Tag Archives: Airbus

Delta Air Lines expands at Dallas Love Field

Airbus A319-114 N362NB (msn 1982) MIA (Bruce Drum)

Delta Air Lines is stepping up its presence in Texas this summer, giving customers out of Dallas Love Field one-stop access to over 125 U.S. destinations through its key hubs in Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles.

Beginning June 5, the new routes out of the airline’s now-permanent home at gate 11 include:

  • Twice-daily service to New York-LGA
  • Twice-daily service to LAX
  • Increased frequency to Atlanta with five daily flights

Delta’s expansion in DAL complements its existing service at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), where the airline provides multiple daily offerings to eight of its nine U.S. hubs.

As of July 2023, Delta will operate nearly 40 peak-day departures to eight destinations from DAL and DFW combined, giving customers access to three of the top five destinations to/from Dallas* and be the only carrier operating service to New York and Los Angeles from both Dallas airports.

Delta has secured long-term access at Dallas Love Field. Delta will operate from a Delta-dedicated gate.

All flights will operate on an Airbus A319 aircraft.

CREATING MORE CONNECTIONS FROM TEXAS

Delta continues to expand its Texas offerings, with more than 20% more seats available this summer (vs. last July), including added capacity from major cities including Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.

Austin has been the fastest growing airport since 2019**, due in part to the city’s strong economic growth and thriving tech industry. To better accommodate the surge in travelers, Delta is boosting domestic service this summer, operating nearly 40 peak-day departures to 10 major cities. 

As of June 5, Delta will increase daily frequencies from AUS to the following cities:

  • JFK to 4x
  • SLC to 4x

And as of July 10, Delta will up frequencies to: 

  • ATL to 10x
  • BOS to 3x
  • LAX to 4x
  • MSP to 4x
  • RDU to 2x
  • SEA to 3x

This domestic growth complements Delta’s international partner service to key global hubs in Mexico City, Amsterdam, and London Heathrow, providing Austin customers with easy, nonstop access to destinations around the world.

Customers can also look forward to returning routes from San Antonio and Harlingen, including:

  • SAT-JFK restarting May 8, operating on an Airbus A220, a route not flown since 2020
  • Seasonal service between HRL-MSP beginning February 17, operating on an Airbus A320

Top Copyright Photo: Delta Air Lines Airbus A319-114 N362NB (msn 1982) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 105891.

Delta Air Lines aircraft photo gallery (Airbus):

Delta Air Lines aircraft photo gallery (Airbus)

Edelweiss opens a new route to Amman, Jordan

Edelweiss Air (Edelweiss Switzerland) has opened a new route to Amman, Jordan.

Photo: Amman Airport.

Edelweiss Air will operate two weekly flights on Sundays and Thursdays to Amman, with return flights to Zurich scheduled the next day on Mondays and Fridays.

Top Copyright Photo: Edelweiss Switzerland Airbus A320-214 HB-JJK (msn 1692) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 954812.

Edelweiss Air aircraft photo gallery:

Frontier Airlines announces an “all-you-can-fly” summer pass

‘Endless summer’ just took on a whole new meaning with the new all-you-can-fly GoWild! Summer Pass™ from ultra-low fare carrier Frontier Airlines.  The GoWild! Summer Pass offers passholders exclusive access to unlimited flights between Frontier’s U.S. and international destinations from May 2 through Sept. 30, 2023 and is available for a limited time at a special introductory price of $399 per person.

The new GoWild! Summer Pass is being introduced just as Frontier announces a major expansion of service, including eight new routes to the popular Caribbean paradise of Puerto Rico.  With the GoWild! Pass™, domestic travel can be booked and confirmed the day before flight departure. International travel can be booked and confirmed starting 10 days before flight departure. Frontier serves destinations throughout the U.S., Mexico, Caribbean and Latin America.

Here’s how it works:

1.    Buy the GoWild! Summer Pass

2.    Login to your FRONTIER Miles account

3.    Search & Book on flyfrontier.com the day before flight departure for domestic travel or starting 10 days before flight departure for international travel. Your pass will be valid from May 2, 2023 through Sept. 30, 2023. For each flight, you’ll pay $0.01 in airfare plus applicable taxes, fees, and charges at the time of booking. When you book, you can also purchase options like bags, seats, and other ancillary products, for each flight to customize your travel.

4.    Fly!

5.    Repeat and book an unlimited number of flights for as long as your pass is valid

A limited number of Go Wild! Summer Passes will be available at a special introductory price of $399 per person on a first-come, first-served basis at https://www.flyfrontier.com/deals/gowild-pass/

“Everyone loves summer vacation and, with the new GoWild! Summer Pass, you can enjoy even more of what you love,” said Daniel Shurz, senior vice president of commercial, Frontier Airlines. “For people with flexible schedules, this is a terrific opportunity to have a truly epic summer and then some, soaking up rays on the beach, exploring national parks and visiting new cities.”

GoWild! Summer Pass holders will enjoy access to a variety of benefits on Frontier, including:

·         An unlimited number of flights between May 2 and Sept. 30, 2023

·         Access to all U.S. and international destinations Frontier serves

·         Travel that will keep your miles from expiring

·         One low price for pass access between May 2 and Sept. 30, 2023

·         Confirmed bookings the day before flight departure for domestic travel and 10 days before flight departure for international travel

Important things to know about the GoWild Pass:

–          Flights will be available to book and fly starting May 2, 2023

–          Flights can be booked and confirmed the day before flight departure for domestic travel and 10 days before flight departure for international travel

–          Flights must be booked at flyfrontier.com

–          Flights are subject to blackout periods

–          Flights do not include any add-on products like bags or seats

–          Access to all domestic and international destinations Frontier serves

–          Taxes, fees and charges apply at the time of booking

–          A fare of $0.01 will be charged for each segment booked

–          Flights and seats are subject to availability; last seat availability is not guaranteed

–          Travel is not eligible to earn miles or status

–          Travel qualifies as activity and will extend your Frontier Miles expiration

–          The GoWild! Pass is non-transferable. The passholder is the only allowed passenger to travel with GoWild! Pass privileges

–          Your Pass will automatically renew for summer travel unless you cancel

–          You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the United States to purchase the GoWild! Pass. The pass holder may be under the age of 18 but must be a resident of the United States. Pass holders under the age of 13 must be enrolled by their parent or legal guardian. Children under the age of 15 years old must travel accompanied by a passenger who is at least 15 years old.

Top Copyright Photo: Frontier Airlines (2nd) Airbus A321-211 WL N705FR (msn 6891) (Pygmy Owl) SEA (Brian Worthington). Image: 960015.

Frontier Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Lufthansa to base three Airbus A380s in Munich

Lufthansa is gradually bringing back its grounded Airbus A380s.

The flag carrier will base three A380s at its its Munich hub for flights to New York (JFK), Boston and Los Angeles starting in June.

The airline will begin refresher training in Hannover and Leipzig in May.

Six A380s will return to service. The other 8 will remain in storage (for now) at Teruel, Spain.

LH is also bringing back 10 remaining Airbus A340-600s for the summer season.

Top Copyright Photo: Lufthansa Airbus A380-841 D-AIMD (msn 048) LAX. Image: 947110.

Lufthansa aircraft photo gallery:

LATAM Airlines Colombia to launch the Bogota – Orlando route

LATAM Airlines Colombia will launch a new nonstop service between Orlando and Bogotá on July 1, 2023.

The operation is part of the first announcements made since the approval of the Joint Venture with Delta last September.

The Orlando – Bogotá route will be the second between the United States and the Colombian market. The flight will be sold with a morning itinerary departing Bogotá at 10:15 a.m. towards Orlando, and in the evening back to Colombia at 4:47 p.m. The 4-hour 15-minute journey will operate with an Airbus A320 aircraft, with a capacity for 174 passengers.

Joint Venture Between Delta and LATAM

The Joint Venture between LATAM  and Delta seeks to improve travel experiences for passengers and cargo customers. The agreement applies to markets between North America (United States and Canada) and South America (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay), delivering benefits like the joint accumulating of miles/points in frequent flier programs, and faster connections to access more than 300 destinations between the U.S./Canada and South America.

The alliance between LATAM and Delta commenced in 2019, when they announced their first agreement for reciprocal accumulating/exchange of miles/points, shared terminals in New York/JFK,  São Paulo/Guarulhos and Santiago. It includes joint access to 53 Delta VIP lounges Sky Club in the United States and five LATAM lounges in South America, including the new and exclusive Delta Sky Club in Los Ángeles (LAX) and the new LATAM Lounge Santiago in Chile, the biggest in South America.

LATAM Airlines Brazil recently announced their nonstop flights between the cities of São Paulo (Brazil) and Los Ángeles (United States), which will commence in the second quarter of 2023, with three weekly flights. This new route offers passengers access to the corporate market and general market of the United States from Los Angeles, where Delta is the global airline with the largest presence.

Qatar Airways and Airbus reach amicable A350 settlement in legal dispute

Qatar Airways and Airbus are pleased to have reached an amicable and mutually agreeable settlement in relation to their legal dispute over A350 surface degradation and the grounding of A350 aircraft. 

A repair project is now underway and both parties look forward to getting these aircraft safely back in the air.

The details of the settlement are confidential and the parties will now proceed to discontinue their legal claims. 

The settlement agreement is not an admission of liability for either party.

This agreement will enable Qatar Airways and Airbus to move forward and work together as partners.

Top Copyright Photo: Qatar Airways Airbus A350-941 A7-ALA (msn 006) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 960011.

Qatar Airwasys aircraft photo gallery:

Allegiant reports a profitable fourth quarter and full-year 2022

Allegiant Travel Company (Allegiant Air) reported the following financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2022, as well as comparisons to prior years:

   

ConsolidatedThree Months Ended December 31,Percent Change
(unaudited) (in millions, except per share amounts)202220212019     YoY     Yo3Y
Total operating expense522.4463.6368.412.741.8
Operating income89.233.392.7167.6(3.7)
Income before income taxes65.915.178.6334.7(16.3)
Net income52.510.760.5390.3(13.3)
Diluted earnings per share2.870.593.72386.4(22.8)
Twelve Months Ended December 31,Percent Change
(unaudited) (in millions, except per share amounts)202220212019YoYYo3Y
Total operating revenue$        2,301.8$        1,707.9$        1,841.034.8 %25.0 %
Total operating expense2,210.21,444.81,477.053.049.6
Operating income91.6263.1364.0(65.2)(74.8)
Income before income taxes5.0196.6301.2(97.5)(98.4)
Net income2.5151.9232.1(98.4)(98.9)
Diluted earnings per share0.148.6814.26(98.4)(99.0)
Sunseeker special charges34.0——NMNM
Diluted earnings per share excluding Sunseeker 
special charges (2) (3)		$             1.65$             8.68$           14.26(81.0)(88.4)
(1)  Recognition bonus awarded despite not meeting internal profit-sharing targets
(2)  Denotes a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the Non-GAAP Presentation section within this document for further information and for calculation of per share figures
 (3)  Adjusted to exclude estimated loss from property damage to Sunseeker Resort related to Hurricane Ian and two subsequent insurance events that occurred during the quarter, offset by insurance recoveries recorded to date. The amount of the losses will continue to be offset in future periods by amounts to be recovered under the company’s insurance policies. In 2023, we expect to receive insurance proceeds approximating the losses accrued to date

“We finished the quarter with an earnings per share, excluding employee recognition bonus and Sunseeker special charges of $3.17,” stated John Redmond, CEO of Allegiant Travel Company. “Despite an uptick in weather cancellations late in the quarter, our total operating revenue was up 32.6 percent year over three-year, more than five points above the mid-point of our guidance. The demand environment continues to surpass expectations. Fourth quarter TRASM(1) was 14.03 cents, the highest quarterly TRASM(1) in company history, on scheduled service growth of 11.9 percent. This revenue strength coupled with better than expected cost performance and a more favorable fuel environment resulted in an adjusted(2) operating margin of nearly 16 percent for the quarter.

“Due to a challenging operating environment at the onset of 2022, we committed to focusing on operational integrity and ensuring safe, reliable travel for our customers. We took action to more appropriately schedule the airline to meet the challenges of this environment. By doing this, we increased our controllable completion by over two points during the last six months of 2022 as compared with the first half of the year. This equated to more than $70 million in irregular operations savings during the back-half of the year, when factoring in lost revenue, passenger compensation, and other costs related to the cancellations. As we head into 2023, we are continuing to take a more conservative approach to growth. We anticipate growing capacity roughly four percent, with much of that happening in the fourth quarter. This slow and concerted growth profile should drive irregular operations costs out of the business and prioritize operational reliability, helping to deliver an estimated $7 in earnings per share during 2023.

“2023 will be transformational for the company. We will begin taking delivery of our Boeing MAX 737 fleet during the fourth quarter, with deliveries picking up in earnest, early 2024. The operating efficiency and reliability of this aircraft will help bolster profits for many years to come. Additionally, significant progress has been made towards the completion of Sunseeker Resort at Charlotte Harbor. After delays caused by Hurricane Ian, we have fully resumed construction activities at the property with most of the remediation related to the hurricane behind us. We continue to expect the property will open late 2023.

“To further support these strategic initiatives, we recently announced several senior leadership changes within the organization. These changes will bring vast experience to the respective roles. I am confident these leaders will contribute to the successful execution of these initiatives. Allegiant has prided itself over the years with having a standout management team, and these changes further support that notion.

“Lastly, I would like to thank our team members throughout the network for their efforts this past year. 2022 was fraught with challenges. Despite these challenges, our team members consistently put forth their best efforts to ensure our customers made it safely to their destinations. We truly have the best in the business. I’m excited for what is on the horizon in 2023.”  

(1)  Total passenger revenue per available seat mile
 (2)  Adjusted operating margin excludes the 2022 employee recognition bonus and Sunseeker special charges

Fourth Quarter 2022 Results

  • Income before income tax (1)(2)(3) of $73.8 million, excluding 2022 employee recognition bonus and Sunseeker special charges, yielding a pre-tax margin of 12.1 percent
    • Sunseeker special charges include $18 million of recorded insurance recoveries offset by $17 million in additional losses related to Hurricane Ian and subsequent insurance events during the fourth quarter
  • Operating income, excluding 2022 recognition bonus and Sunseeker special charges (1)(2)(3), of $97.1 million, yielding an operating margin of 15.9 percent
  • Consolidated EBITDA, excluding recognition bonus and Sunseeker special charges (1)(2)(3),of $149.3 million, yielding an EBITDA margin of 24.4 percent
  • Total operating revenue was $611.5 million, up 32.6% percent year over three-year
    • TRASM of 14.03 cents, the highest quarterly TRASM in company history, up 21.3 percent year over three-year on scheduled service capacity increases of 11.9 percent
    • Load factor of 85.3 percent, a 3.2 percentage point increase from the fourth quarter of 2019
    • December load factor of 84.7 percent, the highest December since 2014
  • Total average fare of $151.08, up 22.6 percent from the fourth quarter of 2019
    • Total average ancillary of $72.94, up 25.9 percent from 2019, driven predominantly by strength in bundled ancillary and the Allways Allegiant World Mastercard
    • Acquired over 35 thousand new Allways Allegiant World Mastercard holders during the quarter
  • Operating CASM, excluding fuel, 2022 employee recognition bonus, and Sunseeker special charges (1)(2)(3), of 7.56 cents, up 12.2 percent when compared with the fourth quarter of 2019

Full-Year 2022 Results

  • Income before income tax (1)(2)(3) of $74.0 million, excluding 2022 recognition bonus and Sunseeker special charges, yielding a 3.2 percent pre-tax margin
  • Total operating revenue of $2.3 billion, up 25.0 percent year over three-year, on a total system capacity increase of 13.9 percent
    • Full-year TRASM was 12.50 cents, up 10.8 percent year over three-year on scheduled services capacity increases of 15.2 percent
  • Acquired over 150 thousand new Allegiant World Mastercard® holders during the year, with over 410 thousand active cardholders at year end
    • Full-year total remuneration of over $100 million
  • Added over 2 million Allegiant Allways Rewards® members throughout 2022, with more than 15 million total members at year end
  • Operating CASM, excluding fuel, 2022 employee recognition bonus, and Sunseeker special charges (1)(2)(3), of 7.20 cents, up 11.1 percent as compared with full-year 2019
  • Published the company’s inaugural sustainability report
(1)  Recognition bonus awarded despite not meeting internal profit-sharing targets
 (2)  Denotes a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the Non-GAAP Presentation section within this document for further information and for calculation of per share figures
 (3)  Adjusted to exclude estimated loss from property damage to Sunseeker Resort related to Hurricane Ian and two subsequent insurance events that occurred during the quarter, offset by insurance recoveries recorded to date. The amount of the losses will continue to be offset in future periods by amounts to be recovered under the company’s insurance policies. In 2023, we expect to receive insurance proceeds approximating the losses accrued to date

Balance Sheet, Cash and Liquidity

  • Total available liquidity at December 31, 2022 of $1.4 billion, which includes $1.0 billion in cash and investments, and $395 million in undrawn revolving credit facilities and PDP facilities
  • Board of directors increased share repurchase authority to up to $100 million total
    • Repurchased 378 thousand shares during the fourth quarter at an average share price of $78.94
  • $303.1 million in cash from operations during 2022
  • Total debt at December 31, 2022 was $2.1 billion
    • Net debt at December 31, 2022 was $1.1 billion
  • Debt principal payments of $165.7 million during 2022, which excludes $535.9 million related to refinancing the Term Loan B in August of 2022
  • Air traffic liability at December 31, 2022 was $379.5 million

Airline Capital Expenditures

  • Fourth quarter capital expenditures of $51 million, which includes $22 million for aircraft purchases and inductions, pre-delivery deposits, and other related costs, and $29 million in other airline capital expenditures
    • Fourth quarter deferred heavy maintenance spend was $23 million
  • Full-year 2022 capital expenditures are $283 million, which includes $164 million for aircraft purchases and inductions, pre-delivery deposits, and other related costs, and $119 million in other airline capital expenditures
    • Full-year 2022 deferred heavy maintenance spend was $55 million

Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor

  • Total project spend excluding capitalized interest as of December 31, 2022 was $467 millionwith $279 million funded by debt and the remaining $188 million funded by Allegiant
    • Fourth quarter capital expenditures were $44 million relating to Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor, $8 million related to capitalized interest and $8 million related to other Sunseeker capital expenditures
  • Recorded an additional $17 million special charge during the quarter related to estimated property damages at Sunseeker Resort resulting from Hurricane Ian and two subsequent events that occurred on the property during the fourth quarter
    • The special charge was offset by $18 million in insurance recoveries recorded

Aircraft Fleet Plan by End of Period

Aircraft – (seats per AC)YE221Q232Q233Q23YE23
A319 (156 seats)3535353535
A320 (177 seats)2119191919
A320 (180-186 seats)6570727373
Total121124126127127

The table above is provided based on the company’s current plans and is subject to change. The numbers exclude aircraft expected to be delivered during 2023 for revenue service beginning in 2024

Top Copyright Photo: Allegiant Air Airbus A319-111 N338NV (msn 2378) LAS (Jay Selman). Image: 404257.

Allegiant Air aircraft photo gallery:

Condor is bringing its new Airbus A330neo to New York-JFK and Seattle/Tacoma

The first transAtlantic flights on Condor’s new Airbus A330neo begin this month with nonstop New York-JFK to Frankfurt service launching on February 13 followed by nonstop Seattle/Tacoma to Frankfurt service on February 16. 

Top Copyright Photo: Condor Flugdienst Airbus A330-941 F-WWCX (D-ANRA) (msn 1966) (Condor Island) TLS (Eurospot). Image: 959502.

Condor aircraft photo gallery:

Hawaiian reports a fourth quarter and full-year 2022 loss

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2022.

“A heartfelt mahalo to our team as they tirelessly worked through a year in which we had multiple projects in motion that make us a stronger, better airline,” said Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram. “I am incredibly proud of what our team members do to care for our company, our guests and each other. We saw continued strong demand in our domestic markets and recovery in our international markets illustrating that Hawaiʻi is a top destination and we are the carrier of choice.  I am excited to see what we can accomplish in 2023 as we continue to build a solid foundation for our future.”

Fourth Quarter 2022 – Key Financial Metrics and Results
GAAPYo3Y ChangeAdjusted (a)Yo3Y Change
Net Loss($50.2M)($99.9M)($24.7M)($70.6M)
Diluted EPS($0.98)($2.05)($0.49)($1.49)
Pre-tax Margin(8.6) %(18.2) pts.(4.3) %(13.2) pts.
EBITDA($6.1M)($120.3M)$25.6M($83.4M)
Operating Cost per ASM15.46¢3.30¢10.89¢1.35¢
Full Year 2022 – Key Financial Metrics and Results
GAAPYo3Y ChangeAdjusted (a)Yo3Y Change
Net Loss($240.1M)($464.1M)($210.5M)($429.3M)
Diluted EPS($4.67)($9.38)($4.08)($8.68)
Pre-tax Margin(11.1) %(21.9) pts.(10.0) %(20.5) pts.
EBITDA($61.9M)($553.6M)($31.0M)($515.8M)
Operating Cost per ASM15.26¢3.10¢10.78¢1.24¢
(a) See Table 4 for a reconciliation of adjusted net loss, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted pre-tax margin, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted operating cost per ASM (CASM excluding fuel and non-recurring items) to each of their respective most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Statistical data, as well as a reconciliation of the reported non-GAAP financial measures, can be found in the accompanying tables.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2022 the Company had:

  • Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $1.4 billion
  • Outstanding debt and finance lease obligations of $1.7 billion
  • Air traffic liability of $590.8 million
  • Liquidity of $1.6 billion, including an undrawn revolving credit facility of $235 million

Revenue Environment

The strength of the leisure market was evident as Hawaiian saw robust demand in its U.S. Mainland to Hawaiʻi routes and international routes excluding Japan.  Demand remained strong for premium products and there was positive momentum in sales of its Extra Comfort product and newer preferred seat option.  The Company’s overall operating revenue for the fourth quarter 2022 was up 3.2% compared to the fourth quarter 2019 on 6% lower capacity.  The Company’s overall operating revenue for 2022 was down 6.7% from 2019 on 9.3% lower capacity as the impacts of Omicron were experienced industry wide in most of the first quarter.

Other revenue for fourth quarter 2022 was up 35.1% compared to the same period in 2019 and for the full year 2022 up 30.4% compared to 2019 driven by cargo revenue and sales of HawaiianMiles.

2022 Highlights

Routes and scheduled services

  • Operated at 91% of its 2019 capacity, comprised of 115%, 79%, and 44% capacity on its North America, Neighbor Island, and International routes, respectively
  • Resumed international flights, between Honolulu, Hawaiʻi and Auckland, New Zealand, and Honolulu, Hawaiʻi and Tokyo Haneda Airport
  • Signed agreement with Amazon to operate and maintain an initial fleet of 10 Airbus A330-300 freighters to move cargo between airports near Amazon’s distribution facilities starting in the fall of 2023
  • Announced a new nonstop flight between Honolulu and Rarotonga, Cook Islands, which will launch in May 2023, providing travelers from Hawaiian’s 15 U.S. Mainland gateway cities convenient one-stop connection to the Cook Islands

Guest experience

  • Announced agreement with Starlink to provide complimentary industry leading satellite internet connectivity to every guest onboard flights between Hawaiʻi and the continental U.S., Asia, and Oceania starting in 2023
  • Introduced the benefit of two free checked bags for primary cardmembers who purchase their tickets directly with the Company in partnership with Barclays, its co-brand credit card issuer
  • Established a new interline agreement with Mokulele to facilitate travel bookings and connections for passengers connecting from Mokulele-served airports to any Hawaiian Airlines destination worldwide in a single transaction
Boeing 787=9 Dreamliner

Fleet and financing

  • Entered into an agreement with Boeing to purchase 2 additional Boeing 787-9 aircraft, bringing the Company’s total order to 12 aircraft, the first of which is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2023
  • Amended and extended $235 million revolving credit facility that matures in December 2025
  • Repurchased the remaining $62.4 million of outstanding Series-2020-1A and Series-2020-1B Equipment Notes

Top Copyright Photo: Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330-243 N384HA (msn 1259) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960007.

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Eurowings celebrates its 30th anniversary

Eurowings is cerlebrating its 30th anniversary.

The airline made this announcement:

  • Eurowings took off in 1993 with 26 propeller planes
  • The name was developed in a competition for ideas and earned 500 Deutsche Mark
  • Largest sustainability investment in the company’s history: the A320neo family
  • CEO Jens Bischof: “Eurowings has retained a very special team spirit”

The mid-1970s, two pilots, one dream. Independently of each other, Hans Rudolf Wöhrl founds Nürnberger Flugdienst (NFD) and Reinhard Santner founds Dortmund Reise- und Industrieflug (RFG). The portfolio of the two companies is similar and includes air taxi services, ambulance and cargo flights, seaside resort services – so-called on-demand air transport. Today’s Eurowings was formed on 1 February 1993 from the merger of the two regional airlines. The name “Eurowings” was suggested by an employee who won an ideas competition with 500 Deutsche Mark for the winning entry. The logo introduced in the course of the launch was designed by students of the Nuremberg Academy of Arts.

Take-off with propeller aircraft

At that time, the airline started with just under 1,000 employees and ATR 72 propeller aircraft. Although 32 destinations in eleven countries were already served in the founding year, the focus was on domestic connections. For quite some time, Eurowings had to fly under the flight numbers of NFD and RFG, because the code that Eurowings needed had been assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to a subsidiary of Papua New Guinea-based Janlyn PTE. Through intensive negotiations, it was finally possible to get the EW code for Eurowings’ flights. The first flight, with the number EW733, went from Nuremberg to Paris in 1994. In the 1990s, Eurowings took over feeder flights for the Dutch airline KLM, among others, and was en route to Amsterdam with 13 aircraft at times – initially as a competitor of Lufthansa.

2001: Lufthansa acquires a stake in Eurowings

The year 2001 marks a milestone in the history of Eurowings. With the Lufthansa Group’s participation, the company’s strategy changes: the turboprop aircraft are replaced by CRJ jets, and Eurowings operates flights in the Lufthansa Regional network.

Just one year later, Eurowings launches a low-cost pioneer for Germany, Germanwings, which, in tandem with Eurowings, soon breaks the 10-million passenger mark. The great era of low-cost airlines begins (slogan: “Fly high, pay low”), to which Germanwings contributes the flexible fare model BASIC, SMART and BIZclass. The concept quickly becomes the industry standard and is still used at Eurowings today. In 2011, Eurowings moves to Düsseldorf, the largest air traffic location in North Rhine-Westphalia.

“Light Sky Blue” and “Burgundy”: Eurowings’ leading colors since 2014

In 2014, the company gets the look and brand identity it is known for today, with the leading colors “Light Sky Blue” and “Burgundy”. The new strategy includes, among other things, a significant expansion of Germanwings and Eurowings in line with growing travel: the previous Eurowings fleet of smaller CRJ aircraft will be replaced by 23 aircraft from the Airbus A320 family.

Inseparably linked to the company’s history, however, is the accident of Germanwings flight 4U9525 on 24 March 2015, which claimed the lives of 150 people. An event that will remain in collective memory forever.

Eurowings subsequently begins to expand away from German airports, soon opening a base on Mallorca and founding the Eurowings Europe flight operation for pan-European routes outside Germany. And the dynamic development continues: after the end of Air Berlin in 2017 and the takeover of a large part of the fleet, hundreds of new jobs are created – many of which are filled by former AirBerlin colleagues.

Eurowings today: the value airline for Europe

Today, Eurowings explicitly sets itself apart from the ultra-low-cost carrier segment with its clear positioning as Europe’s value carrier for private and business travelers. The Lufthansa subsidiary combines inexpensive and flexible flying with innovative and customer-friendly services – a strategy with which it is expanding its leading position in the German market. In doing so, it focuses on the core needs of today’s air travelers: more flexibility, affordable comfort and sustainability.

“There are very few airlines in Germany that have succeeded for 30 years in a difficult market environment and have repeatedly mastered dynamic changes. It is all the more wonderful that we can celebrate our 30th birthday as Germany’s largest holiday airline,” said Eurowings CEO Jens Bischof. “We owe this success first and foremost to our more than 4,000 employees from 60 nations who have found their professional home with us. This diversity makes us strong. Because what has always distinguished Eurowings is the very special team spirit and the ability to react quickly to ever new market changes. We say thank you, Team Eurowings – here’s to the next 30 years!”

The Eurowings fleet includes more than 100 aircraft that fly to 140 destinations in more than 50 countries. In addition to its bases in Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart and Berlin, Eurowings also has major operations in Palma de Mallorca, Salzburg, Prague and Stockholm. This makes the Lufthansa subsidiary one of the largest leisure airlines in Europe. Every minute, a Eurowings aircraft takes off or lands somewhere in Europe.

Focus on sustainability

Eurowings combines its passion for flying with corporate responsibility for the environment. It aims to cut its carbon emissions in half by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. An important step towards this was the introduction of the world’s most efficient medium-haul jet, the Airbus A320neo, into the fleet in 2022. Each new aircraft of this type emits 4,500 tonnes less CO2 per year compared to its predecessor. In addition to this, more than 50 projects with the aim of conserving resources and protecting the environment are underway at Eurowings.

Carbon compensation at the click of a mouse, punctual flights, friendly services, the most flexible rebooking options in the industry or a free middle seat starting at ten euros – these are just a few of the many examples of the modern value concept with which Eurowings presents itself as young, modern and innovative, even after 30 years.

Top Copyright Photo: Eurowings Airbus A319-112 D-AKNF (msn 646) CDG (Christian Volpati). Image: 949935.

Eurowings 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:

JetBlue’s pilots approve a two-year contract extension

ALPA made this announcement:

JetBlue Airways pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), have overwhelmingly approved a two-year contract extension that provides a compensation increase of 21.5 percent over 18 months, as well as other monetary improvements. With 95 percent of eligible pilots participating, 75 percent voted in favor of ratifying the tentative agreement reached in December.

In September 2022, the Company and JetBlue pilots entered expedited, short-term contract extension negotiations focused on achieving immediate economic improvements. On December 14, the two parties reached a tentative agreement that provided the pilots with three rate increases and a market rate adjustment that ensures JetBlue pilot pay remains in line with any compensation gains achieved by their peers at other airlines. JetBlue is currently in a potentially lengthy merger process. The agreement ratified today puts JetBlue pilots in a strong position for future negotiations for either a joint collective bargaining agreement with the pilots at Spirit Airlines or, should the merger fail to conclude, a comprehensive standalone collective bargaining agreement.

Top Copyright Photo: JetBlue Airways Airbus A320-232 WL N715JB (msn 3554) (Spotlight) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960005.

JetBlue Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Aer Lingus announces a new route from London Heathrow to Knock 

Aer Lingus is to launch a new route from London Heathrow to Knock in the west of Ireland in March.

The new daily Aer Lingus service will start on March 26, 2023. 



The new route replaces the current Aer Lingus London Gatwick to Knock service, which ends on March 25, 2023.

Knock Airport Terminal

Top Copyright Photo: Aer Lingus Airbus A320-214 EI-CVA (msn 1242) LGW (Richard Vandervord). Image: 960004.

Aer Lingus aircraft photo gallery:

Jazeera Airways to launch flights to Moscow and Belgrade

Jazeera Airways previously announced the launch of a new route from Kuwait City to Moscow, Russia.

Jazeera will be the first airline to operate flights between the two cities.

The new route will commence on February 2, 2023 with four flights weekly leaving Kuwait on Mondays, Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays. Flights land at Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME), one of the four major Moscow airports, and one of the busiest airports in Russia.

Flight Schedule

Flight NumberFrequencyFromToDeparture (Local Time)Arrival (Local Time)
J9 335Monday, Thursday, Friday, SaturdayKuwait (KWI)Moscow (DME)18:4023:45
J9 336Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, SundayMoscow (DME)Kuwait (KWI)00:30am05:35am

In addition, the carrier will also commence a new route from Kuwait City to Belgrade starting on June 17, 2023. The new route will operate two days a week with Airbus A320 aircraft.

Route Map:

Top Copyright Photo: Jazeera Airways Airbus A320-214 9K-CAM (msn 5625) AYT (Ton Jochems). Image: 960002.

Jazeera Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Cyprus Airways to fly to Dubai

Cyprus Airways (2nd) has announced it will open a new route to Dubai.

The new route will operate three days a week starting on March 27, 2023.

Schedule:

Top Copyright Photo: Cyprus Airways (2nd) Airbus A319-114 5B-DCW (msn 1129) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 949944.

Cyprus Airways (2nd) aircraft photo gallery:

Frontier names its second Airbus A321neo “Maria, the Bald Eagle”

Frontier Airlines made this announcement:

Maria the Bald Eagle is our second Airbus A321neo, second GTF-powered aircraft, and second of three special Pratt & Whitney liveries.

The plane was named by Pratt & Whitney employees in honor of sustainable aviation pioneer Maria Della Posta (below), president of Pratt & Whitney Canada.

Photo: Pratt & Whitney

Maria is the first woman to lead a P&W business unit. Her division is on the forefront of technology and innovation for more sustainable aviation. The aircraft marks the second of 144 A320neo family aircraft – 134 purchased and 10 leased – for which Frontier has selected Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines.

Video:

How heavier Finnair flights could lighten the financial load

Finnair has modified ten of its flagship Airbus A350s to carry more customers and cargo as it continues to increase capacity across its popular Asian routes.

The Finnish carrier has worked with Airbus to increase the maximum take-off weight for a specially selected number of its state-of-the-art aircraft as demand for flights to and from Asia has risen.

Modifications made involve minor changes and updates to aircraft’s software and placards and manuals in cooperation with aircraft manufacturer Airbus.

The Nordic airline made the changes to aircraft which regularly serve Seoul and Tokyo, two of the carrier’s longer intercontinental routes.

Each route has been made longer following the closure of Russian airspace which has forced Finnair to replan its flights and detour around Russia, consuming more fuel than used previously.

The normally lighter take-off weight had limited the number of customers and the amount of cargo each aircraft could carry, given the extended flight times.

But now after the modifications each aircraft can carry more customers and cargo – and importantly more fuel to fly the longer flight times between Finland and South Korea and Japan – as well as increasing the economic efficiency of each flight.  

These modifications form part of Finnair’s strategy to restore profitability and increase payloads, in spite of airspace closures and increased flight times.

Before, the maximum take-off weight of Finnair’s A350 fleet was 268 tonnes. Now the maximum take-off weight for five aircraft has been increased to 275 tonnes, and the remaining five to 280 tonnes. 

The maximum take-off weight increase enables more customers and cargo to be carried, with the total capacity expected to be increased by up to eight tonnes, depending on the aircraft’s respective maximum take-off weight, route as well as flight times conditions.

The plane and fuel together make up most of an aircraft’s weight, followed by customers, with a full plane weighing approximately 24,000kg. Checked-in bags typically weigh an additional 5,500kg, with cargo adding an extra 15,000kg.

Aircraft software compensates for the centre of gravity change and maintains the same handling characteristics, meaning that flying the aircraft does not change. 

Each aircraft’s new maximum take-off weight is taken into account by experts at Finnair’s daily flight operations in their Helsinki hub.

The modifications were completed during the two first weeks in January, and operation with the new maximum take-off weight began on January 18, 2023.

Top Copyright Photo: Finnair Airbus A350-941 OH-LWG (msn 051) MUC (Gunter Mayer). Image: 959999.

Finnair aircraft photo gallery:

Airbus intends to recruit more than 13,000 people globally in 2023

Airbus has made this announcement:

To support its commercial aircraft ramp-up, meet challenges in defence, space and helicopters, Airbus intends to recruit more than 13,000 people globally in 2023. Around 7,000 of these will be newly created posts across the company. The new hires will be instrumental in supporting our industrial ramp-up and Airbus’ ambitious decarbonisation roadmap and preparing the future of aviation.

This new recruitment drive will be worldwide, with emphasis on technical and manufacturing profiles, as well as acquisition of new skills supporting the company’s long term vision, in areas such as new energies, cyber and digital.

Over 9,000 of these posts will be in Europe, and the rest throughout our global network. A third of the total recruitment will be allocated to recent graduates. 

Airbus currently employs more than 130,000 people across its businesses worldwide. Airbus was recently awarded Top Employers certification in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific by the Top Employers Institute, a global independent authority on recognising excellence in people management and HR policies.

Top Copyright Photo: Airbus A321-251NX WL D-AVZO (msn 7877) (Now flying long range – New York – Paris) TLS (Paul Bannwarth). Image: 942972.

Airbus aircraft photo gallery:

Air France-KLM orders four Airbus A350F freighters, to be operated by Martinair for KLM

Air France-KLM Board of Directors has approved a firm order for 4 Airbus A350F full freighter aircraft, to be operated by Martinair on behalf of KLM Cargo.

These Airbus A350Fs will replace the fleet of 4 Boeing 747Fs currently operated by KLM Cargo and Martinair. They will be based at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

In December 2021, Air France-KLM had placed an order for 4 Airbus A350F full freighter aircraft for Air France.

Deliveries to Martinair and Air France are expected as of the second half of 2026, meaning both airlines will be among the launch operators of the A350F full freighter.

Benefiting from the latest technological innovations and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the Airbus A350F delivers significantly improved environmental performance with an over 40% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the Boeing 747F. Its noise footprint is also 50% lower.

A firm order for 3 additional Airbus A350-900 passenger aircraft for Air France, bringing the total number of A350-900 expected by Air France to 41.

These Airbus A350s will replace previous-generation aircraft and be based at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.