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Turkish Airlines adds a new route to Krakow, Poland

Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-8F2 WL TC-JHM (msn 40980) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 958104.

Turkish Airlines has launched flights to Krakow, one of Poland’s historic cities, as its second destination in the country after Warsaw. The new city destination will offer GCC travellers more choice when travelling to Poland as well as give them an option of exploring Istanbul as well.

The flag carrier brand will operate Krakow flights with narrow-body aircraft three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, on a reciprocal basis.

As the airline flying to the more countries than any other in the world, Turkish Airlines increases the number of its destinations to 343 with Krakow, offering its guests unlimited connection possibilities while continuing to carry its quality and service to all corners of the world.

Flight Schedule:

Flight NoDayDepartureArrival
TK1271Wednesday – FridayİSTANBUL07.2008.30KRAKOW
TK1272Wednesday – FridayKRAKOW09.2012.35İSTANBUL
TK1273MondayKRAKOW18.2019.30KRAKOW
TK1274MondayKRAKOW20.2023.35İSTANBUL

Top Copyright Photo: Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-8F2 WL TC-JHM (msn 40980) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 958104.

Turkish Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Turkish Airlines aircraft photo library

Endeavor Air operates its last Bombardier CRJ200 revenue flight

Endeavor Air has retired its last Bombardier CRJ200.

Flight DL 5278 from Brunswick, GA to the Atlanta hub operated on April 30 with N8918B.

The airliner arrived at ATL at 1932 (7:32 pm) ending an era at the Delta subsidiary.

Endeavor Air is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines. Flying as Delta Connection, Endeavor operates 124 regional jets on 700 daily flights to over 100 cities in the United States and across North America. 

Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., Endeavor has hub operations in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and New York City.

The airline issued this statement on the event:

On Sunday, April 30, Endeavor Air operated its final CRJ200 flight, departing from Brunswick, GA, and arriving in Atlanta. This flight marked the end of an era for Endeavor, and executive leaders, employees, and aviation fans were on hand to celebrate the aircraft that expanded the regional airline industry and mark the occasion of its final revenue flight.  

“This aircraft truly transformed the regional industry.” said Jim Graham, CEO of Endeavor Air, before the final flight. “The CRJ200s started operating Part 121 flights back in 1996, while this particular aircraft first came to us in 2004. This airplane has 33,000 hours on it and is an incredible airplane,” 

Following the final revenue flight, aircraft 8918 flew to Endeavor’s ATL, DTW and MSP bases where the maintenance and crew teams hosted retirement open house events. Endeavor employees and guests celebrated the legacy of the 200 with cake, give-aways, photo ops and one last chance to step onto the CRJ200. 

Thank you to everyone who attended one of the events this week or shared a memory of the CRJ200! 

Video:

airBaltic launches flights to Bucharest, Porto, Burgas, Bilbao and Tivat

airBaltic this week is launching direct flights between five new destinations: Riga–Bucharest (Romania), Riga–Porto (Portugal), Riga–Burgas (Bulgaria), Riga–Bilbao (Spain), and Riga–Tivat (Montenegro).

Destination servedFlight frequencyStart datePrice *,GREEN
Riga – Bucharest (Romania)3 flights weeklyMay 1, 202379 EUR
Riga – Porto (Portugal)2 flights weeklyMay 1, 2023149 EUR
Riga – Burgas (Bulgaria)2 flights weeklyMay 2, 202399 EUR
Riga – Bilbao (Spain)2 flights weeklyMay 4, 2023149 EUR
Riga – Tivat (Montenegro)2 flights weeklyMay 4, 202389 EUR

*Lowest fare (one way), including taxes, fees and service charge.

Flights between Riga and Bucharest are scheduled to take 2 hours and 30 minutes, Riga and Porto 4 hours and 25 minutes, Riga and Burgas 2 hours and 40 minutes, Riga and Bilbao 3 hours and 50 minutes, and Riga and Tivat 2 hours and 40 minutes.

During the summer season 2023, airBaltic will offer 20 new routes from the Baltics and Tampere. This is the largest number of new routes in a single season provided by airBaltic.

SAS opens a new route to Bangkok from Copenhagen

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS Airbus A350-941 SE-RSA (msn 358) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960462.

SAS is continuing to strengthen its offer and to accommodate an increased demand for leisure travel, SAS will now open a new route to Bangkok, Thailand. Following this route expansion travelers will be able to fly direct to Bangkok three times weekly with convenient overnight flights in both directions using the Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

First departure is planned from Copenhagen on October 30, 2023.

As part of the Winter 2023/2024 program, SAS will also continue its three-times weekly services to Tokyo Haneda (HND) and Shanghai (PVG).

Schedule:

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Flight no.DepartureSTDArrival STA
SK973CPH23:30BKK17:05 (+1)
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
Flight no.DepartureSTDArrivalSTA
SK974BKK23:45CPH06:35 (+1)

Copenhagen-Bangkok will be a winter seasonal route. Note that the route opening is subject to governmental approval.

SAS will operate the Bangkok route with Airbus A350-900 aircraft offering passengers a unique travel experience, this aircraft has a much lower fuel consumption and up to 30 percent lower CO2 emissions than previous comparable aircraft. 

Top Copyright Photo: Scandinavian Airlines-SAS Airbus A350-941 SE-RSA (msn 358) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960462.

SAS aircraft photo gallery:

SAS aircraft photo gallery

Go First Airways files for insolvency, suspends flights, blames failing P&W engines

Go First Airways has suspended its flights for May 3 and 4.

The struggling and cash-strapped airline has also filed for insolvency proceedings, the equilvalent of Chapter 11 in India.

Go First has grounded more than half of its 61-plane fleet due to recurrent issues and the non-supply of engines from Pratt & Whitney according to Reuters.

The airline issued this statement:

Go Airlines (India) Limited (“GO FIRST”), India’s third largest airline, today filed an application with the National Company Law Tribunal (“NCLT”) Delhi for
resolution under section 10 of the Insolvency Bankruptcy Code (“IBC”).

GO FIRST has had to take this step due to the ever-increasing number of failing engines supplied by Pratt & Whitney’s International Aero Engines, LLC, which has resulted in GO FIRST having to ground 25 aircraft (equivalent to approximately 50% of its Airbus A320neo aircraft fleet) as of May 1, 2023.

The percentage of grounded aircraft due to Pratt & Whitney’s faulty engines has grown from 7% in December 2019 to 31% in December 2020 to 50% in December 2022.

This is despite Pratt & Whitney making several on-going assurances over the years, which it has repeatedly failed to meet.

More precisely, GO FIRST has been forced to apply to the NCLT after Pratt & Whitney, the exclusive engine supplier for GO FIRST’s Airbus A320neo aircraft fleet, refused to comply with an award issued by an emergency arbitrator appointed in accordance with the 2016 Arbitration Rules of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). That order directed Pratt & Whitney to take all reasonable steps to release and dispatch without delay to GO FIRST at least 10 serviceable spare leased engines by April 27, 2023 and a further 10 spare leased engines per month until December 2023, with the objective of GO FIRST returning to full operations and achieving GO FIRST’s financial rehabilitation and survival.

If Pratt & Whitney were to comply with the orders in the emergency arbitrator’s award, GO FIRST would be able to return to full operations by August/September 2023. Despite the emergency arbitrator’s order, however, at the date of this press release, Pratt & Whitney has failed to provide any further serviceable spare leased engines at all, and has stated that there are no further spare leased engines available for it comply with the emergency arbitrator’s aware GO FIRST deeply regrets the disruption and inconvenience that this will cause to its customers, travel partners, creditors, and suppliers and, in particular, to its own employees who have remained loyal to and grown with GO FIRST over the years.

GO FIRST has taken today’s step in order to protect the interests of all stakeholders. It has been forced to take this step despite the infusion of substantial funds to the tune of IN 3,200 crores by the promoters into the airline in the last three years, IN 2400 crores of which were injected in the last 24 months, and IN 290 crores in April 2023 alone. This brings the total promoter investment in the airline since its inception to approximately IN 6,500 crores.

GO FIRST has also received significant support from the Government of India’s exceptional Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme, for which it is extremely grateful. However, even this collective and significant support has not sufficed to prevent the enormous damage caused by Pratt & Whitney’s defective and failing engines.

Emerald Airlines starts its summer schedule

Emerald Airlines, exclusive operator of Aer Lingus Regional services has commenced its summer schedule across 30 routes. The airline is now servicing a number of summer sun hotspots, including Jersey and Newquay, as well as the soon-to-commence route from Dublin-Brest, Brittany, operational from the 20th of May. 

To kick-start the Summer Season, Aer Lingus Regional services between Cork-Bristol, Dublin-Liverpool, Belfast-Newcastle, and Belfast-Isle of Man, have now commenced. 

Summer Sun Hotspots 

Jersey (Fly from Dublin and Belfast City Airport) 

With 24 stunning beaches to choose from, visitors will be spoilt for choice when holidaying in Jersey. For all the foodies out there — Jersey has a number of top-rated restaurants to cosy cafes, oyster tasting to ice cream, offering a wide choice of mouth-watering treats. 

Cornwall, Newquay (Fly from Dublin and Belfast City Airport) 

Known as the surf capital of England, visitors will be spoilt for choice when it comes to outdoor activities in Newquay — making it the perfect sun destination.

Brest, Brittany (Fly from Dublin – commencing 20th of May) 

The Summer Seasonal Service to Brest, Brittany, is perfect for those looking for a relaxing trip away to one of the most peaceful regions in the Northwest of France.

Routes operated by Emerald Airlines under Aer Lingus Regional in Summer 2023 —

From Belfast CityFrom DublinFrom Cork
BirminghamAberdeenBristol *NEW*
CardiffBirmingham
EdinburghBrest, Brittany *NEW* (From Mid-May) 
East Midlands *NEW*Bristol
ExeterDonegal
GlasgowEdinburgh
Isle of Man *NEW*Exeter
Jersey *NEW*Glasgow
Leeds BradfordIsle of Man
ManchesterJersey
Newcastle *NEW*Leeds Bradford
Newquay *NEW*Liverpool *NEW*
SouthamptonManchester
Newcastle
Newquay
Southampton

Etihad Airways unveils its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner seats

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is showcasing a suite of new products and enhancements at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai this week. The airline revealed the new interior for its Boeing 787 Dreamliners that will join the fleet in the third quarter of this year adding to the 39 Dreamliners Etihad already operates.

Etihad means Business

The Business cabin features Etihad’s unique, stylish interior, with a customised version of the Elements seat manufactured by Collins. Etihad is the first airline in the world to introduce the Elements seat on the Boeing 787.

The new seats will provide guests with a comfortable and spacious environment with added privacy provided by a suite door. The height of the suite has been further increased from the A350’s debut model, offering even greater privacy for guests.

Each of the 32 Business seats has direct aisle access with the cabin designed in a 1-2-1 configuration offering comfort, convenience and privacy whether travelling individually or with companions. The seats recline to a fully lie-flat-bed 78” in length and feature a 17.3” 4K TV screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing, multiple charging ports and wireless charging, as well as plenty of storage.

Elevating Economy

In Economy, the newest 787 will feature 271 seats which are lighter in weight than the current fleet and therefore more fuel efficient. The seats boast exceptional comfort and an increased feeling of space created by the smart design and adjustments including a slimmer profile armrest. Guests can also enjoy an extensive range of entertainment on the 13.3” 4K touch-screen monitor which also includes a convenient USB charging port.

Both cabins offer a stylish environment and the highest standards of comfort whether guests choose to rest, work or enjoy the award-winning inflight entertainment.

Experience upgrades

Technology throughout: The new 787 Dreamliner provides the latest in inflight entertainment technology from Safran. Exciting new features include Rave Ultra 4K monitors, Bluetooth headphone pairing and the option to pair personal phones and tablets to the screen and use as a remote.

The 787 Dreamliner is fitted with a new connectivity solution from Viasat using Ka-band technology which offers high-speed Wi-Fi with streaming capabilities on board as well as Live TV, including news and sport channels.

Etihad’s E-BOX also offers hours of entertainment which caters to a broad range of guests and preferences. Hundreds of blockbuster movies from Hollywood to Bollywood are accompanied by a broad range of Arabic, Asian and European content. In addition, popular TV shows, music, podcasts and games will ensure guests are entertained throughout their journey.

Never miss a moment with free Wi-Fly: In a sweep of product enhancements that arrived on board this year, Etihad introduced new Wi-Fly packages on its wide-body fleet with Chat and Surf packages offering unlimited data. Etihad Guest members, including those who enrol instantly just before the flight, are rewarded with free ‘Chat’ packages while they fly.

The free Chat packages provide access to popular messaging apps such as What’s App, WeChat, Messenger and more. Generous Surf packages offer unlimited data for the full flight duration.

Armani/Casa and Etihad unite to create a phenomenal Business Class experience: Etihad’s unique partnership with Armani/Casa has now fully rolled out across the airline’s Business class cabins, providing guests with an unparalleled Business experience. The range features bespoke dining ware and soft furnishings designed in collaboration with celebrated international designer brand Armani/Casa.

Dine in Economy with Etihad’s environmentally conscious service: Etihad’s new Economy dining service is not only stylish but also part of a closed loop recycling system, thereby creating a circular economy that removes single-use plastic entirely. The dining equipment has been designed to provide a quality experience for Etihad’s guests, while being functional for Etihad’s crew as well as reducing the impact of the operation on the environment.

Etihad Cargo adds a new route to Wuhan

Etihad Airways Cargo (Etihad Airways) Boeing 777-FFX A6-DDE (msn 62745) HKG (Javier Rodriguez). Image: 936052.

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has added a fourth gateway destination to its Chinese network with the introduction of weekly flights to Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in the Hubei province of China. The inaugural flight arrived in the Hubei Province on April 29, 2023.

The airline currently offers five passenger flights to Shanghai, Beijing Daxing and Guangzhou each week. With the commencement of two weekly freighter services between Abu Dhabi and Wuhan, Etihad Cargo will operate a total of ten freighter services to China, offering an additional 100 tonnes of cargo capacity into the Hubei Province each week. This brings the carrier’s total cargo capacity for China to 1,000 tonnes per week, including 850 tonnes of cargo capacity for Shanghai offered via eight weekly freighter services and two passenger flights. 

The new flights between Abu Dhabi and Wuhan will give Etihad Cargo’s partners and customers greater accessibility to 25 domestic Chinese destinations, including Shenzhen, Dongguan, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Nanjing, via SF Airlines’ road feeder service trucking network, further enhancing Etihad Cargo’s connectivity and capabilities in the region. 

Wuhan is the fourth Mainland Chinese destination to be added to Etihad Cargo’s network. The carrier will be increasing frequencies to China in the coming months to add further depth to its network and meet increasing capacity demands from customers in the UAE and China.

Flight schedule for Abu Dhabi – Wuhan services, effective 28 April 2023:

FlightDepartingTime*ArrivingTime*AircraftDays
EY 9651Wuhan06:30Abu Dhabi10:5577XSaturday
03 7511Wuhan02:10Abu Dhabi06:25B747FWednesday
EY 9650Abu Dhabi16:30Wuhan04:00 (+1)77XFriday
03 7512Abu Dhabi19:25Wuhan06:30B747FWednesday

*All times local

Top Copyright Photo: Etihad Airways Cargo (Etihad Airways) Boeing 777-FFX A6-DDE (msn 62745) HKG (Javier Rodriguez). Image: 936052.

Etihad Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Etihad Airways aircraft photo gallery

API selected as Southwest Airlines’ technology solution for crew accommodations

Accommodations Plus International (API) has announced they have been selected by Southwest Airlines to provide the technology solution Aircrew Exchange Server (ACES) to support hotel needs for Crew Members.

API’s technology, once fully implemented, will provide optimization and enhancements, through automation, real- time updates, and data to support Crewmembers’ hotel needs. It will also provide cost savings to the airline, while allowing Southwest to provide Crew Members with top-of-the-line layover experiences.

Southwest Airlines (PRNewsfoto/Accommodations Plus International)

SWAPA begins strike authorization vote against Southwest Airlines

SWAPA issued this statement:

Voting opened on May 1 in the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association’s (SWAPA) strike authorization vote. This historic vote from the pilot union is taking place in the wake of Southwest’s epic December meltdown and after three years of negotiations with the company. “We have been attempting to negotiate with Southwest in earnest for years, but they have shown no willingness to address some of the issues that impact not only our pilots but our customers as well, such as scheduling work rules and technology improvements. It is essential that we modernize systems and procedures to be able to keep pace with other carriers and give our passengers the level of service they expect,” said SWAPA President Casey Murray. “The lack of discussion or commitment by our leadership team to rectify these issues for our passengers and our pilots are driving us to carry forward on this path afforded to us by the Railway Labor Act.”

The strike authorization vote opened on May 1, and will close May 31 and will ultimately give the pilots the ability to strike once released to self-help. Murray continued, “We believe that this timeframe gives our customers time to book elsewhere, so that they can have confidence that their summer vacations, honeymoons, and family outings are assured.”

While the final vote will not be counted until the end of May, the Association is already seeing strong voter turnout and positive response. Murray stated, “The decision to authorize a strike is not one we have taken lightly, but given the lack of accountability and dearth of leadership exhibited by our current executives, we felt that this was a last resort to try to force them to face the issues plaguing our passengers, our frontline employees, and our pilots.”

Alaska Airlines and ZeroAvia developing world’s largest zero-emission aircraft

Alaska Airlines presented a Bombardier Q400 regional turboprop to ZeroAvia that will be retrofitted with a hydrogen-electric propulsion system in an effort to expand the reach and applicability of zero emissions flight technology.

At an event, held at ZeroAvia’s Paine Field research and development site, the companies were joined by high school students from Raisbeck Aviation High School, Washington StateGovernor Jay Inslee, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers to participate in the formal handover of the 76-seat Q400 aircraft that will be developed by ZeroAvia, the U.S.-headquartered leader in designing and building zero-emission, hydrogen-electric aircraft propulsion systems for aircraft.

When Alaska Airlines’ regional carrier Horizon Air retired its Q400 fleet, it reserved one of the aircraft for research and development purposes to further advance zero emissions technology for the aviation industry. The aircraft was repainted with a special livery to highlight the innovative mission of this partnership.

May 1, 2023; Everett, WA, USA; Alaska Airlines donates a Q400 to ZeroAvia for development of hydrogen propulsion technology at Paine Field. Demonstration of propellers driven by HyperTruck ground-test rig. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Alaska Airlines

ZeroAvia also debuted its breakthrough multi-megawatt modular electric motor system in a 1.8MW prototype configuration at the event – demonstrated with a propeller spin aboard the ZeroAvia’s 15-ton HyperTruck ground-test rig. Combined with higher temperature PEM fuel cells and advanced power electronics – both technologies that ZeroAvia is developing in-house – the leading-edge electric motor technology is one of three key building blocks for enabling commercially-relevant hydrogen fuel cell engines for larger aircraft. 

Aligning ZeroAvia’s powertrain with the Dash 8-400 airframe will represent a commercially viable zero-emission aircraft with fuel cell engine technology around five times more powerful than what has been demonstrated anywhere to date. 

ZeroAvia’s recent advancements clear the way for a potential flight of the Q400, also recognized as the Dash 8-400, but also demonstrate rapid progress toward certification of the ZA2000 propulsion system. ZeroAvia has already demonstrated a track-record of world-first flight testing. In January, ZeroAvia flew a retrofitted 19-seat aircraft with its prototype 600kW hydrogen-electric engine (ZA600). This followed the demonstration flight of a 250kW system in 2020, which at the time of flight was the world’s largest aircraft flown using a novel zero-emission power source.

ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric engine uses fuel cells to generate electricity from hydrogen fuel, before using that electricity to power electric motors which turn the aircraft propellers. The certifiable ZA2000 system will include ZeroAvia’s High Temperature PEM fuel cells and liquid hydrogen fuel storage, integral to delivering the necessary energy density for commercial operations of large regional turboprops. The company has already established an engineering partnership with De Havilland of Canada, the original manufacturer of the Dash 8 family of aircraft to enable exchange of data and expertise with the airframe.

In 2021, Alaska Airlines launched a partnership and invested in ZeroAvia to support the development of zero emissions propulsion technology for regional aircraft. As the fifth largest U.S. airline with a large regional network, Alaska has a unique opportunity to support the development of zero-emissions propulsion technology for regional aircraft. By establishing the viability of regional-sized aircraft, both companies will help advance zero-emissions technology across the industry.

May 1, 2023; Everett, WA, USA; Alaska Airlines donates a Q400 to ZeroAvia for development of hydrogen propulsion technology at Paine Field. Demonstration of propellers driven by HyperTruck ground-test rig. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Alaska Airlines

HyperCore Motor
The 1.8MW motor configuration demonstrated consists of two “HyperCore” motor modules, each a high-power, high-speed 900kW permanent magnet radial flux machine which operates at 20,000 rpm, matching the typical turbine engine power turbine speeds, providing an unprecedented 15kW/kg motor power density. Crucially, HyperCore’s modular design enables the technology to address applications ranging from 900kW up to 5.4MW, meeting a number of regional turbo-prop and regional jet requirements. The HyperCores were successfully integrated with the stock Dash 8-400 engine gearbox and propeller, which dramatically simplifies integration into the aircraft as a replacement for a stock turbine engine.

The development and testing program will enable the understanding and measurement of system dynamics, calibration of physical and electrical models, and validation of thermal management systems. The company is concurrently developing world-class silicone-carbide power electronics and the matching hydrogen fuel cell systems, which convert hydrogen to electricity, powering the electric propulsion system. These systems will be brought together to create the full hydrogen-electric propulsion system, tested on the ground and then in the air. 

airBaltic and Turkish Airlines start codeshare cooperation

airBaltic and the national flag carrier of Türkiye – Turkish Airlines – jointly announce the commencement of a codeshare partnership, effective as of May 1, 2023. The agreement enables both carriers to provide more flexibility to their passengers on direct flights between Türkiye and Latvia.

Within the scope of the codeshare cooperation, airBaltic and Turkish Airlines place their marketing flight numbers on each Riga-Istanbul flight and vice versa. The codeshare agreement attracts an increasing number of passengers and allows customers of both carriers to benefit from seamless connectivityvia their hubs. 

As announced previously, this summer season airBaltic will launch its highest-ever number of new routes in a single season so far – a total of 20 new routes from Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, and Tampere. Among the new destinations is also Istanbul, to which airBaltic launched four weekly flights on April 2, 2023.

American Airlines pilots vote for a potential strike, American says negotiations are progressing

American Airlines Airbus A321-231 WL N902AA (msn 7519) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105926.

American Airlines pilots are in negotiations with the company on a new contract.

Meanwhile the majority of the Allied Pilot Association have given the union permission to call for a strike vote if negotiations breakdown.

The union issued this statement:

The Allied Pilots Association, certified collective bargaining agent for the 15,000 pilots of American Airlines, announced that its membership has voted overwhelmingly in favor of authorizing a strike.

“The summer travel season is almost here, and we’re all wondering whether this will be another summer of uncertainty for American Airlines,” said Capt. Ed Sicher, APA President. “Fortunately, there is an alternative. By embracing the win-win scheduling and work rule improvements APA has presented at the bargaining table, management can take steps to improve the airline’s operational reliability and efficiency.”

Capt. Sicher noted that APA has provided airline management with detailed data illustrating how the union’s proposals will drive improved reliability.

Strike authorization voting began on April 1 and ended at midnight Central on April 30. With more than 96 percent of the APA membership participating, more than 99 percent voted in favor of authorizing a strike.

“The APA membership has spoken. We will strike if necessary to secure the industry-leading contract that our pilots have earned and deserve – a contract that will position American Airlines for success,” Capt. Sicher said. “With more than 99 percent of participating pilots voting in favor of authorizing a strike, our pilots’ resolve is unmistakable. We will not be deterred from our goal of an industry-leading contract.”

In a demonstration of their resolve, APA members will be conducting informational picketing today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time at all 10 of the airline’s major hubs: Boston (BOS), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (LGA), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix (PHX), and Washington, D.C. (DCA).

“The strike authorization vote is one of several steps APA has taken to prepare for any eventuality and use all legal avenues available to us for contract improvement and resolution,” he said. “The best outcome is for APA and management to agree on an industry-leading contract – achieved through good-faith bargaining – benefiting our pilots, American Airlines, and the passengers we serve.”

Top Copyright Photo: American Airlines Airbus A321-231 WL N902AA (msn 7519) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105926.

American Airlines aircraft photo gallery (Airbus):

American Airlines aircraft photo gallery (Airbus)
AirlinersGallery.com aircraft photo gallery

Sunwing Airlines is now owned by the WestJet Group

The WestJet Group today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines. The transaction, originally announced in March 2022, combines the two Canadian aviation and leisure travel success stories, and will bring greater choice, competitive airfares and increased direct access to sun destinations to Canadian travellers. In addition, it positions Sunwing to continue its growth across Canada and permits the newly merged company to protect jobs.

Initially, the airlines will continue independent operations, maintaining a sharp focus on providing an exceptional guest experience and ensuring safe operations. As the two entities transition from competitors to collaborators, the combination of these businesses will be planned in a way that positions Sunwing as an instrumental pillar of the WestJet Group, and prioritizes the experience of a growing number of guests.  

“As we have set out on our new strategic trajectory for the WestJet Group, investing further in leisure and sun flying across Canada is a critical driver for growth,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, Chief Executive Officer of the WestJet Group. “It brings me great pleasure to welcome Sunwing to the group, adding 18 Boeing 737s, 2,000 employees and Canada’s largest vacation tour operator and significantly expanding our footprint in Eastern Canada. Together, we will strategically enhance our sun and leisure offerings to bring even more affordable and accessible travel opportunities to Canadians.” 

Stephen Hunter, formerly the CEO of Sunwing Vacations, has been appointed CEO of the WestJet Group’s Vacations Business, responsible for all tour operating and vacation package businesses of both the Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations brands.

“The combination of our complementary businesses marks an important milestone that will enable us to fast-track our growth plans and provide Canadians with more affordable vacations to more destinations than ever before,” said Stephen Hunter, CEO of the WestJet Group’s Vacations Business. “I am thrilled to join forces with WestJet and, in doing so, create even more opportunities for our people and deliver greater value for Canadian travellers.”

As previously announced, the WestJet Group’s newly combined tour operator businesses, comprised of WestJet Vacations and Sunwing Vacations, will be headquartered in Toronto, Ontario and will continue to operate a Montreal office. In the coming years, the Vacations Business expects to facilitate new flying and new employment opportunities by retaining Sunwing’s aircraft in Canada year-round, among other sources of anticipated growth.

Air Europa’s pilots strike the airline on May 1, 2, 4 and 5

Air Europa is dealing with a strike by its pilots.

The airline has cancelled these flights today:

MAY 01, 2023

 
Flight No.DEPARTUREARRIVALDeparture TIME
UX7302MadridVigo10: 40h
UX7311VigoMadrid08: 40h
UX7156BilbaoMadrid08: 30h
UX1029MadridParis (Orly)14: 10h
UX1222Paris (Orly)Madrid17: 05h
UX7157MadridBilbao11: 00h
UX7232La CoruñaMadrid08: 35h
UX7231MadridLa Coruña10: 35h
UX1145MadridPorto10: 35h
UX1144PortoMadrid07: 35h
UX6060PalmaBarcelona13: 30h
UX6071BarcelonaPalma15: 30h
UX6012PalmaMadrid08: 00h
UX6031MadridPalma08: 20h
UX1045MadridRome (Fiumicino)13: 20h
UX1044Rome (Fiumicino)Madrid16: 40h
UX1063MadridMilan (Malpensa)13: 25h
UX1060Milan (Malpensa)Madrid16: 40h

Turkey closes its airspace to FlyOne Armenia

Turkish authorities, without warning, have closed their airpace to FlyOne Armenia.

FlyOne Armenia, is an Armenian low-cost airline based in Yerevan, Armenia. It is a subsidiary of the Moldovan low-cost airline FlyOne.

It commenced operations on December 18, 2021.

Operationally this is a major impact for the airline on its European routes.

WestJet celebrates its inaugural flight to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport

WestJet Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner C-FAJA (msn 64982) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 960153.

WestJet on April 30 celebrated the departure of flight WS80 from YYC Calgary International Airport to Tokyo’s NaritaInternational Airport.

Tokyo service will operate on the airline’s 787 Dreamliner three times per week through October 28, and will return in Spring 2024. Guests travelling between Calgary and Tokyo can expect an elevated experience onboard including Western and Japanese inflight meals, Japanese entertainment options and the comfort of Japanese announcements and menus.

RouteFrequencyDepartureArrival
Calgary – Tokyo 
(Narita)		3x weekly15:1016:15 (next day)
Tokyo (Narita) – 
Calgary 		3x weekly18:1512:15


Top Copyright Photo: WestJet Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner C-FAJA (msn 64982) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 960153.

WestJet aircraft photo gallery:

WestJet aircraft photo gallery

Ryanair nears its petition goal against continued French ATC strikes

Ryanair Boeing 737-8AS WL EI-DWB (msn 36075) PMI (Ton Jochems). Image: 960450.

Ryanair has confirmed that over 600,000 passengers have signed its “Protect Passengers: Keep EU Skies Open” petition calling on the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take immediate action to protect European citizen’s Freedom of Movement and overflights during French ATC strikes.

When Ryanair’s petition reaches 1 million signatures, the airline will submit it to the EU Commission and demand that President Ursula von der Leyen finally takes action to protect EU citizen’s Freedom of Movement when French ATC repeatedly strike.

Despite only launching just 5 weeks ago, Ryanair has already collected over 600,000 signatures from passengers who are sick and tired of having their travel plans cancelled at short notice due to French ATC strikes, and all because the EU Commission has failed to protect their right to the Freedom of Movement. EU citizens now understand that their travel plans are being disrupted unnecessarily by French ATC unions and are demanding action from the EU Commission.

In the first 4 months of 2023, there have been over 50 days of French ATC strikes (10 times more than all of 2022) which have forced Ryanair to cancel over 3,700 flights, cancelling over 666,000 passengers’ flights at short notice. France uses Minimum Service Legislation to protect French domestic flights, while EU overflights from Germany, Spain, Italy, the UK and Ireland are disproportionately cancelled. This is unfair and must change. Italy and Greece already protect overflights during ATC strikes and the EU Commission must now insist that France does likewise.

A Ryanair spokesperson said:

“We are overwhelmed by the support for our Protect Passengers: Keep EU Skies Open petition with over 600,000 signatures already from passengers calling on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take immediate action to protect their Freedom of Movement and overflights by keeping EU skies open during repeated French ATC strikes. We are rapidly approaching the 1 million signatures we need to force the EU Commission to take action to protect overflights and EU citizens’ Freedom of Movement.

French ATC strikes are the No.1 risk to EU citizens’ travel plans this Summer and passengers are really starting to understand that the EU Commission is doing nothing to mitigate that risk and protect their Freedom of Movement. EU citizens are now signing our petition to demand action from the EU Commission to protect them and their family’s travel plans this Summer. The EU’s Single Market for air travel should not be repeatedly disrupted by tiny French ATC unions because the EU Commission fails to take action. It’s time to protect overflights during French ATC strikes as Italy and Greece already do. If French ATC unions insist to strike (as is their right) then cancel French flights and protect overflights.”

Top Copyright Photo: Ryanair Boeing 737-8AS WL EI-DWB (msn 36075) PMI (Ton Jochems). Image: 960450.

Ryanair aircraft photo gallery:

Ryanair aircraft photo gallery

SAS operates its first flights to Newark from Aalborg and Gothenburg

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS Airbus A321-253NX WL SE-DMR (msn 10408) ARN (Stefan Sjogren). Image: 960407.

SAS has expanded its schedule to the New York area and started a direct route to Newark Liberty International Airport in New York from Landvetter Airport. The first flight took place on April 28.

The new route enables residents of Gothenburg to fly directly to New York three times a week with the latest addition to the SAS aircraft fleet – the Airbus A321 Long Range – offering a more comfortable and sustainable way to travel.

The new route is a complement to SAS’s four routes to New York that exist today, and with the new route, SAS will offer a total of five daily departures from Scandinavia to New York.

On April 27, 2023, SAS flew its first direct flight from Aalborg Airport to Newark Liberty Airport in New York. With the new route, citizens in and around Aalborg and the rest of Jutland can fly directly to New York three times a week with SAS’s latest addition to the fleet – the Airbus A321 Long Range.

https://twitter.com/SAS/status/1636745465654812673?s=20

Top Copyright Photo: Scandinavian Airlines-SAS Airbus A321-253NX WL SE-DMR (msn 10408) ARN (Stefan Sjogren). Image: 960407.

SAS aircraft photo gallery:

SAS aircraft photo library

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Eurowings to fly to Dubai from October

Inexpensive trips to the desert emirate: for the first time since 2016, Eurowings is including Dubai in its winter program. Guests can fly non-stop from Stuttgart and Berlin to the metropolis on the Arabian Gulf, with tickets starting at 199.99 euros. This is made possible by the fleet expansion of the Lufthansa subsidiary to include the Airbus A321neo, which can also fly to medium-haul destinations thanks to its greater range. Further sunny destinations will be added to the 2023 winter flight schedule, bolstering Eurowings’ holiday airline DNA in winter as well. The Airbus neo family is by far one of the most efficient and quiet medium-haul jets in the world. Eurowings will receive a total of five A321neo with 232 seats apiece.

Up to four flights a week to the desert metropolis from the German capital’s BER airport

Travelers from Berlin will be able to fly to Dubai non-stop on Wednesdays and Saturdays as of November 1, 2023. From Stuttgart, the highly efficient Airbus A321neo will take off on Thursdays and Sundays beginning on October 29, 2023. From the end of November onward, the travel options from BER will be doubled: Eurowings will start to bring the capital’s residents to the sunny paradise on Mondays and Fridays as well. The route can already be booked now. The connection to Dubai complements the expanded program of direct destinations that Eurowings has been offering from BER since the summer flight schedule.

Additional winter destinations in sunny places from Hanover and Nuremberg

Egypt and the Canary Islands are also attractive, sun-drenched destinations in winter. They can be reached with non-stop Eurowings flights from Hanover and Nuremberg as of November. In future, Gran Canaria and Hurghada will be served up to three times a week from both airports – passengers taking off in the capital of Lower Saxony will also reach Tenerife twice a week with the Lufthansa subsidiary and for Franconians, Fuerteventura will also be on the flight schedule.