As an air travel innovator of the Kansai region, Peach hopes to continue spreading low fare and innovative service from Okinawa, all over Asia. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the local authorities and the people of the local areas who have offered their full cooperation to make it possible to open this international route.”

Services will start on the Okinawa (Naha) to Taipei (Taoyuan) route with one daily round trip (two flights), and normal fares are 4,780 yen to 21,580 yen (one way, Happy Peach). 

The flight schedule is below:

Flight Number	Departing from Okinawa (Naha)	Arriving in Taipei
MM923	10:00	10:30

Flight Number	Departing from Taipei (Taoyuan)	Arriving in Okinawa (Naha)
MM922	9:35	12:05

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Air France - KLM provides update on Transform 2015 progress

by BA Staff

European airline group Air France - KLM has provided an update on its Transform 2015 plan, which aims to transform the airline and restore profitability by 2015 by slashing unit costs excluding fuel by 10% and shedding €2 billion worth of debt. The following details were provided by Air France - KLM in a release:

• Tranform 2015 measures drove an improvement of €100 million in first half operating results
• Air France has judged that it has 2,800 "excess staff" who will be progressively eliminated over the course of 2013-14 via voluntary departure plans
• Wage moderation will continue in 2014
• Point to point operations at Paris Orly will be handed over to low cost carrier (LCC) wing Transavia France
• Five new aircraft will be based at Orly by Transavia France from 2014 onwards, and Air France's full service point-to-point network will be adjusted downwards accordingly
• Seasonal adjustment of schedules and capacity will be used more heavily
• More outsourcing will occur at French stations and customer service processes will be reorganized
• Air France will retire all of its dedicated Boeing 747 freighters by 2015, leaving two Boeing 777Fs as the only dedicated cargo aircraft in its fleet
• Cargo operations at Paris Orly will be outsourced
• Growth in the route network will be focused on long haul only
• Fleet wise, the seven 747-400s will leave the fleet by 2015, to be replaced by four Boeing 777-300ERs and 3 Airbus A380-800s, though the final two A380s have been deferred to 2016 or beyond. The first 787s will arrive at KLM in 2017, followed by Air France's first A350s in 2018
• A new "Future hub" plan is being set up at Paris Charles de Gaulle, which will see the carrier invest in new technology and facilities so as to give passengers flying through Charles de Gaulle into a smoother connecting experience

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United Airways adds two new aircraft to its fleet

Courtesy Wikipedia. Image credit: Raihanspotter

Rapidly growing Bangladeshi private carrier United Airways has added two additional aircraft to its fleet. The aircraft are an ATR 72-200 registered as S2-AFU and a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 registered as S2-AEJ. The ATR 72-200 originated with LOT Polish Airlines, and then was transferred to LOT's regional subsidiary Eurolot before being sold to United Airways. Meanwhile, the MD-83 was delivered to US carrier Trans World Airlines (TWA) in 1995, became part of American Airlines' fleet after American acquired TWA in 2001, and then was sold to United Airways earlier this year after being parked in 2012.

The aircraft become the 10th and 11th airplanes in United Airways' fleet, composed of 2x Airbus A310-300s, 3x ATR 72-200s, 5x MD-83s, and 1x Bombardier Dash 8 Q100. The carrier also has 4x BAE Jetstream 31s on order to grow domestic operations, and a further A310-300 on order for longer haul flights.

Chairman and Managing Director of United Airways Capt. Tasbirul Ahmed Choudhury had this to say about the acquisitions:

These new addition of ATR-72 and MD-83 aircraft has increased the fleet strength of United Airways to Eleven. We definitely want to increase our fleet as this is the right time to procure desired aircraft to expand more domestic, regional and international destinations. The ATR-72 aircraft is having 64 economy class seats and the MD-83 aircraft 167 economy class seats.

United Airways serves 15 destinations (7 international) across Asia and the Middle East. It has its primary hub at Dhaka's Shajahlal International Airport.  

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Malaysia Airlines grows capacity across its network;

by BA Staff

Malaysia Airlines A330 in oneworld livery.

Kuala Lampur based flag carrier Malaysia Airlines, a member of the oneworld alliance, has announced a major capacity expansion plan as the carrier tries to fight its way back to profitability. The following is a summary of the expansion

• Re-launch of services to Dubai in August
• New route to Kochi in September
• Launch of new service to Darwin, Australia in November
• An 11% increase in capacity into and out of Bandar Seri Begawan by up-gauging from the 144 seat 737-400 (16J / 128Y) to the 160 seat 737-800 (16J / 144Y).
• Added a third daily frequency between Kuala Lumpur and Medan, Indonesia effective 15 September 2013 using the 737-800
• New daily flights MH623 Kuala Lumpur - Singapore and MH624 Singapore - Kuala Lumpur 
• Current 2x daily operations into Sydney will increase to 18x weekly from 21st November, 2013 and further to 3x daily on 5th February, 2014
• Current 2x daily operations into Melbourne will increase to 3x daily from 21st November, 2013

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Emirates announces new service to Boston

by Vinay Bhaskara

Image Credit: Devesh Agarwal ~ Bangalore Aviation

Middle Eastern carrier Emirates has continued its rapid expansion into the North American market by announcing the commencement of daily nonstop services between its global hub at Dubai and Boston to commence from 10th March, 2014. The new flights will be served using Emirates' Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, seating 266 passengers in a three class configuration (8F / 42J / 216Y). Flight schedules for the new route are as follow:

Route	Depart	Arrive	Frequency
DXB-BOS	0945	1515	Daily
BOS-DXB	2255	1910	Daily

Boston becomes Emirates' eighth US destination after New York JFK, Dallas-Fort Worth, Seattle-Tacoma, Washington Dulles, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The airline has announced a plan to more than double the number of routes it serves in the United States over the next three to five years to 15 routes. In October, they will launch a third daily service to New York JFK via Milan's Malpensa International Airport.

As with many of Emirates' North American services, the new route will draw heavily on origin and destination traffic to and from the Indian subcontinent. Nearly 200 daily passengers traveled between Boston and India in each direction in 2011, much of it high-yielding business traffic in the information technology (IT) sector). And for Emirates, India represents nearly 12% of its network traffic.

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Analysis: Etihad announces huge increase in flights and seats between Abu Dhabi and India

Bangalore-Abu Dhabi-Chicago, Mumbai-Abu Dhabi-New York, Delhi-Abu Dhabi-Newark amongst new flights requested

by Devesh Agarwal and Vinay Bhaskara

Image Credit: Etihad Airways

On the back of the new bilateral air services agreement which has almost quadrupled capacity, Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, will greatly increase both seats and flights for travel to and from India, introducing more flights and wide-bodied jets by the end of this year, and further increases and new routes next year, subject to regulatory approval.

From 1 November this year, Etihad Airways plans to more than triple the number of seats it now offers on the prime Abu Dhabi – Mumbai and Abu Dhabi – New Delhi routes, reflecting the growing importance of the Indian market, and delivering significant economic benefits to the economies of India and Abu Dhabi.

Enriching the expanded schedules will be new connection opportunities between Etihad’s global network and its expanded Indian services, via the airline’s Abu Dhabi hub.

The President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, James Hogan, said: “India is one of the world’s fastest-growing destinations, and a key market in the growth strategy of Etihad Airways.

“Following the recent signing of a new air services agreement between India and the UAE, we now have the opportunity to add significant capacity between the two countries, not only meeting existing demand for trade and tourist travel but also ensuring that we can meet the continued strong growth which is expected between our two countries. The big winners will be our passengers and freight customers and the economies of India and Abu Dhabi.”

By 31 December, 2013, Etihad Airways plans to:

• Increase from daily to double-daily its Abu Dhabi-Mumbai and Abu Dhabi-New Delhi flights;
• Use wide-bodied Airbus A340-600 aircraft on one of the daily Abu Dhabi – Mumbai flights, offering First, Business and Economy Classes, replacing a Jet Airways A330-200
• Use wide-bodied Airbus A330-200 aircraft on one of the daily Abu Dhabi - New Delhi flights, offering Business and Economy Class, replacing an Etihad A320
• Upgrade daily Abu Dhabi – Chennai flights from 136-seat Airbus A320s to new Airbus A321s, seating 174 passengers with an expected two class configuration of (12J / 162Y)
• Subject to regulatory approval, Etihad also intends to codeshare on a wide range of flights operated within India by Jet Airways. Jet will feed Abu Dhabi from eight cities initially: Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram and Cochin

Specific details of new routes between Abu Dhabi and India and codeshare services with Jet Airways will be announced progressively, as approvals are received and operational details are finalised.

Separately, Jet Airways is set to move its international scissors hub for services to the United States to Abu Dhabi from Brussels. Jet will launch Mumbai-Abu Dhabi-Newark, Bangalore-Abu Dhabi-Chicago, and Delhi-Abu Dhabi-New York JFK. Interestingly, no mention has yet been made of services to Toronto, which Jet Airways currently serves as the final leg of its New Delhi - Brussels - Toronto services. However, Toronto-India traffic is notoriously low yielding. Furthermore, the UAE and Canada have a tense bilateral agreement, so it's likely that Jet might not even be allowed to operate to Toronto via Abu Dhabi.

Either way, the massive expansion from Jetihad brings the carrier to parity in the Indian market with Middle Eastern rival Emirates, who generates 12% of its network traffic from India. As the Jetihad partnership continues to solidify, expect to see more Indian expansion from both carriers.

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Regulator certifies Dubai World Central for passenger operations

By BA Staff

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the sole regulator of all licensed airfields within the UAE, has certified Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central (DWC) for passenger operations after assessing and confirming full compliance of the aerodrome with its stringent requirements.

In a letter issued by GCAA’s Air Navigation and Aerodrome department yesterday, the regulator accepted the implementation process for full passenger operations at the new airport and acknowledged the “hard work and commitment of Dubai Airports in achieving the status of full aerodrome operations”.

Dubai Airports Airside Operations staff work closely with the GCAA to make sure that operations at both Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central are fully compliant with the highest professional international standards and regulations set out in federal law.

Jamal Zaal, Vice President of Airside Operations at Dubai Airports, had this to say:

This is a welcomed and critical step forward in the process of preparing DWC for full passenger operations. We will continue to press ahead with trials that test every system, process and piece of equipment in the new terminal, be it signage, gates or boarding procedures to make sure the new facility is ready to accept passengers on October 27.

Facility preparations culminate in advanced passenger trails on October 12, 2013 where the full passenger journey through the new terminal will be tested by some 1,000 members of the travelling public to identify any areas for improvement before its doors open for business. An advanced passenger trial using employees will take place in early October as a dress rehearsal for the public trials.

Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports, had this to say about the support received:

As was the case with Concourse A trials last year, the support from volunteers has been tremendous which only goes to prove that in Dubai, people are passionate about aviation.

The new passenger terminal building is designed to accommodate five to seven million passengers per year. When completed, Dubai World Central will be the largest airport in the world with five runways and capacity for 160 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo, though Beijing is building an airport that may soon surpass those figures

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Boeing firms up orders for 43 787s from ALC and GECAS

 By BA Staff

Boeing and Air Lease Corporation (ALC) announced today that they have completed an order for 30 787-10 and three 787-9 Dreamliners. The order, valued at $9.4 billion at list prices, fulfills the commitment originally announced during the 2013 Paris Air Show in June.

ALC Chairman and CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy had this to say about the partnership:

"We are thrilled to be adding 787-10s and additional 787-9s to our portfolio. The performance characteristics of the 787-10 will build on the 787 family's success in the marketplace by providing the ideal size, capabilities and economical operating costs for medium to long-haul markets."

Furthermore, Boeing and GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of General Electric, announced today that they have completed an order for 10 787-10 Dreamliners. The order, valued at $2.9 billion at list prices, completes the commitment originally announced during the 2013 Paris Air Show in June and builds momentum in the airplane leasing market for the 787-10.

GECAS President and CEO Norman C.T. Liu said:

"These airplanes are an excellent addition to our broad portfolio of modern, fuel-efficient aircraft. This order enables us to offer our airline customers an airplane with the lowest operating costs."

The new 787-10, launched in June 2013, will extend and complement the family, carrying 300 to 330 passengers up to 7,000 nautical miles (12,964 km) and accommodating more than 90 percent of the world's twin-aisle routes. The 787-10 also will be 25 percent more fuel-efficient than airplanes of its size today and more than 10 percent better than anything being offered by the competition for the future.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner described his point of view on the matter:

"As a leader in the leasing industry, GECAS's 787-10 order is a strong statement about the capabilities of this highly efficient airplane. The 787-10 will provide GECAS customers the efficiencies and passenger comforts needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive marketplace."

The 787-10 will feature the 787 family's unique interior. The interior technologies make the passenger experience more enjoyable, including large, dimmable windows; cleaner air; higher humidity; lower cabin altitude; bigger stowage bins; soothing LED lighting and a smoother ride. To date, the 787-10 has accumulated 102 orders and commitments from five customers worldwide.

These 787-10s bring the total number of airplanes GECAS has ordered from Boeing to 598 since 1995, including 737s, 747s, 757s, 767s, 777s and 787s. To date, GECAS has taken delivery of 451 Boeing airplanes.

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Boeing drops 767-200ER and 767-400ER, launches 767-2CFX in latest pricing update

by Vinay Bhaskara

A 767-300F - Image Credit: Boeing

American aircraft manufacturer Boeing has released its latest aircraft pricing update, and there were several changes made. Firstly, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has dropped the 767-200ER and 767-400ER variants from its 767 product line. These aircraft can no longer be purchased by customers, though if a sizable enough order comes through for Boeing, they could easily re-start production, unlike the 757, whose production line has been retooled for the 737.

The 767-200ER was among the first 767 aircraft offered by Boeing, launching in 1982, the year its standard range cousin, the 767-200, entered service. Ethiopian Airlines was the launch customer for the type in December 1982. Over the years, the smaller 767-200ER was rapidly eclipsed by the larger 767-300 variant, which became the dominant variant in the overall program with 807 ordered (out of 1108 program wide) as of the June Boeing orders and deliveries (also O&D) spreadsheet. Overall, 121 767-200ERs were ordered and delivered, and 39 remain in passenger service. American Airlines is the largest operator with 12 in its fleet used on premium transcontinental routes within the US, though these aircraft will be retired quickly as American takes delivery of their replacement; the Airbus A321.

The 767-400ER was a bit more of an oddball, with only 2 operators (Delta Air Lines, and Continental Airlines - now United Airlines) ordering a total of 38 aircraft. Delta currently has 21 767-400ERs in its fleet, though some of these aircraft may be eventually replaced with the carrier's recent order for 10 additional Airbus A330-300s, while United has 16 frames remaining. The 767-400ER was designed to compete with the aforementioned A330-300, but largely failed to do so, with the A330-300 having won 635 orders over the course of its lifetime.

The 767 program itself had a seemingly bleak future as recently as 3 years ago, with orders slowing to a crawl (primarily existing 767 operators such as ANA and LAN ordering the 767-300ER as interim lift due to the 787 delays). But in February 2011, Boeing won a landmark aerial refueling tanker deal from the United States Air Force, worth nearly $30 billion over the contract's lifetime, with a design based around the 767 called the KC-46A. This made it possible for Boeing to extend the life cycle of the commercial variants of the 767, winning further orders, most notably for 46 767-300Fs from FedEx in 2011-12.

Interestingly, the commercial version of the KC-46A, the 767-2CFX has been added to the pricing table, though no price has been set for the aircraft yet. The table with updated prices from Boeing can be seen below. Interestingly, despite Lufthansa's order for 34 777X family (777-9) aircraft announced today, the type has not yet been formally launched. In all likelihood, formal launch will occur at this years Dubai Air Show, alongside a massive order from Emirates.

Aircraft	Price ($ million)
737
737-700	76.0
737-800	90.5
737-900ER	96.1
737 MAX 7	85.1
737 MAX 8	103.7
737 MAX 9	109.9
747
747-8i	356.9
747-8F	357.5
767
767-300ER	185.8
767-300F	188.0
767-2CFX	TBD
777
777-200ER	261.5
777-200LR	296.0
777-300ER	320.2
777F	300.5
787
787-8	211.8
787-9	249.5
787-10	288.7

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SpiceJet to launch Bangalore - Bangkok flights

by Devesh Agarwal

Delhi based low fare carrier SpiceJet will commence international flights from Bangalore on October 28. The first destination is Bangkok with four flights per week.

The carrier will be the only Indian carrier to service this route.

As per the SpiceJet website on which tickets which are available for purchase, the schedule is on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays,

SG091 departs Bangalore 03:35 arrives Bangkok Suvarnabhumi 09:05
SG092 departs Bangkok Suvarnabhumi 20:10 arrives Bangalore 22:35

The airline will use a Boeing 737-800 to service the flights.

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Sudheer Raghavan leaving Jet Airways?

by Devesh Agarwal

The rumour mill has that Jet Airway's Chief Commercial Officer Sudheer Raghavan will be leaving the airline soon and is expected to be succeeded by Mr. Wayne Pearce, currently the CEO of Oman Air.

Pearce reportedly enjoys a good rapport with Etihad CEO James Hogan. Etihad which is in the process of completing a 24% stake purchase in Jet Airways for $379 million, has been strengthening its hold within Jet Airways management, steadily taking over key management positions in planning, strategy, and operations.

If Raghavan quits, he will be the third high level exit from Jet following the Etihad investment in April. In June, CEO Nikos Kardassis resigned. Recently, Mr. K. G. Vishwanath, Vice President – Commercial Strategy and Investor Relations resigned. It is understood that he was considered close to Jet Airway's Chairman Naresh Goyal, in an function where Etihad wants its own people.

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Tatas and Singapore Airlines to form new airline in India

by Devesh Agarwal

Taking advantage of India's recent liberalisation of the aviation sector, the country's most famous conglomerate, Tata Sons, and flag carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) have signed a memorandum of understanding and applied for Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval to establish a new airline in India, thus adding a well financed full service carrier with strong customer service roots.

The airline will be based in New Delhi and will operate under the full-service model. Tata Sons will own 51 percent and Singapore Airlines will own 49 percent.

The announcement brings full circle, a partnership first commenced by the two companies back in 1995, when they jointly attempted to start an airline in India. In 2000, the two jointly bid for a stake in Air India. At the time the bids were thwarted by a sudden shift in policy, some say politically pushed through by a then fledgling Jet Airways, preventing investment in Indian carriers by a foreign airline.

The initial board will have three members, two nominated by Tata Sons and one nominated by Singapore Airlines. The chairman will be Prasad Menon, nominated by Tata Sons. Mukand Rajan, member of the group executive council of Tata Sons will be the ther director while Mak Swee Wah, executive vice-president (commercial) will represent Singapore Airlines.

Menon said

“It is Tata Sons’ evaluation that civil aviation in India offers sustainable growth potential. We now have the opportunity to launch a world-class, full-service airline in India. We are delighted that we are partnering in this endeavour with the world-renowned Singapore Airlines,”

Singapore Airlines CEO, Goh Choon Phong, added

“We have always been a strong believer in the growth potential of India’s aviation sector and are excited about the opportunity to partner Tata Sons in contributing to the future expansion of the market.” “Tata Sons is one of the most established and respected names in India. With the recent liberalisation, the time is right to jointly bring consumers a fresh new option for full-service air travel. We are confident the joint venture airline will help to stimulate market demand and provide economic benefits to India.”

Details of the airline’s branding, management team and products and services will be announced in due course.

The Tatas are also partnering with Tony Fernandes promoted Air Asia which is well under-way in establishing a new low cost carrier in India, AirAsia India.

Curiously, today's announcement comes just a day after the Delhi high court admitted a petition seeking quashing of the start clearances granted to AirAsia India. The petitioner, Subramanian Swamy, claims the recently liberalised FDI policy allowing investments by foreign airlines in Indian airlines, allows for investments in existing airlines and not fresh start-ups such as AirAsia India.

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Lufthansa $19 billion order launches Boeing 777-9X. Carrier also orders 25 Airbus A350-900

German carrier also orders 25 Airbus A350-900 XWBs

by Devesh Agarwal

The Supervisory Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, at its meeting yesterday, has approved the purchase of 59 ultra-modern aircraft for the Group, comprising of 34 Boeing 777-9Xs and 25 Airbus A350-900s worth EUR 14 billion (approx $19 billion) at list prices, the largest ever jet order.

Computer generated image of Boeing 777-9X in Lufthansa livery

This order confirms indications made by the airline in March, it would finalise an order for its wide-body long range aircraft below the VLA (Very Large Aircraft) size, by the fourth quarter of this year. Lufthansa is currently the only airline to operate the passenger VLAs from both airframers, i.e. Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8i.

Computer generated image of Airbus A350-900 XWB in Lufthansa livery

The incoming aircraft from this order, which will commence delivery in 2016 with the A350, will replace the older 22 Boeing 747-400s and approximately 24 Airbus A340-300s which will be phased out by 2025. The Boeing 777-9X is expected to enter service by the end of the decade.

The 59 new aircraft will consume an average of just 2.9 litres of fuel per passenger and 100 kilometres flown. That is around 25 per cent less than aircraft available today and it will have a positive impact on the Group’s carbon footprint. Unit costs will sink by approximately 20 per cent compared with predecessor models.

The new aircraft will be operated by ultra-modern, powerful, low-noise engines – the Airbus A350 by the Rolls-Royce 'Trent XWB 84' engine and the Boeing 777-9X by General Electric's 'GE-9X' model. The noise footprint of the new models will be at least 30 per cent lower than today's aircraft.

Lufthansa's launch commitment to the 777-9X is not unexpected. As Nico Buchholz, Executive Vice President and Head of Fleet, Lufthansa says

"Boeing and Lufthansa share more than 50 years of partnership and innovation and a tradition of launching new airplane models – starting with the original 737s and most recently, the efficient 747-8 Intercontinental," "Lufthansa is demonstrating its legacy of innovation and market leadership again with its selection of the 777X. We look forward to many years of partnership with Boeing, as we make air travel more efficient, comfortable and environmentally sustainable with airplanes such as the 777X."

In a release Airbus S.A.S. said

The Supervisory board of Lufthansa, Airbus’ biggest airline customer and operator, has decided to expand and modernise its long-haul fleet with a commitment for up to 55 A350-900 aircraft (25 firm and 30 options). Lufthansa also has the flexibility to convert some of the order to the larger A350-1000.

This landmark A350 order comes just six months after Lufthansa made the strategic decision to become an all-Airbus operator for its single-aisle fleet. So far in 2013, Airbus has won more firm orders from Lufthansa (125) in a single year than ever before. Taking all commitments (firm and options) into account the figure rises to 232 aircraft – one more than the 231 Airbus aircraft currently in operation with the Lufthansa Airline.

Lufthansa’s decision today underpins the Group’s status as Airbus’ largest airline customer and operator, with to date 535 aircraft ordered and 397 currently in operation within the Group. The latter include: 282 A320 Family, 42 A330s, 63 A340s, and 10 A380s. Lufthansa has recently announced an order for 100 A320 Family aircraft to switch its Single-Aisle Fleet in the 150-230 size category entirely to Airbus.

Boeing in its release said

Boeing [NYSE:BA] welcomes Lufthansa's selection of the 777-9X for its future long-haul fleet.

The launch of the 777X family is targeted for later this year and entry into service around the end of the decade.

Earlier this year, the Lufthansa Group ordered six 777-300ERs for the fleet of Swiss International Airlines. Boeing will deliver the first of Lufthansa Cargo's five new 777 Freighters later this year.

Lufthansa today operates 93 Boeing airplanes within its group fleets.

In its release GE Aviation said

GE Aviation is excited with Lufthansa’s decision today to select GE9X-powered Boeing 777-9X aircraft. The engines for the 34 aircraft announced by Lufthansa are valued at more than $2.5 billion USD list price. This is the first selection for the new GE9X, which is part of the highly successful GE90 engine family.

The GE9X engine for Boeing's 777X aircraft will be in the 100,000 pounds thrust class with a 10 percent improvement in fuel burn over today's GE90-115B. Key features include: a 132" fan diameter; composite fan case and fourth-generation composite fan blades; next-generation 27:1 pressure ratio high-pressure compressor; a third-generation TAPS (twin annular pre-swirl) combustor for greater efficiency and low emissions; and ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material in the combustor and turbine.

Images courtesy Deutsche Lufthansa AG

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Bangalore International Airport introduces official airport app for BlackBerry smartphones

by Devesh Agarwal

The operator of the Bengaluru International Airport, Bengaluru International Airport Ltd., has announced the launch of its official ‘Airport Guide Application’ for BlackBerry® smartphones for all information relating to services at the airport. The free app is designed for both BlackBerry® 10 and BlackBerry® OS smartphones (running OS 5 or higher), and is available for downloads on the BlackBerry® World™ storefront.

The app offers comprehensive information on arrivals and departures of local and international flights, location of parking slots, rates, transport services and more.

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Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner successfully completes first flight

by Devesh Agarwal

The second member of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner family, the 787-9 successfully completed its first flight, beginning a comprehensive flight-test program leading to certification and delivery in mid-2014. The aircraft performed a 5-hour, 16-minute flight, taking off from Paine Field in Everett, Washington state, at 11:02 a.m. local time and landing at 4:18 p.m. at Seattle's Boeing Field.

Boeing 787-9, line number ZB001 registration N787EX, takes off for its first flight

The 787-9 has its fuselage stretched by 20 feet (6 meters) over the 787-8 which is flying with many airlines including Air India. The 787-9 will carry 40 more passengers an additional 300 nautical miles (555 kilometres).

787-9 Senior Project Pilot Mike Bryan and 787 Chief Pilot Randy Neville departed to the north. During the flight the reached an altitude of 20,400 feet (6,218 meters) and an airspeed of 250 knots, or about 288 miles (463 kilometers) per hour, customary for a first flight. The two Captains tested the aircraft's systems and structures, while on-board equipment transmitted real-time data to a flight-test team on the ground in Seattle.

Powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, the first 787-9 will be joined in flight test by two additional airplanes, one of which will feature General Electric GEnx engines. The additional airplanes are in the final stages of assembly in Boeing's Everett factory.

Boeing says it is on track to deliver the 787-9 to launch customer Air New Zealand in mid-2014. Twenty-five customers from around the world have ordered 388 787-9s, accounting for 40 percent of all 787 orders. National carrier Air India has ordered 27 787-8s only, and no 787-9. Jet Airways has 10 787-8s on order with no purchase options (though it can shift these orders to other Boeing products).

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Analysis: Emirates to launch Kabul continues trend of contrarian A340-500 utilization

by Vinay Bhaskara

MEB3 carrier Emirates is launching daily nonstop services to Kabul, its first Afghan destination, from 4th December, 2013. The route will be served using 258 seat Airbus A340-500 aircraft in a 3-class configuration (12F / 42J / 204Y).

Flight Schedules for the new route are as follows:

Route	Depart	Arrive	Duration	Aircraft
Dubai - Kabul	0955	1315	2:50	345
Kabul - Dubai	1530	1800	3:00	345

The route is especially interesting because it is part of a pattern of Emirates' curious utilization of its nine frame Airbus A340-500 fleet. At 1686 kilometers, Dubai - Kabul is an extremely short flight for the A340-500, which is one of the longest range aircraft in the world, with a design range of greater than 17,000 kilometers for the high gross weight (HGW) version operated by Emirates. In fact, the world's longest flight, Singapore-Newark on the A340-500, at 15,345 kilometers. Even when Emirates first bought A340-500s (10 to be exact), it used the type on the longest routes in its network, like Dubai - New York JFK (11,022 kilometers) or Dubai - Sydney (12,039 kilometers). But over time, the A340's role in Emirates' network has shifted. The table and map below show the markets where Emirates operate the A340-500 in September 2013, as well as the market distance in kilometers.

*Note: Al Manama is Bahrain and Mahe is the Seychelles

Market	Distance (km)
Dubai - Amman	2024
Dubai - Bahrain	488
Dubai - Beirut	2143
Dubai - Cape Town	7620
Dubai - Doha	383
Dubai - Entebbe	3723
Dubai - Hyderabad	2548
Dubai - Kabul	1686
Dubai - Kuwait	530
Dubai - Lyon	3548
Dubai - Nairobi	875
Dubai - Riyadh	3311
Dubai - Seychelles	4452
Dubai - Tunis	4452
Dubai - Venice	4435
Dubai - Vienna	4226

Courtesy www.gcmap.com

As the table and map show, Emirates is using the A340-500 on routes that are a lot different than its original design mission. The only route that could even remotely be considered long haul is to Cape Town, and even that is more of a mid-haul route than anything. The majority of the routes are in Europe and the Middle East and can even be operated by narrowbody aircraft.

The A340-500 has fallen out of favor with airlines around the world because it burns lots of fuel on ultra long haul routes relative to its direct competition; the Boeing 777-200LR, of which Emirates operates 10. It is clear that Emirates needs the extra widebody lift, which is why the A340-500s are still in the fleet. It's also possible that the short routes are where the A340-500 loses the least money for Emirates, as the fuel costs are proportionately lower.

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Boeing Forecasts Growing Need for New Pilots in Asia Pacific Region

By BA Staff

Boeing projects that the Asia Pacific region will continue to lead the globe in demand for hundreds of thousands of new commercial airline pilots and maintenance technicians to support expanding demand for new airplane deliveries over the next two decades.

The 2013 Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook calls for 192,300 new commercial airline pilots and 215,300 new technicians in the Asia Pacific region through 2032.

Bob Bellitto, the global sales director for Boeing Flight Services said

"There is a very real, urgent demand for competent aviation personnel globally, and the Asia Pacific region is particularly impacted. While Boeing is investing in cutting-edge technologies to attract and retain young people interested in careers in aviation, this is an industry-wide issue that can only be solved with industry-wide solutions. Aviation is a great field to be in. We have a responsibility to make sure it's a viable career option for the world's youth. Tomorrow's aviation workforce is going to be very different than their present-day peers. We need to focus on their expectations for learning, moving away from paper and chalkboard-based techniques to incorporate tablets, eBooks, gaming technology and three-dimensional models."

Leading the region in projected demand for new pilots and technicians:

• China – 77,400 pilots and 93,900 technicians
• Southeast Asia – 48,100 pilots and 50,300 technicians

Other parts of the region will also continue to see long-term demand in the tens of thousands of pilots and technicians:

• Southwest Asia will need 30,900 pilots and 28,500 technicians
• Northeast Asia will need 18,500 pilots and 25,500 technicians
• The Oceania region will need 17,400 pilots and 17,100 technicians

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Bombardier CSeries flies for the first time

by Vinay Bhaskara

Earlier today at Montreal's shuttered Mirabel Airport (YMX), Bombardier's new CSeries jet flew for the first time today. The flight of CSeries flight test vehicle 1 (FTV1 - a CS100) was performed under perfect weather conditions in Montreal, and also represented the first flight for engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney's new PurePower geared turbo fan (GTF) engine.

The flight lasted two and a half hours, taking of at 9:55 am local time and landing again at 12:25 pm. It ended more than two weeks of constant speculation over the date of the CSeries' first flight as Bombardier battled unsuitable weather conditions in the Montreal area.

The flight was crewed by Captain Charles (Chuck) Ellis, Chief Flight Test Pilot, Bombardier Flight Test. He was joined by his colleagues, Capt. Andris (Andy) Litavniks and Andreas Hartono in the roles of First Officer and Flight Test Engineer respectively.

Captain Ellis had this to say about the first flight:

The performance of the CSeries aircraft was very impressive! We couldn’t have wished for a better maiden flight,....FTV1’s state-of-the-art flight deck was responsive and comfortable, and the aircraft handled exactly as expected. Overall, we had a very productive first flight and an excellent start to the flight test program.

During its first flight, the CSeries reached a height of 3,810 meters and an airspeed of 230 knots (426 km/hr). Several test were done in-flight including flap and landing gear retractions/extensions, in-flight maneuvers including a simulated landing, and validation of the flight control system.

Onlookers raved about how quiet the CSeries was on take off and landing, one of the benefits touted by Bombardier and Pratt & Whitney. A total of five CS100 test vehicles, in various stages of completion, will join the flight test program in coming months, and according to Bombardier, it will be months before acoustical testing is finished. The total flight test program is set to be around 2,400 hours.

The first flight is good news for the CSeries program, which has suffered under the weight of a long delay, rising costs (program cost is now projected at $4 billion, up from $3.5 billion), and strong competition from rival Embraer, whose E2 re-engine of its E-Jet family of aircraft has already won more than 100 orders after being offered for less than 3 months against 177 total orders for the CSeries after six years (63 CS100, 114 CS300).

The first flight of the CSeries and the Boeing 787-9 later this week will be the last major first flights for at least the next three years, until the A350-800, the 787-10, and the Embraer E2 all have their first flights in the 2016-2017 time frame.

The following video from Bombardier shows the take-off of the first flight.

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Harbin Composite Manufacturing Centre delivers 1st major A350 part

By BA Staff

Harbin Hafei Airbus Composite Manufacturing Centre (HMC), a joint venture between Airbus and its Chinese partners, has started to deliver elevators for the Airbus A350 XWB programme. A ceremony was held today in Harbin for the delivery of the first ship set of elevators. The elevators manufactured at HMC are delivered to Spain-based Aernnova Aerospace (ANN), who will deliver them to the Airbus plant in Getafe, Spain, where they will be integrated into the A350 XWB horizontal tail plane. ANN is a major supplier of aerostructures to Airbus.

Based on a contract signed by HMC and ANN in 2010, HMC is responsible for manufacturing and assembling the complete set of carbon fibre elevators (an elevator is a movable control surface in the horizontal tail plane that makes the aircraft pitch up or down to increase or reduce its flight altitude).

According to an agreement signed in 2007 between Airbus and the Chinese government, Airbus agreed to allocate five percent of the A350 XWB airframe to be manufactured in China. The work packages to be carried out by HMC are a significant part of the five per cent. 

Rafael Gonzalez-Ripoli, Airbus' China Chief Operating Officer had this to say about the A350: 

“The delivery of the first ship set of A350 XWB elevators by HMC is an important milestone in our long-term partnership with the Chinese aviation industry. The A350 XWB has taken to the sky and the programme is progressing on track. The Chinese have every reason to be proud of the contribution they are making to the A350 XWB."

Geng Ruguang, Executive Vice President of AVIC, the parent company of the majority shareholding Chinese partners of the HMC, said: 

“It’s inspiring for the Chinese aviation industry to be involved in the development and production of the A350 XWB, which is the world’s most advanced and most efficient aircraft, and to become an integrated part of Airbus’ global supply chain. The delivery of the first A350 XWB elevator demonstrates one more step forward of HMC towards its set target. The development of HMC will also constitute a pulling force for the relevant local industries.”

Pedro Fuente, Chief Operating Officer of ANN, said: 

“We at Aernnova are really satisfied with the very effective teamwork model developed together with the Harbin Manufacturing Centre to industrialize and progressively transfer the A350 XWB Elevators. We are impressed by the fast growing capabilities we are seeing every day. Clearly these are great pillars for a long term collaboration and mutual success.”

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Alaska Airlines Inaugurates New Flights Between Portland, Ore., and Dallas/Fort Worth

By BA Staff

Starting today, Alaska Airlines will inaugurate nonstop service between Portland, Oregon and Dallas/Fort Worth.

Joe Sprague, the airline's vice president of marketing, had this to say about the route:

"Portland-Dallas is the eighth new route we've added from the Rose City since June of last year. Our customers will not only enjoy convenient nonstop flights, but also seamless connecting opportunities throughout North America via our partner American Airlines at its hub in Dallas/Fort Worth."

The schedules for the new service are as follow:

Start Date	City Pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Sept. 16	Portland - Dallas	10:15 A.M.	4:04 P.M.	Daily
Sept. 16	Dallas - Portland	5:00 P.M.	6:59 P.M.	Daily

To celebrate the new service, Alaska Airlines is offering a one-way fare of $129*. Fares must be purchased by Sept. 19, require a 14-day advance purchase, and are valid for travel from Sept. 30 through Nov. 20, 2013. 

Alaska Airlines has inaugurated service from Portland to seven other destinations since June 2012, including Atlanta, Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., the Hawaiian island of Kauai, Fairbanks, Alaska, Bozeman, Mont., Pasco, Wash., and Santa Barbara, Calif.

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