Tag Archives: Airbus A320neo

SAS to add 10 additional European routes this summer

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS Airbus A320-251N WL SE-ROU (msn 9262) SZG (Gunter Mayer). Image: 957907.

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS has announced 10 additional European routes:

To meet increasing demand for travel, SAS adds yet another 10 routes and more frequencies for the upcoming summer and autumn. Starting in June, SAS also resumes traffic to Tokyo. 

With summer just around the corner, SAS continues to ramp up by offering customers an additional 10 European routes as well as adding frequencies to popular Mediterranean destinations such as Alicante, Malaga, Mallorca, Split and Sicily. These additional destinations come on top of 20 new, previously announced routes. 

SAS continues to plan for a busy summer to Italy with up to seven daily flights from Scandinavia to Milan and more flights from Copenhagen to Florence and Naples. SAS is adding more domestic flights from Oslo to Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim and Ålesund as well as more flights from Copenhagen to Ålesund. More seats and flights are also offered between Stockholm and Helsinki.

Continuing to grow presence in the US, SAS starts operating flights from Gothenburg and Aalborg to Newark, New York with an Airbus A321LR. 

As of June, SAS resumes traffic to Haneda, Tokyo three times a week. Prior to that SAS will operate several flights to Tokyo in April to accommodate for the high demand around Easter. The route will be operated by Airbus A350 aircraft. 

During spring, SAS also adds a third weekly service on Copenhagen-Shanghai. 

SAS’ aircraft fleet includes some of the most environmentally friendly aircraft on the market with significantly lower emissions and less noise than previous-generation aircraft – as demonstrated by both the Airbus A350 and A321LR on long-haul routes, and Airbus A320neo on short-haul where emissions are reduced between 15% and 30%.

New routes added to the summer traffic program:

·     Stockholm-Florence – new twice-weekly service on Fridays and Sundays from mid-August 

·     Stockholm-Larnaca – new weekly service on Saturdays from mid-August 

·     Oslo-Tenerife – new weekly service on Tuesdays from late June to mid-August 

·     Oslo-Hamburg – up to twice-weekly service resumed from Easter

·     Oslo-Berlin – up to five times-weekly service resumed from Easter

·     Oslo-Prague – new twice-weekly service on Thursday and Sundays from end-September

·     Bergen-Palma de Mallorca – new weekly service on Saturdays from mid-June to mid-August 

·     Bergen-Manchester – twice-weekly service resumed on Mondays and Fridays from September

·     Trondheim-Split – new weekly service on Saturdays from end of May to mid-October

·     Oslo-Tallinn – new twice-weekly service on Thursday and Sundays from mid-August

More flights added on multiple routes, such as: 

·     Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm to Barcelona, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca

·     Stockholm to Beirut (subject to regulatory approval) 

·     Copenhagen to Catania and Palermo

·     Oslo to Alicante and Las Palmas

·     Bergen and Stavanger to Alicante

·     Bergen and Stavanger to Split

Top Copyright Photo: Scandinavian Airlines-SAS Airbus A320-251N WL SE-ROU (msn 9262) SZG (Gunter Mayer). Image: 957907.

SAS aircraft photo gallery:

SAS airfcraft photo gallery

Volaris reports demand increased by 21.2% with a 83% load factor in February

Volaris Airbus A320-271N WL N532VL (msn 7904) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960185.

Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. (Volaris) reported its February 2023 preliminary traffic results.

In February 2023, Volaris’ capacity (measured in ASMs) increased by 20.4% year-over-year, while demand (measured in RPMs) increased by 21.2%; the result was a load factor increase of 0.5 pp YoY to 83.2%. Volaris transported 2.5 million passengers during the month, a 17.3% increase compared to February 2022. Demand in the domestic Mexican and international markets increased by 13.7% and 42.4%, respectively.

Enrique Beltranena, Volaris’ President and CEO said: “In line with what was stated in our last earnings call in February 22, we are seeing healthy traffic growth and solid booking curves for the upcoming spring season. In February, consumer demand remained robust across all of our markets, with particular strength observed in international regions. Jet fuel prices were slightly more favorable than the prior guidance provided to the market.”

Feb 2023Feb 2022VarianceYTD Feb 2023YTD Feb 2022Variance
RPMs (million, scheduled & charter)
Domestic1,6971,49313.7 %3,6303,13215.9 %
International75152842.4 %1,6601,19738.7 %
Total2,4492,02121.2 %5,2904,32922.2 %
ASMs (million, scheduled & charter)
Domestic2,0351,73617.2 %4,3063,72715.5 %
International90870828.2 %1,9321,55924.0 %
Total2,9432,44520.4 %6,2395,28618.0 %
Load Factor (%, scheduled, RPMs/ASMs)
Domestic83.4 %86.0 %(2.6) pp84.3 %84.0 %0.3 pp
International82.7 %74.5 %8.2 pp85.9 %76.8 %9.1 pp
Total83.2 %82.7 %0.5 pp84.8 %81.9 %2.9 pp
Passengers (thousand, scheduled & charter)
Domestic1,9841,75712.9 %4,2083,62516.1 %
International51937638.0 %1,15885735.1 %
Total2,5022,13317.3 %5,3644,48219.7 %

Top Copyright Photo: Volaris Airbus A320-271N WL N532VL (msn 7904) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960185.

Volaris aircraft photo gallery:

Volaris aircraft photo gallery

SAS enters into sale-leaseback agreements with Aviation Capital Group for ten new Airbus A320neo aircraft

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS Airbus A320-251N WL SE-RUE (msn 10407) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 959819.

SAS has entered into new sale and leaseback agreements with Aviation Capital Group (ACG).

Through the new agreements, SAS has secured long-term financing for ten new Airbus A320neo aircraft, scheduled to be delivered through the first quarter of FY2024.

“We continue to make progress with our transformation plan and these new sale and leaseback agreements are an important part of that – securing competitive financing for our renewed fleet of modern and fuel-efficient aircraft. We are pleased to renew our long-term strategic partnership with ACG, one of the world’s leading aircraft financing partners,” said Anko van der Werff, President and CEO, SAS.

Top Copyright Photo: Scandinavian Airlines-SAS Airbus A320-251N WL SE-RUE (msn 10407) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 959819.

SAS aircraft photo gallery:

SAS aircraft photo gallery

Viva Air suspends operations

Viva (Air Colombia) Airbus A320-251N WL HK-5366 (msn 10482) MIA ((Bruce Drum). Image: 105915.

Viva Air (Colombia) and its subsidiary Viva Air Perú suspended their operations on February 27, 2023.

The group blamed the financial situation on the delay on the merger request with Avianca from Aerocivil.

The airline issued this statement:

Viva regretfully announces the suspension of its operation, due to delays in the timely definition of the alliance that would allow its integration with a stronger and
larger airline group. Unfortunately, for now we will not be able to honor travel plans for passengers with current flights with Viva and will inform them promptly of the steps to
follow this decision.

Top Copyright Photo: Viva (Air Colombia) Airbus A320-251N WL HK-5366 (msn 10482) MIA ((Bruce Drum). Image: 105915.

Viva Air (Colombia) aircraft photo gallery:

Viva Air Colombia aircraft photo gallery

JetBlue and Spirit flight attendant unions are split on the merger

Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N972NK (msn 11173) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960137.

JetBlue Airways’ flight attendants, represented by the TWU, are opposing the merger with Spirit Airlines. The union has sent a letter to the Attorney General and the Department of Transportation opposing the merger.

Meanwhile the flight attendants of Spirit Airlines, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, are agreeing with and supporting the takeover of Spirit by JetBlue.

The Department of Justice will rule on the merger request. JetBlue has vowed to fight any refusal.

Top Copyright Photo: Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N972NK (msn 11173) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960137.

Spirit Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Spirit Airlines aircraft photo gallery

LATAM renews its fleet and expects to end 2023 with 31 Airbus A320neo family aircraft

LATAM AIrlines (Chile) Airbus A320-271N WL CC-BHA (msn 7844) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105901.

LATAM Airlines (Chile) made this announcement:

With the commitment to be more efficient and sustainable, the LATAM group advances in the renewal of its fleet, announcing that it will have 31 Airbus A320neo family aircraft in operation by the end of 2023.

The additional purchase of Airbus aircraft will allow the group to have more than 100 A320neo, A321neo and A321XLR aircraft by the end of this decade. Today, the LATAM group has 16 Airbus A320neo aircraft in operation and this year it expects to receive another 15 Airbus aircraft, including the first A321neo in its fleet. The first A321XLR will be delivered in 2025.

This will allow the LATAM group to replace its aircraft with more modern and efficient ones, increase its fleet and continue with the recovery of its operation compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Regarding the Airbus A321neo, it consumes 22% less fuel per seat than the previous model, the A320ceo. In addition, the Airbus A321XLR is the single-aisle aircraft (narrow body) with the longest flight range in the world (7,400 km) and with up to 38% less fuel consumption per flight than an aircraft with two aisles (wide body).

Airbus A320neo

Most of LATAM’s A320 Family aircraft fleet is equipped with software that reduces annual CO2 emissions by more than 60,000 tons by optimizing the aircraft’s landing path.

Currently, the LATAM group has 311 aircraft, 57 passengers Boeing (767, 777 and 787 models) and 238 Airbus aircraft (A319, A320, A320neo and A321 models). In addition, LATAM Cargo Chile, LATAM Cargo Colombia and LATAM Cargo Brazil have a joint fleet of 16 cargo planes, which will gradually expand to 20 cargo planes by 2024.

Top Copyright Photo: LATAM AIrlines (Chile) Airbus A320-271N WL CC-BHA (msn 7844) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105901.

LATAM Airlines (Chile) aircraft photo gallery:

Spirit Airlines is coming to San Jose, California

Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N950NK (msn 10769) LAS (Jay Selman). Image: 404225.

Spirit Airlines has announced the launch of new, nonstop service from San José Mineta International Airport (SJC). The carrier is kicking off the new service with two daily flights to Las Vegas (LAS) and daily flights to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and San Diego (SAN) on June 7, 2023.

Spirit Airlines Routes at SJC
Destination:Flights Available:Launch Date:
Dallas (DFW)DailyJune 7, 2023
Las Vegas (LAS)Twice DailyJune 7, 2023
San Diego (SAN)DailyJune 7, 2023

The new service marks the seventh airport Spirit serves in the Golden State, joining Burbank (BUR), Los Angeles (LAX), Oakland (OAK), Orange County (SNA), Sacramento (SMF) and San Diego (SAN). Spirit first launched California service in Los Angeles in 2000 and has grown to more than 55 daily departures to 23 out-of-state destinations. In the past three years, the carrier has grown the number of flights by 41 percent and seats by 46 percent statewide.

Top Copyright Photo: Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N950NK (msn 10769) LAS (Jay Selman). Image: 404225.

Spirit Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Spirit Airlines to launch five new routes from San Juan

Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N971NK (msn 11222) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960077.

Spirit Airlines has announced the launch of five new, nonstop routes from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU). The expansion adds convenient and affordable flights to Atlanta (ATL), Chicago(ORD), Dallas (DFW), Detroit (DTW) and Hartford (BDL), growing Spirit’s Puerto Rico service from 11 destinations to 16 by June 2023.

The carrier also announced it will increase flights between San Juan (SJU) and Orlando (MCO) to five flights daily and grow flights between San Juan and Baltimore (BWI), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Newark (EWR) to two flights daily.

Spirit Airlines Routes at San Juan (SJU)
Destination:Flights Available:Launch Date:
Atlanta (ATL) NEWDailyMay 5
Boston (BOS)DailyExisting
Hartford (BDL) NEW3x WeeklyJune 7
Baltimore (BWI)2x DailyFrequency increases on May 5
Dallas (DFW) NEWDailyMay 5
Detroit (DTW) NEWDailyMay 5
Newark (EWR) 2x DailyFrequency increases on June 7
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) 2x DailyFrequency increases on April 5
Orlando (MCO) 5x DailyFrequency increases on May 5
Miami (MIA)DailyExisting Service
Chicago (ORD) NEWDailyMay 5
Philadelphia (PHL)DailyExisting Service
Tampa (TPA)DailyExisting Service

Spirit first landed on the island in 2001 with service to San Juan (SJU) and has grown its Puerto Rican route map to include Aguadilla (BQN) and Ponce (PSE). The airline will offer 21 peak-day departures in San Juan by June 2023, making it the second-largest carrier by destinations, seats and available seat miles (ASM). This adds to Spirit’s growth across the island, which represents more than 200 percent growth in the past four years.

Top Copyright Photo: Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N971NK (msn 11222) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960077.

Spirit Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Spirit Airlines aircraft photo gallery

Air India to acquire 250 Airbus aircraft

The Tata Group-owned Air India has announced its commitment to order 250 Airbus aircraft to boost its domestic and international operations.

The commitment includes 140 A320neo and 70 A321neo single-aisle aircraft as well as 34 A350-1000 and six A350-900 wide-body jets that will mark a new era for the country as the all-new, long-range aircraft celebrates its debut in the Indian market.

Image: Airbus

The order aims to both modernize and expand the airline’s fleet with the objective of creating a larger and premium full-service carrier that will cater to the growing travel demand in the region. Deliveries are set to commence with the first A350-900 arriving by late-2023.

Air India aircraft photo gallery:

Viva Air enters a debt restructuring process

Viva (Air Colombia) Airbus A320-251N WL HK-5361 (msn 10313) MIA (Antony J. Best). Image: 960043.

Viva Air of Colombia has voluntarily started a local debt restructuring process as it awaits the official government approval of its merger proposal with Avianca.

Viva Air issued this statement (translated from Spanish):

Viva, the low cost airline that promotes air travel in Colombia and the region, announces the start of its Process of Business Recovery (PRE) in accordance with the regulations that protect companies affected by the COVID-19 crisis, with a view to achieving their permanence in the market, pending the urgent definition by Aerocivil about its alliance with Avianca.

This determination occurs due to the crisis that it faces when adding to the effects of the COVID-19, the current macroeconomic factors that are public knowledge

Additionally, the company has not been able to access capital during the last
nine months since it has not yet been possible to implement its integration with another airline, which is still pending authorization from the National Government.

Viva takes part in this voluntary recovery process that lasts 90 days, in order to restructure their debts through a negotiation with their major creditors to continue operating under sustainable conditions that guarantee the continuity of the company.

This decision is given after six months of waiting of the definition of the alliance with Avianca, which if approved would allow us to continue in the low-cost business through our linkage to another group of airlines with weight in the region, with which we want to ensure the preservation of jobs, and reinforce our commitment to generate higher levels of connectivity in the country at low cost on the basis of obtaining the required capital injection.

After studying all the alternatives available to the current situation, we enter this voluntary mediation process while we wait for the urgent decision by the authority of our alliance with Avianca. just as we have adapted in the past, we are convinced that we will be able to overcome this situation for the good of all passengers who have benefited from the Bajo model.

Viva Air President Felix Antelo

During this restructuring, at Viva we will continue to ensure the continuity of
operations and the provision of our services.

Top Copyright Photo: Viva (Air Colombia) Airbus A320-251N WL HK-5361 (msn 10313) MIA (Antony J. Best). Image: 960043.

Viva (Colombia) aircraft photo gallery:

Spirit Airlines reports fourth quarter and full year 2022 results

Spirit Airlines, Inc. reported fourth quarter and full year 2022 financial results.

“I want to thank the entire Spirit Team for their contributions in overcoming the many challenges we faced during 2022. Thanks to their dedication and relentless pursuit to implement more efficient and effective strategies, we made excellent progress on the steps necessary to return Spirit to sustained profitability,” saidTed Christie, Spirit’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Results

For the fourth quarter 2022, Spirit reported a net loss of $270.7 million, or a net loss of $2.49 per diluted share. Excluding special items, adjusted net income for the fourth quarter 2022 was $12.6 million1, or an adjusted net income of $0.12 per diluted share1.

For the fourth quarter 2022, Spirit reported a pre-tax loss of $340.3 million and a pre-tax margin of negative 24.5 percent. Adjusted pre-tax income for the fourth quarter was $23.0 million1 and adjusted pre-tax margin was 1.7 percent.

Operations

For the fourth quarter 2022, the Company’s load factor was 81.0 percent, DOT on-time performance2 was 73.2 percent and Completion Factor2 was 97.0 percent.

Revenue

Total operating revenues for the fourth quarter 2022 were $1.4 billion, an increase of 43.5 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2019 primarily due to increased flight volume and stronger operating yields. Total revenue per ASM (“TRASM”) was 10.81 cents, up 17.0 percent compared to fourth quarter 2019 on 22.7 percent more capacity.

On a per passenger flight segment basis, compared to the same period in 2019, total revenue per passenger flight segment (“segment”) for the fourth quarter 2022 increased 22.5 percent to $135.62. Compared to the fourth quarter 2019, fare revenue per segment increased 22.1 percent to $64.31 and non-ticket revenue per segment increased 22.9 percent to $71.313. Non-ticket revenue per segment increased sequentially from the third quarter 2022 by $4.24, driven by strong take rates for ancillaries combined with the benefit from revenue management initiatives.

Cost Performance

Total GAAP operating expenses for the fourth quarter 2022 increased 100.8 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2019 to $1,697.0 million. Adjusted operating expenses for the fourth quarter 2022 increased 58.0 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2019 to $1,333.7 million4. Compared to the fourth quarter 2019, these increases were primarily driven by increases in flight volume, additional aircraft, higher fuel prices and inflationary wage pressures.

Fleet

Spirit took delivery of 10 new A320neo aircraft during the fourth quarter 2022. The Company ended the quarter with 194 aircraft in its fleet, an increase of 33.8 percent since the end of fourth quarter 2019.

In January 2023, the Company signed an agreement to sell 29 unencumbered A319ceo aircraft powered with V2500 engines to Gryphon Trading Company, LLC (“Gryphon”), with anticipated deliveries to Gryphon beginning in the first quarter 2023 through the end of the third quarter 2024. The Company expects to remove 14 and 15 A319ceo aircraft from its operating fleet in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The other two A319ceo aircraft in our operating fleet are anticipated to be returned to the lessor upon lease expiration in 2025.

Liquidity and Capital Deployment

Spirit ended fourth quarter 2022 with unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, short-term investment securities and liquidity available under the Company’s revolving credit facility of $1.8 billion.

During the fourth quarter 2022, the Company completed a private offering of an additional $600 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the “Senior Secured Notes”) by Spirit IP Cayman Ltd., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Spirit Loyalty Cayman Ltd., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (together the “Issuers”). As of December 31, 2022, the Issuers had $1.1 billion of aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Notes outstanding.

Spirit increased the commitment under its senior secured revolving credit facility by $60.0 million to $300.0 million during the fourth quarter 2022. As of December 31, 2022, the entire $300 million remained undrawn and available.

Total capital expenditures, including net pre-delivery purchase deposits, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, were $246.1 million, primarily related to the purchase of spare parts, including four spare engines, two flight simulators, and expenditures related to the building of Spirit’s new headquarters campus in Dania Beach, Florida.

Top Copyright Photo: Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL N967NK (msn 11128) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960027.

Spirit Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Kuwait Airways announces 20 new destinations for the summer and winter schedule of 2023

Kuwait Airways has announced 20 new destinations (including returning service) for this summer season as well as the winter season.

Top Copyright Photo: Kuwait Airways Airbus A320-251N WL 9K-AKN (msn 9303) DXB (Andi Hiltl). Image: 956016.

Kuwait Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Uzbekistan Airways orders 12 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft

Uzbekistan Airways, the national carrier of the Republic of Uzbekistan, has placed a firm order with Airbus for 12 A320neo Family aircraft (eight A320neo and four A321neo).

Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft

The new aircraft will join the carrier’s current fleet of 17 Airbus A320 Family aircraft. The choice of the engines will be made by the airline at a later stage.

Top Copyright Photo: Uzbekistan Airways Airbus A321-253NX WL UK32103 (msn 10676) LHR (Antony J. Best). Image: 959314.

Uzbekistan Airways aircraft photo gallery: