UNITED Increases Nigeria Operation from May 2016 | Airline Route

                                     

UNITED in summer 2016 season plans to increase service to Nigeria, where it’ll operate daily flight on Houston – Lagos route. The Star Alliance member currently operates 6 times a week with Boeing 787-8 aircraft.


Planned frequency increase will begin from 09MAY16 to 29OCT16.


UA142 IAH2155 – 1545+1LOS 788 D
UA143 LOS2135 – 0500+1IAH 788 D


UNITED Increases Nigeria Operation from May 2016 | Airline Route

DELTA S16 Salt Lake City – Amsterdam Aircraft Changes | Airline Route

                            

DELTA in summer peak season is planning operational aircraft changes for Salt Lake City – Amsterdam route. From 15JUN16 to 15SEP16 (US departure), the Skyteam member plans to operate Airbus A330-200 aircraft, instead of Boeing 767 on daily basis.


DL056 SLC1440 – 0830+1AMS 332 D
DL057 AMS1030 – 1255SLC 332 D


DELTA S16 Salt Lake City – Amsterdam Aircraft Changes | Airline Route

AIRFRANCE Increase A380 Shanghai Service in S16 | Airline Route

                               


AIRFRANCE in recent schedule update has revised planned Paris CDG – Shanghai Pu Dong operations for summer 2016 season, from 27MAR16. The Skyteam member’s Airbus A380 operation on this route, will be increased from 4 to 5 weekly. AF operates this route 14 weekly.


Note due to schedule discrepancy, inbound flight from Shanghai shows 6 weekly A380 operation for the time being.


AF112 CDG1400 – 0710+1PVG 77W x246
AF112 CDG1400 – 0710+1PVG 772 246
AF116 CDG2325 – 1635+1PVG 388 x26
AF116 CDG2325 – 1635+1PVG 77W 26


AF117 PVG1020 – 1635CDG 772 357
AF117 PVG1020 – 1635CDG 77W x357
AF111 PVG2320 – 0535+1CDG 388 7
AF111 PVG2325 – 0535+1CDG 77W 3
AF111 PVG2325 – 0535+1CDG 388 x37


AIRFRANCE Increase A380 Shanghai Service in S16 | Airline Route

Turkish Airlines Expands Dubai Service from late-Dec 2015 | Airline Route

                            

Turkish Airlines starting late-December 2015 plans to expand service to Dubai, as it begins Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen – Dubai operation. From 24DEC15, the Star Alliance member will operate this route 7 times a week with Boeing 737-800, and increases to 10 weekly from 03MAR16.


TK756 SAW1115 – 1740DXB 738 457
TK758 SAW2150 – 0420+1DXB 738 D


TK759 DXB0520 – 0835SAW 738 D
TK757 DXB1840 – 2155SAW 738 457


TK756/757 operates from 03MAR16.


Turkish Airlines Expands Dubai Service from late-Dec 2015 | Airline Route

Royal Air Maroc Adds Rio de Janeiro Service from May 2016 | Airline Route

                                      


Royal Air Maroc in Northern summer 2016 is introducing new service to Rio de Janeiro, which will be operating as triangle routing with Sao Paulo.


From 02MAY16, the airline will operate 2 weekly Casablanca – Sao Paulo – Rio de Janeiro – Casablanca and 1 weekly in opposite direction. From 11SEP16, the airline will add 4th weekly flight overall.


AT215 CMN2235 – 0405+1GRU0520+1 – 0625+1GIG0740+1 – 2045+1CMN 763 15
AT213 CMN1300 – 1820GIG1935 – 2045GRU2200 – 1100+1CMN 763 3


From 11SEP16, AT213 operates as Day 37.


Royal Air Maroc Adds Rio de Janeiro Service from May 2016 | Airline Route

Hawaiian Plans Honolulu – Tokyo Narita Launch from July 2016 | Airline Route

       

Hawaiian Airlines in late-July 2016 plans to launch new service on Honolulu – Tokyo Narita route, which will be served on daily basis. Operated by Airbus A330-200, first flight is scheduled from Honolulu on 23JUL16, Tokyo Narita on 24JUL16.


Reservation for this route is expected to open soon.


HA821 HNL1530 – 1900+1NRT 332 D
HA822 NRT2100 – 0955HNL 332 D


Hawaiian Plans Honolulu – Tokyo Narita Launch from July 2016 | Airline Route

Austrian Airlines' Fokker fleet goes Down Under | ATWOnline

                             



Alan Dron

Austrian Airlines will sell its entire fleet of Fokker 70 and 100 short-haul airliners to Australian carrier Alliance Aviation Services Ltd (AAS).

AAS is a prominent player in the fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) market, where personnel working at remote sites in enterprises such as mining or construction are transported by air to and from their workplace.

Austrian’s Fokker fleet consists of 15 F100s and six of the smaller F70s. AAS already has a fleet of 15 F100s and eight F70s, and says it is the largest global operator of the type. It operates bases in Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Auckland.

It is paying $15 million for the Austrian aircraft, which it will pay for through a combination of cash and a new share issue in AAS.

The sale of the Fokkers will go hand-in-hand with the arrival at Austrian of a batch of second-hand Embraer E195s from Lufthansa CityLine. Austrian will start delivery of the Fokkers to AAS in December 2015, through to December 2017.

The Embraers were built between 2009-2012 and have an average current age of four years, compared to the average age of about 21 years of the Fokker fleet. The replacement program “will serve to significantly rejuvenate our fleet and offer Austrian Airlines better unit costs,” Austrian Airlines CEO Kay Kratky said.

AAS has had a long-running relationship with Austrian Technik Bratislava, which specializes in the repair and maintenance of Fokker aircraft. A long-term service agreement between AAS and Austrian Technik Bratislava was concluded in spring 2015.

Austrian Airlines' Fokker fleet goes Down Under | Airframes content from ATWOnline

airlinetrends.com » Air New Zealand to track unaccompanied minors via digital bracelet and mobile app

   


By Raymond Kollau, airlinetrends.com

Tracking unaccompanied minors
One eye-catching innovation are the digital wristbands for unaccompanied minors (kids who are flying without their parents). Taking a cue from Disney’s ‘Magic Band’, Air New Zealand is planning to introduce an electronic tracking system for the 28,000 unaccompanied minors it carries per year. The high-tech bracelets replace a paper system and aim to provide parents with more peace of mind, as they will be able to receive real-time information on where their child is during the journey.

How it works: According to the NZ Herald, unaccompanied minors will be offered a silicon wrist band in the colour of their choice which contains a chip that connects to a mobile application.

The app will allow Air New Zealand employees to easily identify the child and send intermittent text messages to parents and family of the child, notifying them where their child is in the flight process and how they are doing.

Parents will be notified when their child checks in, when they are boarding the flight, when the flight has landed and when they are collected by a nominated family member or family friend at the destination airport. In a smart move, kids can choose the colour and get to keep the wristband. Air New Zealand hopes to begin using this system by the end of the year.

airlinetrends.com » Air New Zealand to track unaccompanied minors via digital bracelet and mobile app

DELTA Resumes Salt Lake City – Toronto Service from May 2016 | Airline Route

   


DELTA in summer 2016 season plans to resume Salt Lake City – Toronto route, after 8 years of cancellation. The Skyteam member plans to operate this route once a day from 27MAY16, same day as planned Air Canada service resumption.


DL last served this route in August 2008. Airbus A319 aircraft will be used for this route.


DL2786 SLC0945 – 1535YYZ 319 D
DL2788 YYZ1615 – 1850SLC 319 D


Operational flight number listed above is effective for the month of June 2016, as operational flight number varies during certain period.


DELTA Resumes Salt Lake City – Toronto Service from May 2016 | Airline Route

Norwegian Adds Copenhagen – Stavanger Route from May 2016 | Airline Route

  

Norwegian in summer season plans to introduce new service at Copenhagen, offering twice weekly flights for Copenhagen – Stavanger market. This service will operate from 20MAY16 to 08AUG16, using Boeing 737-800 aircraft on Mondays and Fridays.


DY971 CPH1105 – 1225SVG 73H 15
DY970 SVG0915 – 1035CPH 73H 15


From 20JUN16, operational schedule revises to the following:


DY971 CPH1425 – 1545SVG 73H 15
DY970 SVG1235 – 1355CPH 73H 15


Norwegian Adds Copenhagen – Stavanger Route from May 2016 | Airline Route

David Cameron to make decision on Heathrow expansion within days - Telegraph

    



By Peter Dominiczak, and Ben Riley-Smith

David Cameron will in the coming days announce a controversial decision on whether to drastically expand Heathrow airport, in a move that will intensify divisions in the Tory party.

Senior party sources said that they believe a Cabinet subcommittee will this week back plans for a third runway at the airport.

If Heathrow gets the go-ahead as expected, it is believed there will be a series of restrictions imposed on the airport to limit noise and pollution.

It is also believed that there will be a commitment not to build a fourth runway.

However, a number of senior Conservatives including Boris Johnson and Zac Goldsmith, the Tory candidate for mayor of London, will oppose the plans.

Justine Greening, the Tory MP for Putney and International Development Secretary, has promised to continue fighting against expansion at Heathrow.

Mr Goldsmith has previously vowed to quit as an MP and force a by-election in his constituency if Heathrow expansion is approved – although he has said that he will remain in the party.

An independent commission into airport capacity in England earlier this year recommended expanding Heathrow while leaving the door ajar to potentially extending Gatwick.

Sir Howard Davies’ commission said that the government should allow Heathrow to expand because this would lead to more jobs, and wider economic benefits than extending Gatwick.

Government sources confirmed that the announcement on Heathrow expansion is due this week.

However, they made clear that it could be delayed because of the Commons vote on whether to endorse air strikes in Syria.

Senior Conservatives are still understood to be lobbying Cabinet colleagues and Downing Street in a bid to convince them that Heathrow is not the best option for expansion.

                                            What a new runway at Heathrow might look like

Ahead of the 2010 general election, Mr Cameron made clear that he would oppose a third runway.

He has been repeatedly reminded by critics of Heathrow of the “no ifs, no buts” promise to block expansion at the time.

TV reporters have even attempted to find the tree Mr Cameron planted to prove his dedication to opposition in recent years, but have been unable to find it.

Despite the stance, Mr Cameron’s allies have become increasingly convinced of the need to expand Heathrow.

Mr Johnson is a vocal opponent of Heathrow and believes that a new hub airport should be built elsewhere in the South East of England.

His criticism was mocked by George Osborne – his Tory leadership rival believed to be an advocate for Heathrow – earlier this year at the post-election Budget.

The Chancellor made a joke about remembering a time when airplanes flied “freely over the skies of west London” as he announced extra funding for a Battle of Britain bunker.

Senior Tory figures have repeatedly said a decision on the airport expansions was to be made before Christmas.

However the circumstances of how the government will secure parliamentary approval for their choice is still being debated.

Because the infrastructure project will not necessarily need new legislation there is no necessity to get their decision through the House of Commons, according to Tory sources.

However given the political sensitivity around the decision it is understood government figures believe they will have to hold some form of vote for MPs.

David Cameron to make decision on Heathrow expansion within days - Telegraph

Royal Air Maroc Adds Washington Dulles Service from Sep 2016 | Airline Route

  


Royal Air Maroc in Fall 2016 season plans to launch new route to the US, as it plans Casablanca – Washington Dulles operation. Reservation for this 3 weekly flights with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is now open, effective for travel on/after 08SEP16.


AT218 CMN1320 – 1650IAD 788 26
AT218 CMN2110 – 0040+1IAD 788 4

AT219 IAD0210 – 1445CMN 788 5
AT219 IAD1820 – 0655+1CMN 788 26


Royal Air Maroc Adds Washington Dulles Service from Sep 2016 | Airline Route

India's SpiceJet to choose between Airbus and Boeing for plane order | Reuters

   

* To decide between Airbus A320 NEO and Boeing 737 Max -chairman

* SpiceJet will choose single manufacturer

* Hopes to make order by end-March

* Also in talks to buy about a further 50 smaller planes

* These could be from Bombardier, ATR or Embraer

By Matt Smith

DUBAI, Nov 29 India's SpiceJet is in talks with Boeing and Airbus to buy more than 150 planes, the airline's chairman said on Sunday, predicting he would decide which manufacturer to place the order with by the end of March 2016.

Such an investment would cap a remarkable turnaround for India's second-biggest budget airline by market share, which came close to collapse late last year after running out of cash.

Co-founder Ajay Singh subsequently bought back into the airline, acquiring a controlling stake. SpiceJet has reported profits in the past three quarters, having made losses in the five preceding quarters.

Singh now wants to more than quadruple the carrier's fleet from 41 aircraft at present.

"We are in the process of placing a large aircraft order; the airline will order in excess of 150 planes - we hope to do that in this financial year," SpiceJet's chairman and managing director Singh told a news conference in Dubai. Its financial year will end in March.

"We're looking at both Airbus and Boeing. The (Boeing 737) Max aircraft as well as the (Airbus A320) Neo. We have received offers from both of them," Singh told Reuters.

He said the order would be with a single manufacturer, declining to estimate the likely value of the deal because negotiations were ongoing.

The airline is generating enough money to pay for the order, but may also use "various forms of credit financing" should there be any shortfall, he said, ruling out diluting its equity to help buy the planes.

SpiceJet also has what Singh described as a "regional aircraft business" servicing India's smaller cities through a fleet of 14 Bombardier planes.

The airline is in talks with Toronto-listed Bombardier , France's ATR - a joint venture between Airbus and Finmeccanica - and Brazil's Embraer to potentially buy a further 50 planes to service this sector, said Singh.

Earlier this month, SpiceJet reported a small net profit for the July-September period, helped by sliding fuel costs.

"The company is looking in healthy shape," Sigh added. "It's generating cash, it's profitable. If oil prices remain moderate, (there is) no reason why this profitability shouldn't continue for the coming quarters."

UPDATE 1-India's SpiceJet to choose between Airbus and Boeing for plane order | Reuters

Copa Airlines takes delivery of its 100th airplane with a special decal | World Airline News

     

Copa Airlines (Panama City) took delivery of the 100th airplane to join its fleet, a Boeing 737-800 (HP-1852CMP) decorated with a special decal celebrating the airline achieving this important milestone.

The airplane, leased from SMBC Aviation Capital, flew from Seattle to its Panama City home base, where it was welcomed by a special ceremony.

With this new airplane, Copa now has 77 Next-Generation 737s in its fleet. In April, the airline signed an order for 61 737 MAX airplanes.

Copa Airlines allows passengers to make fast and convenient connections to 74 destinations in 31 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean through its Hub of the Americas in Panama City, the airline hub with the most international connections in Latin America. For the last two consecutive years, FlightStats has recognized Copa as “Best Airline in Latin America” for its on-time performance and quality of service.

Copa Airlines takes delivery of its 100th airplane with a special decal | World Airline News

American Airlines plane makes emergency landing at Heathrow after windshield SHATTERS | Daily Mail Online

    

• Flight AA199 was forced to land at Heathrow due to maintenance issues
• The Boeing 767-300 had set off from Milan–Malpensa Airport at 10am
• A spokesperson for the airline confirmed a team are determining the cause 
• Passengers landed at Heathrow at 11.18am and are being reaccomodated

Pilots of American Airlines flight 199 were forced to make an emergency landing after the windshield shattered. 

The JFK-bound plane landed at Heathrow Airport, where a cabin crew member captured the extent of the damage to the Boeing 767-300 and uploaded a photograph to Twitter.

A spokesperson for the airline confirmed that a maintenance issue caused the diversion after take-off from Milan but say the aircraft is being investigated to determine the cause.

The Boeing 767-300 departed from Milan–Malpensa Airport at 10am and was scheduled to arrive in John F. Kennedy International Airport but was forced to divert to Heathrow Airport

   



American Airlines plane makes emergency landing at Heathrow after windshield SHATTERS | Daily Mail Online

Emirates increases flights to Jeddah | Breaking Travel News

    

Emirates has reinforced its commitment to The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announcing an additional four flights per week to Jeddah, starting from 14th December 2015.

The increased frequency will now enable Emirates’ customers travelling to and from Jeddah to choose from three flights per day. All three daily flights will be operated by a three-class A380 in response to consistently high customer demand in the market.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a major market for Emirates and its importance is reflected by the fact that we will now operate three flights per day to Jeddah with our popular A380 aircraft. This is tremendous news for both our business and leisure customers and highlights our commitment to providing travellers in Jeddah with not only the very latest in aircraft innovations but also increased connectivity,” said Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations West.

The additional flights will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays bringing the total number of weekly flights to Jeddah to 21.

Emirates flight EK801 will depart Dubai at 0140hrs and arrive in Jeddah at 0340hrs the same day. The return flight, EK802 will depart Jeddah at 0540hrs and arrive in Dubai at 0930hrs the same day.

Emirates’ First Class and Business Class passengers will also benefit from complimentary chauffeur-drive service to and from the airport, along with access to more than 35 dedicated Emirates Lounges around the world.

Passengers in all cabin classes have access to WiFi, more than 2,000 channels of in-flight entertainment and gourmet-chef prepared meals, served by highly trained, multi-lingual cabin crew. Emirates’ customers can also benefit from generous luggage allowances; 30 kilogrammes in Economy Class, 40 kilogrammes in Business Class and 50 kilogrammes in First Class.

Emirates serves The Kingdom with 63 flights a week via four gateways; Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Al Medinah al Munawarah. This will increase to 67 flights a week from 14 December with the additional services to Jeddah. All flights are non-stop to Dubai where passengers can experience Emirates’ industry leading Terminal 3 and travel seamlessly onwards across the airline’s 149 destination network.

Emirates has been operating in The Kingdom for more than 26 years, first launching flights to Jeddah in 1989. The airline was the first to introduce an A380 into KSA by upgrading Jeddah to a double decker service in 2010.

Emirates increases flights to Jeddah | News | Breaking Travel News

Lufthansa May Have a Deal With Its Ground Crew Union – Skift

   


Aaron Ricadela, Bloomberg


Deutsche Lufthansa AG reached a pay and retirement agreement with its ground crew, technical and cargo workers, the Verdi union confirmed in a statement, even as the airline continues to negotiate with restive cabin workers.


The deal between Lufthansa and Verdi affects 33,000 ground employees and grants those who worked between April and December this year a lump sum payout of 2,250 euros ($2,383), the union said in an emailed statement. The employees will also receive pay raises of 2.2 percent each of the next two years.

German newswire DPA reported the agreement on Saturday.

The airline and Verdi also reached an agreement on retirement plans. Employees will contribute 1 percent of their salary to a pension plan in three graduated steps between 2016 and 2018. Employees hired since January 2014 who didn’t have pensions will be ensured one, and those hired after next January are also covered under the deal.

The agreement comes as Lufthansa continues negotiations with the UFO cabin-crew union that’s led to strikes and more threatened work stoppages. Flight attendants and pilots are fighting Chief Executive Officer Carsten Spohr’s efforts to overhaul Lufthansa.

Lufthansa May Have a Deal With Its Ground Crew Union – Skift

Airnews » Ρομπότ θα κατευθύνει τους ταξιδιώτες στο αεροδρόμιο του Άμστερνταμ

    

Από τις 30 Νοεμβρίου ένα ρομπότ θα περιφέρεται στους χώρους αφίξεων και αναχωρήσεων του  αεροδρομίου Σίπχολ στο “Αμστερνταμ, δίνοντας πληροφορίες στους επιβάτες και βοηθώντας τους να προσανατολισθούν και να πάνε εκεί που θέλουν.

Το πείραμα θα διαρκέσει μια εβδομάδα και εντάσσεται στο ευρωπαϊκό πρόγραμμα «Spencer», με τη συμμετοχή πέντε χωρών, για τη χρήση ρομπότ σε αεροδρόμια. Μετά το πιλοτικό πρόγραμμα, από όπου θα εξαχθούν χρήσιμα συμπεράσματα κατά τις επαφές του ρομπότ με το κοινό, θα γίνουν οι αναγκαίες προσαρμογές στο λογισμικό του, ώστε τον Μάρτιο του 2016 να γίνει το πραγματικό τεστ του. Το ρομπότ θα κατευθύνει τους επιβάτες, πού θα βρουν καροτσάκια για τις αποσκευές τους, πού βρίσκεται το ανταλλακτήριο συναλλάγματος ή μια συγκεκριμένη πύλη αναχώρησης.

Η πρωτοβουλία για την ύπαρξη ενός τέτοιου ρομπότ ήλθε από την ολλανδική αεροπορική εταιρεία KLM, που έχει προσέξει πόσοι αρχάριοι επιβάτες χάνουν την πτήση τους, απλούστατα επειδή χάνονται μέσα στο πολύβουο αεροδρόμιο. Το ρομπότ, που έχει προγραμματισθεί να είναι πολύγλωσσο, θα μπορεί να κρατά και παρέα σε κάποιον που έχασε την πτήση του και πρέπει να περιμένει την επόμενη

Airnews » Ρομπότ θα κατευθύνει τους ταξιδιώτες στο αεροδρόμιο του Άμστερνταμ

Lufthansa: Πτήσεις στη Γερμανία από 108€

                                   

Η προσφορά ισχύει για πτήσεις μετ’ επιστροφής από Αθήνα προς τους παρακάτω προορισμούς:

Συγκεκριμένα: 
Φρανκφούρτη από 108€ | Μόναχο από 129€ | Αμβούργο από 179€ | Βερολίνο από 180€

Οι τιμές είναι τελικές και όλοι οι φόροι συμπεριλαμβάνονται. 

Κρατήσεις έως 31.12.2015
Πτήσεις από 01.10.2015 έως 31.12.2015

www.lufthansa.com

American Airlines Wins Battle With Delta Over Tokyo's Haneda Airport – Skift

   



Mary Schlangenstein, Bloomberg

American Airlines Group Inc. will keep the right to fly between Los Angeles and Tokyo’s Haneda airport, after federal regulators rejected claims by Delta Air Lines Inc. that the privilege should be revoked because American failed to begin service quickly enough.

American has until March 27 to begin the flights to Haneda airport, the U.S. Transportation Department ruled. The carrier said this month that it would begin daily service starting Feb. 11, after securing favorable arrival and departure times from Japanese officials.

The U.S. decision was the latest development in an almost yearlong spat between the carriers for one of only four existing routes between the U.S. and Haneda, which many business travelers prefer over Tokyo’s Narita International Airport because it is closer to the Japanese capital. Delta gave up one of those routes to American in June after a fight between the two airlines, but argued in an Oct. 1 filing that its rival should cede the route after it didn’t start service within 60 days.

“The department finds nothing on the record to suggest that, despite a brief startup delay, the anticipated benefits of American’s Los Angeles-Haneda service -– benefits that led the department to award it this authority –- will not be forthcoming,” the Transportation Department said in a ruling issued Wednesday. Regulators said the Haneda route would be awarded to Hawaiian Airlines if American doesn’t meet the new deadline.

Seattle Dispute

The dispute between Delta and American began last December, when American asked U.S. regulators to revoke its rival’s right to fly between Seattle and Haneda because service had gone almost dormant.

The government allowed Delta to retain the route only if it agreed to fly daily, a condition the airline objected to as “draconian.” Delta ceded the Seattle route over the summer. American filled the void by winning approval to fly from Los Angeles, a privilege that Delta subsequently challenged.

Respresentatives for American and Delta didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. American shares rose less than 1 percent to $41.69 at the close in New York, while Delta gained less than 1 percent to $47.14.

American Airlines Wins Battle With Delta Over Tokyo's Haneda Airport – Skift

British Airways Passengers on Vegas Flight That Burned Sue Boeing

Kimberly Pierceall, Associated Press

Passengers who ran from a British Airways flight that caught fire in September before takeoff in Las Vegas are suing the plane’s manufacturer and the maker of the engines.

London-based Stewarts Law said Friday it filed a lawsuit in Chicago against GE Aviation and Boeing Co. on behalf of 65 passengers who were bound for London and say they suffered physically and emotionally.

The Boeing 777-200 was moments from takeoff at McCarran International Airport on Sept. 8 before what would have been a 10-hour journey when its left engine burst into flames sending smoke billowing and passengers fleeing.

All 157 passengers and 13 crew members on board the plane survived.

The firm’s partner James Healy-Pratt noted in a statement that the passengers don’t begrudge British Airways for the incident, saying “the pilots and cabin crew performed heroically in guiding the aircraft to an emergency stop,” and evacuating everyone on board.

The National Transportation Safety Board has been investigating the cause but initial findings indicated the fire started with a spool, a key part that powers the plane, inside the left engine.

The lawsuit claims the plane was “defective and unreasonably dangerous,” the companies knew the parts were prone to “fracture and failure,” and that GE Aviation lobbied against more stringent inspections of the engines before the fire.

The law firm’s statement announcing the lawsuit notes a Federal Aviation Administration directive from 2011 that warned of cracks in weld joints of compressor fan spools in similar engines, but GE Aviation has said the directive didn’t apply to the engine that burst into flames because it had different parts and an arrangement.

Boeing spokesman Tom Kim said the company doesn’t comment on pending litigation.

GE Aviation spokesman Rick Kennedy said the company hadn’t seen the lawsuit and wouldn’t comment until it did. The company has been inspecting 38 other spools of a similar age and planned to inspect working engines, as well. The company has said the Las Vegas incident was the first engine failure of its kind.

He said the GE90 engine model “is among the most reliable jet engines in commercial aviation history. We continue to monitor and analyze the daily performance of more than 2,000 GE90 engines in airline service and we are not aware of any issues that would hazard the safe flight of aircraft powered by those engines.”

The majority of the suing passengers are British but at least six are Americans and several others are from Ireland. Healy-Pratt said he expects the number of plaintiffs to grow to 100 passengers.

British Airways Passengers on Vegas Flight That Burned Sue Boeing

Emirates Puts Mexico and Berlin at Top of Route Wish List

Deena Kamel Yousef, Bloomberg

Emirates, the world’s biggest long-haul airline, has identified Mexico City and Berlin as the most attractive new destinations that would become available with longer-range jets and expanded air-service treaties.

Flights from Dubai to the Mexican capital would be possible with Boeing Co.’s new 777X plane, for which Emirates is due to be the first customer in 2020, while a Berlin service would require Germany to ease its opposition to more flights from Persian Gulf carriers.

Emirates already serves almost 150 destinations in about 80 countries using the industry’s biggest wide-body fleet, so that most of the world’s major population centers are already part of the network. It will begin operations to Panama in February with what will be the longest flight at any carrier and could add Dubai-Atlanta as Delta Air Lines Inc. quits the route in February.

“Our route planners are now closely studying the opportunity for Emirates to fill in the gap when Delta exits,” an Emirates spokeswoman said in an e-mail.

Delta said last month it was canceling the Dubai route amid overcapacity from Gulf rivals. It has combined with United Continental Holdings Inc. and American Airlines Group Inc. to urge the U.S. to freeze further access for Mideast operators until a dispute over state subsidies has been resolved.

German Hurdle

Emirates faces similar resistance in Europe, and is battling to expand beyond the four German cities it’s currently able to serve. Under an existing bilateral treaty, adding Berlin would mean dropping operations to Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg or Dusseldorf. The carrier says on its own website that “most travelers” to Germany want to go to Berlin.

Emirates will open up a second Istanbul gateway next month with daily flights to Sabiha Gokcen Airport on the Asian side of the city, adding to its 11 weekly trips to the main Ataturk Airport. Among other plans, the carrier is seeking to boost access to Manila.

Mexico City, while on the cusp of viability with existing aircraft, is likely to have to wait for the upgraded 777 because of its altitude of almost 7,400 feet (2,250 meters), which would impose heavy take-off weight penalties for return flights to Dubai.

Boeing has 306 orders for the 777X, which was introduced in late 2013 at the Dubai Air Show, where Emirates purchased 150 worth $56 billion in the largest single jetliner deal in aviation history. The ultra-long-range 777-8, is designed to haul more than 350 travelers 8,700 nautical miles (16,110 kilometers).

While Mexico City is 300 miles beyond Panama when flying from Dubai, Singapore Airlines Ltd. plans to go even further as early as 2018, operating from Singapore to New York using the Airbus Group SE’s A350-900ULR. Emirates canceled an order for 70 A350s in 2014 and is currently reevaluating its requirement for the model.

http://skift.com/2015/11/20/emirates-puts-mexico-and-berlin-at-top-of-route-wish-list/

Το τέταρτο A320ceo (WL) της Αegean έφθασε στην Αθήνα

   Εχθές το βράδυ στις 22.00 προσγειώθηκε στο Ελ. Βενιζέλος απο την Τουλούζη το ολοκαίνουργιο Α320ceo WL με νηολόγιο SX-DNB. Είναι το 36ο Αirbus A320 στον στόλο της Aegean και το 4ο A320ceo WL!!! Eμεις να του ευχηθούμε να ειναι καλοτάξιδο!! 

JetBlue Airways partners with Amazon | World Airline News

    

JetBlue Airways (New York) and Amazon (Seattle) today announced that unlimited streaming entertainment on Amazon Video is available beginning this week on over 150 JetBlue aircraft equipped with free Fly-Fi broadband Internet, just in time to entertain travelers during the holiday travel season.

Amazon Prime members can sign-in or sign-up to instantly access tens of thousands of movies and TV episodes, including Amazon Originals such as the critically-acclaimed new series The Man in the High Castle, the multi Emmy and Golden Globe-winning series, Transparent, and the Emmy award-winning kid’s series Tumble Leaf, at no additional cost to their membership. In addition, all JetBlue customers can rent or purchase titles in the Amazon Video store, including new release movies and day-after TV programming.

As part of the multiyear year agreement, Amazon on JetBlue has been integrated into The Hub, JetBlue’s entertainment portal that customers access on their personal devices. Amazon on JetBlue offers a high-quality and reliable streaming experience for customers choosing from thousands of titles 35,000 feet in the air.

The collaboration will involve a broad array of benefits for customers, including activities in JetBlue’s flagship Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. In 2016, TrueBlue loyalty program members will be able to earn TrueBlue points for their purchases in more than 40 categories on Amazon while inflight or on the ground through other JetBlue marketing channels.

Customers will also be able to watch Amazon Originals such as the just-launched series The Man in the High Castle as well as the second season of the Emmy and Golden Globe winning series Transparent which airs on December 11, among others, on JetBlue’s seatback televisions.

JetBlue Airways partners with Amazon | World Airline News

Japan Airlines launches English mobile site | Breaking Travel News

                              

Japan Airlines has launched mobile site in English for domestic services, providing English-speaking  customers with more convenience.

The app offers access to domestic flight booking and purchases, as well as the view reservation  function which can be seen on the JAL website.

The number of foreign visitors to Japan has already reached more than 15 million, and is expected to  achieve 20 million in 2015.

To meet more foreign customers’ need, JAL has upgraded the English website in Japan to give foreign  travellers with more easy access to use JAL domestic flights.

JAL will continue to embrace new challenges to improve the quality of services with the aim of  becoming the most preferred airline in the world.

Japan Airlines launches English mobile site | News | Breaking Travel News

Delta Airlines: έναρξη κρατήσεων για το καλοκαίρι 2016

   

Οι απευθείας πτήσεις της Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) που θα πραγματοποιούνται δύο φορές την ημέρα μεταξύ Αθήνας και Νέας Υόρκης-JFK το καλοκαίρι του 2016 είναι τώρα διαθέσιμες προς πώληση. Οι πτήσεις που θα ξεκινήσουν στις 27 Μαρτίου 2016, πέντε φορές την εβδομάδα, θα γίνουν καθημερινές από τις 24 Μαΐου 2016 και θα εκτελούνται από αεροσκάφος τύπου Airbus A330-300 με 292 θέσεις. Από τις 27 Μαΐου 2014, θα προστεθεί μια επιπλέον πτήση η οποία θα πραγματοποιείται επίσης σε καθημερινή βάση, με αεροσκάφος τύπου Boeing 767-400 με 245 θέσεις, ανεβάζοντας το συνολικό αριθμό των εβδομαδιαίων πτήσεων σε 14. Κατά τη διάρκεια των καλοκαιρινών μηνών, η Delta θα προσφέρει πάνω από 7.500 εβδομαδιαίες θέσεις μεταξύ Ελλάδας και ΗΠΑ. Όλα τα δρομολόγια από την Αθήνα θα πραγματοποιούνται σε συνδυασμό με τις συνεργαζόμενες εταιρείες Air France-KLM και Alitalia.

Το πρόγραμμα πτήσεων της Delta μεταξύ Αθήνας και Νέας Υόρκης –JFK είναι το εξής:

DL256 Αθήνα 12.00 - Νέα Υόρκη 15.55 Α330-300
DL494 Νέα Υόρκη 17.11 - Αθήνα 09.35 +1 Α330-300

DL45 Αθήνα 14.10 - Νέα Υόρκη 18.10 767-400
DL46 Νέα Υόρκη 19.30 - Αθήνα 12.25 +1 767-400

Delta Airlines: έναρξη κρατήσεων για το καλοκαίρι 2016 - ΕΝΑ ΚΙ ΕΝΑ Ταξίδια

Η Emirates χορηγεί 60 τουρνουά τένις σε 29 χώρες

       

Η Emirates και η ATP ανακοίνωσαν πρόσφατα τη διεύρυνση της συνεργασίας τους, στο πλαίσιο της οποίας η Emirates θα είναι πλέον Premier Partner του ATP World Tour από το 2016 και για την επόμενη πενταετία. Πρόκειται για τη μεγαλύτερη χορηγική συμφωνία στην ιστορία της ATP.  

Ως Επίσημη Αεροπορική Εταιρεία και Premier Partner του ATP World Tour, η Emirates θα επωφεληθεί από τα διεθνή δικαιώματα marketing, μέσω των οποίων θα έχει δυνατή παρουσία σε 60 τουρνουά που λαμβάνουν χώρα σε 29 χώρες, σε 6 ηπείρους. Ο συνολικός αριθμός των θεατών των αγώνων αγγίζει τα τελευταία χρόνια αριθμούς ρεκόρ, ξεπερνώντας συνολικά τα 800 εκατ., καθώς 4,3 εκατ. φίλαθλοι παρακολουθούν τους αγώνες στο γήπεδο και περισσότεροι από 880 εκατ. μέσω τηλεόρασης.  

Βάσει της συγκεκριμένης συνεργασίας, οι φίλαθλοι θα μπορούν μέσω μιας συγκεκριμένης πλατφόρμας να απολαύσουν την αξεπέραστη εμπειρία της φιλοξενίας που προσφέρει η Emirates και να συμμετέχουν σε διάφορες δραστηριότητες μέσα από την επίσημη ιστοσελίδα του Tour, ATPWorldTour.com (κορυφαίο portal για το τένις με πάνω από 325 εκατ. επισκέψεις/ χρόνο).   

«Με ιδιαίτερη ικανοποίηση ανακοινώνουμε τη διεύρυνση της συνεργασίας μας με το ATP World Tour. Η παγκόσμια διείσδυση που πετυχαίνουμε μέσω της συγκεκριμένης χορηγίας μας επιτρέπει να απευθυνθούμε σε εκατομμύρια φιλάθλους του τένις σε όλο τον κόσμο. Η Emirates προσφέρει σύνδεση με το 90% περίπου των 32 χωρών όπου πραγματοποιούνται τα τουρνουά του ATP World Tour, συνεπώς η συγκεκριμένη χορηγία έχει άμεση σύνδεση με τους πελάτες μας. Το τένις είναι ένα πραγματικά διεθνές άθλημα, το οποίο αγαπάμε ιδιαίτερα και αυτό μας έκανε να προχωρήσουμε στη διεύρυνση της χορηγικής συνεργασίας», δήλωσε ο Boutros Boutros, Divisional Senior Vice President Corporate Communications, Marketing & Brand, της Emirates. 

«Η διεύρυνση της χορηγίας της Emirates στο ATP World Tour σημαίνει πολλά για τη θέση του τένις στο αθλητικό marketing», διευκρίνισε ο Chris Kermode, Executive Chairman & President του ATP. «Η συνεργασία αποτελεί μακροπρόθεσμη δέσμευση και ψήφο εμπιστοσύνης για τη μελλοντική πορεία του αθλήματος. Στόχος μας είναι να συνεχίσουμε και να εξελίξουμε περαιτέρω την επιτυχημένη συνεργασία που έχουμε δημιουργήσει τα τελευταία χρόνια».  

Η Emirates υπήρξε Πλατινένιος Χορηγός του ATP World Tour από το 2013, καθώς και Χορηγός Τίτλου των Emirates ATP Rankings, ενώ με τη σημερινή ανακοίνωση η Emirates αντικαθιστά την Corona ως Κύριος Χορηγός του Tour. Στις διοργανώσεις τένις που χορηγεί η Emirates περιλαμβάνονται οι σημαντικότερες του χώρου, όπως οι Grand Slams, Australian Open, Roland Garros και US Open, Emirates Airline US Open Series, Australian Open Series, ATP rankings, Dubai Tennis Championships (UAE), Barcelona Open (ESP) και Rogers Cup (CAN).

Aegean: Αποτελέσματα Εννεαμήνου 2015

                               

Καθαρά Κέρδη €81,9 εκ.
Αύξηση κύκλου εργασιών 8%
Αύξηση επιβατικής κίνησης 17% με πάνω από 9 εκατ. επιβάτες

Η AEGEAN ανακοινώνει αποτελέσματα εννεαμήνου 2015, παρουσιάζοντας ενοποιημένα έσοδα ύψους €792,2 εκ., αυξημένα κατά 8% σε σχέση με το 2014. H  επιβατική κίνηση αυξήθηκε κατά 17% και ανήλθε σε 9,2 εκ. επιβάτες, με την Εταιρεία να συνεχίζει την αναπτυξιακή της δυναμική, προσθέτοντας συχνότητες και εγκαινιάζοντας νέους προορισμούς. Τα καθαρά κέρδη μετά από φόρους ανήλθαν σε €81,9εκ., αυξημένα κατά 4%, έναντι του εννεαμήνου του 2014.
Στο τρίτο και σημαντικότερο τρίμηνο του έτους από πλευράς εποχικότητας της ζήτησης, παρά τις σημαντικές προκλήσεις από την πολιτική και οικονομική συγκυρία, η Εταιρεία κατάφερε να αυξήσει την επιβατική κίνηση εξωτερικού κατά 29%, τα συνολικά έσοδα κατά 12% και τα καθαρά κέρδη μετά από φόρους κατά 7% στα €67,2 εκ.
Κύριοι παράγοντες που συνέβαλαν στα θετικά αποτελέσματα της επιβατικής κίνησης υπήρξαν η δυναμική αξιοποίηση του δικτύου εξωτερικού και η ωρίμανση δρομολογίων, η ενίσχυση της συνδεσιμότητας του δικτύου και η αύξηση κατ’ επέκταση των τουριστικών αφίξεων στη χώρα και κυρίως στην Αθήνα.
Είναι σημαντικό να σημειωθεί ότι και στα περιφερειακά αεροδρόμια της χώρας, τα οποία δεν παρουσίασαν αύξηση το 2015 σε συνολικές αεροπορικές αφίξεις εξωτερικού, η AEGEAN κατέγραψε αυξητικές τάσεις, εστιαζόμενη ιδιαίτερα στις 2 βάσεις της στο Ηράκλειο και στη Ρόδο όπου η αύξηση της κίνησης εξωτερικού ανήλθε σε 30%.
Οι οικονομίες κλίμακας και οι ωφέλειες από τη μείωση του κόστους καυσίμου οδήγησαν σε πτώση του μοναδιαίου κόστους το τρίτο τρίμηνο, παρά τη σημαντική επιβάρυνση που προήλθε από την ενδυνάμωση του δολαρίου, την αύξηση των χρεώσεων αεροναυτιλίας, αλλά και του ΦΠΑ κατά 10 μονάδες (από 13% σε 23%) στην Ελλάδα.
Τα ταμειακά διαθέσιμα, συμπεριλαμβανομένων και των βραχυπρόθεσμων χρηματοοικονομικών επενδύσεων, διαμορφώθηκαν σε €302εκ.  την  30.09.2015.
Ο κ. Δημήτρης Γερογιάννης, Διευθύνων Σύμβουλος, ανέφερε σχετικά:
«Το 2015 συνεχίσαμε με συνέπεια την αναπτυξιακή μας πολιτική, έχοντας πλέον προσθέσει πάνω από 40 προορισμούς εξωτερικού μετά την εξαγορά της Olympic Air. Βελτιώσαμε σημαντικά τη συνδεσιμότητα με τα νησιά, στηρίζοντας την κίνηση εσωτερικού με χαμηλότερες τιμές, αλλά και διπλασιάζοντας σε 3 χρόνια τους  διερχομένους επιβάτες εξωτερικού μέσω του κόμβου των Αθηνών. Το τρίτο και σημαντικότερο τρίμηνο του έτους, το οποίο ξεκίνησε με αρκετές προκλήσεις, καθώς στις αρχές Ιουλίου αντιμετωπίσαμε σημαντική απώλεια στις κρατήσεις λόγω των capital controls, μείναμε πιστοί στο επενδυτικό μας πλάνο και καταφέραμε να παραλάβουμε 3 ολοκαίνουργα αεροπλάνα με κλειστές τράπεζες στην Ελλάδα. O ρυθμός των κρατήσεων επανήλθε και καταφέραμε τελικά να εισπράξουμε τις θετικές αποδόσεις των επενδύσεων που υλοποιήσαμε σε στόλο, προορισμούς και υπηρεσίες. Αξίζει να σημειωθεί ότι τόσο στην Αθήνα, όσο και στην Ρόδο, το Ηράκλειο και τις υπόλοιπες βάσεις της περιφέρειας όπου προσθέσαμε χωρητικότητα, ο ρυθμός ανάπτυξης εξωτερικού ήταν πολλαπλάσιος από το σύνολο της αγοράς.»

Αποτελέσματα Ομίλου

Σε € εκατ.	Εννεάμηνο 2014	Εννεάμηνο 2015	Δ%
Έσοδα	736.1	792.2	8%
EBITDA	118.8	120.3	1%
Κέρδη προ φόρων	105.4	114.7	9%
Κέρδη μετά από φόρους	78.6	81.9	4%

Επιβατική Κίνηση Aegean     & Olympic Air
(σε χιλιάδες)	Εννεάμηνο 2014	Εννεάμηνο 2015	%
Εσωτερικού	4,072	4,465	10%
Εξωτερικού	3,832	4,765	24%
Σύνολο	7,904	9,230	17%
Συντελεστής πληρότητας προγραμματισμένων πτήσεων	79.0%	77.4%	-1.6
Επιβάτες ανά πτήση	102	107	5%

AEGEAN
H  AEGEAN & η Olympic Air μετέφεραν 10,1 εκατομμύρια επιβάτες το 2014. Το 2014  επιβεβαιώθηκε η παραγγελία επιπλέον 7 αεροσκαφών Airbus Α320 ceos για τα έτη 2015 και 2016.

Το πρόγραμμα δρομολογίων το 2015 κάλυπτε ένα δίκτυο 134 προορισμών, 100 εξωτερικού και 34 εσωτερικού σε 42 χώρες, με 15 εκ. διαθέσιμες θέσεις, ήτοι 2 εκ. περισσότερες από το 2014.

Η AEGEAN είναι μέλος της ισχυρότερης παγκόσμιας αεροπορικής συμμαχίας, της STAR ALLIANCE. Η Εταιρεία βραβεύτηκε για πέμπτη συνεχή  χρονιά και έκτη φορά τα τελευταία 7 χρόνια, ως η καλύτερη περιφερειακή αεροπορική εταιρεία  στην Ευρώπη για το 2015, από τα  Skytrax World Airline Awards.