Asiana plans A380 to Frankfurt from 26Feb17

Asiana Airlines in recent schedule update has moved forward planned Airbus A380 operation on Seoul Incheon – Frankfurt. The Super Jumbo aircraft is now scheduled to enter service on this route from 26FEB17, 3 days earlier than planned. 

Previously reported on Airlineroute, this route is currently served by Boeing 747-400 until 25DEC16, its last scheduled 747-400 long-haul service. Boeing 777-200ER will operate this route from 26DEC16 to 25FEB17.

OZ541 ICN1250 – 1630FRA 388 D
OZ542 FRA1830 – 1240+1ICN 388 D

Routesonline

Emirates EK58 A380 near Dubai, engine shut down in flight

An Emirates Airlines Airbus A380-800, registration A6-EDM performing flight EK-58 (dep Sep 17th) from Dusseldorf (Germany) to Dubai (United Arab Emirates), was enroute at FL370 about 180nm northwest of Dubai when the crew needed to shut one of the four engines (GP7270) down. The aircraft descended to FL250, continued to the top of descent and landed safely in Dubai about one hour after leaving FL370.

The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Dubai about 15.5 hours after landing.

The Aviation Herald (app)

Malaysia Airlines talks with carriers in Asia for unwanted A380s

Malaysia Airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Bellew says the carrier is in talks with unspecified carriers in China and the ASEAN bloc over the possible sale of its unwanted A380-800 fleet.

Speaking to Bloomberg, Bellew said talks were also underway with Airbus Industrie to add ninety more seats to the 494-seater aircraft. The move, if successful, will allow the A380 to continue to operate in a two- or three-class configuration while increasing its appeal to the second-hand/charter market.

Malaysia Airlines' fleet of six A380s is currently used exclusively on its flagship Kuala Lumpur Int'l-London Heathrow route. Between November 10, 2016 and July 6, 2017, they will be deployed on a total of fifty-three charter flights from Malaysia to Madinah and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. Contracts with two local travel agencies, Andalusia Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd and Rayhar Travels Sdn Bhd, were signed earlier this year.


Under previous CEO Christoph Mueller, Malaysia Airlines had intended to retain the double-decker quadjets until the middle of 2018 when its first A350-900s arrive. The carrier is in the midst of a restructuring plan which will see it shy away from longhaul services in favour of a greater presence in the regional Asian market.

ch-aviation.com

British Airways removed planned A380 for Boston route

British Airways in Late-August’s schedule update has removed planned Airbus A380 operation on London Heathrow – Boston route. The oneWorld member previously scheduled 4 weekly A380 service between 01FEB17 and 25MAR17. With adjustment, this route will be served by Boeing 747 / 777 / 787 only during this period.

The following schedule is effective for the week of 10FEB17. Operational frequency varies.

BA213 LHR1120 – 1400BOS 744 D
BA203 LHR1515 – 1805BOS 777 14
BA215 LHR1640 – 1920BOS EQV D
BA239 LHR1855 – 2130BOS 789 D

BA238 BOS0810 – 1930LHR 789 D
BA212 BOS1755 – 0510+1LHR 744 D
BA202 BOS2010 – 0725+1LHR 777 14
BA214 BOS2120 – 0845+1LHR EQV D

Routesonline

Emirates sends A380 to Christchurch route from 30OCT16

Emirates A380s will fly between Dubai and New Zealand five times daily from October 30th with the introduction of the airline’s double-decker flagship aircraft on Christchurch services.

Emirates will be the first airline to offer regular scheduled A380 services to and from Christchurch with the upgrade of the current daily Christchurch service from Boeing 777-300ERs, along with the removal of the en-route stop in Bangkok which will enable passengers to travel all the way between Christchurch and Dubai, with just one stop in Sydney.

The launch of the Christchurch A380 flights will coincide with the introduction of the A380 on Emirates’ daily non-stop route between Dubai and Auckland.
Emirates currently also operates three other daily A380 services between Auckland and Dubai and beyond via Australia (Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane).

Outbound EK412 will depart Dubai at 10:15, seamlessly connecting with southbound services from European destinations such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, Manchester and many more of Emirates’ 38 Europe services.

EK412 will stop only in Sydney before arriving in Christchurch at 13:50 hours the next day.

The return flight EK413 will depart Christchurch at 18:45, touching down in Dubai at 05:15 hours the next day after its stop in Sydney, reducing the journey time to Dubai and Europe by about two hours in each direction.

At the same time, the Dubai service to Auckland via Sydney, will feature the opportunity for travellers to explore south-east Asia or Australia en route as this service, EK418, will operate via the popular hub that is Bangkok, as well as Sydney.

Flight EK418 will depart Dubai at 08:55 hours and arrive in Auckland at 15:55 hours the following day.

The return service, via Sydney and Bangkok, operating as flight EK419, will depart Auckland at 16:30 hours and arrive in Dubai the following morning at 06:45.

Breaking Travel News

Asiana plans A380 on Frankfurt service in 01MAR17

Asiana Airlines in this week’s schedule update has adjusted planned operational aircraft on Seoul Incheon – Frankfurt service. Starting 01MAR17, the Star Alliance member will begin Airbus A380 operation on this route, its first Super Jumbo service in Europe. This route is currently operated by Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

OZ541 ICN1250 – 1630FRA 388 D
OZ542 FRA1830 – 1240+1ICN 388 D

Routesonline

Emirates EK147 A380 returned to Dubai, passenger oxygen masks released

An Emirates Airlines Airbus A380-800, registration A6-EOX performing flight EK-147 from Dubai (United Arab Emirates) to Amsterdam (Netherlands), was enroute at FL380 about 30nm southsoutheast of Van (Turkey) when the passenger oxygen masks dropped into the cabin. The crew decided to return to Dubai, descended the aircraft to FL310 and landed safely back in Dubai about 2:10 hours later.

A replacement A380-800 registration A6-EOR reached Amsterdam with a delay of 7 hours.

Passenger photo on the way back to Dubai (Photo: Up in the sky/Bart Dorreboom):



The Aviation Herald

Emirates to operate special one-off A380 to Amman on 25SEPT16

Emirates will operate a special one-off A380 service to Amman on 25 September, marking 30 years of commitment to Jordan.

On 25 September, the Emirates A380 service will operate EK 901 and EK 902, departing Dubai at 0725hrs and arriving in Amman at 0930hrs. The flight will then depart Amman at 1300hrs arriving in Dubai at 1700hrs on the same day.

This year Emirates celebrates 30 successful years of operations to Jordan. With the support of the Jordanian Authorities and Airport International Group, the deployment of the one-off Emirates A380 operation has been made possible through significant infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the aircraft. 

Jordanian Minister of Transport, Engineer Yahya Kisbi said: “The decision to bring the Emirates A380 for a one-off flight to Amman is a testament to the competitiveness of Jordan’s aviation infrastructure and strong transport sector. We thank Emirates for the long-standing partnership and look forward to welcoming the airline’s flagship in Amman next month.”

Arabian Aerospace

Emirates A380 flight EK148 at Dubai, engine problem

An Emirates Airlines Airbus A380-800, registration A6-EOY performing flight EK-148 from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Dubai (United Arab Emirates), was on approach to Dubai when the crew reported a low engine (GP7270) oil indication. The crew continued the approach for a safe landing on runway 30R about 7 minutes later.

The Aviation Herald

Emirates switching to A380 for Guangzhou route from 01OCT16

Emirates on Wednesday (10AUG16) made further changes for Dubai – Guangzhou route, effective 01OCT16. Reported yesterday, the airline is switching operational aircraft from 2-class Boeing 777-300ER to 3-class Airbus A380. Latest inventory update sees the opening of First Class reservation, while operational aircraft from Guangzhou also switched to A380.

EK362 DXB1020 – 2205CAN 388 D
EK363 CAN2355 – 0330+1DXB 388 D

Routesonline

Emirates to operate A380 between Dubai and Guangzhou from 01OCT16

Emirates will operate its flagship A380 on services between Dubai and Guangzhou from October 1, 2016, the 67th National Day of People's Republic of China.

This follows the airline’s recent announcements of A380 deployment on its Milan and Johannesburg routes.

Guangzhou will join more than 40 destinations on Emirates’ extensive global network served by its highly popular A380 aircraft, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, London, Paris, Sydney, Toronto, Auckland, Bangkok, and Seoul.

Arabian Aerospace

Emirates will operate only A380s to Manchester route - announced 11% increase capacity

Emirates has announced an 11% capacity increase to Manchester with the deployment of a third daily A380 on the route.

As of  January 1, 2017, the replacement of the Boeing 777-300ER will mean that all Emirates flights to Manchester will be operated by the double decker aircraft. The airline also unveiled plans to swap its current A380 service at Birmingham from the morning to the afternoon departure slot.

Arabian Aerospace

Qantas doesn't want the remaining 8 Airbus A380s that has ordered

Qantas Airways have said that they do not want the remaining 8 Airbus A380s it still has on order because of sufficient demand being met on the current network that they already have. “Our intention is that we’re not taking those aircraft,” Qantas Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said Friday at an airline conference in Brisbane, Australia.

Qantas was one of the original buyers of the Airbus A380 and the airline was expected to buy significant amounts of the aircraft, like Emirates but has since held off on ordering more. “We believe there’s a network for 12 that’s very good and works very well,” Joyce said. “We struggle with a network for the next eight.”

This puts Airbus now at a disadvantage of losing billions more in business as the 8 will either be stored or not produced at all. It will be interesting to see whether Emirates make any future orders of the A380 and grab those remaining 8 from Qantas for a short fee, especially as they have such an extensive relationship in terms of codesharing etc.

On a more cynical note, Qantas have probably done this because of the Boeing B787-9 Dreamliners they are due to receive soon. There has also been speculation into the airline launching more direct Australia services to the UK with a Heathrow-Perth direct service with the B787-9 aircraft itself, meaning a more expansive portfolio for the airline in terms of direct services rather than having to stop at certain hubs to refuel.

AIRLIVE

Qantas flight QF1 returns to Sydney, issue with the cabin temperature

A Qantas flight has been forced to return to Sydney with a technical snag.

The Airbus A380 registered VH-OQI was flying at 31,000ft when it made rapid descent to 9,800ft at -6,000ft per minute.

From a Qantas spokesperson

“The captain of yesterday’s QF1 from Sydney to Dubai decided to return to Sydney about an hour into the flight after a cockpit indicator light reported a fault with part of the system that helps regulate the cabin temperature.”

“This system carries hot air from the engines which is used to help heat the cabin.”

“Because the flight was only an hour out of Sydney, it was more practical to return to Sydney where we do a lot of our A380 maintenance to have the fault inspected.”

“Customers were accommodated in hotels overnight whilst engineers inspected the aircraft and fixed the fault.”

“The QF1 service departed Sydney earlier this morning.”

AirLive

Singapore Airlines introduce the premium economy to NY/JFK flights

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has launched premium economy class on Airbus A380 flights from New York JFK to Frankfurt and Singapore.

SIA began offering the new service on flights from San Francisco International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport early this year.

SIA said in a statement that premium economy is the Singapore flag carrier’s newest class of service featuring a separate cabin of 36 seats, each with a seat width of 19.5 in. aboard the A380 aircraft, an 8-inch recline and a pitch of 38 in., allowing passengers more space.

SIA also said premium economy class passengers will also be treated to a “dedicated check-in line to reduce waiting times, priority baggage handling and an increased baggage allowance of 77 lbs.”

The new cabin interiors feature full leather finishing, calf-rest and foot-bar for every seat, individual in-seat power supply, two USB ports, personal in-seat reading light, cocktail table and more stowage space for personal items, according to a SIA statement.

ATWOnline

China Southern ends A380 to Amsterdam from 29 August

China Southern has revised planned operational aircraft for Beijing – Amsterdam route, as the Skyteam member ends seasonal A380 service on 28AUG16, 2 months earlier than planned. From 29AUG16, the airline will switch back to Airbus A330-300 operation, with daily service.

CZ345 PEK0030 – 0510AMS 333 D
CZ346 AMS1450 – 0615+1PEK 333 D

Routesonline

Emirates adds A380 to Johannesburg route

Emirates will be upgrading one of its four daily flights between Dubai and Johannesburg to an Airbus A380-800 from 1st February 2017.

Emirates currently uses Boeing 777 aircraft for each of the four daily flights between the two cities, making it the busiest route in the airline’s African network with over three million passengers carried in the last five years. Once launched, Johannesburg will join more than 40 destinations in Emirates’ extensive global network that is served by its flagship A380 aircraft.

The A380 will offer a total of 516 seats in a three class cabin configuration, with 14 private suites in First Class, 76 mini pods with lie-flat seats in Business Class and 426 spacious seats in Economy Class. It will be deployed on the first flight of the day, EK761, and will depart Dubai at 04h40 and arrive in Johannesburg at 10h55. The return flight, EK762, will depart Johannesburg at 13h25 and arrive in Dubai at 23h45.

Arabian Aerospace

Etihad to increase flights between Abu Dhabi and NY/JFK with A380

Etihad Airways has announced plans to increase Airbus A380 service between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport in response to heightened demand from guests traveling between the two destinations.

Beginning on June 1, 2017, the airline will upgrade its second flight between Abu Dhabi and New York JFK to its award-winning A380 aircraft which features The Residence, the only three-room suite available in commercial airline operation, and its award-winning First Apartment cabins.

The new service will join the airline’s existing daily A380 service, replacing the current daily Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Etihad Airways first began welcoming guests on board its first A380 flight between New York JFK and Abu Dhabi in November 2015.

“The response we have received from Etihad Airways guests traveling between Abu Dhabi and New York since we launched the service nearly a decade ago has been phenomenal, and we are delighted to further expand our world-class product for all guests traveling to and from New York,” said Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ chief executive officer.

Baumgartner continued: “Our commitment to our guests has always been to be the very best airline in the world by totally reimagining the travel experience and delivering the highest levels of comfort, luxury and world-class hospitality at every point in their travel journey – on the ground and in the air - across all classes of service.”

Arabian Aerospace

Emirates Changed aircraft to route Dubai-Dallas to 773 instead of A380 from Sept 2016

Emirates on Monday’s schedule update (25JUL16) has cancelled planned Airbus A380 service resumption on Dubai – Dallas/Ft. Worth route. The 3-class A380 aircraft was previously scheduled to resume on 01SEP16, however the update sees 777-300ER continues to operate this route.

EK221 DXB0245 – 0945DFW 77W D
EK222 DFW1215 – 1200+1DXB 77W D

Routesonline

ASIANA Plans A380 to Sydney route in Nov 2016

ASIANA AIRLINES in this week’s schedule update has filed a number of Airbus A380 operation to Australia, scheduled to operate on Seoul Incheon – Sydney route, replacing A330-300. From Seoul, the A380 is scheduled on 13NOV16, 17NOV16, 18NOV16, 21NOV16, 22NOV16 and 26NOV16. Sydney departs on the following day.

OZ601 ICN2000 – 0820+1SYD 388
OZ602 SYD1020 – 1900ICN 388

Selected dates sees the operational schedule time 30 minutes earlier than planned.

Routesonline