Swiss International Air Lines (Zurich) has become the first “allergy-friendly” airline. The airline just issued this statement:

In May, Swiss International Air Lines Ltd., will introduce a number of ground/inflight products designed to enhance the air travel experience for allergy sufferers. These innovations will include new alternative (lactose- and gluten- free) food and drinks, along with cabin interior changes.

Swiss has teamed up with the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF) to offer its guests an even more individualized service product for travelers with allergies. New onboard all SWISS flights will be lactose- and gluten- free food and beverage alternatives such as lactose-free coffee cream and a lactose-free version of the popular Swiss chocolate bar.

Depending on the length of the flight, Swiss guests with allergies or other intolerances may further request special snacks (candy bars, yoghurt or cakes) that address passenger allergies, and pay full regard to their conditions.

At present, allergy sufferers will be able to order special meals tailored to their needs in all seating classes on long-haul services and in Business Class within Europe up to 24 hours before their scheduled departure. From the U.S., Swiss offers long-haul flights to Switzerland in First, Business, Economy classes of service from Boston, Chicago, New York, Newark, Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Swiss is making allergy-minded modifications to its cabins, too. First and Business Class passengers will be offered pillows stuffed with synthetic materials as an alternative to the down-filled version. Swiss is also ceasing its use in the cabin of decorative flowers and air fresheners that might cause nose and throat irritations; and the on-board toilets will now feature soaps that are gentle on the skin.

“The numbers of people suffering from allergies have been increasing throughout the industrialized world for several years now,” adds Professor Torsten Zuberbier, the Director of Berlin-based ECARF. “Over 30 percent of Europe’s population are directly affected by one or more allergies – not to mention those indirectly affected, such as their families. Yet only around 10 percent of sufferers get the right medical treatment; and allergies are still often not taken seriously, even by the sufferers themselves.”

Swiss is the first airline in the world to meet the ECARF criteria for “allergy-friendly” airlines. As a result, Swiss can now place the ECARF seal of approval on its service product range.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A340-313X HB-JMF (msn 561) taxies at Los Angeles International Airport.

Swiss International Air Lines: 

Transavia France (Transavia.com) (Paris-Orly) has introduced seven new routes per Anna Aero. Paris (Orly)-Tel Aviv was added on April 10 followed by new service to Athens, Faro, Istanbul and Malaga on April 12 along with Pisa and Prague on April 13.

The subsidiary of Air France-KLM now operates 12 Boeing 737-800s and will soon operate five Airbus A320s that are being transferred from Air France.

On April 1 Transavia unveiled its new cabin crew uniform. Previously Transavia issued this statement:

Transavia.com is in the process of creating a new uniform for its cabin crew and sales & service staff. The design process is unique because the end product will be a result of co-creation. This means that the wearers themselves will contribute ideas for the design. Bas van Wayenburg, design consultant, will translate these ideas and suggestions into wearable uniform components. Through ‘crew sourcing’, the airline’s personnel in both the Netherlands and France will take a vote on the final design. By opting for this approach, transavia.com is not only demonstrating its commitment to its employees, but is also enhancing its visual appearance to its customers. The new uniform will be put into use in the summer of 2015.

“We are proud to be working together with our around 1,500 employees, the end users, on the creation of a new uniform in such a way. Our employees reflect our brand and are the customers’ first point contact. The uniform is an important element of our visual identity and must continue to be that. Therefore, after nearly 9 years, we are giving our uniform a facelift. It needs to be in keeping with the core values of our brand, including enthusiasm, commitment and sincerity, while at the same time expressing safety and responsibility,” explains Mattijs ten Brink, General Manager of transavia.com.

Incidentally, this is not the first time that transavia.com has involved end users in the development process of a product. Crowd sourcing was also applied for the Fanflight (2013) and Slogan (2011) campaigns.

Top Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-86J WL F-GZHI (msn 36120) taxies past the camera at Antalya, Turkey.

Transavia (France): 

Bottom Copyright Photo: Transavia.

Routes from the Paris (Orly) base:

United Airways (Dhaka) is a privately-held airline in Bangladesh. The international carrier commenced operations on July 10, 2007.

According to this report by the Daily Star, the airline may be facing a suspension of AOC due to outstanding aeronautical and non-aeronautical charges. The aircraft has been banned from adding new aircraft until its bills are paid. The airline must pay its overdue bills by June 15.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A310-325 S2-AFF (msn 672) arrives at London (Gatwick).

United Airways: 

American Eagle Airlines, Inc. (2nd) (Dallas/Fort Worth) yesterday (April 15) officially changed its name to Envoy Air, Inc.

Envoy Air Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group (Dallas/Fort Worth) operating more than the 220 aircraft on about 1,300 daily flights to more than 170 destinations. The company’s more than 14,000 employees provide regional flight service to American Airlines under the American Eagle brand and livery and ground handling services for approximately 15 airlines, including American.

The company was founded in 1998 as American Eagle Airlines, Inc. following the merger of several smaller regional carriers to create one the largest regional airlines in the world. Envoy is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas with hubs in New York, Chicago O’Hare, Miami, Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles. On April 15, 2014 the company changed its name to Envoy Air, Inc to distinguish the company for the American Eagle brand, under which several carriers operate regional flight service for American.

The carrier currently operates 47 Bombardier CRJ700s (CL-600-2C10s), 58 Embraer ERJ 140s and 118 Embraer ERJ 145s.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N511AE (msn 10107) of Envoy Air departs from Los Angeles International Airport.

American Eagle-Envoy Air: 

Finnair (Helsinki) has received approval to ease rules on electronic devices and issued this statement:

The approval came from the Finnish Transport Safety Agency (Trafi).

Passengers may still be asked to switch off their devices if the visibility conditions are low during landing. Laptop computers are not considered handheld devices, and must always be switched off and stored properly during take-off and landing.

“Since the European Aviation Safety Agency recently eased its regulations concerning the operation of portable electronic devices, we have sought to apply these regulations to policies on board Finnair flights. Now with the necessary approvals in place, we are able to do so,” says Antti Aukia, Finnair’s VP Safety and Quality Management.

Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100LR OH-LKP (msn 19000416) approaches the runway at Zurich.

Finnair: 

US Airways (Phoenix) is investigating how a lewd picture of an exposed naked woman and a Boeing 777 model got attached to an official US Airways response to a delayed passenger on their Twitter account.

Apparently the inappropriate picture remained posted on the US Airways Twitter account for about an hour!

US Airways has apologized for the mistake and stated it was investigating how the attachment got on their response (above).

We live in a Social Network world and any airline that is not hip enough to capture the full marketing power of Facebook, Twitter etc. will fall behind. However there is a price to be paid if you do not monitor it closely. Social Media often becomes a center point for disgruntled passengers to complain. You better have someone with a lot of patience to answer the complaints and to closely watch your accounts full time! Going to lunch can be dangerous for any person in charge of a company account on Twitter.

Read the full report from Mashable: CLICK HERE

Mashable also compiled the top 38 Twitter reactions to this inappropriate company response. The comments will live on forever. Remember nothing ever dies on the Internet.

Read the full report from Mashable: CLICK HERE

Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. (Miami), better known as the proposed “new Eastern”, has apparently selected the Boeing 737-800 as its first aircraft type. The new version of Eastern had previously looked at the Airbus A319 and later the A320.

On their website, the group has added a rendering of a Boeing 737-800 with Winglets in Eastern colors (above) with this photo caption:

This is the current artists rendering of an Eastern Boeing 737-800 in the Eastern livery. This aircraft, the “Spirit of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker” is expected to be delivered to Eastern in late Summer 2014.

As previously reported, in January 2014, the new Eastern filed an application with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.

When the first aircraft arrives, the new proposed airline will then go through the final Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 121 certification process leading to an Air Operators Certificate (AOC).

The new airline has proposed using Miami as its new hub.

Spirit Airlines is reportedly in negotiations to bring some of its ultra low-fare operations to Miami. Spirit Airlines has looked at Miami briefly in the past but decided to keep all of its South Florida operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

Read the report from Brian Andrews of CBS Miami: CLICK HERE

Image: Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc.

Eastern Airlines (1st) Slide Show: 

Spirit Airlines Slide Show: 

Qatar Airways (Doha) today announced that from July 21, 2014, the airline will operate a new daily nonstop route from Doha to Bali.

The 10-hour routes from October will be operated with Qatar Airways’ Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Initially the Bali route will be operated with an Airbus A330.

Flying direct to and from Bali, the Dreamliner will have a two-cabin configuration, comprising of 22 seats in Business Class and 232 Economy Class seats with a high standard of comfort on board, including individual 10.5 inch television screens on all Economy Cass seats and a full complimentary food and beverage service.

Over the next few months, the network will grow further with Larnaca, Cyprus (April 29), Al Hofuf, Saudi Arabia (May 15), Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, Turkey (May 22, 2014), Edinburgh, Scotland (May 28, 2014), Miami (June 10, 2014), Tokyo Haneda (June 18, 2014) and Dallas/Fort Worth (July 1, 2014).

Daily nonstop Doha to/from Bali: (all times local)

QR 962 departs Doha (DOH) at 02:35; arrives Bali Denpesar (DPS) at 17:35
QR 963 departs Bali Denpesar (DPS) at 19:35; arrives Doha (DOH) at 23:59

Copyright Photo: Qatar Airways. Boeing 787-8 A7-BCB (msn 38320) soars beautifully.

Qatar Airways: 

Avianca (Colombia) (Bogota) will launch a new route from Cartagena nonstop to New York (JFK) on July 17. The new route will be operated three days a week with Airbus A319s per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A3219-132 N690AV (msn 5944) with Sharklets departs from Tenerife (Sur) on its delivery flight.

Avianca (Colombia): 

United Airlines (Chicago) will introduced a new daily Bombardier CRJ700 route from the Houston (Bush Intercontinental) hub and Boise, Idaho starting on August 19 per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/Airlinersgallery.com. Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N765SK (msn 10231) of SkyWest Airlines climbs away from Los Angeles International Airport.

United Airlines (current): 

United Express-SkyWest: 

Silver Airways (Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood) has announced it is further expanding its extensive Florida network with new daily nonstop flights between Key West International Airport
(EYW) and Orlando International Airport (MCO) on June 12, 2014.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. SAAB 340B N341AG (msn 437) approaches the runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

Silver Airways: 

Microsoft Word – 737 DHL Express Southern Air Press Release_FINAL

Southwest Airlines (Dallas) has announced it will contribute approximately $228 million—the largest total dollar amount ever allocated—directly to Employees through its ProfitSharing Plan this year. The payment is an 88 percent increase over last year’s contribution of $121 million. Southwest was the first in the industry to offer a ProfitSharing Plan, and this is the Company’s 40th consecutive ProfitSharing payment. Through the ProfitSharing Plan, Southwest Employees currently own more than four percent of the Company’s outstanding shares.

Combined with ProfitSharing is the Company’s $269 million match and other amounts contributed to the Southwest and AirTran 401(k) plans. Southwest rewarded its Employees with a 2013 total retirement benefit of nearly $500 million. In addition to retirement contributions, Southwest Airlines also invested approximately $580 million in its Employees’ benefits during 2013, which included healthcare coverage, wellness programs, and other benefits. In total, that’s more than $1 billion dedicated to the wealth and wellbeing of Southwest Employees in 2013 alone, on top of base salaries.

Over four decades, Southwest ProfitSharing contributions have totaled $2.5 billion. In other words:

It’s enough money to buy 500 million mini bottles of founder Herb Kelleher’s drink of choice, Wild Turkey, which would fill 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Or, $2.5 billion would buy 83 billion bags of Southwest peanuts—enough for 10 roundtrips to the moon if you lined them up end-to-end.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-7H4 N481WN (msn 29853) prepares to touch down in Las Vegas.

Southwest Airlines: 

Aer Lingus (Dublin) yesterday (April 14) recorded two firsts; the launch of its inaugural flight from Dublin to Toronto (Pearson) and the first operation from Dublin of the Boeing 757-200 aircraft recently added to its trans-Atlantic fleet.

The new service will operate year-round with a daily service between Dublin and Toronto during the summer season and up to four weekly services operating during the winter. This is the fourth trans-Atlantic route launch in recent months and forms part of Aer Lingus’ significant trans-Atlantic growth plan in 2014.

The 2014 growth plan includes;

· New routes from Dublin to Toronto and San Francisco
· The addition of three Boeing 757-200 aircraft to the long haul fleet
· Almost doubling of frequency on services from Shannon to Boston and New York
· The creation of more than 200 new jobs

Aer Lingus customers travelling from over twenty UK and European cities via Dublin to Toronto will also have the option to connect to eight key cities within Canada including Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary.

To support the operation of the new routes from Dublin to Toronto and from Shannon to New York and Boston, Aer Lingus has wet leased three Boeing 757-200 aircraft from ASL Aviation Group. The aircraft are configured with an economy and business class cabin. Business travellers will continue to enjoy the same great level of service; with gourmet meals, sleeper seats and an extensive in-flight entertainment selection.

The ASL Aviation Group, based in Ireland, is a well-established global aviation group providing an unrivalled array of aviation services. The group of aviation companies includes Irish airline Air Contractors and French based airline Europe Airpost as well as two support service companies – ACLAS Global and Air Contractors Engineering; and various leasing entities. The Group’s operations are worldwide with the airlines operating a mixed fleet of wide body, short haul and turboprop passenger and cargo aircraft under their own brands and for a number of leading airlines. ASL Aviation Group has a staff of 1,200, a fleet of ±80 aircraft. ASL is a joint venture between CMB (51%) and 3P Air Freighters (49%).

Copyright Photo: Michael Kelly/AirlinersGallery.com. Formerly operated by Finnair as OH-LBT, Boeing 757-2Q8 EI-LBT (msn 28170), operated by Aero Contractors for Aer Lingus, departs from Dublin on its inaugural flight to Toronto on April 14, 2014.

Aer Lingus: 

The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital utilizes this McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 as a flying hospital. The former wide-boday airline previously served Laker Airways (as G-BELO), American Trans Air (N183AT), Cal Air International (G-GCAL), Novair (G-GCAL) before going to Project Orbis as N220AU (msn 46501) on November 27, 1991. The venerable jetliner has a new look livery (above).

Orbis International (New York) is an international non-profit non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to saving sight worldwide according to Wikipedia. Orbis programs focus on the prevention of blindness and the treatment of blinding eye diseases in developing countries. Since 1982, ORBIS capacity-building programs have enhanced the skills of 325,000 eye care personnel and provided medical and optical treatment to more than 23.3 million people in 92 countries.

The charity issued this statement:

The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital (FEH) is visiting Jinan for the second time to conduct an intensive and comprehensive training and skills exchange program aimed at strengthening ophthalmic services in Shandong Province. Alongside its longtime sponsor, Alcon, the global leader in eye care, the Orbis program will focus on providing intense training in the areas of cataract, glaucoma, medical and surgical retina.

China accounts for about 18 percent of the world’s blind and out of the estimated 1 million children suffering from blindness in Asia, approximately 400,000 live in China. To address the growing need for pediatric eye care in the country and in support of the long-term Orbis pediatric project in the region, the FEH program will also offer intense subspecialty training in pediatric strabismus.

The Jinan program marks the 39th visit of the Flying Eye Hospital in China and this program will continue to help raise public attention on the eye care conditions and challenges faced in the country. The needs of the eye care communities and the challenges they face vary across provinces, but at the national level, the major causes of blindness reflect global trends and include: cataract, glaucoma and corneal disease.

“Orbis has had a long history of working in China and our training programs have helped improve the quality of ophthalmic services and raise awareness around eye care conditions throughout the country,” said Dr. Ahmed Gomaa, the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital Medical Director. “Orbis is grateful for the generous support of our longtime sponsor Alcon, and we look forward to working together to eliminate avoidable blindness and deliver the highest standards of training.”

In partnership with the Shandong Red Cross Eye Hospital and Shandong Medical College, the program will provide Chinese eye care professionals including optometrists, nurses, anesthesiologists and biomedical engineers with continued medical education through workshop, lectures and hands-on training. In addition to ophthalmologists, the program will also provide practical and clinical training to residents who receive little hands-on training as part of their standard residency curriculum.

“Alcon’s partnership with Orbis of more than three decades is grounded in our shared vision of providing access to quality eye care around the world,” said Bettina Maunz, President of the Alcon Foundation. “The Jinan program gives us the opportunity to partner with Orbis to help deliver sustainable eye care solutions that can make a long-term impact and help prevent and treat blindness in China.”

As part of a global initiative to combat preventable and treatable blindness, and in support of Orbis’s skills exchange program approach, Alcon has been a longtime sponsor of the Flying Eye Hospital programs and donates medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and supplies. In addition, Alcon biomedical engineers volunteer their time on Orbis programs to provide technical assistance by working side-by-side with local technicians and share their skills on managing and maintaining the much needed ophthalmic equipment.

About Orbis

Orbis prevents and treats blindness through hands-on training, public health education, improved access to quality eye care, advocacy and partnerships with local health care organizations. By building long-term capabilities, Orbis helps its partner institutions take action to reach a state where they can provide, on their own, quality eye care services that are affordable, accessible, and sustainable.

Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur) missing flight MH 370, remains missing. The search for MH 370 has been long and frustrating to everyone involved. The fate of Boeing 777-2H6 ER 9M-MRO (msn 28420) (above) and the 239 souls on board remains a true aviation mystery. It may remain the greatest mystery of our lifetimes.

A new oil slick has been discovered near where the four series of pings were located west of Australia in the Ocean Ocean. There has been no sign of any wreckage from 9M-MRO.

According to CNN, the search for MH 370 enters a new phase with the underwater vehicle Bluefin 21 taking center stage.

However Bluefin 21 faces plenty of challenges in finding the missing Triple Seven. This article explains how the side-scan sonar works on Bluefin 21.

Read the full story: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-2H6 ER 9M-MRO lands at the Kuala Lumpur base in the past.

Malaysia Airlines: 

Airline 4.0 (Las Vegas) with unorthodox name, wants to be the next generation airline and wants to grow to become the “4th major network carrier in the United States”. The “concept airline” is going through the capital-raising phase before applying for  an operating certificate. The airline has issued this description:

Airline 4.0 is the next generation airline.

It will strive to foster a global community through culture and commerce and revolutionize the passenger experience.

Airline 4.0 will be innovative and proactive in deploying new technology and methodology for the benefit of its employees and customers.

With this focus on a strong workforce and customer appreciation, Airline 4.0 will be known as the premier global lifestyle airline.

Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, Airline 4.0 is currently in the seeding stage of the startup process.

In the coming months, Airline 4.0 will be reaching out to prospective airports, equipment suppliers, and other industry-related services leading towards government certification for regularly-scheduled commercial flights.

Executive Summary

Consumer sentiment towards the major network airlines are at an all time low. With the global economic recovery in full swing, the lowering cost of jet-fuel, and airline consolidation in North America, the industry favors the inaguration of a new major network airline.

Airline 4.0 aims to become the 4th major network carrier in the United States. It will foster a global community through culture and commerce. With a focus on technological innovation, Airline 4.0 will revolutionize the passenger expereince and create an enviable workforce.

Product Offering

Airline 4.0 will deploy the most advanced technology for the benefit of its employees and customers.

Brand building will also include setting the “cool” and “hip” image associated with Pan American World Airways, but for the modern jet-set generation.

While customers view travel as getting from point A to point B, Airline 4.0 will ensure that the whole experience of jet airliner travel will be memorable and stress-free.

Innovation and creativity are key to ensuring a strong product offering as well as the leadership required to compete effectively in this cut-throat industry.

The advantage of Airline 4.0 is that from its inception, it will be decades ahead of the current competition in terms of management and product offering.

Airline 4.0 is not meant to be the next low-cost-carrier. It’s meant to be THE number one American flag-carrier.

JetBlue Airways (New York) will launch a new route to Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) on October 29, 2014 from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood. The service will complement JetBlue’s existing route from Pittsburgh to Boston Logan International Airport, and is one of five upcoming routes announced for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood in 2014/15.

JetBlue currently operates 26 nonstop routes out of Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, with five more new routes already announced to begin in 2014/15. On May 1, JetBlue will add three new nonstop routes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood to Montego Bay (Jamaica), Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago) and Punta Cana (Dominican Republic). Next year, the airline also intends to launch a nonstop route to Albany, NY.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N521JB (msn 1452) in the “Stripes” tail design taxies to runway 09L at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

JetBlue Airways: 

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) has just repainted its Boeing 757-232 registered N608DA (msn 22815) in Atlanta in the “Upright Widget” livery. This color scheme (above) was introduced in 1966 for the fleet and was the longest-running livery for the carrier until the “red dash” color scheme was introduced in 1997.

Top Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Sister ship Boeing 757-232 N619DL (msn 22909) taxies at Dallas/Fort Worth when it actually wore the 1966 color scheme (slightly altered in 1976). This is the first livery worn by Delta’s Boeing 757-200s.

Delta Air Lines (current livery): 

Delta Air Lines (historic and all other liveries): 

Delta’s Route Map in 1966 (it was barely an international airline):

Delta’s current fleet line-up and number of aircraft in service (Delta Air Lines):

Spring Airlines Japan (Tokyo-Narita) has announced it will commence scheduled passenger operations on June 27. The new airline was established in October 2012. The airline is 33 percent owned by Spring Airlines, a Chinese low-cost carrier, with the remainder held by various Japanese investors.

The first routes will be to Hiroshima, Saga and Takamatsu with three Boeing 737-800s per ZipanguFlyer.

Read the full story: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-86N JA03GR (msn 41272) passed through Honolulu on delivery.

Alitalia (2nd) (Rome) on April 3 launched nonstop service between Venice and Tokyo (narita). The new route will operate two days a week: AZ 788 will depart on Thursdays and Saturdays at 1.30 PM and will land in Tokyo at 9.40 AM (local time) the following morning. From Tokyo Narita, AZ 789 will depart every Wednesday and Friday at 12.25 PM (local time) and will arrive in Venice at 8.20 PM.

Alitalia has a total of 19 weekly frequencies to Japan: 14 frequencies a week, of which 7 are from Rome Fiumicino, 5 from Milan Malpensa and 2 from Venice, which connect these three Italian airports with Tokyo Narita; 5 flrequencies a week connect Rome Fiumicino with Osaka.

Venice has become the third Italian city, after Rome and Milan, to host intercontinental flights operated by Alitalia and, above all, for the first time, Alitalia offers the citizens of Venice and the Veneto region a direct service to the Far East.

The service between Venice and Tokyo will be operated by one of Alitalia’s Boeing 777-200 ER aircraft, the flagship of its long-haul fleet, which can accommodate 293 passengers on board divided into three classes of travel: Magnifica business class (30 seats), Classic Plus premium economy class (24 seats) and Classica economy class (239 seats).

In other news, Alitalia has canceled its order for 12 Airbus A350-800s and 12 options. The order was originally placed in June 2008 by Air One.

Copyright Photo: Reinhard Zinabold/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-243 ER I-DISO (msn 32857) taxies at Toronto (Pearson).

Alitalia (2nd): 

Tibet Airlines (Lhasa) from the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China has taken delivery of its first A319 with Sharklets. The pictured Airbus A319-115 B-6451 (msn 5855) was handed over at the Airbus Tianjin Delivery Centre (ATDC) on April 12 and joins Tibet Airlines’ existing fleet of eight existing A319s. The aircraft is the 165th assembled at Airbus’Tianjin Final Assembly Line (FALC).

The aircraft is powered by CFM56-5B engines and features a comfortable two class cabin, seating 128 passengers with eight in business class and 120 in economy.

Tibet Airlines’ base is Gongga Airport, Lhasa, is one of the world’s highest airports at an altitude of 12,000 feet. The new A319 is certificated for high altitude airport operation and Required Navigation Performance – Authorisation Required (RNP-AR) and Satcom is installed.
RNP-AR procedures represent today the most modern navigation technique, allowing the aircraft to fly precisely along predefined routes using on-board navigation systems and the GPS-based ‘Global Navigation Satellite System’ (GNSS). The high accuracy provided by RNP-AR is especially important for airlines operating in and out of airports in mountainous regions. Tibet Airlines has selected Airbus ProSky, an Airbus subsidiary, as its strategic partner for its RNP-AR operations.

Sharklets are made from light-weight composites and are 2.4 meters tall. They are an option on new-build A320 Family aircraft and standard on all members of the new A320neo family. They offer operators up to four per cent fuel burn reduction on longer range sectors and provide the flexibility of either adding an additional 100 nautical miles range or increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms.
The FALC in Tianjin is based on the latest state-of-the-art Airbus single aisle final assembly line in Hamburg, Germany. The aircraft delivered in China are assembled to the same standards as those assembled and delivered in Europe. Airbus has delivered 165 Tianjin assembled A320 Family aircraft. The aircraft are in service with 13 Chinese and Asian airlines.

Copyright Photo: Airbus.

Tibet Airlines: 

Air France (Paris) and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Amsterdam) may leave the dedicated air freighter business after five decades according to Bloomberg Businessweek. The freighter division has been beset by losses in cargo that rose to nearly $300 million last year according to the report.

The airline’s board is weighing options and plans to decide on a strategy by September, according to a report in Bloomberg News.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Marcelo F. De Biasi/AirlinersGallery.com. Air France is phasing out its Boeing 747-400  ER freighter fleet with the last to be retired next year. Boeing 747-428 ERF F-GIUA (msn 32866) arrives in Sao Paulo (Guarulhos).

Air France: 

Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (Gol Transportes Aereos) (Sao Paulo) has received authorization from the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and other pertinent authorities to operate regular flights between Campinas (SP-Brazil) and Rio de Janeiro (Santos Dumont airport). Additionally, Gol announces it has received the approval to start flights from Campinas to Miami. The flight will have a connection in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where the passenger has also the option to fly to Orlando. Operations will begin on July 18, 2014.

Campinas (SP) – Rio de Janeiro, Santos Dumont Airport (RJ)

There will be 12 flights per day between Campinas (SP-Brazil) and Rio de Janeiro (Santos Dumont Airport).

Campinas (SP) – Miami

The new flights between Campinas (SP-Brazil) and Miami via Santo Domingo, with the option to fly also to Orlando, will take place, initially, three times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

In other news, Gol has announced that it has signed a contract to implement a codeshare and frequent flyer program agreement with TAP Portugal (Lisbon). The agreement will be submitted for the authorization of Portugal and Brazil’s governments, and is still pending the approval of Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and Antitrust Authority (CADE).

Initially, the agreement will allow TAP Portugal, with more than 74 weekly flights from Portugal to Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Campinas, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Porto Alegre, Salvador, Natal, Fortaleza and Recife, to include its codes on Gol’s flights, enabling connections to other Brazilian destinations.

Copyright Photo: Rodrigo Cozzato/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-8EH PR-GTE (msn 34278) climbs gracefully Sao Paulo (Guarulhos).

Gol: 

Makivik Corporation and NorTerra Inc., respectively the shareholders of First Air (Ottawa) and Canadian North (Yellowknife), have agreed to hold discussions leading to the merger of their operations consistent with a merger of equals, subject to the successful conclusion of negotiations and regulatory review.

The potential merger is intended to create a single airline entity that builds on the strengths and identities of the two companies. A merger would improve the sustainability of these critical Inuit birthright enterprises and would also create better air services and new economic development opportunities across the north.

Flight operations and services will remain independent and unaffected during the negotiation and regulatory review phases.

Makivik Corporation and NorTerra Inc. will inform the public as discussions progress.

Top Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Formerly operated by KLM, Boeing 737-406 C-FFNC (msn 27232) of First Air taxies at Hamilton, Ontario.

First Air: 

Canadian North: 

Bottom Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema/AirlinersGallery.com. First Air’s Boeing 737-25A C-GCNO (msn 23790) climbs away from the runway at Montreal (Trudeau).

First Air current route map:

Canadian North current route map:

Air Seychelles (Mahe) has announced a net profit of $3 million (US) for 2013, exceeding by 171 percent its profit of $1.1 million (US) reported in 2012.

Revenue increased by 107 percent to $88.7 million (2012: $42.8 million).

The airline’s passenger numbers on its international network increased 100 percent to 195,857 (2012: 97,576), while traffic on domestic services in 2013 increased nine percent to 156,617 passengers.

The impressive 2013 passenger traffic growth was aided by Air Seychelles’ acquisition of a second Airbus A330-200 aircraft in March. The same month the island carrier launched three weekly flights to Hong Kong, and increased frequencies to Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg and Mauritius, bringing its total international weekly services to 16, up 100 percent.

Johannesburg and Mauritius enjoyed an additional return service per week, connecting each destination three times a week respectively with the Seychelles. The airline’s Abu Dhabi services also increased from four to seven return flights per week.

Abu Dhabi was Air Seychelles’ busiest international route, with a total of 90,746 passengers carried between the archipelago and capital of the United Arab Emirates, a year-on-year increase of 178 percent.

Elsewhere, Air Seychelles saw record cargo volumes in 2013 thanks strong demand to and from France, Italy, Hong Kong and South Africa.

Air Seychelles signed four new codeshare partnerships in 2013, entering agreements with airberlin, Czech Airlines, South African Airways, and Cathay Pacific Airways. These codeshare agreements increased Air Seychelles’ virtual network from 19 to 34 destinations.

In October, Air Seychelles announced a multi-million dollar agreement for the purchase of three new Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft (top and below), its largest ever domestic fleet order signalling the carrier’s long-term commitment to its domestic operations. Two of these aircraft are due to arrive in mid-2014, one year ahead of schedule.

Air Seychelles now plans to welcome the new Twin Otters in July, following which, the aircraft will enter into service between Mahé and Praslin, as well as other islands in the archipelago, including Bird, Denis, D’Arros, and Frégate.

The third Twin Otter aircraft is expected to arrive in the third quarter of 2015. All three new aircraft are part of a phased business plan to refresh the Twin Otter DHC-6 fleet.

Twin Otters were first introduced by Air Seychelles in the early 1980s and the airline currently operates three DHC-6 Series 300 aircraft and 1 DHC-6 Series 400 aircraft.

The 19-seat twin engine Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 aircraft are manufactured by Viking Air in British Columbia, Canada.

Air Seychelles capped a remarkable year of achievements by being awarded a four-star rating by Skytrax, one of 35 global carriers to hold this accolade.

Both Copyright Photos: Air Seychelles is upgrading its Twin Otter inter-island fleet. Top: S7-CUR (msn 846) is the first DHC-6-400 Twin Otter with a digital glass cockpit. Viking Air President and CEO, David C. Curtis, the Seychelles Minister of Home Affairs and Transport and Chairman of Air Seychelles, Joel Morgan, and Air Seychelles Chief Executive Officer, Cramer Ball, outline details of the new Twin Otter fleet order at a press conference.

Air Seychelles: 

Video: Air Seychelles DHC-6-300 Twin Otter landing at Praslin Island Airport (PRI) coming from Seychelles International Airport (SEZ).

Gulf Air (Bahrain) has announced that it will be resuming its flights to Athens, with four weekly flights to Athens International Airport starting on June 16.

Gulf Air’s four weekly flights will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft in a two-class configuration, featuring 14 Falcon Gold Class seats and 96 Economy Class seats.

Gulf Air took the difficult decision to suspend services to Athens in March 2012 for commercial reasons following a prolonged period of challenging operating conditions.

Copyright Photo: Paul Denton/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 A9C-AF (msn 4158) arrives in Doha.

Gulf Air: 

Jet Airways‘ (Mumbai) flight 9W 117 from London (Heathrow) to Mumbai flew over the busy German airspace  without radio contact on March 13, five days after Malaysia Airlines flight MH 370 disappeared. Boeing 777-35R VT-JEG (msn 35163) was flown for 30 minutes without positive radio contact from the cockpit crew.

Both pilots, who failed to notice they had lost air traffic control radio contact, were suspended by the company.

Read the full report from the Economic Times: CLICK HERE

Previously the airline on February 12, 2014 had inaugurated flights from the new international integrated terminal T2 at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport on this route to London Heathrow.

Jet Airways’ flight 9W 118 from Mumbai to London Heathrow became the first international flight to take off at 1320 from India’s most new, modern and spacious Terminal 2.

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean/AirlinersGallery.com. Sister ship Boeing 777-35R ER N834BA became VT-JEL (msn 36563) on delivery.

Jet Airways: 

Qingdao Airlines (Qingdao, Shandong Province), a Chinese start-up airline, has taken delivery of the company’s first ever aircraft, an Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklets, on lease from Hong Kong-based China Aircraft Leasing Company (CALC). The airline will become a new operator and make its first commercial flight from its home base of Qingdao in Eastern China to Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan Province in Southwestern China, later in April.

The A320, powered by CFM56 engines, features a comfort two-class cabin with eight business and 144 economy class seats.

Sharklets are made from light-weight composites and are 2.4 meters tall. They are an option on new-build A320 Family aircraft and standard on all members of the new A320neo family. They offer operators up to four per cent fuel burn reduction on longer range sectors and provide the flexibility of either adding an additional 100 nautical miles range or increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms.

Qingdao Airlines placed an order for 23 A320 Family aircraft in 2013 (see photo below).

Top Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured A320-214 D-AXAJ at Hamburg (Finkenwerder) became B-9955 (msn 6061) on the hand over yesterday (April 10).

Qingdao Airlines: