Aeromexico outlines new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operational plans

AeroMéxico has outlined its B787-9 operational schedule, set to launch on November 18. 

According to Airline Route, XA-ADL (msn 43859) will enter commercial service between México City and Paris CDG. It will operate selected flights on the route between November 18 and December 17, after which it will be utilised daily. The aircraft will also be deployed on the domestic Mexico City – Tijuana service on selected days between November 26 and January 4, 2017. Effective December 4 the Dreamliner will be used on a number of flights to New York JFK through to March 25, 2017, while the aircraft will start daily operations on the flagship Mexico City-Madrid Barajas service from January 6, 2017.

The Mexican carrier has a further five B787-9s on order from Boeing and already operates nine B787-8s.

ch-aviation.com

Air India launches Delhi-Madrid from 01Dec16

Air India in this week’s schedule update has filed operational schedule for Delhi – Madrid route, as the airline plans 3 weekly operation. Using Boeing 787-8 aircraft, this route will commence on 01DEC16.

AI135 DEL1425 – 2020MAD 788 246
AI136 MAD2150 – 1110+1DEL 788 246

Routesonline

Uzbekistan adds new 787 Dreamliner Dubai/Tel Aviv limited-time service in Sep 2016

Uzbekistan Airways in last week’s schedule update has filed additional Boeing 787-8 international operations for the month of September 2016. Latest update as follow.

Tashkent – Dubai 21SEP16 / 24SEP16
HY333 TAS0825 – 1100DXB 787
HY334 DXB1245 – 1700TAS 787

Tashkent – Tel Aviv 27SEP16
HY303 TAS1850 – 2225TLV 787
HY304 TLV0020 – 0720TAS 787 (28SEP16)

Routesonline

Air France starts Boeing 787 Dreamliner operations on 09Jan17

Air France has announced it will begin scheduled commercial B787-9 operations on January 9, 2017 with Paris CDG-Cairo Int'l, Egypt the type's maiden route.

Prior to its entry into regular service, Air France says it will four special welcome flights on January 7 and 8 from Paris to Paris, lasting 2 hours 30 minutes. Tickets for the flights will go on sale in early December.

Air France-KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has nineteen B787-9s and six B787-10s on order from Boeing with an additional twelve B787s to be leased from AerCap. According to the ch-aviation fleets database, KLM currently operates seven B787-9s of which six are leased from AerCap.

Air France's first B787-9 (msn 38769) will feature 225 seats in Economy, 21 in Premium Economy and 30 in Business Class.

ch-aviation.com

PIA may switch five 777s order for eight 787s

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is in negotiations with Boeing to switch out five Boeing 777s from a 2012 order for eight 787-8s, PIA CEO Bernd Hildenbrand confirmed to ATW.

“The 777s offer a bit too much capacity for our needs,” he said, adding negotiations are ongoing. “But Boeing has to confirm to us if the 787s are able to operate nonstop from Pakistan to Toronto.”

PIA’s 777-200LRs currently operate more than 14 hours on nonstop flights from Karachi and Lahore to Toronto.

Hildenbrand also told ATW the Pakistan flag carrier is phasing out its last Airbus A310s. “We are looking for additional A319s and A321s to streamline load factors, but the market for these aircraft is quite empty,” he said.

PIA’s domestic market share has increased from 40% to 56%. “There are 200 million people living in Pakistan—a huge potential. The operations of two other Pakistani carriers are not as sustainable compared to ours.”

In addition, PIA has to grow quickly to a certain size, so-called critical mass, to have a better position in the industry. “The plan is to operate about 60 aircraft in 2020; 100 aircraft by 2025,” he said. The airline currently operates 38 aircraft.

PIA, which recently launched premier service to London, has received “outstanding positive feedback from our passengers,” Hildebrand said. “Our image is improving constantly.”

On Aug. 14, PIA signed a wet-lease agreement with SriLankan Airlines for one A330, used primarily on a 6X-weekly premier service to London Heathrow. Later, the wet lease will be switched to a dry lease.

From October, a second A330 will join the fleet. “This will be a dry-lease arrangement, [which will enable us to] increase the number of flights to London to 10X-weekly, [and possibly add] services to Paris,” he told ATW.

PIA is considering using a third A330 to operate a 3X-weekly service to New York-JFK via Leipzig/Halle airport, Germany, instead of the current Manchester, UK.

“Manchester is a very expensive airport. Leipzig would give us the possibility of a much-needed comeback in Germany,” he said. The new route could be launched from Jan. 1, 2017, contingent on approval. PIA is considering hiring flight attendants in Germany.

Hildenbrand said airlines from Pakistan are not allowed to operate nonstop services to the US. US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented security measures at certain overseas airports, focusing especially on the safety of Pakistan’s airports.

“That means we have to land in another country on the way to the US, and do all safety and security checks again—for passengers and cargo.”

PIA is also considering services to Barcelona, Bangkok, and upgrading its network to Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

ATWOnline

Uzbekistan plans one-time 787 Dreamliner service to Dubai on 21SEP16

Uzbekistan Airways last week commenced Boeing 787-8 scheduled operation on 05SEP16, initially operating on domestic routes. The airline also inaugurated Boeing 787 flight for international service on 09SEP16, Tashkent – Almaty HY763/764. For its next Boeing 787 international flight, the airline has tentatively scheduled Tashkent – Dubai service on 21SEP16.

HY333 TAS0825 – 1100DXB 787
HY334 DXB1245 – 1700TAS 787

The airline’s 787 continues to serve domestic routes in the next few days.

Routesonline

American's new Boeing 787-9 operations in 2017

American Airlines in today’s schedule update (11SEP16) has filed additional Boeing 787-9 service from Dallas/Ft. Worth, scheduled in the first quarter of 2017. Planned new Boeing 787-9 routes as follow.

eff 09JAN17 Dallas/Ft. Worth – Paris CDG Boeing 787-9 replaces 777-200ER, daily
AA048 DFW1710 – 0920+1CDG 789 D
AA049 CDG1130 – 1520DFW 789 D

eff 16FEB17 Dallas/Ft. Worth – Seoul Incheon Boeing 787-9 replaces 777-200ER, daily
AA281 DFW1050 – 1625+1ICN 789 D
AA280 ICN1830 – 0610DFW 789 D

Routesonline

New International routes from American Airlines

American Airlines in today’s schedule update (11SEP16) opened reservation for planned new International routes, which was announced by the airline on Thursday (08SEP16). Planned new routes, as well as cancelled service as follow.

Chicago O’Hare – Barcelona eff 05MAY17 NEW 1 daily 787-8 service
AA040 ORD1715 – 0915+1BCN 788 D
AA041 BCN1145 – 1445ORD 788 D

Dallas/Ft. Worth – Amsterdam eff 05MAY17 NEW 1 daily 767-300ER service
AA220 DFW1530 – 0825+1AMS 763 D
AA221 AMS1025 – 1435DFW 763 D

Dallas/Ft. Worth – Rome eff 05MAY17 NEW 1 daily 777-200ER service
AA238 DFW1505 – 0920+1FCO 777 D
AA239 FCO1120 – 1700DFW 777 D

Cancelled Routes:
Chicago O’Hare – Dusseldorf Seasonal service will not be resumed in summer 2017, previously scheduled daily from 11MAY17 with Boeing 767
New York JFK – Birmingham Service to be cancelled from 06JAN17 (JFK departure), currently served by Boeing 757
Philadelphia – Brussels Seasonal service will not be resumed in summer 2017, previously scheduled daily from 05MAY17 with Boeing 757
Philadelphia – Zurich Seasonal service will not be resumed in summer 2017, previously scheduled daily from 04MAY17 with Boeing 767

Routesonline

Aeromexico introduces the special livery of the new 787-9 Dreamliner

For those who have an interest in Mexican archaeology and anthropology, you may get a little excited to see one of Mexico’s most famous deities adorning Aeromexico’s brand new 787-9. Named Quetzalcoatl, meaning “Feathered Serpent,” the new livery was the winning design from the carrier’s ‘Design in the Air’ competition.

Taking an eye-watering nine days to paint, (Six days longer than was originally planned) the design offers a unique fusion of tradition and modernity and acts as the perfect vehicle to celebrate the carrier’s brand new 787-9 aircraft.

In November 2014, Aeromexico’s contest was launched via social media and at several universities, inviting participants to submit a creative image to be painted on an aircraft’s fuselage. More than 1,000 participants presented their designs during the four-week contest period, 400 of which were chosen for meeting the requirements established in the rules. The winning design was created by graphic designer José Manuel Escudero of the Mexican state of Veracruz.

Aeromexico CEO Andres Conesa said “At Aeromexico, we are very excited about the buzz the Quetzalcoatl design has generated. As Mexico’s flagship carrier, this aircraft will become an icon of our fleet and a reflection of what Mexico is today, with culture and tradition represented in what we consider to be one of the most sophisticated creations of modern aviation engineering.”

The first of 10 787-9’s for the carrier, Aeromexico is the second airline in Latin America to operate the model. The aircraft type has been incredibly popular with airlines around the world. Aeromexico state in their press release “If an airline places an order for a 787 today, it could take between 10 to 15 years for it to be delivered.” With a fuselage measuring 20 feet longer than the 787-8, the 787-9 has capacity for 48 additional passengers on longer routes (up to 300 more nautical miles) with 20% greater fuel efficiency, and up to 20% fewer emissions than the aircraft this model is replacing.

The airline has hinted at even more developments, saying that it will wait until the plane lands in Mexico to unveil the interior of this new aircraft that will change its customers’ travel experience.

TheDesignAir

LOT to grow Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet - Looking to increase flights to Asia & North America

LOT Polish Airlines is planning to operate a fleet of seventy aircraft, including sixteen B787s, with an annual passenger throughput of 10 million by 2020 airline chairman Rafal Milczarski has said.

Outlining LOT's recently adopted four-year business plan during the 26th Economic Forum in Krynica this week, Milczarski said the strategy will see the carrier placing more focus on international expansion hence the need for more widebody aircraft.

The Polish carrier is facing increased pressure on the domestic and regional European fronts from carriers such as Ryanair thus necessitating the need to further abroad for newer, more commercially viable markets.

“Long-haul flights are the most profitable part of our business and being the only airline in the region, LOT has the related growth potential," he said. "We are mostly going to focus on developing flights to North America and the most important business centres in Asia." 

Of the new markets it will target in Asia are Shenzhen, China where fellow Star Alliance member Shenzhen Airlines maintains its primary hub. Concerning North America, LOT plans to switch its New York services back to Newark with a 4x weekly (growing to 5x weekly) in Summer 2017.

"Connections to Central Asia and to the Middle East are particularly interesting from our perspective. Warsaw’s geographical location allows to develop an unmatched offering of flights to countries such as Kazakhstan or Iran. We are going to take advantage of that potential,” Milczarski said. 

While it is seeking to expand its international footprint, LOT is also looking to recover lost local market share. The chairman said LOT was looking to claw back a 25% share in 2020. This will entail the carrier exceeding 10million passengers per annum as compared to the 4.3million registered in 2015.

"As new long-distance flights are launched, the number of short-distance flights, especially from Central and Eastern Europe, is going to go up as well. We assume that the percentage of transfer passengers, that is, those who change planes in Warsaw, is going to reach approximately 50% in 2020."

At present, LOT operates six B787-8s with a seventh and eighth due from Boeing this year and next year. As such, Milczarski said the added B787s would be acquired through sale/lease back agreements with third party firms so as to ease the financial burden on the carrier. 

Fifteen new 150+ seater narrowbody aircraft will also be acquired from next year onwards although Milczarski did note that negotiations here were still at an early stage. The jets will likely be Boeing given LOT's intention to standardize its fleet.

For his part, Polish Treasury Minister Dawid Jackiewicz said government, as the carrier's largest shareholder, had no intention of letting go of LOT.

"We're not going to let go of control," he said. "We intend to keep LOT in our hands and prove that it can become a leader in Central and Eastern Europe."

ch-aviation.com

Uzbekistan Airways takes first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner - The 787 starts flights in September

Central Asia-based Uzbekistan Airways has taken delivery of the first of two ordered Boeing 787-8s.

The airline will start 787 scheduled operations in September, general director Valeriy Tyan said. The second aircraft should be delivered later this year. The carrier’s 787 Dreamliner is configured for 246 seats.

The flag carrier of the Republic of Uzbekistan has trained 18 pilots and two pilot-instructors for the new aircraft type. The maintenance subsidiary, Uzbekistan Airways Technics, has trained 64 technicians, including six instructors.

Uzbekistan Airways has had a partnership with Boeing since 1996. The carrier’s fleet consists of 34 aircraft, including 767s, 757s as well as Airbus A320s and Ilyushin Il-114-100. The airline flies to more than 40 destinations from its base at Tashkent International Airport.

ATWOnline

Qatar QR1367 B788 at Durban, bird strike

A Qatar Airways Boeing 787-800, registration A7-DBD performing flight QR-1367 from Johannesburg to Durban (South Africa), was on approach to Durban's runway 06 when a bird impacted the nose of the aircraft. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on the runway.

The aircraft remained on the ground for 31 hours, then departed as positioning flight QR-3272 to Qatar and remained on the ground for another 6 hours before resuming service.

The Aviation Herald

ANA NH829 B787 returned to Tokyo, engine vibrations

An ANA All Nippon Airways Boeing 787-800, registration JA814A performing flight NH-829 from Tokyo Narita (Japan) to Mumbai (India) with 68 people on board, was enroute at FL340 about 150nm westsouthwest of Tokyo about 30 minutes into the flight when the crew decided to return to Tokyo's Narita Airport reporting vibrations of the left hand engine (Trent 1000). The aircraft landed safely on Narita's runway 34R about 85 minutes after departure.

A replacement Boeing 787-800 registration JA828A reached Mumbai with a delay of 6:15 hours.

Japan's Ministry of Transport reported the left hand engine showed increased vibrations. So far no internal damage has been detected.

The Aviation Herald

LATAM Chile resumes Santiago de Chile-Orlando flights from 04JAN17

LATAM Airlines Chile in the first quarter of 2017 is resuming operation on Santiago de Chile – Orlando route, operating twice a week. The oneWorld member last served this route in Jan/Feb 2012 and 2013.

This route will be served from 04JAN17 to 01MAR17, with a mix of Boeing 787-8 and -9 aircraft.

LA510 SCL0030 – 0720MCO 789 3
LA510 SCL0030 – 0720MCO 787 4

LA511 MCO1015 – 2055SCL 789 3
LA511 MCO1015 – 2055SCL 787 4

Routesonline

ANA NH843 B788 diverted to Naha, cracked windshield

An ANA All Nippon Airways Boeing 787-800, registration JA874A performing flight NH-843 from Tokyo Haneda (Japan) to Singapore (Singapore) with 214 people on board, was enroute at FL400 about 220nm southwest of Naha (Japan) when the captain's windshield cracked prompting the crew to descend to 13,000 feet, turn around and divert to Naha, where the aircraft landed safely on runway 36 about 75 minutes later.

A replacement Boeing 787-800 registration JA838A positioned to Naha, resumed the flight and reached Singapore with a delay of 14.5 hours.

The Aviation Herald

ANA NH241 B789 returned to Haneda, engine #1 failure

An ANA All Nippon Airways Boeing 787-900, registration JA833A performing flight NH-241 from Tokyo Haneda to Fukuoka (Japan), was climbing out of Haneda's runway 05 when the crew stopped the climb at about 12,000 feet due to the failure of the left hand engine (Trent 1000), shut the engine down and returned to Haneda for a safe landing on runway 34R about 40 minutes after departure.

A replacement Boeing 787-900 registration JA830A reached Fukuoka with a delay of 3 hours.

The airline reported their flight returned to Haneda on instruction by Air Traffic Control due to the failure of one of the engines. Further information will be published as soon as the investigation has been completed.

The Aviation Herald

ANA cancels some 787 domestic flights in the next few weeks due to repairs in the engines

Japanese carrier ANA said on Thursday it needs to replace damaged compressor blades in the Rolls-Royce engines powering its Boeing 787s, forcing it to cancel some Dreamliners flights over the coming weeks.

The carrier said that under certain flying conditions the compressor blades in the engine’s interior showed corrosion. It said it will cancel nine domestic 787 flights on Friday, with other cancellations likely in the coming weeks.
ANA’s Dreamliners are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. The Japanese airline is the biggest operator of the Boeing model with some 49 aircraft.

More details on the flights cancelled, click here.

AIRLIVE.net

Aeromexico adds live television on 787s

Aeromexico has added live television to its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.

This new service will initially offer two channels - Sport 24 for live sporting action from around the world, and CNN International.

In partnership with Panasonic Avionics, the service will be available to passengers from both the seatback inflight entertainment and communications system and on their own personal electronic devices.

Sport 24, owned and operated by IMG, offers live coverage of the world’s most popular sporting events.

The channel shows live action from the Premier League, NFL, UEFA Champions League, NBA, Bundesliga, Formula 1, MotoGP, and the Ryder Cup. 

Antonio Fernandez, Aeromexico vice president, product design and service standards said: “At Aeromexico, we are always looking for new ways to keep our passengers happy and entertained, and there’s nothing quite like live television.

“Our clients will now be able to stay current on world events and also watch their favourite athletes and teams compete in real time at 35,000 feet.”

Aeromexico will begin rolling out the service in August in four of its nine Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner , the most modern aircraft in the world, that operates to Tijuana within Mexico and to international destinations such as Buenos Aires, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, New York, Paris, Shanghai, Santiago and Tokyo.

Breaking Travel News

Xiamen Air adds Fuzhou-New York service from 15FEB17

Xiamen Airlines this week has opened reservation for its planned new service to New York, scheduled to commence on 15FEB17. The Skyteam member plans to operate Fuzhou – New York JFK route 3 times a week, on board Boeing 787 aircraft.

MF849 FOC0915 – 1055JFK 787 136
MF850 JFK1255 – 1700+1FOC 787 136

In New York JFK, the airline operates at Terminal 4.

Routesonline

Uzbekistan new 787 Dreamliner schedules to fly in Summer 2017

Uzbekistan Airways has temporary filed planned Boeing 787-8 operation for summer 2017 season, which sees the Dreamliner aircraft operating Tashkent – Riga – New York JFK route, effective 30MAR17. Note this is a preliminary schedule filing as service entry date on this route is likely to move forward. The airline is expected to receive its first 787 aircraft in the coming weeks.

HY101 TAS0440 – 0810RIX0940 – 1230JFK 787 47
HY102 JFK1500 – 0645+1RIX0815+1 – 1505+1TAS 787 47

Routesonline