Wiesbaden has a new flying ambassador. The fifth Boeing 787-9 in the Lufthansa fleet, with the registration D-ABPB, was named today at Frankfurt Airport by Hesse’s Prime Minister Boris Rhein in the name of the state capital. Since May 22 it has been in service to destinations in Canada and the USA. Its first destination with passengers on board was Dallas in Texas. The D-ABPB is the fifth aircraft in total to carry the name “Wiesbaden” around the world.
The “Papa Bravo” was already transferred from its production facility in Everett in the USA to Germany on March 31, 2023. Since then, the Dreamliner was initially operated up to three times a day between Frankfurt and Munich. This allowed the necessary training flights to be completed and as many crews as possible to be trained.
Fifth aircraft with the name Wiesbaden
There is a long tradition of aircraft bearing the name of the Hessian capital. The Boeing 787-9 is already the fifth Lufthansa aircraft with the name “Wiesbaden. On July 15, 1964, the then Lord Mayor Georg Buch named a Boeing 727 with the name of the spa city for the first time at Wiesbaden-Erbenheim Airport.
The predecessor of the Boeing 787-9 with the name “Wiesbaden” was an Airbus A340, which was named in the name of the state capital in the summer of 2009 and decommissioned during the pandemic.
Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiʻi’s hometown carrier since 1929, today introduced an elevated standard of leisure travel, inspired by early Polynesian voyages, with the unveiling of its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner interior and new class of premium service – the Leihōkū Suites.
Guests onboard Hawaiian’s 787 – entering service beginning early next year on select routes – will be immersed in cabin design elements that evoke Hawaiʻi’s rich natural world through bold textures, island-inspired sunrise and sunset lighting and sinuous ocean and wind patterns.
Hawaiian’s 300-seat 787 features its newest premium product, Leihōkū (garland of stars): 34 suites that envelop guests in a tranquil, elegant space with fully lie-flat seating, an 18-inch in-flight entertainment screen, personal outlets, wireless charging and direct aisle access. Set in a 1-2-1 configuration with doors, the suites can offer privacy or a shared experience, with combined double seats allowing couples to fall asleep while gazing at a starlit ceiling.
In developing its Leihōkū Suite, Hawaiian became the first airline to partner with Adient Aerospace – a joint venture between the Boeing Company and Adient, a world leader in automotive seats.
In Hawaiianʻs 787 Dreamliner Main Cabin, consisting of 266 Collins Aerospace Aspire seats with ergonomically contoured back and arm rests, guests will enjoy a lightweight, modern design that maximizes seat space, offers more shoulder and hip room, and features a 12-inch seatback monitor with USB-A and USB-C charging ports.
In Hawaiianʻs 787 Dreamliner Main Cabin, consisting of 266 Collins Aerospace Aspire seats with ergonomically contoured back and arm rests, guests will enjoy a lightweight, modern design that maximizes seat space, offers more shoulder and hip room, and features a 12-inch seatback monitor with USB-A and USB-C charging ports.
Air Canada Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner C-FRTU (msn 37183) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960496.
Air Canada today reported its first quarter 2023 financial results.
“Air Canada’s impressive first quarter performance reflects the strength of our brand, the very strong demand environment across all markets and the effective execution of our strategic plan. When compared to the same quarter in 2022, passenger revenues more than doubled and hit a first quarter record of close to $4.1 billion, supported by our diversified network and our strong international franchise. Adjusted EBITDA surged by $554 million to $411 million, and our adjusted CASM* fell nearly seven per cent from a year ago,” said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada.
“Our first quarter financial results exceeded both internal and external expectations and we expect demand to persist, supported by strong advance bookings for the remainder of the year. For this reason, as well as lower-than-expected fuel costs, we increased our 2023 adjusted EBITDA guidance last week. I thank all employees for their continued focus on improving all aspects of our company through effective and positive teamwork, and our customers for their loyalty.
*Adjusted CASM, adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), adjusted EBITDA margin, leverage ratio, net debt, adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted net income (loss), adjusted earnings (loss) per share, and free cash flow are referred to in this news release. Such measures are non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios, or supplementary financial measures, are not recognized measures for financial statement presentation under GAAP, do not have standardized meanings, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities and should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this news release for descriptions of these measures, and for a reconciliation of Air Canada non-GAAP measures used in this news release to the most comparable GAAP financial measure.
“All areas of the business contributed meaningfully during the quarter. Air Canada Cargo is expanding its network and fleet, Aeroplan is gaining more members and gross billings have increased 50% when compared to the first quarter of 2022, and Air Canada Vacations produced remarkable results. System yields improved approximately 9 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2022. We achieved a strong free cash flow* of nearly $1 billion. This will allow us to continue investing in our future, including by further deleveraging our balance sheet,” said Mr. Rousseau.
First Quarter 2023 Financial Results
First quarter operating revenues of $4.887 billion increased $2.314 billion from the same quarter in 2022, primarily from higher passenger revenues due to increased travel demand. Compared to the first quarter of 2019, operating revenues increased about 10 per cent. Operated capacity increased about 53 per cent from the first quarter of 2022 (about 84 per cent of first quarter 2019 ASMs), in line with the projection provided in Air Canada’s February 17, 2023 news release.
Operating expenses of $4.904 billion increased $1.781 billion or 57 per cent from the first quarter of 2022. The increase included the impact of the year-over-year capacity increase, an increase of about 83 per cent in passengers carried and an approximate 30 per cent increase in jet fuel prices.
Operating loss of $17 million, improved from an operating loss of $550 million in the first quarter of 2022.
Net income of $4 million, increased $978 million from the first quarter of 2022. Diluted loss per share of $0.03compared to a diluted loss per share of $2.72 in the first quarter of 2022.
Adjusted net loss* of $188 million improved $559 million from the first quarter of 2022. Adjusted loss per share* of $0.53 compared to an adjusted loss per share of $2.09 in the first quarter of 2022.
Adjusted CASM (adjusted cost per available seat mile) of 14.52 cents improved 6.9 per cent from the first quarter of 2022. The unit cost improvement resulting from higher operated capacity was partially offset by a favourable maintenance cost adjustment of $159 million recorded in the first quarter of 2022. First quarter 2023 CASM of 20.38 cents increased 2.5% from the first quarter of 2022 due to significantly higher fuel prices, higher ground package costs and higher passenger service costs due to higher traffic and higher selling costs, which are largely driven by revenues.
Adjusted EBITDA of $411 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 8.4 per cent, improved from a negative adjusted EBITDA of $143 million in the first quarter of 2022.
Net cash flows from operating activities of $1.437 billion increased $1.070 billion from the first quarter of 2022.
Free cash flow of $987 million increased $896 million from the first quarter of 2022.
Outlook
For the second quarter of 2023, Air Canada plans to increase its ASM capacity by about 22 per cent from the same quarter in 2022. On May 4, 2023, Air Canada updated its 2023 guidance:
Metric
FY 2023 guidance
ASM capacity
About 23 per cent increase versus 2022 (approximately 90 per cent of 2019 levels)
Adjusted CASM
About 0.5 to 2.5 per cent below 2022 levels
Adjusted EBITDA
About $3.5 – $4.0 billion
Major Assumptions
Assumptions were made by Air Canada in preparing and making forward-looking statements. As part of its assumptions, Air Canada assumes moderate Canadian GDP growth for 2023, that the Canadian dollar will trade, on average, at C$1.34 per U.S. dollar for the full year 2023 and that the price of jet fuel will average C$1.09 per litre for the full year 2023.
The revised guidance for adjusted EBITDA reflects expected earnings resulting from an improvement in traffic and yield from a stronger-than-anticipated demand environment and lower-than expected fuel price. The revised guidance for adjusted CASM reflects adjustments to various expense items including those resulting from the higher-than-expected traffic. Air Canada’s 2023 capacity guidance remains substantially unchanged.
Air Canada also modified the baseline comparison for its 2023 adjusted CASM guidance, comparing it to a 2022 instead of a 2019 baseline. Given the new cost environment, prior comparisons to the 2019 baseline are no longer as meaningful, and comparisons to 2022 are more appropriate.
Air Canada is not updating its 2024 targets at this time and will continue evaluating them as it progresses with its plans and executes on its strategic priorities.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Below is a description of certain non-GAAP financial measures and ratios used by Air Canada to provide readers with additional information on its financial and operating performance. Such measures are not recognized measures for financial statement presentation under GAAP, do not have standardized meanings, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities and should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results.
Adjusted CASM
Air Canada uses adjusted CASM to assess the operating and cost performance of its ongoing airline business without the effects of aircraft fuel expense, the cost of ground packages at Air Canada Vacations, impairment of assets, and freighter costs as these items may distort the analysis of certain business trends and render comparative analysis across periods less meaningful and generally allows for a more meaningful analysis of Air Canada’s operating expense performance and a more meaningful comparison to that of other airlines.
In calculating adjusted CASM, aircraft fuel expense is excluded from operating expense results as it fluctuates widely depending on many factors, including international market conditions, geopolitical events, jet fuel refining costs and Canada/U.S. currency exchange rates. Air Canada also incurs expenses related to ground packages at Air Canada Vacations which some airlines, without comparable tour operator businesses, may not incur. In addition, these costs do not generate ASMs and therefore excluding these costs from operating expense results provides for a more meaningful comparison across periods when such costs may vary.
Air Canada also incurs expenses related to the operation of freighter aircraft which some airlines, without comparable cargo businesses, may not incur. Air Canada had six Boeing 767 dedicated freighter aircraft in its operating fleet as at March 31, 2023 compared to one Boeing 767 dedicated aircraft as at March 31, 2022. These costs do not generate ASMs and therefore excluding these costs from operating expense results provides for a more meaningful comparison of the passenger airline business across periods.
Adjusted CASM is reconciled to GAAP operating expense as follows:
(Canadian dollars in millions, except where indicated)
First Quarter
2023
2022
Change
Operating expense – GAAP
$
4,904
$
3,123
$
1,781
Adjusted for:
Aircraft fuel
(1,375)
(750)
(625)
Ground package costs
(318)
(129)
(189)
Impairment of assets
–
(4)
4
Freighter costs (excluding fuel)
(31)
(11)
(20)
Operating expense, adjusted for the above-noted items
$
3,180
$
2,229
$
951
ASMs (millions)
21,907
14,297
53.2 %
Adjusted CASM (cents)
¢
14.52
¢
15.59
¢
(1.07)
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is commonly used in the airline industry and is used by Air Canada as a means to view operating results before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization as these costs can vary significantly among airlines due to differences in the way airlines finance their aircraft and other assets. In calculating adjusted EBITDA, Air Canada excludes impairment of assets as this may distort the analysis of certain business trends and render comparative analysis across periods or to other airlines less meaningful.
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Adjusted EBITDA margin (adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of operating revenues) is commonly used in the airline industry and is used by Air Canada as a means to measure the operating margin before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization as these costs can vary significantly among airlines due to differences in the way airlines finance their aircraft and other assets.
EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are reconciled to GAAP operating income (loss) as follows:
First Quarter
(Canadian dollars in millions, except where indicated)
2023
2022
Change
Operating loss – GAAP
$
(17)
$
(550)
$
533
Add back:
Depreciation and amortization
428
403
25
EBITDA
$
411
$
(147)
$
558
Remove:
Impairment of assets
–
4
(4)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
411
$
(143)
$
554
Operating revenues
$
4,887
$
2,573
$
2,314
Operating margin (%)
(0.3)
(21.4)
21.1 pp
Adjusted EBITDA margin (%)
8.4
(5.6)
14.0 pp
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Earnings (Loss) Per Share – Diluted
Air Canada uses adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted earnings (loss) per share – diluted as a means to assess the overall financial performance of its business without the after-tax effects of impairment of assets, foreign exchange gains or losses, net financing expense relating to employee benefits, gains or losses on financial instruments recorded at fair value, gains or losses on the sale and leaseback of assets, gains or losses on debt settlements and modifications, and gains or losses on disposal of assets as these items may distort the analysis of certain business trends and render comparative analysis to other airlines less meaningful.
Adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted earnings (loss) per share are reconciled to GAAP net income as follows:
(Canadian dollars in millions)
First Quarter
2023
2022
$ Change
Net income (loss) – GAAP
$
4
$
(974)
$
978
Adjusted for:
Impairment of assets
–
4
(4)
Foreign exchange gain
(127)
(99)
(28)
Net interest relating to employee benefits
(6)
(4)
(2)
(Gain) loss on financial instruments recorded at fair value
(38)
173
(211)
Income tax, including for the above reconciling items (1)
(21)
153
(174)
Adjusted net loss
$
(188)
$
(747)
$
559
Weighted average number of outstanding shares used in computing diluted income per share (in millions)
358
358
–
Adjusted loss per share – diluted
$
(0.53)
$
(2.09)
$
1.56
(1)
In 2023, the deferred income tax expense recorded in other comprehensive income related to remeasurements on employee benefit liabilities is offset by a deferred income tax recovery that was recorded through Air Canada’s consolidated statement of operations. This recovery is removed from adjusted net income (loss). In comparison, a deferred income tax expense was removed from adjusted net income (loss) for the year 2022.
The table below reflects the share amounts used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share on an adjusted earnings per share basis.
(In millions)
First Quarter
2023
2022
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic
358
358
Effect of dilution
–
–
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – diluted
358
358
Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure used by Air Canada as an indicator of the financial strength and performance of its business, indicating how much cash it can generate from operations after capital expenditures. Free cash flow is calculated as net cash flows from operating activities minus additions to property, equipment, and intangible assets, net of proceeds from sale and leaseback transactions. Such measure is not a recognized measure for financial statement presentation under GAAP, does not have a standardized meaning, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities and should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results.
The table below reconciles free cash flow to net cash flows from (used in) operating activities for the periods indicated.
First Quarter
(Canadian dollars in millions)
2023
2022
$ Change
Net cash flows from operating activities
$
1,437
$
367
$
1,070
Additions to property, equipment, and intangible assets
(450)
(276)
(174)
Free cash flow
$
987
$
91
$
896
Net Debt
Net debt is a capital management measure and a key component of the capital managed by Air Canada and provides management with a measure of its net indebtedness. It refers to total long-term debt liabilities (including current portion) less cash, cash equivalents. and short- and long-term investments.
Net Debt to Trailing 12-Month Adjusted EBITDA (Leverage Ratio)
Net debt to trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA ratio (also referred to as “leverage ratio”) is commonly used in the airline industry and is used by Air Canada as a means to measure financial leverage. Leverage ratio is calculated by dividing net debt by trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA.
(Canadian dollars in millions)
March 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Change
Total long-term debt and lease liabilities
$
14,901
$
15,043
$
(142)
Current portion of long-term debt and lease liabilities
1,163
1,263
(100)
Total long-term debt and lease liabilities (including current portion)
16,064
16,306
(242)
Less cash, cash equivalents and short and long-term investments
(9,532)
(8,811)
(721)
Net debt
$
6,532
$
7,495
$
(963)
Adjusted EBITDA (trailing 12 months)
$
2,011
1,457
554
Net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio
3.2x
5.1x
(1.9)
For further information on Air Canada’s public disclosure file, including Air Canada’s 2022 Annual Information Form dated March 29, 2023, consult SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
First Quarter 2023 Conference Call
Air Canada will host its quarterly analysts’ call today, Friday, May 12, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. ET. Michael Rousseau, Air Canada President and Chief Executive Officer, Amos Kazzaz, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President, Revenue and Network Planning, will present the results and be available for analysts’ questions. Immediately following the analysts’ Q&A session, Mr. Kazzaz and Pierre Houle, Vice President and Treasurer, will be available to answer questions from term loan B lenders and holders of Air Canada bonds.
Top Copyright Photo: Air Canada Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner C-FRTU (msn 37183) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960496.
Virgin Atlantic is restarting its much-anticipated flights to Shanghai, re-establishing essential business and leisure connections between the United Kingdom and China. The daily service resumed on May 1, 2023.
The move comes following a relaxation in travel restrictions between the two countries, which sees the borders reopening to foreign nationals for the first time since December 23, 2020. Shanghai is Virgin Atlantic’s final route to be re-instated following the global pandemic, having been impacted by suspensions and closures since February 1, 2020.
Virgin Atlantic’s Shanghai flights will continue to operate on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The return to China will complement the rest of Virgin Atlantic’s global route network which includes the USA & Caribbean, South Africa, Nigeria and India. The airline’s Tel Aviv service has doubled capacity this summer, operating a double daily service. New routes to the Maldives and Turks and Caicos will also commence later this year.
Top Copyright Photo: Virgin Atlantic Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner G-VNYL (msn 37981) SEA (Bruce Drum). Image: 104713.
Norse Atlantic Airways is adding four new routes this winter, three from London Gatwick to Barbados, Kingston and Montego Bay and from Oslo to Bangkok.
Norse Atlantic Airways made this announcement:
New winter sun routes to Barbados, Kingston and Montego Bay will provide customers with lower fares while increasing competition to these traditionally expensive holiday destinations.
The three new routes from London Gatwick join, New York, Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood which are already on sale for the winter.
In total Norse Atlantic will serve 10 destinations from London Gatwick in winter 2023 and become the second largest long haul operator by seat capacity.
From today customers can book direct Norse Atlantic Airways flights between London Gatwick to Barbados, Kingston and Montego Bay from only £449 return including taxes.
Flights to Barbados will operate daily from October 29, 2023 with fares starting from £449 return including all taxes.
Flights to Kingston will operate three times a week from October 31, 2023 with fares starting from £579 return including all taxes.
Flights to Montego Bay will operate four times a week from October 29, 2023 with fares starting from £559 return including all taxes.
Norse Atlantic exclusively operates Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The cabin offers passengers a relaxed and comfortable travel experience with each seat including a personal state of the art entertainment experience. Our Premium cabin offers an industry leading 43” seat pitch and 12” recline allowing passengers to arrive at their destination feeling refreshed and ready to explore their destination.
As part of the airline’s winter program Norse Atlantic will also launch flights between Oslo and Bangkok twice weekly from November 2, 2023.
Top Copyright Photo: Norse Atlantic Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner LN-FND (msn 38788) LGW (Robbie Shaw). Image: 959452.
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.
Route
Frequency
Departure
Arrival
Calgary – Tokyo (Narita)
3x weekly
15:10
16:15 (next day)
Tokyo (Narita) – Calgary
3x weekly
18:15
12:15
Top Copyright Photo: WestJet Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner C-FAJA (msn 64982) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 960153.
ANA (All Nippon Airways) – Air Japan Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner JA891A (msn 40751) (Inspiration of Japan) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960431.
ANA on May 1, 2023 will increase the flight frequency on the Narita = Shanghai (Pudong) route to 7 roundtrips per week, and together with flights to/from Haneda, the flights on the Shanghai route (Pudong and Hongqiao) will be raised to 3 roundtrips per day from the Tokyo metropolitan area.
The Kansai = Shanghai (Pudong) route will resume service on June 5 with 3 roundtrips per week, which had been suspended for approximately 3 years since March 2020.
For the Narita = Guangzhou route, the flight frequency will be increased with daily roundtrip service from May 1, and the Haneda = Shenzhen route will enter service with daily roundtrips from May 20.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has announced updates to its flight schedule for fiscal year 2023 (FY2023). The summary of the announcement regarding our international flights is given below.
Schedule for May 1～Oct. 28, 2023:
*Subject to governmental approval
*1 Sales scheduled to begin on May 9, 2023
*2 Sales scheduled to begin on April 26, 2023. We will announce the schedule after June 26 as soon as it is decided.
Top Copyright Photo: ANA (All Nippon Airways) – Air Japan Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner JA891A (msn 40751) (Inspiration of Japan) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960431.
United Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner N29978 (msn 66137) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960423.
United Airlines today announced the largest South Pacific network expansion ever to and from the continental U.S., including the first nonstop flight between San Francisco and Christchurch set to commence on December 1. United will be the only carrier to directly connect the U.S. and the South Island of New Zealand. With 66 flights between the US and Australia/New Zealand every week, United will operate nearly 40% more flights from the U.S. to Australia and New Zealand next northern winter versus last year.
The carrier is adding new direct flights from Los Angeles to Brisbane and Auckland and increasing service to the region from its San Francisco hub with daily flights to Brisbane, twice daily flights to Sydney and flying larger aircraft to Melbourne. And thanks to United’s relationships with Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia, travelers can enjoy easy one-stop connections from these cities to more than 50 destinations in the region.
United already flies to more destinations in Australia and New Zealand than all other U.S. carriers combined, and now will have more flights and serve more destinations in the region from the U.S. than any other carrier in the world. Tickets are now on sale on the airline’s mobile app and on United.com – just in time for customers to plan their trips for the region’s peak winter season.
San Francisco – Christchurch, NZ*
Starting December 1, United will be the only airline to offer direct flights between the U.S. and New Zealand’s South Island, with the first direct San Francisco-Christchurch service. United will fly this route three times weekly on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. United’s new flight to Christchurch is part of the airline’s broader expansion efforts in New Zealand and next winter, the airline will be nearly 70% larger in New Zealand than in 2019.
Los Angeles – Auckland*
Next winter, United will build on its position as the largest U.S. airline to Auckland, adding four weekly flights from Los Angeles. United is the only U.S. carrier to serve Auckland year-round with its existing service from San Francisco. United will fly its Los Angeles-Auckland route on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, starting October 28.
Los Angeles – Brisbane*
In winter 2022, United became the only airline to offer direct flights between Brisbane and San Francisco. On November 29, United will add to this service by adding three weekly Los Angles-Brisbane flights on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner – becoming the largest carrier between the U.S. and Brisbane.
More Flights to Sydney and Brisbane
In addition to adding new flights to its schedule, United will also increase its flying from San Francisco to Brisbane and Sydney. Starting October 28, United will offer daily flights between San Francisco and Brisbane on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and will be able to fly nearly triple the number of customers to Brisbane from the US next winter than it did in 2022. The airline will also fly twice daily between San Francisco and Sydney on Boeing 777-300ERs starting October 28, offering more flights to Sydney from the U.S. than any other carrier.
More Seats to Melbourne
This past winter, United became the largest airline from the U.S. to Melbourne, increasing from ten to fourteen weekly roundtrip flights, with one daily flight from both San Francisco and Los Angeles. Starting October 28, United will deploy its largest airplane on flights between San Francisco-Melbourne. The 777-300ER will add nearly 100 daily seats to each departure. Compared to winter 2019, United will offer 65% more seats to Melbourne.
Neos on April 6 launched a new weekly route from Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport to Toronto (Pearson) in Canada on April 6, 2023 via its Milan (Malpensa) hub.
Neos was born in June 2001 and, once it obtained the Air Carrier Certificate on March 7, 2002 from the National Civil Aviation Body (ENAC), its first Boeing 737-800 I-NEOS “City of Milan” took off from Milan Malpensa the following day to Senegal (Dakar and Cap Skirring).
Ceremony at Toronto (Pearson)
Regular flights started in October of the same year as the only Italian air carrier being authorized to fly the route Italy-Cape Verde, followed by routes to the Canary Islands in August 2003 and to numerous important holiday destinations in the Mediterranean in the summer of 2004.
Long haul flights finally started in December 2004 and are currently performed by six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
EVA Air Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner B-17885 (msn 42118) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 946414.
EVA Air has finalized an order with Boeing for five additional 787-9 Dreamliners, a repeat order for Boeing’s super-efficient widebody jet. EVA Air’s follow-on investment in the 787 will enable the airline to further reduce carbon emissions and sustainably grow its fleet.
The Taipei-based airline currently operates a fleet of 10 787s, including four 787-9s and six 787-10s. With this new order, EVA Air has unfilled orders for seven 787-10s and nine 787-9s. EVA Air also operates one of the world’s largest 777 fleets with more than 40 airplanes, including passenger and freighter models, with one 777 Freighter on order.
Top Copyright Photo: EVA Air Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner B-17885 (msn 42118) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 946414.
Vistara made this announcement with photos concerning its fourth Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registered as VT-TSP (this is likely to be the last Vistara 787):
We are ecstatic to welcome our 4th Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner™ to our fleet. This maiden flight was extra special as it became India’s first wide-body aircraft to operate on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Air Canada Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner C-FVND (msn 38361) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960271.
Air Canada today announced the addition of new, nonstop seasonal flights between Montreal and Amsterdam for this summer.
Air Canada today announced the addition of new, non-stop seasonal flights between Montreal and Amsterdam for this summer. (CNW Group/Air Canada)
Flights will operate five-times weekly with the airline’s state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, and conveniently link to and from Air Canada’s extensive North American network at its Montreal global hub.
Schedule:
Flight
From
To
Departs
Arrives
Operates
AC900
Montreal (YUL)
Amsterdam (AMS)
22:10
11:00 + 1 day
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, SatJun 2-Oct 14
AC901
Amsterdam (AMS)
Montreal (YUL)
14:00
15:30
Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, SunJun 3-Oct 15
Top Copyright Photo: Air Canada Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner C-FVND (msn 38361) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960271.
Ethiopian Airlines has announced that it will resume its services to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 25, 2023.
The flight will be operated four times a week with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner as per the below schedule.
Ethiopian Airlines first commenced its service between Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with a thrice-weekly service back in 2012. However, the flight was suspended later in 2021.
Top Copyright Photo: Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner ET-AUR (msn 38793) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 943204.
Boeing and Riyadh Air announced today that the new Saudi Arabian carrier has chosen the 787 Dreamliner to power its global launch and support its goal of operating one of the most efficient and sustainable fleets in the world.
Boeing and Riyadh Air announced today that the new Saudi Arabian carrier has chosen the 787 Dreamliner to power its global launch and support its goal of operating one of the most efficient and sustainable fleets in the world.
Owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Riyadh Air said it will purchase 39 highly efficient 787-9s, with options for an additional 33 787-9s. Based in the capital city, Riyadh Air will play a key role in growing Saudi Arabia’s air transport network.
This agreement is part of Saudi Arabia’s wider strategic plan to transform the country into a global aviation hub. In total, Saudi Arabian carriers today announced their intent to purchase up to 121 787 Dreamliners in what will be the fifth largest commercial order by value in Boeing’s history. This will support the country’s goal of serving 330 million passengers and attracting 100 million visitors annually by 2030.
The Lufthansa Group is purchasing more state-of-the-art long-haul aircraft. The Group Executive Board has resolved to order
ten Airbus A350-1000 passenger aircraft
five Airbus A350-900 passenger aircraft
seven Boeing 787-9 ‘Dreamliner’ passenger aircraft
The orders were approved today by the Supervisory Board of parent company Deutsche Lufthansa AG. The aircraft concerned will be delivered to the Lufthansa Group from the mid-2020s onwards. Based on list prices, the order is worth a total of about 7.5 billion US dollars and is in line with Group’s mid-term financial planning.
The Lufthansa Group is also in advanced negotiations to acquire further long-haul aircraft which could be made available at shorter notice.
With today’s orders included, the Lufthansa Group will take delivery of 108 state-of-the-art long-haul aircraft such as the Airbus A350-1000, the Airbus A350-900, the Boeing 787-9 and the Boeing 777-9 over the next few years. In doing so, the Group will operate the quietest, most profitable and most economical long-haul aircraft that are currently in service. On average the new aircraft consume just 2.5 liters of fuel per passenger per 100 kilometers – some 30 percent less than their predecessor aircraft types.
The new long-haul aircraft will also replace older aircraft types. In the medium-term future, six such subfleets will be taken out of service: the four-engined Boeing 747-400s, Airbus A340-600s and Airbus A340-300s and the two-engined Boeing 777-200s, Boeing 767-300s and Airbus A330-200s. This will reduce the quadjet contingent within the Lufthansa Group fleet to under 15 percent: prior to the pandemic, quadjets made up some 50 percent of the groupwide aircraft fleet.
In addition to the agreement on the purchase of the new aircraft, Airbus and Lufthansa have also signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ to further strengthen their cooperation in the field of sustainability and future technologies. This includes the intensified use of sustainable aviation fuels, the further optimization of operations through a more efficient flight management and exploration into the use of hydrogen.
In total, and including the advanced short- and medium-haul aircraft of the Airbus A320neo family, the Lufthansa Group currently has over 200 firm orders for new aircraft of the latest generation which will be delivered over the next few years.
Lufthansa Airbus A350-1000
The Airbus A350-1000
The Airbus A350-1000 will be a new addition to the Lufthansa Group fleet. The aircraft is 73.8 meters long and offers some 15 percent more capacity than the Airbus A350-900. The ten A350-1000s on order should primarily be deployed in premium-heavy markets. Therefore all these aircraft will be equipped with a First Class cabin.
The Airbus A350-900
Lufthansa already operates 21 of these aircraft with sizeable success. With the five aircraft ordered today, the Lufthansa Group will now take delivery of 33 further transports of this long-haul aircraft type.
The Boeing 787-9
Three Boeing 787-9s are presently in Lufthansa Group service. With today’s order included, 36 further Boeing 787-9s will join the Group fleet over the next few years.
Kuehne+Nagel, a global logistics company, and the Birmingham Airport Authority (BAA) have announced details of a new partnership that will expand business opportunities for both the company and the region. This is the first time the BAA is partnering with a logistics company and the first time Kuehne+Nagel is establishing a presence at a secondary airport in North America. This partnership allows both organizations to better meet the cargo needs of businesses in the region and helps position Birmingham as an important part of the cargo market in the Southeastern corridor of the U.S. Kuehne+Nagel will begin operating weekly international cargo flights into BHM starting in April 2023.
This new partnership represents a new era of business development at the airport and positions the Birmingham Airport Authority to build on its role as an important center for business growth in the region and in the state of Alabama.
Last year, the Birmingham Airport Authority completed design work on a new $25 million Air Cargo facility. In May, BHM will break ground on the new facility. Initially, Kuehne+Nagel will operate from Kaiser Aircraft Industries’ hangar on the airfield, then move into the new Air Cargo facility at BHM upon completion. Construction is anticipated to take about 10 months.
Kuehne+Nagel will begin operations at BHM on April 2, 2023 with an inaugural flight that will arrive from Stuttgart, Germany, marking the first cargo flight from Stuttgart, Germany to the eastern U.S.
Top Copyright Photo: Kuehne + Nagel (Atlas Air) Boeing 747-8F N862GT (msn 67149) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 959339.
