FINKENWERDER - AIRBUS IN HAMBURG

w w w . a i r l i n e r w o r l d . c o m

t h e g l o b a l a i r l i n e s c e n e

United Fly the Friendly

Skies

Shetland by Saab
Flying with Loganair

Air Georgian Hunnu

December 2014

UK £4.70

/ R1 Airlines Air
Canada’s Unique Conquering
Joint Venture Mongolia
CHANNEL AIRWAYS THE GOLDEN FLEET
 Contents
5 News
Airliner World’s comprehensive coverage of worldwide
news, including delivery of the 100th Boeing 777 for
Emirates, first flight of the Airbus A320neo, roll-out of
the maiden Mitsubishi MRJ90 and certification
of the A350XWB.

20 ERAA 2014
Highlights from the annual European Regions
Airline Association General Assembly.

22 Air Georgian/R1 Airlines

The diverse Canadian joint venture is an important Air
Canada affiliate and is emerging as one of the country’s
premier charter providers.

30 Finkenwerder
The Hamburg facility is a major assembly site for
European aerospace giant Airbus.

38 World Routes 2014

All the news and stories from Chicago.

42 Shetland by Saab
Flying with Loganair in the Scottish carrier’s new
Saab 2000 turboprops.

53 Hunnu Air
The colourful independant carrier is one of the
leading lights in Mongolia but is harbouring plans
for international expansion.

60 Channel Airways
In its heyday, the Southend-based company was one
of Britain’s leading independent airlines.

68 Spotting Spot
Vancouver – Gateway to Western Canada.

70 Etihad’s New Look

The UAE flag carrier has unveiled its
eye-catching new livery on its first Airbus A380
and Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

74 Deliveries

53
The latest commercial acquisitions.

80 MRO News
Updates from maintenance, repair and overhaul providers.

82 Aviation Training Hunnu Air

A round-up of recent developments. Mongolia's Leading
84 Departure Gate
A selection of readers’ comments and photographs.
Light

86 Air Safety
Up-to-date accident reports and crash information.

87 Caption Competition
Win a year’s subscription to Airliner World.
FREE DVD! CLAIM YOUR FREE
42

Thai Airways
2014 Photo of the Year Airbus A380 DVD
Competition worth £12.49 when
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88 United Airlines – Part 2
The US carrier can trace its history back to the
subscription to

country's pioneering air mail companies of the 1920s.

Today, following its mega merger with Continental
Airlines, the Chicago-based firm is now one of
America’s ‘big three’ carriers. SEE PAGES 72 AND 73 FOR DETAILS
 87 Competition 2014
Photograph of the Year

70

22

60 Channel Airways
UK Golden Oldie

88
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 Welcome

Emirates took delivery of its 100th Boeing 777-300ER on October 29 – the carrier had previously received the 1,000th 777 built, shown here. GERRY MCLOUGHLIN

It has been a month of memorable civil aviation firsts. Merseyside and Greater Manchester and Glasgow
The Airbus A320neo performed its maiden flight (see in Scotland.
The Team opposite), Japan’s Mitsubishi rolled out its first MRJ flight
test aircraft and Virgin Atlantic Airways took delivery of
Don’t forget this year’s ‘Photograph of the Year’
competition – see page 87. You have until the start
Mark Nicholls its initial Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Staying with the US of January 2015 to submit your entries - perhaps you
Brand Editor
manufacturer’s latest design, United took the ‘winning’ shot earlier this
Craig West Airlines began flights between Los year – or maybe you’d like to do better
Associate Editor
Angeles and Melbourne, Australia on – there’s still time, but don’t delay.
Barry Woods-Turner
News Editor October 26. The 7,923 miles (12,751km) You can keep abreast of the latest
Richard Benedikz
sector is currently the longest flown by news and airline developments by
Assistant Editor the 787-9 and takes around 15 hours 45 following your favourite commercial
Tony Dixon minutes. This is precisely the kind of aviation magazine through social
Contributing Editor
route Boeing designed the aircraft for and media – on Facebook (search for
Steve Donovan next year other carriers will be adding Airliner World), Twitter
Group Art Editor
services of similar lengths. However, (@_AirlinerWorld) and on our website
Andy O’Neil
Art Editor another new type will soon be competing (www.airlinerworld.com). Keep an
for the distance honours as Airbus eye out for some exciting changes on
Andy Mason
Advertising Manager prepares for the service entry of its A350 the website – all will be revealed soon.
Sam Jarman XWB – 2014 has been quite a year.
Production Controller Unfortunately it was not such good Mark Nicholls
Sue Blunt news for Blackpool Airport, which closed Brand Editor
Production Editor
to commercial traffic on October 15 after
Carol Randall
Norman Wells owner Balfour Beatty was unable to find
Sub-Editors a buyer. This means the northwest of the COVER PHOTO: United Airlines Boeing 787-8 at
Los Angeles. AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/STEVE FLINT
UK has no commercial airport between

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4 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014

 News Review • Headlines

A320neo Makes
Maiden Flight
THE PROTOTYPE Airbus A320neo (new
engine option) made its first flight from
Toulouse/Blagnac Airport at noon local
time on September 25. The aircraft car-
ried the appropriate test registration,
F-WNEO (c/n 6101), and was flown by
Airbus Experimental Test Pilots Philippe
Pellerin and Etienne Miche de Malleray.
They were accompanied in the cock-
pit by Flight Test Engineer Jean-Paul
Lamnert. Monitoring the aircraft’s per-
formance on board were Flight Test
Engineers Manfred Birnfeld and Sandra
Bour-Schaeffer, supported by a team on
the ground via a direct telemetry link.
During its two-and-a-half-hour flight,
the test crew successfully explored the
flight envelope and initial systems oper-
ations connected to the aircraft’s new
Pratt & Whitney (P&W) PW1100G-JM
engines at altitudes starting at 6,000ft,
before climbing to 26,500ft. Company
executives, employees and neo
programme partners greeted the air-
craft on its return to Toulouse where
Philippe Pellerin said: “This brand new
baby is very promising.”
The first flight marked the start of a
3,000-hour flight test programme that
will eventually involve eight aircraft –
two A319neos, four A320neos, and two
A321neos – that will evaluate both new
engine options, the PW1100G-JM and
the CFM International LEAP-1A
turbofan. The P&W powered A320neo
will be the first in the family to receive
type certification paving the way for
entry into airline service in the fourth
quarter of 2015 with the first operator,
Qatar Airways. Compared with the cur-
rent engine option (ceo) aircraft, neo air-
liners are set to bring a 15% reduction in
fuel burn per seat by service entry, with
additional enhancements providing
a 20% total improvement
by 2020. According to Airbus,
the A320neo family has won
more than 3,200 orders from
60 customers to date,
representing a 60%
market share.
(Photo Airbus)

Airbus A350 Certified

THE EUROPEAN Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) presented Airbus with type
certification for its Rolls-Royce Trent
XWB powered A350-900 airliner
on September 30. Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) approval will fol-
low shortly. Fabrice Brégier, Airbus
President and CEO, said: “Receiving the
A350-900 Type Certificate from EASA
is a great achievement for Airbus and for
all our partners who have contributed
to the design, build and testing of this
fantastic, new generation aircraft. The
A350-900 is now ready to fly from the
nest and be enjoyed by airlines and pas-
sengers.” The A350XWB manufactur-
ing programme has, according to the
company, been one of the most innova-
tive and ambitious. It aims to provide a
fully mature aircraft at entry into service
when Qatar Airways takes delivery of
its first example before the end of the
year. The test fleet of five aircraft com-
pleted the certification campaign on
time and on cost. Airbus has reported
that the five prototypes accumulated
more than 2,600 flight test hours in one
of the industry’s most thorough and effi-
cient test programme ever, during which
the airframe and systems were tested
beyond their design limits to ensure all
airworthiness criteria were fully met. To
celebrate the award of type certification
all five of A350 XWB test aircraft took to Now fully certified, deliveries of the Airbus A350-900 can start. Taxiing to the end of the runway
the skies for a milestone formation flight at Toulouse/Blagnac is the first production example for Qatar Airways, A7-ALA (c/n 006), ahead
– see centre pages of this issue. of its maiden flight on October 15. EUROSPOT

www.airlinerworld.com 5
News Review • Europe
New Aircraft for Thomson
UPGRADES TO Thomson Airways’
operating strategy were revealed
by David Burling, the UK and Ireland
Managing Director of the carrier’s par-
ent TUI Group, during a press trip in
October on board one of the airline’s
new Boeing 787 Dreamliners. They
include a family booth (with facing
seats and a table) and an onboard
‘Beach Bar’. (For a detailed report, see
Airliner World next month.)
Thomson Airways originally was due
to take delivery of eight of the 13
Dreamliners ordered by the TUI Group.
Now it will take ten of an expanded
order for 15 aircraft. The carrier will
also receive 47 new 737 MAXs by
2020 – of the 60 aircraft ordered by
TUI in 2013 – as part of its “five-year
vision to change the face of holiday fly-
Birmingham Eyes Transfers
BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT has completed
a new purpose-built transit facility,
enabling connecting travellers to pass
through the terminal with greater speed
and efficiency. It will transform the
airport’s ability to cater for long-haul
services. Arriving passengers requir-
ing a connecting flight can now remain
airside, without having to pass through
immigration, or be processed through
security again.
Birmingham Airport’s CEO, Paul Kehoe,
said: “The completion of our new pas-
senger transit facility is another string to
our bow in terms of what we can offer
passengers and airlines focussed on
long-haul travel. This valuable piece of
infrastructure enables us transfer pas-
sengers travelling between destinations,
allowing them extra time to relax and
enjoy the excellent facilities we have
available in the departure lounge.”
He added: “The timing of this new
6 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
ing”, Burling said. “This will give us an
average fleet age of five years and the
Dreamliners will also give us the abil-
ity to add new destinations to our route
structure,” he added.
The first is the only direct flight from
the UK to Costa Rica which is due to
start in November 2015, the carrier
is also planning to expand its opera-
tions in the Eastern Caribbean and the
Antilles, while in Southeast Asia des-
tinations in Vietnam and Malaysia are
also under consideration.
Thomson Airways is the UK’s third
largest airline, flying from 20 regional
airports to 73 different destinations
in 20 countries. It employs 800 pilots
and 2,600 cabin crew and currently
has 61 aircraft in its fleet.
(Photo Key – Tony Dixon)
facility couldn’t be better. The airport
recently recorded the busiest month
in its 75-year history, as over one mil-
lion passengers passed through the
terminal during August. Over the past
five months, we’ve achieved consecu-
tive growth and seen records smashed,
including our long-haul traffic. This
demonstrates the strong demand that
exists for passengers who want to fly
further afield on long-haul services or
those who are looking for other options
to connect within the UK.”
The £1m investment is the latest in an
extensive list of infrastructure projects,
following completion of a new primary
radar tower, a state-of-the-art air traf-
fic control tower and a 1,312ft (400m)
runway extension. Kehoe confirmed to
Airports of the World at World Routes
that the next major capital expenditure
would be a new baggage handling sys-
tem. Work is expected to begin in 2017.
Slovakian Start-up
Bratislava-based Quick Duck Airlines has taken delivery of its first aircraft, ATR 72-600
OM-AQD (c/n 1162), which it plans to market for aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance
(ACMI) operations or charter contracts from November 1.
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/JONATHAN ZANINGER
Viking Success in Scotland
VIKING AIR has secured a contract
to supply two Twin Otter Series 400
aircraft to the Highlands and Islands
Airport Limited (HIAL) of Inverness.
The two aircraft, which are sched-
uled for delivery from mid-2015, will
be configured in a standard 19-seat
layout, and will be based at Glasgow
International Airport. From here they
will provide Public Service Operations
(PSO) on routes to Campbeltown,
Barra and Tiree off the West coast of
Cimber Forced to Close
SØNDERBORG, DENMARK-BASED air-
line Cimber has announced it is closing
all operations in April 2015 following
the decision by SAS to end its partner-
ship with the airline. SAS informed
Cimber it did not want to continue an
agreement using four of its aircraft,
three Bombardier CRJ200s and an ATR
72-202, when the contract expires next
year. Cimber’s management said it had
Ryanair Announces New base
DUBLIN-BASED LOW-COST carrier
Ryanair has announced it will be open-
ing its 70th base in Copenhagen next
March, the airline’s second in Denmark.
The budget operator is planning to
base four aircraft at Copenhagen
International Airport and will initially
launch three new routes to London,
Milan and Warsaw.
Scotland. The Series 400 was selected
by HIAL because of its robust design,
short take-off and landing (STOL) per-
formance and reliability, all prerequi-
sites for flying into and out of Barra’s
short beach landing strip. Provisions
for flight and maintenance training
are also included in the contract and
will be provided through Flightsafety
International in Toronto and Viking’s
sister-company, Pacific Sky Aviation in
Victoria, Canada.
no alternative but to shut the carrier
down. The Danish airline will make all
130 employees redundant. The airline
changed its name to Cimber Sterling
in 2008 after acquiring shares in the
bankrupt Sterling Airlines. Four years
later, Cimber Sterling itself was declared
bankrupt, before being given a lifeline in
the form of an ACMI contract with SAS.
(Photo Airteamimages.com/TT)
There will be a further ten more new
routes announced in the New Year.
The carrier says that it is investing
more than $400 million in establishing
the base supporting more than 1,000
on-site jobs. Ryanair will base its first
Boeing 737-800 in Copenhagen from
March and three more will arrive later
in 2015.

Government
Funding Secures
Cornwall Air Link
THE CRUCIAL air transport link
between the South West and
London has been secured after the
Department for Transport announced
a four-year public service obligation
(PSO) funding deal for flights between
Newquay and Gatwick Airport. The
government is providing £2.5 million
from the Regional Air Connectivity
fund, established in June 2013 to
help maintain important regional air
connections, while Cornwall Council
is contributing £300,000 to the link,
which is worth millions of pounds to
the South West England economy.
Three weekday round trips and two
weekend rotations will be flown by
Flybe, with timings providing a con-
venient schedule for a full working
day at either destination. Around
100,000 passengers are expected to
use the route annually. This second
UK Government PSO service follows a
two-year deal for the Dundee-London/
Stansted air link – flown by Loganair –
announced in June.
VLM Management Buy-out
CITYJET’S REGIONAL wet-lease and
charter subsidiary VLM Airlines has
been purchased by its management
team from parent Intro Aviation.
Under its new ownership VLM will
continue to fly aircraft, crew, mainte-
nance and insurance (ACMI) and char-
ter services as well as resuming sched-
uled operations.
Intro Aviation acquired CityJet and
VLM earlier this year from Air France-
KLM and had been planning to turn the
Belgian carrier into an exclusive ACMI
BA Refreshes its 747s
BRITISH AIRWAYS (BA) has revealed it
plans to give 18 of its remaining fleet
of Boeing 747-436s a full cabin refresh
– complete with Panasonic’s next
generation eX3 in-flight entertainment
(IFE) system – from next August. The
refit, which is being carried out by the
airline’s own engineers at Cardiff, will
include a cabin interior refresh that will
bring these 747s more in line with the
carrier’s latest aircraft types such as the
Airbus A380 and 787 Dreamliner. New
seat foams will be installed in World
Traveller and World Traveller Plus cab-
ins to increase customer comfort on
long-haul journeys, while the latest style
of seat covers will be fitted to improve
provider. But VLM management submit-
ted an offer to purchase it outright from
the German turnaround specialists, and
it was a figure that, according to Intro
Aviation’s MD, Peter Oncken, “we felt
we could not refuse”.
VLM has been evaluating replace-
ments for its current fleet of 12 Fokker
50s and signed a letter of intent with
Ilyushin Finance Co on October 29 that
will see it become the first European
carrier to fly the long-range Sukhoi
Superjet 100LR regional jet. VLM will
News Review • Europe
appearance and match those on the
A380 and 787 that were introduced last
year, while carpets and curtains will be
replaced throughout the cabins. BA is
also fitting universal power sockets by
every World Traveller Plus seats and
World Travellers customers will now
have their own personal USB socket
to power mobile telephones, tablets
and laptops. “We know that in-flight
entertainment is really important to our
customers, so by installing the latest
IFE equipment we will be able to deliver
even more programming on board,”
said Richard D’Cruze, BA’s in-flight
entertainment and technology manager.
(Key – Barry Woods-Turner)
take delivery of two SSJ100LRs in
April 2015 under 12-year leases, with
options for two more and purchase
rights for another ten.
The carrier said it had evaluated air-
craft types in the 100-seat range for
the best passenger experience, flexibil-
ity in short-to-medium range destina-
tions and low operating costs, and the
SSJ100LR “won hands down”. The jets
will be used to spearhead the company’s
launch of regional scheduled services in
2015. (Photo VLM Airlines)
in brief
A reconfiguration of Stand 14 (Pier B) has
begun at Prague’s Václav Havel Airport so
that it can handle category F aircraft with a
wing span of more than 213ft (65m) – such
as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8I. At
the same time, the gate lounge area will
be expanded. The reconstructed stand will
have three airbridges and should be ready
for the start of the summer 2015 season.
British Airways plans to introduce its
Boeing 787s on the daily rotation from
London/Heathrow to Montreal, Canada,
from March 29, 2015. It will be the first
scheduled Dreamliner service linking the
two cities and the carrier’s third Canadian
destination to be served by its 787 fleet. The
inaugural flight was to Toronto a year ago
and it was introduced on the Calgary rotation
in September. (Photo Key – Craig West)
Siegerland Airport-based Avanti Air has
acquired two former OLT Express Germany
Fokker 100s currently in storage at
Saarbücken. While D-AOLG (c/n 11452)
will undergo full refurbishment, sister ship
D-AOLH (c/n 11265) will be used for spare
parts. The type is scheduled to enter
service with the carrier in January when
it will undertake wet-lease operations and
charter flights.
The Italian Civil Aviation Authority suspended
the Air Operator Certificate of Livingston
Compagnia Aerea (also known as New
Livingston) after a request by the airline’s
owners to stop flying. The carrier ceased all
services on October 6, saying it was due to
the difficult operating environment in North
Africa and the Middle East and the reduction
in demand for flights to Russia. Livingston
is returning its three Airbus A320s to their
lessors. (Marco Finelli)
Ljubljana-based Adria Airways has
completed the phasing out of its Airbus
A320-200 fleet after the last, S5-AAS (c/n
444), returned to its lessor on October 21.
The Slovenian national carrier now has two
A319-100s, six Bombardier CRJ900s and
two CRJ200s in service; the latter will leave
the fleet in early 2015 and be replaced by
additional CRJ900s.
Iberia is increasing the number of weekly
rotations to the Chilean capital, Santiago,
from London/Heathrow via Madrid from
seven to ten per week during the Southern
Hemisphere’s summer season. The extra
flights – on Wednesdays, Fridays and
Sundays, and offering either morning or
evening departures – started on October 1
and will run until March using Airbus A340s.
German carrier airberlin is taking on 14
former Alitalia Airbus A320-200s as part
of plans to streamline its narrowbody
fleet. They will be used to replace some
of the Boeing 737-700s and -800s leaving
airberlin’s fleet as their lease periods end.
www.airlinerworld.com 7
News Review • Europe
Little Red’s End in Sight
VIRGIN ATLANTIC has said its Little Red
operation will close next year. Daily ser-
vices between London/Heathrow and
Manchester will stop at the end of March.
Rotations to Edinburgh and Aberdeen will
continue throughout the summer before
ending in September.
Little Red was launched in March 2013
in an attempt to reintroduce consumer
choice on key domestic services follow-
ing British Airways’ takeover of British
Midland International – bmi which gave
it a monopoly on some domestic routes.
Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin
Atlantic, said: “When the competition
authorities allowed BA to take over bmi
and all of its slots, we feared there was
little we could do to challenge BA’s huge
domestic and European network that
had been built through decades of domi-
European
Traffic Buoyant
AIRPORT TRADE body, ACI Europe’s
traffic report for August shows pas-
senger traffic at the region’s airports
grew by 7%, compared with the
same month last year. EU airports
reported a robust 6.6% growth year-
on-year but passenger traffic at non-
EU airports (including Iceland, Israel,
Norway, Russia, Switzerland and
Turkey), still had the edge, reporting
an 8.2% rise during the same period.
Freight traffic grew 3.3% while aircraft
movements were 3.4% up.
Olivier Jankovec, Director General,
ACI Europe, commented: “August saw
a remarkable surge in air traffic at
Europe’s airports, further outperform-
ing wider economic conditions. A key
factor has been airlines adding more
capacity, as evidenced by the increase
in aircraft movements – which on a
monthly basis was the strongest since
2011. Most of it was driven by LCCs,
which are reinforcing their presence
in primary markets – occasionally at
the expense of secondary and smaller
regional airports.”
He added: “EU airports generally
fared extremely well, while non-EU
airport traffic was affected by geo-
political conditions, with a slump in
passenger traffic at Ukrainian airports
and, to a lesser extent, in Israel. It
is worth noting that the increase in
freight traffic is entirely due to EU
airports, as it was completely flat
at non-EU facilities, mainly due to a
sharp decrease in traffic in Russia as
a result of the EU sanctions.”
Airports reporting above average
growth included Athens (22.8%),
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (25.6%),
Brussels (18.7%), Hamburg (18.8%),
Chisinau (35.2%) and Belgrade
(30.6%).
8 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
nance. To remedy this, we were offered
a meagre package of slots with a number
of constraints on how to use them, so we
decided to lease a few planes on a short-
term basis and give it our best shot.
Sadly, the odds were stacked against us
and we just couldn’t attract enough cor-
porate business on these routes, so we
have decided to stop Little Red services.”
The decision to close its short-haul car-
rier follows a major review of Virgin
Atlantic’s wider network (see Airliner
World, November 2014) and Chief
Executive Craig Kreeger’s commitment to
return the operator to profit by the end of
this year. All indications show the
airline is on track to deliver the promise
but Little Red has not been able to
make a positive contribution to the
company’s network.
KLM's MD-11s Bow Out
KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines flew its
final commercial passenger flight
using its McDonnell Douglas MD-11
on October 29 after serving with the
carrier for 21 years. The flight not
only marked the end of the MD-11’s
operations for KLM, but also the end
Virgin’s Dreamliner Debut
Blackpool Closes
BLACKPOOL INTERNATIONAL closed
to commercial flights on October 15
after an unsuccessful search for a
buyer. In a statement, the northwest
facility said: “This is a very sad day
for the airport which has a proud avia-
tion history and a loyal, appreciative
customer following.” Owner Balfour
Beatty, which acquired the airport in
2008, revealed it had been making a
loss for “a number of years” and put it
up for sale in August.
Jet2 has transferred its Blackpool
flights to Manchester Airport. Blackpool
Airport employed 110 staff and last year
handled around 235,000 passengers.
The town’s council has said it hopes the
airfield can remain open for private fly-
ers and other aviation activities or per-
haps be turned into an enterprise zone.
of a remarkable era in civil aviation,
the partnership between the aircraft
manufacturer Douglas – and later
McDonnell Douglas – which has
lasted for more than 80 years.
(Photo Airteamimages.com/
Mathieu Pouliot)
Monarch Sold
MONARCH HOLDINGS, the parent
company of leisure carrier Monarch
Airlines, has been sold to private
investment firm Greybull Capital, which
has acquired 90% of the group from
the Mantegazza family. The remaining
10% will be used to shore up Monarch’s
pension fund. The new owner is also
providing Monarch with secured access
to £125 million in fresh capital.
Monarch undertook a strategic review
which led the deal with Greybull. The
airline will downsize its fleet from
42 to 34 jets and renegotiate lease
agreements on ten more aircraft.
Meanwhile the new finance will help
secure an order for 30 737 MAX 8s it
committed to at the Farnborough Air
Show in July.
Monarch will drop its long-haul and
charter operations from April 2015,
converting to a new low-cost business
model, and focus on short-haul leisure
routes from five UK bases: Birmingham,
Leeds-Bradford, Gatwick, Luton and
Manchester. Helping the airline achieve
its aims, concessions agreed with
employees will see 700 jobs cut –two
thirds through voluntary redundancy –
and a reduction in salaries of up
to 30%.
Air France Lands
Kalula Deal
Air France-KLM has entered a code-
share partnership with South African
low-fare carrier kulula.com. The
French carrier will add its flight code
to kulula.com’s domestic network
enabling passengers to benefit from
purchasing a single ticket, with the
added convenience of one-stop
check-in and baggage transfer. This
is kulula.com’s second codeshare
agreement with a SkyTeam partner,
having successfully implemented
codesharing with Kenya Airways.
Virgin Atlantic Airways took delivery
of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner,
G-VNEW (c/n 40956), on October 10.
The aircraft appeared at a number
of UK airfields as flight and cabins
crews worked up to the launch of
services with the type (see Airliner
World, January issue for a full report).
KARL NIXON
News Review • CIS
More
Q400s
for Russia
AEROFLOT’S RUSSIAN Far East sub-
sidiary Aurora confirmed it will take
delivery of its first three Bombardier
Dash 8-Q400s in early 2015.
However, the turboprops will now be
purchased from the second-hand
market after the Canadian manufac-
turer delayed the launch of a local
Q400 production line, which it was
planning to introduce in
partnership with Russia’s Rostec
State Corporation.
Meanwhile, Alrosa Mirny Air

Superjets for Red Wings

MOSCOW/VNUKOVO-BASED Red
Wings has concluded a deal to acquire
three Sukhoi Superjet 100s on a year-
long lease. The aircraft are believed
to be the former Moskovia Airlines
examples, RA-89001 (c/n 95008),
RA-89002 (c/n 95010) and RA-89021
(c/n 95021), that were returned to the
manufacturer following the carrier’s
collapse earlier this year (see Airliner
World, October 2014). They are due
for delivery by year end and will ini-
tially fly on routes from Moscow to Ufa,
Makhachkala, Chelyabinsk, Sochi and
Mineralnye Vody.
Red Wings’ CEO Evgeny Klyucharev said
agreement with the manufacturer will
enable the carrier to switch between
low- and high-capacity seating variants
of the Superjet as demand dictates. He
added that the three aircraft are the first
element of a fleet renewal programme,
which will see the airline operating 15
examples by 2017. (Photo Viktor László)
Enterprise has concluded a deal
to acquire Yakutia Airlines Q400,
VP-BKD (c/n 4162), on short-term
lease. The one-time Luxair aircraft
(ex LX-LGC) will be used on services
from Mirny to Novosibirsk, Irkutsk,
and Krasnoyarsk until January 2015,
though Alrosa has outlined plans
to acquire more examples in the
longer term.

AIR ARMENIA has suspended a host of

services amid local press reports the air-

Trouble in Armenia line had run into financial difficulties. The

Yerevan-based carrier was temporarily
banned from flying into Russian airspace
during September after failing to pay $1.1
million owed to the country’s Federal Air
Navigation Service. Though it resumed
flights to Moscow on September 22, it
has now returned its two Airbus A320s,
EK-32039 (c/n 1439) and EK-32050 (c/n
1450), to lessor AerCap – the aircraft were
placed into storage at Woensdrecht in the
Netherlands in early October. As Airliner
World went to press, the Armenian flag
carrier was continuing to fly limited ser-
vices to destinations including Frankfurt,
Moscow, Paris and St Petersburg using
its sole Boeing 737-505, EK-73797 (c/n
26297). (Photo Air Armenia)

Orenburg
E-Jets
RUSSIAN CARRIER Orenburzhye has
King of Russia
This Beech King Air 350i, RA-02780, wears the livery of Russian pro-
abandoned plans to acquire three vincial start-up Air Samara. It is pictured at Moscow/Domodedovo on
Antonov An-148s after securing a deal October 28. AKTUG ATES
to lease a similar number of Embraer
E-Jets. The 100-seat aircraft – due
for delivery by June 2015 – will com-
plement the Orenburg-based carrier’s
existing fleet of six Let L-410 Turbolets.
The airline’s General Director, Sergei
Kalinovsky, told Russia’s ITAR-TASS
news agency that the Brazilian-built
E-Jets “will be used on our more
popular regional routes such as
Nizhniy Novgorod to Orenburg, Kazan
and Samara”.

10 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014

 News Review • Africa/Middle East
New Transatlantic Cargo Service
ABU DHABI-BASED Etihad Cargo, the
freighter division of Etihad Airways
is to partner with Avianca Cargo, the
Colombian cargo subsidiary of Latin
American carrier Avianca.
The two companies will launch a twice-
weekly service from November 12 from
Milan/Malpensa, to Bogotá, Colombia
First Q400 for Air Côte d’Ivoire
THE FIRST Bombardier Dash
8-Q400 (c/n 4474) for Ivory Coast
operator, Air Côte d’Ivoire was seen
on a test flight in early October at
Toronto/Downsview – fitted with
the temporary registration C-GZDV.
Etihad Announces new Partnership
ETIHAD AIRWAYS unveiled a new brand,
entitled Etihad Airways Partners, on
October 8. It aims to bring together like-
minded airlines to offer customers more
flexibility. The UAE carrier's President and
CEO James Hogan said: “We are broad-
ening our business model to articulate
and define a partner proposition for like-
minded airlines which will result in syn-
ergies and efficiencies for participating
carriers on the one side, and enhanced
network choice and frequent flyer ben-
Gambian Bird
The Government of The Gambia’s striking Ilyushin Il-62, C5-RTG (c/n 1356234), is pictured at
Washington/Dulles in mid-October. The aircraft had previously spent time in New York having
transported President Yahya Jammeh to attend the UN General Assembly. KEITH SOMMER
12 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
and from Bogotá to Amsterdam, using a
Boeing 747-400 Freighter.
Etihad Cargo operates four freighter
flights a week between Abu Dhabi and
Milan/Malpensa.
Avianca Cargo provides cargo ser-
vices from its Bogotá hub, at El Dorado
International Airport to countries in Latin
It is the carrier’s first new aircraft
and is configured in a two-class
layout. The example, due for deliv-
ery later this year, will be used on
flights to Bouaké, Korhogo, Man
and San Pédro on the Ivory Coast.
efits for the consumer on the other.”
Initially, six airlines will participate in the
new partnership: airberlin, Air Serbia, Air
Seychelles, Jet Airways, Darwin Airline,
and Etihad Airways. They will benefit
from economies of scale and operational
synergies, such as centres of excellence,
shared sales teams in certain destina-
tions, joint procurement of services and
supplies, and shared pilot and cabin
crew training at the Etihad Airways facil-
ities in Abu Dhabi.
America, including Argentina, Brazil,
Chile, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador,
Uruguay and Paraguay.
Kevin Knight, Chief Strategy and
Planning Officer at Etihad Airways,
said: “Italy is the third largest cargo
market in Europe, and has been a
key focus area for Etihad Cargo since
The order, for two Q400s plus two
options, was first announced dur-
ing the 2013 Dubai Airshow. The
airline operates three leased Airbus
A319s, acquired in October 2012,
and a single Embraer 170, which
ProCharter
gets Stamp of Approval
THE ZAMBIA Civil Aviation Authority
(ZCAA) has awarded an Air Operator
Certificate (AOC) to ProCharter
Services, confirming that the firm
meets international safety, security and
operational standards. The AOC was
granted following lengthy compliance
2007 when we inaugurated our first
service to the country. Demand has
been strong and our operations have
since expanded to include freighter
and passenger flights to Milan, and
a daily passenger services between
Rome and Abu Dhabi, launched in July
this year.”
will be replaced by the Q400.
The two-aircraft order is valued at
approximately $69 million based
on list prices and if the options
are converted, this will increase to
$141 million. (Photo Andrew Cline)
procedures and audits undertaken by
the ZCAA. It is the third AOC issued by
Zambian authorities, with ProCharter’s
sister company Proflight Zambia and
Staravia Air Charters also receiving
approval. The certification marks a
new chapter in the country’s aviation
industry, and paves the way for other
Zambian air operators to complete
AOC processes and regain approval
for international flights.
“The ZCAA’s award of a third Air
Operator Certificate is a significant
milestone for Zambia’s aviation indus-
try,” said the Director General of the
ZCAA, Mr Gabriel Lesa. “It confirms
that the aircraft operator is a safe,
reputable company that can provide a
reliable service for passengers across
the region. It also demonstrates that
the ZCAA has the requisite capacity
and expertise to certify air operators to
international standards.”
(Photo ProCharter)

flydubai Launches New Route
UNITED ARAB Emirates low-cost carrier
flydubai has confirmed plans to launch
new twice-weekly flights between Dubai
and Bratislava, starting December 6.
The flights will operate on Tuesdays
and Saturdays using a Boeing 737-800
RAS expands in Africa
RHEINLAND AIR Service (RAS) of
Germany has recently opened a new
hangar at Eros Airport, Windhoek,
Namibia, expanding its capabilities and
gaining maintenance approvals from
Botswana and South Africa. This will
enable the company’s Aviation Centre
to become the Sub-Saharan destination
for Embraer ERJ 135/145 Maintenance
Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services.
“We have also completed a C check for
an Air Botswana ATR,” the company’s
Chairman and CEO Johannes Graf von
Qatar Partners with Vueling
QATAR AIRWAYS and Vueling have signed
an interline agreement that will enable the
Doha-based carrier to increase the num-
ber of flights to Europe, while strengthen-
ing Vueling’s hubs in Rome and Barcelona.
The agreement, which came into effect on
September 1, will improve trans-European
long-haul connections.
Barcelona’s El Prat Airport is Vueling’s
737 MAX for Ethiopian
Ethiopian Airlines has announced an order for 20 Boeing 737 MAX 8s. The deal is valued at more than $2.1 billion at current list prices and
includes 15 options. It is the single largest Boeing order by aircraft number from
an African carrier. BOEING
News Review • Africa/Middle East
in a 188-seat two-class layout.
Ivan Trhlík, CEO and Chairman of
Bratislava Airport said: “The launch of
the new connection is a great business
success. It is for the first time
Schaesberg told Airliner World at the
ERAA conference in Barcelona. “We
have 35 employees at Windhoek – all
Namibian – plus a couple of managers
that we sent from Germany.” With the
opening of the new hangar, the compa-
ny plans to ramp up its MRO work and
expand its capabilities in the region.
“Regional airlines can now replace expen-
sive long ferry flights to Europe with a
short local stop and they will appreciate
that they finally have a practical alter-
native for local service,” added Martin
main hub and the airline offers direct
flights to 121 destinations with up to
11,000 connections across Europe,
Africa and the Middle East. Vueling
also offers 40 direct routes from Rome/
Fiumicino, the company’s second opera-
tional hub, as well as 850 connections
to global destinations.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive,
Bratislava Airport has had a sched-
uled flight to this popular destination.”
(Martin Dichler)
Funck, Windhoek Managing Director.
Meanwhile in Germany, RAS has enjoyed
a busy 12 months completing the expan-
sion of its central European headquarters
at Mönchengladbach, near Düsseldorf,
Germany, with a new, second large hang-
ar including workshops and storage, plus
space for six ATR 42/72s. The overall
91,500sq ft (8,500m²) facility features
an ever-growing parts warehouse, which
includes many hard-to-find components
made available by the company’s ‘parting
out’ of surplus ATR aircraft.
His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, said:
“This agreement with Vueling is the first
step in offering our clients seamless
access to and from Europe via Rome-
Fiumicino and El Prat. Both airlines,
as well as the teams at Fiumicino and
El Prat will work towards providing the
best possible travel experience for all
our passengers.”
in brief
London/Heathrow welcomed the first
Qatar Airways Airbus A380 following its
inaugural flight from Doha on October 13.
The arrival of the world’s largest airliner
on the Doha-to-London/Heathrow route
marked the beginning of a six flights a
day service between the two cities – in
addition to direct services from Doha to
Edinburgh and Manchester. Qatar plans
to add a second A380 on the same route
in December.
Emirates celebrated the delivery of its
100th Boeing 777-300ER, A6-ENV (c/n
41368) on October 28. The event marked
another milestone in a partnership with
Boeing that began over two decades ago
when the airline ordered its first 777.
With this delivery, the airline will have 142
of the type in operation and with a further
52 on order, making it the world’s largest
user of the type. It is also the only carrier to
fly all the 777 variants, while it is the launch
customer for the next generation 777X.
“We have 204 more 777s on order, which
supports over 400,000 jobs in the US,
including those from various suppliers,
such as General Electric which provides
the GE90 engines that power all of our
}777-300ERs,” said Clark.
(Photo Boeing)
Air Seychelles has announced strong
financial performance for the first half of
2014, with double-digit growth in revenue,
passenger numbers and cargo volume.
The company posted total revenues of $50
million up from $42 million compared with
last year’s figures, an increase of 20%.
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority has
reportedly held preliminary talks with the
country’s government over the resurrection
of Uganda Airlines. The former national
carrier – of which a re-launch has been
mooted since 2012 – was liquidated in 2001
after accruing substantial debts, though its
return has been given further impetus by the
recent failure of Air Uganda.
Start-up flyafrica.com is to launch a
Namibian subsidiary in February 2015.
The low-cost carrier plans to operate daily
flights from Windhoek to destinations
in South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and
Zimbabwe using a fleet of up to five Boeing
737-500s.
South African low-cost carrier FlySafair
officially launched operations on October
16. The airline is initially flying multiple
daily services between Cape Town and
Johannesburg with a pair of Boeing 737-
400s, but plans to introduce a new route
to Port Elizabeth imminently. The carrier’s
launch has been delayed almost a full 12
months after rivals Comair and SkyWise
successfully claimed to the North Gauteng
High Court that FlySafair did not meet the
legal requirement of 75% local ownership.
The airline has since undertaken a
substantial restructuring of its ownership.
www.airlinerworld.com 13
News Review • Americas
Eastern Firms up MRJ Order
Wiggins
Acquisition
Goes Ahead
US FREIGHT hauler Ameriflight has con-
cluded a deal to acquire Manchester,
New Hampshire-based Wiggins Airways.
The Texas firm will retain Wiggins’ flight
operations, aircraft maintenance, and
administrative support services, along
with 48 aircraft and 100 employees.
However, the carrier’s line operations
business (fixed base operations and air-
line services) will be sold to Signature
Flight Support in a separate deal.
“We are proud to welcome Wiggins
Airways into the Ameriflight family,” said
Jim Martell, Chairman of Ameriflight.
“This acquisition is truly a win-win for
both companies as well as our employ-
ees, customers, and the communities we
serve by adding new bases and routes to
our northeastern US network.”
Frontier Airlines’ latest Airbus A320-214, N227FR (c/n 6184), was a recent visitor to Ronald
Reagan Washington National Airport. The aircraft, named ‘Grizwald the Bear’, wears the
US carrier’s new livery. BRIAN MCDONOUGH
14 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
WestJet
Plans Euro More 737s for Alaska
Expansion
CANADIAN LOW-COST carrier WestJet
will increase its presence in Europe after
confirming plans to launch new services
between Halifax and Glasgow. The link,
which begins in May, is the airline’s sec-
ond transatlantic route following the
introduction of flights to Dublin earlier
this year.
WestJet Executive Vice-President, Sales,
Marketing and Guest Experience, Bob
Cummings remarked: “This year’s launch
of service to Dublin has proved popular,
thanks to market growth driven by dras-
tically reduced fares. Fares to Glasgow
will be as much as 50% cheaper than
existing prices, so we’ll once again grow
the market.”
WestJet will initially use its Boeing 737-
700s on the route, with the east-bound
trip taking five hours 15 minutes.
Frontier Facelift
ALASKA AIRLINES has ordered a fur-
ther ten Boeing 737-900ERs. The deal
increases the Seattle-based carrier’s
outstanding orders for the largest 737
variant to 74.
“We love having Seattle as our home
and buying locally built aircraft is a
point of pride for us,” Alaska Airlines’
President and CEO Brad Tilden said.
“These new planes will allow us to
FLORIDIAN START-UP Eastern Air Lines
has confirmed its order for 20 Mitsubishi
MRJ90 regional aircraft. The deal,
which also includes purchase rights
for an additional 20 examples, follows
the Memorandum of Understanding
signed at the Farnborough International
Airshow in July 2014.
“We are honoured to partner with
Mitsubishi Aircraft on this next-gener-
ation regional aircraft which will deliver
best in class operating economics,
customer comfort and baggage capa-
bilities,” Eastern’s President and CEO
Edward J Wegel commented. “[The
MRJ] will proudly join our fleet start-
ing in 2019 and will be christened the
Eastern Whisperjet.”
The deal increases total commitments
for the Japanese jet up to 375, includ-
ing 191 firm orders, 160 options and 24
purchase rights. (Photo Mitsubishi)
serve our customers even better with
improved in-cabin experience, includ-
ing our new leather Recaro seats with
added leg room, power outlets at every
seat and larger overhead bins.” The
airline said the new jets will be used
for network growth and to replace its
737-400s, which are due for retire-
ment by the end of 2017.
(Photo Boeing)

Spirit’s Bare Fare
Ultra low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines is the latest US operator to unveil a new livery after repainting
Airbus A319-132, N534NK (c/n 3395), in an eye-catching all-yellow colour scheme. The aircraft
carries ‘Home of the Bare Fare’ titles on the engine nacelles.
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/ANDY MARTIN
PEOPLExpress Revival on Hold
NEW US airline PEOPLExpress cited
operational challenges after suspending
services in late September. The state-
ment from the Virginia-based budget car-
rier said: “Recent aircraft and crew avail-
ability and maintenance issues, including
an aircraft recently damaged by a ven-
dor’s truck, an engine change and a lack
of a planned spare aircraft, have made it
challenging to run a full schedule.”
Calgary-Bound
Israeli
Tie-Up for
JetBlue
New York-based budget airline JetBlue
has sought permission from the US
Department of Transportation to enter a
codeshare agreement with Israeli nation-
al carrier El Al. If approved, it will include
El Al placing its LY code on selected
JetBlue flights to New York/JFK and
Newark/Liberty.
If agreed, the deal will extend the carri-
ers’ existing interline partnership, which
has been in place since 2010.
Until its suspension, PEOPLExpress
used a Boeing 737-300 and a 737-400
on routes across the eastern seaboard
(see Airliner World, September 2014).
It had planned to resume services on
October 16 after reaching a tentative
agreement to acquire a spare aircraft.
However, the re-launch was subse-
quently deferred with CEO Jeff Erickson
commenting: “A number of steps need
Dash 8-315, C-FNSA (c/n 354). The aircraft is pictured
arriving from Great Falls, Montana on its delivery flight on
Transat Goes French
AIR TRANSAT is to acquire four Boeing
737 Next Generations for the win-
ter season after agreeing short-term
lease deals with French carrier Europe
Airpost and Prague-based Travel
Service Airlines. The aircraft – two
737-700s and a pair of 737-800s
equipped with 148 and 189 seats
respectively – will be used by the
Canadian firm on its leisure routes to
Mexico and the Caribbean.
“Our teams have done a massive
amount of work to implement a flex-
News Review • Americas
to be achieved before we can resume
service, among them some regulatory
approvals. In order to ensure that we
always have enough planes and crews,
we are obtaining approval to operate as
an Indirect Aircraft Carrier (known as
Part 380).
"This will allow us to obtain planes from
a number of providers if necessary for
service stability.”
Calgary-
based Sunwest
Aviation has taken delivery of
former North Cariboo Air de Havilland Canada
October 4. CHRIS SANDS
ible fleet, which will be perfectly suit-
ed to our needs as they change with
the seasons as well as the markets
we serve, while significantly improv-
ing our cost structure,” said Jean-
Marc Eustache, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Air Transat. “With
this strategy implemented, we boast
a flexible fleet comprising 737s, along
with Airbus A310s and A330s, with
configuration to be adjusted according
to seasonal tourism market
fluctuations.”
in brief
Start-up PAWA Dominicana has
abandoned plans to purchase up to 20
former Delta Air Lines McDonnell Douglas
DC-9s after reaching a deal to acquire the
more efficient MD-87. The Dominican
carrier, which secured its Air Operator
Certificate in mid-October, has since
launched services using a pair of MD-87s
sourced from sister carrier Aserca Airlines.
Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras is
reportedly close to finalising a $3.6bn deal
to acquire up to 35 Airbus A320neos (see
Airliner World, November 2014). According
to Bloomberg, the aircraft will be used
predominantly on the Brazilian carrier’s
domestic network to replace a similar
number of Embraer E-Jets that are to be
diverted to other areas.
Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson
has revealed the US carrier will retire its
remaining fleet of 13 Boeing 747-400s by
2017. The aircraft currently fly on the air-
line’s high-density domestic routes as well
as to key Asian destinations. Anderson
said that phasing out the 747 would be
accelerated as part of Delta’s “Pacific
network restructuring”, adding that lost
capacity would be replaced by its incoming
fleet of Airbus A330-300s. (Photo Delta)
LATAM Airlines Group has announced
a raft of new services for 2015. LAN
Airlines will launch flights from Santiago
to Milan via São Paulo late next year,
while also increasing frequencies on its
Santiago-Miami link up to 14 a week.
Meanwhile, TAM Airlines will become the
first in the Americas to take delivery of the
Airbus A350 XWB. The Brazilian firm will
also add direct services from São Paulo
to Barcelona and Cancun by mid-2015,
followed by a new route to Toronto via
New York.
WestJet has entered a codeshare agree-
ment with China Airlines which will see
the latter add its code to flights from
Vancouver to Los Angeles. The Canadian
carrier now has codeshares or interline
partnerships with almost 40 domestic and
international airlines.
La Paz-based Boliviana de Aviación
(BoA) introduced its first of three Boeing
767-300s into service in late October. The
jet, CP-2881 (c/n 27377), took over from a
leased Omni Air International example and
will be employed on long-haul services to
Madrid and Miami. The Bolivian carrier’s
remaining 767-300s are undergoing pre-
delivery maintenance in Mexico City and
Cochabamba respectively.
EPCOR, part of Air France Industries/KLM
Engineering & Maintenance has signed
a long-term contract with Air Canada
to maintain the Hamilton Sundstrand
APS 5000 Auxiliary Power Units (APUs)
installed on its 37 Boeing 787s.
www.airlinerworld.com 15
News Review • Asia/Pacific
First 747-8I to Air China Delivered
BEIJING CAPITAL International Airport-
based Air China took delivery of its first
Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, B-2485
(c/n 41191), at the US manufacturer’s
Everett facility on September 29. It
makes Air China the second airline,
and Asia’s first, to operate the passen-
ger version of the latest variant of the
iconic jumbo jet. The new aircraft is
Royal Brunei
Announces BA Deal
ROYAL BRUNEI Airlines (RB) has
expanded its route network to include
six more UK destinations following a
Special Prorate Agreement signed with
British Airways (BA), giving each
carrier a fixed price for interlining.
The deal will extend RB’s network to
key destinations such as Manchester,
Glasgow, Belfast and Edinburgh.
The agreement also means
passengers’ bags will be checked-
in all the way to their final destina-
tion and their boarding passes for
all flights issued at the first check-in
point. Business Class customers will
also have access to all BA business
lounges.
IngiGo Commits to More A320neos
INDIA’S LARGEST domestic airline
(by market share), IndiGo signed a
Memorandum of Understanding with
Airbus for 250 A320neo Family aircraft
on October 15. The deal is valued at
$25.5 billion at current list prices. It will
become the manufacturer’s single largest
New ATR
Customer
TransNusa Aviation Mandiri took
delivery of its first new generation
ATR 42-600, PK-TNJ (c/n 1015) on
September 25. The aircraft will be used
to develop the carrier’s fly-in, fly-
16 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
the first of seven examples the airline
has on order.
Air China introduced the 366-seat
747-8I into service on October 11 on
routes from its Beijing hub to domestic
destinations of Chengdu, Guangzhou
and Shanghai. Long-haul flights to
Frankfurt are due to start by the end
Qantas Unveils New A330 Business Suites
AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL
carrier has revealed the final
designs for its new Business
Suites – the first in the world
to afford passengers the
opportunity to recline in their
seats from before take-off to
after landing. The suites
also offer fully-flat beds
and direct aisle access for every
Business Class passenger in a
1-2-1 layout.
The Vantage XL seat, manufactured by
Thompson Aero Seating, was developed
and customised extensively by Qantas
following ergonomic trials and in-flight
testing. Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce
order by number of aircraft in its history,
when final negotiations are completed.
The agreement was signed by the air-
line’s co-founders, Rakesh Gangwal and
Rahul Bhatia, Group Managing Director of
InterGlobe, during a visit to the Toulouse
facility of Airbus. Aditya Ghosh, President
out (FIFO) charter business following the
recent award of a five-year contract from
one of Indonesia’s largest oil producers
It was due to enter service in November
of the year with Los Angeles and New
York being served by the type in 2015.
The airline has installed a four-class
cabin in its new jumbos, with 12 seats
in First Class, 52 in Business, 36 in
Premium Economy and 266 in
said: “We believe
this prouct will deliver the best travel
experience between Australia and Asia,
and probably the best domestic travel
experience anywhere in the world.”
of IndiGo, said: “This new order reaffirms
IndiGo’s commitment to the long-term
development of affordable air transporta-
tion in India and overseas.” The commit-
ment will see deliveries starting in 2018
and running through to 2026. IndiGo
previously placed orders with Airbus for
with its first FIFO rotation departing
Jakarta’s Halim Airport to Matak Airport
on Natuna Island, offering six return
flights per week. TransNusa’s has options
for three more ATR 42-600s. (Photo ATR)
Economy. The new jets will replace Air
China’s remaining fleet of four ageing
747-400s, which the carrier has con-
firmed will all be retired by the end of
2015. (Photo Boeing)
The suites are to be fitted to the air-
line’s 28-strong Airbus A330 fleet and
progressively introduced on interna-
tional flights to Asia, Hawaii and key
domestic routes from later this year.
Economy cabins on all international
A330s will also be modernised with a
new model of the Recaro seat, an
earlier version of which has proved
popular with Qantas passengers on
its A380s and refurbished Boeing 747s.
Work to refresh the A330 interiors –
each of which will take about a month –
will start at Qantas’ heavy maintenance
facility in Brisbane in November and the
first aircraft is due to return to service in
late December. (Photo Qantas)
100 A320ceos in 2005; the last of which
was due in November. A deal for 30 more
A320ceos and 150 A320neos, which will
be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G
engines, was signed in 2011. The Indian
carrier is one of the launch customers for
the new neo jet.
VietJet
A320 Enters
Final Assembly
FINAL ASSEMBLY has begun of
VietJetAir’s first Airbus A320-214. It
ordered up to 100 of the type in a deal
finalised in February this year. The
Vietnamese carrier has 63 aircraft on firm
order, 30 purchase rights and plans to
lease a further seven jets from third party
lessors. The first aircraft, which will carry
the flight test registration of F-WWBP (c/n
6341), will become VN-A612 when it is
delivered before the end of the year.

Virgin Australia Tames the Tiger
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA Holdings is acquir-
ing the remaining 40% shares in loss-
making Tiger Australia Airways (Tigerair
Australia) from its parent company
Tiger Airways Holdings for just A$1.
Tigerair has suffered turbulent times
since entering the Australian market in
November 2007. Not only has it yet to
make a profit, its latest half-year operat-
ing losses almost doubled to $48 mil-
lion due to intensified competition The
transaction, once completed, will see
Virgin Australia secure 100% owner-
ship and full control of Tigerair Australia
and will bring to an end the joint ven-
Garuda Indonesia Orders MAX 8s
INDONESIAN flag carrier, Garuda
Indonesia signed a firm contract for
50 Boeing 737 MAX 8s on October
12. The deal is valued at $4.9 bil-
lion at current list prices. Under the
terms of the agreement, the airline will
purchase 46 737 MAX 8s and said it
will convert existing orders for four
First Vietnam-based Amphibian Delivered
The Cessna Aircraft Company has delivered the first two Grand Caravan 208B-EX Amphibians to Vietnam’s Hai Au Aviation. A third example is
due to arrive before the end of the year. The turboprops, VN-B468 and VN-B469, will be used to provide luxury travel experiences and scenic
flights for visitors to exotic areas such as the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Halong Bay, the beaches of Nha Trang and the Mekong Delta.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY
ture between the two carriers, which
started in July 2013. As part of the
overall deal, Virgin Australia will also
secure the brand rights to fly Tigerair
Australia services to several short-haul
international destinations. The trans-
action still needs to be approved by
the Foreign Investment Review Board
and Tiger Holding shareholders, and
meet licensing and service agreements.
Completion of these conditions is sched-
uled for the end of the year.
John Borghetti, Virgin Australia’s
CEO, said: “Tiger Holdings and Virgin
Australia have worked well together over
Next-Generation 737-800s to MAX 8s.
Currently operating a fleet of around
80 737s, the new order will give the
airline flexibility to grow and modern-
ise its fleet as the market demands.
Emirsyah Satar, the carrier’s CEO,
said: “The 737 MAX 8 represents
a bright, efficient future for Garuda
News Review • Asia/Pacific
the past 14 months on building a strong
operating platform for Tigerair Australia.
The joint venture has strengthened sys-
tems and processes, increased aircraft
utilisation, established a Brisbane base
and leveraged synergies across a range
of areas. Borghetti explained subdued
consumer demand in the domestic mar-
ket would mean the Tigerair Australia
domestic fleet was likely to be reduced,
although he didn’t say by how much.
The deal marks an important milestone
for both carriers and forms part of the
Virgin Australia Group’s ‘Virgin Vision
Strategy 2017’.
Indonesia. This order helps to contin-
ue our commitment to offer the people
of Indonesia and Southeast Asia the
most comfortable, most efficient air
travel in the region.” This latest deal
takes the total number of 737 MAX
orders to 2,295 aircraft from 47
customers worldwide. (Photo Boeing)
in brief
China Aviation Supplies Holding
Company (CAS) and Airbus have signed a
General Terms Agreement for the purchase
of 70 Airbus A320 Family aircraft. The
deal reflects strong demand from Chinese
carriers for the manufacturer’s single-
aisle family of jets for domestic, low-cost,
regional and international operations.
Vietnam Airlines first Airbus A350-900 XWB
entered the Roger Béteille Final Assembly Line
at Toulouse on October 1. The aircraft, which
is construction number 014, is scheduled for
delivery in mid-2015 with the carrier becoming
the type’s second operator, after Qatar
Airways. Vietnam Airlines has ordered ten
A350-900 XWBs and plans to operate them on
premium, long-range services. (Photo Airbus)
Airstream International Group has arranged,
in collaboration with a large US-based lessor,
the purchase and onward lease of former
Danish Air Transport ATR 42-500, OY-RUJ
(c/n 497), to Papua New Guinea-based Hevilift
Group. The 46-seat turboprop has been ferried
to Cairns, Australia, where it will undergo pre-
service modifications, before joining Hevilift.
Chinese low-cost carrier Spring Airlines
has become the nation’s first to commit to
retrofitting Sharklet wing-tip devices to its
fleet of 38 Airbus A320s. The retrofitted
aircraft will supplement eight new-build
Sharklet-equipped A320s the carrier has
received since September 2013.
New Taiwanese start-up low-cost carrier
V air will take delivery of Airbus A321-
200, B-22608 (c/n 6009), under a dry-
lease agreement from parent company
TransAsia Airways before starting services
in December. The airline is currently
awaiting certification by the Taiwanese
Civil Aeronautics Administration before
launching its inaugural route from Taipei/
Taoyuan to Bangkok/Don Mueang.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is
to phase out its last remaining Boeing
747-367, AP-BFY (c/n 23920), after it has
completed this year’s Hajj pilgrim flights in
November. The carrier, which at one time
operated six 747-367s, has been replacing
the ageing jets with modern twin-engine
777 widebodies.
Kunming Airlines has committed to
purchase ten 737s – four Next-Generation
737-700s and six 737 MAX aircraft – in
an $897m deal, subject to the approval
of the Chinese Government. The new jets
will be a major step in the carrier’s growth
strategy, expanding both its network and
Yunnan’s gateway airport in support of the
province’s economic development.
Shenzen-based SF Airlines has ordered an
undisclosed number of Boeing 767-300ER
passenger-to-freighter conversions (Boeing
Converted Freighters). The cargo airline, a
subsidiary of SF Express, is due to accept
its first redelivered 767 in the second half
of 2015.
www.airlinerworld.com 17
 News Review • International
A Huge LEAP Forward
CFM International’s new LEAP engine
took to the skies for the first time on
October 6 on a modified Boeing 747
flying test-bed at GE Aviation Flight
Test Operations Centre in Victorville,
California. The successful three-hour
first flight launches the next phase of
testing for the advanced engine pro-
gramme. The company said the engine
First MRJ
Rolled Out
MITSUBISHI AIRCRAFT Corporation
publically unveiled Japan’s first pas-
senger jet airliner at a ceremony at
its Nagoya Aerospace Systems Works
in Aichi Prefecture on October 18.
Hideaki Omiya, Mitsubishi Aircraft’s
Chairman, said: “A product ‘Made in
Japan’ – a product offering the high-
est levels of both operating economy
and cabin comfort – is at long last
about to leave the realm of dreams
and become a reality. It’s with
utmost confidence and pride that we
will soon be sending the MRJ out into
the world.”
This is the first of five prototypes
Mitsubishi is planning to build; the
second and third examples are cur-
rently in final assembly. There are
18 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
will undergo a comprehensive test
schedule over the next few weeks that
will measure its operability, stall mar-
gin, performance and acoustics. CFM
is currently working on the most exten-
sive ground and flight test certification
programme in its history, encompass
also two static airframes for ground
testing. All seven airframes are being
built to the 90-seat MRJ90 stand-
ard, the larger of the two versions
Mitsubishi Aircraft is planning. The
eighth example is due to be the first
MRJ70 designed to seat 78 passen-
gers in an all Economy configuration.
The first aircraft will now undergo an
intense period of ground testing of all
its systems ahead of its first flight,
scheduled for the second quarter of
2015. The jet will be used for flight
envelope expansion and systems tests.
Mitsubishi Aircraft says the MRJ will
achieve certification in 2017. Deliveries
to launch customer All Nippon Airways
(ANA) will start soon after.
(Photo Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation)
ing all three LEAP engine variants,
which include 28 ground and CFM and COMAC. Final engine certification
flight test engines, along with a total of is scheduled during the second quarter
32 flight test engines for Airbus, Boeing of 2015. (Photo CFM International)
Drive Train Joint Venture
ROLLS-ROYCE and Hispano-Suiza Based on an initial 25-year contract,
(Safran) have agreed to create a joint- the JV will cover the entire range of civil
ly-owned company that will design, aircraft, including the recently launched
develop, produce and support accessory Airbus A330neo, for which Rolls-Royce
drive train transmissions for all of Rolls- won the engine contract in July 2014
Royce’s future civil aircraft engines. with its Trent 7000 powerplant.
BOEING Deliveries
Taxiing at Boeing Field is the latest 737-87L for Kunming Airlines. The aircraft, B-1991 (c/n
411120), is configured in a two-class layout with eight Business Class seats and 159 in
Economy. It was delivered to the carrier on September 20. JOE G WALKER
Boeing delivered the following aircraft in September 2014:
Air Lease Corporation (2), Air China, All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, Avia
Leasing, AWAS, China Eastern Airlines (2), CIT, COPA Airlines, flydubai, GECAS
B737-800 36 (3), Hainan Airlines, Jackson Square Aviation, Jet Airways, Kunming Airlines,
Norwegian (2), Qantas, Ryanair (2), Shandong Airlines, SilkAir, Southwest
Airlines (3), UTair (2), Virgin Australia Airlines, WestJet (2), Xiamen Airlines (2)
B737-800A 1 US Navy
B737-900ER 7 Delta Air Lines, Lion Air (4), United Airlines (2)
B747-8 1 Air China
B747-8F 1 Cargolux
B767-300F 2 FedEx (2)
Air China, Air Lease Corporation (2), China Southern Airlines, Emirates Airline,
B777-300ER 8
Garuda Indonesia Airways, GECAS, Turkish Airlines
B777F 1 Qatar Airways Cargo
B787-8 7 Air Canada, Air India, ILFC (2), Kenya Airways, LAN Airlines (2)
B787-9 3 Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, United Airlines
Total 67
 News Review • International
AIRBUS Deliveries Boeing in brief
Increases 737 Commercial Aircraft Corporation of

Production China (COMAC) and Boeing have opened a

BOEING HAS revealed plans to increase
production of its 737 single-aisle airliner to
52 aircraft per month in 2018. The com-
pany said this was in response to strong
market demand from customers world-
Pictured arriving back from a pre-delivery test flight is the first Airbus A330-343 for SriLankan
Airlines. The aircraft, which is wearing test registration F-WWYX (c/n 1564), will become wide. Once the increase has been imple-
4R-ALL when it is handed over to the carrier later this year. TOULOUSE FAMILY SPOTTING GROUP / JPYP mented, Boeing expects to build more than
Airbus delivered the following aircraft in September 2014: 620 737s per year, the highest rate ever for
A319 4 American Airlines (2), China Eastern Airlines (2) what it calls the world’s best-selling com-
Air China (2), Avianca, Capital Airlines (2), China Eastern Airlines (3), Citilink,
mercial aircraft. The US manufacturer
easyJet, Etihad Airways, Hong Kong Airlines, IndiGo (2), Lufthansa, Qingdao
A320 26
Airlines, Spring Airlines (3), Thai AirAsia, Thai Smile, Vanilla Air, VietJetAir, Vistara currently produces 42 jets per month at its
Airlines (2), Wizz Air Renton facility and has already announced
A321 12
Air China, American Airlines (5), China Southern Airlines, EVA Air, Philippine an increase to 47 per month in 2017.
Airlines, TransAsia Airways, US Airways, Vietnam
Beverly Wyse, Vice President and General
A330-200 2 Hainan Airlines, Virgin Australia
Manager, 737 Program, said: “This
Air China, Cathay Pacific Airways, Garuda Indonesia Airways, Korean Air, Singapore
A330-300 6 increase is recognition of the teamwork
Airlines, Skymark Airlines
A380 4 British Airways, Emirates Airline (2), Qatar Airways that achieved record level production rates
Total 54 while improving safety, productivity and
quality. Strong efforts by Boeing employ-
ees, our suppliers and community support
allow us to continue to build these fabulous
airplanes in Renton for years to come.”
Boeing has taken more than 12,100
orders for its single-aisle airliner from 266
customers worldwide. It includes more
than 6,800 commitments for the Next-
Generation 737 and more than 2,290
orders for the new 737 MAX. The manu-
facturer currently has more than 4,000
outstanding deliveries across the 737 fam-
ily and in the company’s Current Market
demonstration facility in Hangzhou, China,
that will turn waste cooking oil, commonly
referred to as ‘gutter oil’ in China, into
sustainable aviation biofuel. Known as
the China-US Aviation Biofuel Pilot Project,
the two companies estimate 500 million
gallons (1.8 billion litres) of biofuel could be
produced annually. The project’s goal is to
assess the technical feasibility and cost of
producing higher volumes.
Boeing has revealed it will produce 777X
parts at its St Louis, Missouri, facility from
2017 bringing work that is currently being
performed by suppliers at home and overseas
back ‘in house’. The St Louis team will
support production at the new composite
wing centre which is under construction at
the company’s Everett site. To accommodate
these additional tasks, Boeing will expand its
St Louis composites facility.
The nose section of the first Commercial
Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC)
C919 passenger aircraft has been delivered
to the final assembly line at Shanghai’s
Pudong International Airport, from AVIC’s
Chengdu facility on October 15. This is
the fourth major structure to arrive – with
final assembly of the first prototype under
way, COMAC is confident the aircraft will
be completed by mid-2015 and make its
maiden flight before the end of that year.
(Photo COMAC)

First Year with Interjet

Outlook, its long-term forecast of air traffic
volumes and commercial aircraft demand,
projects a need for more than 25,000 sin-
THE SUKHOI Superjet 100 has fleet of nine SSJ100 aircraft in service gle-aisle airliners over the next 20 years.
completed its first year of operations is operated from Mexico City to various The market, it says, is worth $2.56 trillion.
with Mexican carrier Interjet. In that domestic destinations, such as Torreón,
time, the fleet has logged more than
12,000 flight hours and 11,400 flight
Tijuana, Puerto Escondido and Acapulco.
“We are very proud of these operational
Airbus Expands Norwegian has selected Rolls-Royce Trent
1000 engines for nine additional Boeing
cycles. The maximum utilisation in a results,” said Nazario Cauceglia, CEO of in China 787-9s it will be leasing from International
Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). This
day was over 11 flight hours. According SuperJet International at ERAA. “They AIRBUS AND its Chinese partners, the latest order brings the total number of the
to the airline’s operational reliability confirm that the SSJ100 is a competitive Tianjin Free Trade Zone and the Aviation airline’s Trent 1000-powered Dreamliners
report, the aircraft is showing a techni- product and offers in today’s market the Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), to 17, with these nine 787-9s being
cal dispatch reliability average of 99% most efficient combination of regional have reconfirmed their intention to equipped with the latest Trent 1000-TEN
and has not logged any cancellations efficiency with mainline capabilities.” establish an Airbus A330 Completion engines, which the company says will set
due to technical reasons. The current (Photo Superjet International) and Delivery Centre in Tianjin, China. A new standards on the aircraft.
Letter of Intent was signed in Berlin dur-
Embraer has started production of the
EMBRAER Deliveries ing the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s first prototype E190-E2 jet, the second
Embraer’s firm order backlog had reached $22.1 billion by the end of the third quarter of 2014, the highest
state visit to Germany. The new develop- generation of the Brazilian manufacturer’s
in the company’s history. During the period, the manufacturer delivered 19 jets to the commercial aviation ment will support the quickening expan- E-Jets family of commercial airliners. The
market and 15 to business users. sion of air traffic in China with larger air- aluminium wing stub forward pressure
Type 3Q14 Total 2014 craft. Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President bulkhead was the first metal cut for the new
Commercial Aviation and CEO, said: “In its 30 year history, jet at the company’s metallic structures
E170 - 1 the Airbus partnership with China keeps facility in Évora, Portugal on October 17.
The part will now be sent to Brazil ready for
E175 16 40 on growing and expanding. The intended
E190 2 14 the start of final assembly. First flight of the
establishment of the A330 Completion prototype is scheduled for 2016.
E195 1 7 and Delivery Centre will add a new, excit-
Executive Aviation
ing chapter to our long-standing track Honeywell Aerospace is teaming up with
Light jets 15 54
Large jets - 10
record of mutual achievements.” Deer Jet, the largest business aviation
Airbus and its Chinese partners are plan- operator in the Asia Pacific region, to offer
Total 34 126
ning to build on the success of the A320 in-country access to maintenance services
(1 Phenom 100 and 14 Phenom 300)
Family final assembly line and delivery for the US company’s auxiliary power
Commercial Aviation
units (APUs). The aim to ensure Chinese
Model Firm Orders Options Deliveries Backlog centre that was opened at Tianjin in 2009.
operators can obtain prompt responses
E170 193 23 188 5 Aircraft assembled in Toulouse will be instead of calling on an out-of-country
E175 408 360 227 181 flown to China ‘green’ for the installation mobile team or travelling to an overhaul
E190 580 144 510 70 of cabins, pre-delivery checks and the centre in Hong Kong or Singapore.
E195 145 2 135 10 painting of customer liveries.

www.airlinerworld.com 19
 News Review • Other
ERAA
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
“This winter – for the first time in the last five years – there is a 3% capacity increase forecast
across our members’ network, so we feel a sense of optimism.” ERA’s Director General Simon
McNamara. ERAA
Personal Excellence
THE FINAL presentation of the even-
ing – the award for personal excellence
– was given to Captain Pascal Kremer,
who was appointed the airline safety
manager for Luxair in 2010. He has
also been Chairman of the ERAA Safety
Group since 2009.
“We rely on a small number of individu-
Conference Sessions
THE OPENING conference session includ-
ed a speech by ERAA’s Director General
Simon McNamara who reflected on the
difficult operating conditions – economi-
cally – for member airlines and airports
alike over the last five years. “It has been
tough, there’s no question of that,” he
said. “Airlines are deploying the reduced
capacity available on new and differ-
ent routes, where they can make money,
either as [wet-lease] suppliers, feeder air-
lines or point-to-point carriers. However,
this winter – for the first time in the
last five years – there is a 3% capacity
increase forecast across our members’
network, so we feel a sense of optimism
for the future in the growth of regionals
again after a very, very difficult five years.”
The second session included a panel of
speakers who talked about various issues
relating to the industry, and was ‘chaired’
20 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
als from among our members who give
a huge amount of time, expertise and
commitment to the association,” said
Simon McNamara. “Pascal is just such
an individual and his personal commit-
ment to air safety and ERAA means the
association’s air safety activities are all
the more effective.”
by Tony Whitty, CEO of Cabot Aviation. It
was started by Tony Tyler, the Director
General and CEO of IATA.
“Regional operators face many chal-
lenges,” said Tyler. “Aviation regulators
and politicians must work together with
the industry to foster growth. Globally,
the industry is moving into profitability
– particularly in Asia and the USA – but
Europe is lagging behind. Taxation, regu-
lation and infrastructure are all holding
progress back.” He added that there are
93 slot-constrained airports in Europe
alone and that international air traffic pro-
vider Eurocontrol predicts a large shortfall
between supply and demand in the future.
“By 2032, it is estimated that we will
almost double the number of passengers
that are flying today [6.3 billion world-
wide], and regional airlines need the right
partnerships to cope with this increase.”
Best Airport
SHANNON AIRPORT in Ireland was
the recipient of the ERAA Airport
Achievement Award, the first time it
has received the trophy. According to
the ERA, it is given to “an airport which
has had a positive impact on intra-
European air transport operations and
recognises the importance of airline-
airport partnerships”. The judges
applauded the facility’s huge achieve-
ment in returning to profitability after
ATR in Europe
TALKING ABOUT the role of the turbo-
prop in Europe, Patrick de Castelbajac,
the CEO of aircraft manufacturer ATR
was very positive. “Our ATR 42 is the
only 50-seater [currently] in production
and is a natural progression for those
operators currently using 30-seaters,”
he said at a press briefing. “Of the 470
commercial airports in Europe, 25%
are only served by turboprops and over
The panel was also asked whether the
future of regional airlines is brighter or
dimmer. “We need to consolidate to
bring the cost levels down,” said Per G
Braathen, the chairman of investment
company Braganza. “We will always need
regional carriers as some places in Europe
do not have the ground transport connec-
tions that people want.”
“I am very optimistic,” added Maurizio
THE ANNUAL General Assembly
for the European Regions Airline
Association (ERAA) took place at
the Catalunya Congress Centre in
Barcelona between September 30 and
October 1. It was attended by more
than 400 representatives from mem-
ber airlines and airports and included
an exhibition area, conference ses-
sions and seminars – plus a number
of press conferences for media and
delegates alike. There was also a gala
dinner at which the annual awards
were presented – see below. Next
year’s assembly will be held in Berlin,
Germany between October 13 and 15.
six years of significant decline, plus its
ability to attract new airline customers
and its management’s skill in leverag-
ing the airport’s independence from
the national airport authority to focus
on the needs of the local community.
This was illustrated in a major initiative
aimed at addressing the local
agricultural industry’s feed shortage by
bringing forward the airport’s grass-
cutting programme.
the short distances flown, higher jet
speed is not really a factor in shorten-
ing the flights [by only 10 or 15 min-
utes]. We are better in cost efficiency,
reliability and comfort.” The improved
PW127N engines that are available for
the ATR now have already proven to
provide a 4.5% power increase and
give improved performance in hot and
high conditions.
Merlo, the CEO of Etihad Regional (oper-
ated by Darwin Airline). “Regional airlines
play an important role. We need to get out
of the box and be innovative. We need to
be able to change …. and quickly.”
Tony Tyler summed up the views of the
panel. “Passenger demand remains
strong as people have more disposable
income, but governments need to help us
to progress in the future.”
 News Review • Other

Airline Awards
EVERY YEAR, five awards are presented
at the gala dinner – three to airlines, one
to an airport and a fifth to a person with-
in the industry. A distinguished panel
of judges made up of airline CEOs and
respected journalists – including from
Airliner World – deliberate over airline
entries to come up with the top three.
The winner of the Gold Award for the
ERAA Airline of the Year for 2014 was
Eastern Airways of the United Kingdom.
The judging panel cited the carrier’s
strong profits in 2013, its diverse busi-
ness model and new investment strat-
egy as key criteria in winning. The car-
rier was also applauded for its ability to
launch a new route overnight, as was its
achievement in winning a Public Service
Obligation (PSO) route in France and the
extension of its UK oil and gas-relate
contracts during 2013.
“It is a great honour to again win the
prestigious Gold Award, which is testa-
ment to the efforts and professionalism of
every member of our team,” said Richard
Lake, Chief Executive of the Eastern
Group. “To be recognised by our peers
in the industry is tremendous as regional
aviation is one of the most challenging
and competitive sectors in the world.”
(The carrier had previously won the prize
in 2006.)
The Silver Award went to Greek carrier
Sky Express, which flies BAe Jetstream
41s and an ATR on routes linking the
Greek islands. The carrier was com-
mended by the judging panel for its ability
to maintain profitability in the extremely
challenging Greek economic environment
and was also praised for the launch of
a new reservation system and the addi-
tion of an ATR 42 to its fleet, all achieved
under a new management team that had
expertly steered staff through the pro-
cesses.
The Bronze Award was given to Air
Nostrum of Spain, which has not only sur-
vived the recent economic storm in Spain,
but has attracted a new equity investor
and renegotiated its prorate agreement –
the terms of operating services between
two carriers (in this case with Iberia) – in
such testing and competitive times.
ABOVE RIGHT • Gold Award winner Eastern
Airways. EASTERN AIRWAYS
RIGHT • “This is testament to the efforts and
professionalism of every member of our
team.” Richard Lake, Chief Executive of the
Eastern Group. ERAA

More CF34 Flights

DURING AN ERAA press conference,
Kathy MacKenzie, the General Manager
of Regional Engines & Services at
GE Aviation stated that flights on the
world’s fleet of General Electric CF34-
powered regional jets have risen by an
average of 6% year-on-year during the
last decade, reaching more than 11,400
flights per day worldwide in 2013.
“The engine has played a significant
role in the growth of regional jet travel
worldwide,” she said. “CF34 opera-
tors recognise its proven performance
and we continue to see an increase in
orders for CF34-powered aircraft.”
During the last 18 months, GE says
it has received more than 640 CF34
engine orders as airlines continue to
grow their regional jet fleets. It has
delivered more than 6,000 units to
the regional sector and has continu-
ously invested in product enhance-
ments since the engine entered service
in 1992.

CSeries Developments Pratt & Whitney

AT THE time of the ERAA conference,
Bombardier had four of the new CSeries
regional jets flying and they had con-
ducted 120 flights. A fifth aircraft, plus
the first CSeries 300, were due to have
their maiden flights before the end of
2014. “We are looking at moving some
of the test flying to Wichita in Kansas
over the winter period to benefit from the
better weather,” said Marc Duchesne,
from Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
“We are also planning on having more
than 300 orders from 20 customer air-
lines on the type’s entry into service.”
Bombardier is now producing a high-
density, 86-seat version of its Dash
8-Q400 turboprop, with the second
aircraft (for Nok Air of Thailand) being
delivered at the start of October. “In
Europe, airberlin of Germany is now
using 17 examples,” added Duchesne.
“They are being utilised as a jet replace-
ment on thinner routes.”
(Photo Bombardier)
PW100 Expansion
DESPITE BEING in service for 30 years, “We are continuously investing in the
Pratt & Whitney Canada’s (P&WC) PW100 development of product enhancements
turboprop engine family continues to to our PW127 family and expect to roll
expand in terms of sales in the global out additional hot end durability features
regional aircraft market. Transport in 2015 that will increase the time-on-
Canada and the European Aviation Safety wing performance of the PW127M and
Agency (EASA) recently certified the PW127N engines,” he added.
PW127N for a new fleet of ATR 72-600s, (Photo Pratt & Whitney)
and the AVIC Xi’an Aircraft Company of
China has selected the PW150C for its
new MA700 regional turboprop.
“The engine extends our presence in
China’s rapidly growing aviation indus-
try,” confirmed Richard Dussault, P&WC
Vice President of Marketing at a press
conference at ERAA. “It also reinforces
the company’s long-standing relationship
with AVIC.” The relationship dates back
to the late 1980s when the PT6 engine
was selected for the Y12 utility aircraft
and continued with the development of
the MA60/600, powered by the PW127J,
in the early 1990s.

www.airlinerworld.com 21
 Canadian
Diversity
Craig West profiles Canadian firm Regional Express Aviation’s highly
diverse subsidiaries, Air Georgian and R1 Airlines.
I
n November 2013, Mississauga,
Ontario-based charter carrier and
Air Canada affiliate Air Georgian
entered a joint venture with Regional
1 Airlines of Calgary, Alberta under
the stewardship of a new parent com-
pany, Regional Express Aviation (REAL).
However, when the idea was first dis-
cussed the previous year, few would
have expected that the new group’s
future would include operations in rural
Africa and remote Northern Canada.
“I was visiting Calgary to research the
22 airliner world DECEMBER 2014
22-28 Air Georgian.indd 22
availability of de Havilland Dash 8
aircraft and it all came to life,” REAL
President and CEO Eric Edmondson
told Airliner World. “I met with John
Binder, Chief Executive Officer of
Avmax, owner of the world’s largest
private fleet of Dash 8 and Bombardier
CRJ Series 100 and 200 aircraft. Avmax
is the parent of Regional 1 Airlines
[since renamed R1 Airlines], a charter
operator specialising in the resource
sector and delivering humanitarian aid
in some of the world’s most vulnerable
BELOW • Bombardier regions. We discussed the goals for Air
CRJ100ER, C-GRIA (c/n Georgian and Regional 1 and it became
7561), wearing the old clear that a strategic partnership
Regional 1 livery. The
carrier was subsequently of some kind would be a beneficial
rebranded as R1 Airlines. relationship to pursue.”
ALL PHOTOS ANDREW CLINE The resulting joint venture is,
UNLESS STATED
according to Edmondson, aiming to
become “a major player in the 19- to
76-seat turboprop and jet market, both
at home and abroad. We currently
BELOW right • REAL
specialise in the 19- to 50-seat market,
President and CEO
Eric Edmondson. but we see the 76-seat market in our
AIR GEORGIAN near future.”
30/10/2014 10:18
 ...it became clear
that a strategic
partnership of some
kind would be a
This Beechcraft 1900D, beneficial relationship
C-GORN (c/n UE-403),
is one of 15 examples to pursue.
flying with Air Georgian. REAL President and CEO
The fleet is now also Eric Edmondson
being offered for
charters by R1 Airlines.

The efficient and versatile Dash 8
forms an important part of REAL's
fleet and, as a key operator of the
Canadian-built turboprop, it is likely
that any future expansion will include
the acquisition of the largest member
of the Dash 8 family, the 76- to 78-seat
Q400, though no decision has yet
been made.
Partners
Air Georgian’s partnership with Air
Canada remains at the core of REAL’s
business. The Ontario-based airline
is one of four companies – along with
Jazz, Sky Regional and Exploits Valley
BELOW • Air Georgian has
Air Services – to operate under the
recently introduced the
Bombardier CRJ100 on Air Canada Express banner, flying
services to the US. Beechcraft 1900Ds and CRJs on
domestic and transborder services
from Toronto and Calgary. As a ‘Tier
III’ partner, Air Georgian is carrying
more than 500,000 passengers a year,
though this is expected to increase
further following the flag carrier’s
December 2013 decision to expand its
capacity purchase agreement (CPA)
with the regional affiliate. This

www.airlinerworld.com 23

22-28 Air Georgian.indd 23 30/10/2014 10:18

 24 airliner world DECEMBER 2014

22-28 Air Georgian.indd 24 30/10/2014 10:18


included the introduction of the CRJ100
regional jet on routes from Toronto to
Charlottetown, Nashville, Cincinnati,
Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee
and Raleigh-Durham (see Airliner
World, July 2014).
“We are pleased to expand our long-
standing commercial relationship with
Air Georgian that will allow Air Canada
to introduce more cost-competitive
operations in a number of our key
regional markets,” Air Canada’s Senior
22-28 Air Georgian.indd 25
Vice President, Regional Markets,
Kevin Howlett, said at the time. “The
competitive bid process generated a
significant level of response from a
number of Canadian and US regional
operators. Following a thorough
evaluation of proposals received, Air
Georgian was selected on the basis
of a broad range of criteria, including
operational safety, efficiency, cost and
service. The award of additional flying
to Air Georgian is an important step
The carrier’s domestic
and scheduled services
are operated under the The formation of
Air Canada Express
banner.
REAL has brought about
significant changes for
both Air Georgian and
sister carrier
R1 Airlines.
Air Georgian is
headquartered in in our regional airline diversification
Mississauga, Ontario. strategy and ongoing cost
transformation programme.”
Diversification
The formation of REAL, which is
owned equally by maintenance and
OPPOSITE • Air Georgian’s aviation support firm The Avmax
aircraft wear the livery Group and the Georgian International
of national carrier Air
Canada, for which the Group, has brought about significant
Toronto-based operator changes for both Air Georgian and
is a Tier III partner. sister carrier R1 Airlines. In the case
of the latter, this includes being
rebranded from Regional 1, while its
new ownership structure gives the
subsidiary additional clout in both the
A route map showing Air domestic and international aircraft,
Georgian’s domestic and
transborder network. crew, maintenance and insurance
AIR GEORGIAN (ACMI) charter markets, where the
www.airlinerworld.com 25
30/10/2014 10:18
 Equal Opportunities
Air Georgian’s initiative to eliminate gender
disparity in the aviation industry is one that has
attracted widespread attention across Canada.
“We have really made this a priority, and I think it
is an important area for all segments of aviation
to consider,” the carrier’s President and CEO
Eric Edmondson explained to Airliner World. “It
came to light when we were visiting various high
schools during career-related events. It was clear
that aviation was not an industry that a lot of
young people had on their radar. We also found
that women represented a very small proportion
of the group that had considered or was willing to
consider aviation as a career. We began to think
of ways to break down the gender barrier that
exists in aviation. We have only scratched the
surface in what we want to do in this regard and I
think it will take a co-ordinated effort of industry
stakeholders to make real change.”
For Edmondson, the issue is particularly close
to home – he has a 17-year-old daughter who
is considering a career in aviation. “She has
had great visibility of the industry her entire life
and one could argue easy access to information,
company is vying for contracts in the
natural resource and humanitarian
sectors respectively. The Calgary-
based airline, which has adopted the
tagline ‘Boundless’, is no stranger to
unusual requests and regularly flies
into remote and vulnerable locations
around the world.
R1 was originally formed by The
Avmax Group in 2003 as a small
regional airline flying scheduled
services in Western Canada. The
carrier was primarily aimed at
transporting workers to and from
26 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
22-28 Air Georgian.indd 26
exist, be they gender bias, financial burdens,
scarcity of early career opportunities and career
trajectory when compared to other industries.
The bottom line is that we want to have more
young people interested in our industry and we
want to eliminate gender bias through education
and programs that engage and encourage
today’s youth.”
Unusually, Air Georgian has turned to the world
of sports, and more specifically ice hockey, as
a means of recruiting young women into the
industry. The programme is the brainchild of
Edmondson –a long-time hockey coach and
past president of the Barrie Women’s Hockey
Association – who considers that women involved
in sport, especially those participating in
traditionally male-dominated pursuits, are more
likely to be strong achievers. Air Georgian pilot
and hockey player Mallory Deluce is a key part
First Officer Mallory yet the prospect of becoming a pilot or engineer of this programme – though now flying as a First
Deluce has won gold seems tougher to her than it might for her male Officer with the carrier, she has won gold medals
medals for both Team peers. I think we need to do a better job talking with Team Ontario and Team Canada and
Ontario and Team about aviation with young people and a far bet- regularly attends junior games to promote the
Canada. AIR GEORGIAN
ter job of breaking down all barriers to entry that airline’s initiative to potential recruits.
In December 2013, Air the natural resource hubs but, as
Canada extended its
agreement with Air ... Air Georgian its business grew, so too did R1’s
aspirations and, in 2005, it moved
Georgian, leading the
latter to introduce the is now very well into the charter market. This led the
Bombardier CRJ100 on
routes from Toronto to
positioned to take company into previously unchartered
Charlottetown, Nashville, advantage of any future territory, such as flying humanitarian
Cincinnati, Indianapolis,
Kansas City, Milwaukee
growth opportunities aid into Afghanistan and Pakistan
and assisting non-government
and Raleigh-Durham. presented to us under organisations in the aftermath of the
the Air Canada 2010 earthquake in Haiti as
Express banner. well as supporting other
peacekeeping operations.
REAL President and CEO
Eric Edmondson Today, R1 flies a mixed fleet of four
Dash 8s and two CRJs, and leases in
30/10/2014 10:19
 additional aircraft – largely but not
exclusively from Avmax – as and when
they’re needed. One of the immediate
benefits delivered through the launch
of REAL was Air Georgian’s 15-strong
fleet of Beech 1900D turboprops, which
are now being offered by R1 on both
new and existing ACMI contracts in
addition to its regular scheduled work
for Air Canada. Through its links with
Air Georgian and Avmax, R1 Airlines
now has access to the world’s largest
private fleet of Dash 8 and CRJs, while
the addition of the 18-seat Beech
1900Ds mean it can now serve far
smaller markets that were previously
inaccessible to its larger types.
The arrangement also provides more
than $100 million in spare parts and
domestic maintenance bases in R1 Airlines Fleet List Following the introduction competitors as Air Georgian is now
Halifax, Montreal, Kingston, Toronto, of the joint venture with very well positioned to take advantage
Type Reg'n c/n
Calgary and Vancouver. International Air Georgian, Regional of any future growth opportunities
Bombardier Dash 8-102 C-FRIB 114 1 was renamed R1
deployments are supported through Bombardier Dash 8-202 C-FDXV 426 Airlines and its aircraft presented to us under the Air Canada
Avmax facilities in Great Falls, C-GUZX 489 were painted into a Express banner,” Edmondson explained
Bombardier Dash 8-314 revised livery.
Montana, Jacksonville, Florida, Nairobi, C-GXYA 414 to Airliner World. “The joint venture
Kenya and N’djamena, Chad. C-GRGD 7572 under REAL also means R1 Airlines
Bombardier CRJ100ER
“I believe we are different from our C-GRIA 7561 has greater influence to bid on client

Air Georgian Fleet List

Fleet
Registration c/n
Number
C-GAAR UE-207 964
C-GAAS UE-209 965
C-GAAU UE-232 966
C-GAAV UE-235 967
C-GGGA UE-291 951
C-GHGA UE-293 953
C-GMGA UE-315 956
Beechcraft
C-GORA UE-326 957
1900D
C-GORC UE-320 958
C-GORF UE-330 959
C-GORI* UE-47 970
C-GORN UE-403 974
C-GVGA UE-292 952
C-GWGA UE-309 955
C-GZGA UE-306 954
C-FSKM 7071 100
C-FWJF 7095 101
Bombardier C-FWRS 7112 102
CRJ100ER C-FWJI 7096 103
C-FWRT 7118 104
C-FWRR 7107 105
*Transferred to Exploits Valley Air Services May 2014

www.airlinerworld.com 27

22-28 Air Georgian.indd 27 30/10/2014 10:19

 Building
for the Future
With North America’s aviation
industry facing a pilot shortfall over
the next two decades (the latest
market forecast by US manufac-
turer Boeing estimates 533,000
new commercial airline pilots will
be required by 2033), a number of
carriers are now ramping up their
training and recruitment efforts.
For REAL, the result is the Air
Georgian Mentorship Program:
“We choose high-achieving col-
lege and university graduates from
recognised aviation programmes
to continue their pilot learning
experience with us while on the
job,” Edmondson told Airliner World.
“With safety being at the heart of
our business, complemented by
great service, we strive to employ
the brightest talent and partner
them with a senior Captain who
will guide and help them track
and review their flight progress
to ensure continued growth and
exceptional standards.
“This programme has been quite
successful. The pilots receive the
highest level of training possible,
and we continue to receive praise
as the industry’s leading choice for
developing exceptional pilots.”
The company also offers a wide
variety of Transport Canada-
approved training programmes
including: aircraft type ratings;
approved check pilot ratings; opera-
tional training (such as dangerous
goods and first aid); flight dispatch
and aircraft maintenance.

contracts in the resource sector and
leverage its extensive expertise in
international operations as an ACMI
operator in remote regions, as well as
continuing to support humanitarian
and peacekeeping missions.”
A Jack of All Trades
Edmondson, who holds an Airline
Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL) and is
an approved check captain, has worked
in the aviation industry for more
than two decades in both flying and
management positions and currently
serves as President and CEO of both
REAL and Toronto/Pearson-based Air
Georgian. Avmax is also represented
on the group’s board of directors,
assisting with areas such as leasing,
asset management and maintenance,
repair and overhaul (MRO) but with no
direct involvement in either airline.
The joint venture’s business model
has evolved significantly under
Edmondson’s stewardship. “The
relationship has brought the ability
for Air Georgian to shift its charter
business to R1. This allows Air
Georgian to focus 100% of its efforts on
our CPA relationship with Air Canada
and allows R1 Airlines to offer their
clients boundless business growth
opportunities.”
Speaking of the wide-ranging
benefits the joint venture has
brought the two carriers, Edmondson
noted: “Both airlines have access to
beneficial pricing for MRO services
offered by Avmax, not only for heavy
maintenance but also paint and interior
modifications, spares, avionics support
and engine programmes.”
In fact, engineering support is one
area that has delivered significant
savings to both REAL and its third
party customers. “We always look
for areas within our business where
we can realise revenue opportunities
from within our existing operation.
This allows us to spread out some
of the costs of our infrastructure
so we can provide Air Canada with
competitive pricing. Maintenance
is a perfect example; we use our
facilities and infrastructure during off-
peak hours as well as our technology
solutions to carry out third party
maintenance. This approach has really
made an important contribution to
our operation as we look for ways to
reduce costs. Training has followed the
same trajectory and we find that it is
something that is very scalable based
on our internal needs and demands.”
At face value, a joint-venture between
two distinctly different carriers – the
Air Canada affiliate Air Georgian and
charter specialist R1 Airlines – would
appear to offer very few synergies.
However, their diverse but ultimately
complementary business models have
R1 Airlines has
supported a host of
humanitarian and
peacekeeping missions
in countries around the
world. Here, several of
the carrier’s pilots pose
in front of a de Havilland
Canada Dash 8s
during a deployment
to Afghanistan.
The Beech 1900D has
proven to be a valuable
addition to the R1 leasing
portfolio. REAL is now
considering acquiring
larger aircraft, such as
the Bombardier
Dash 8-Q400.
proved to be a real boon and, with a full
merger highly unlikely, Edmondson
and his team will most likely avoid
what is arguably the most difficult
element of any co-operation.
“In general terms, Avmax is
considered a services and asset partner,
Air Georgian a CPA operator and R1 is
a charter and ACMI airline. All three
companies are completely different but
each plays a key role in our success.”
The joint-venture is rapidly emerging
as one of the country’s premier charter
providers and between this, and its
blooming partnership with Air Canada,
REAL and its subsidiaries appear well-
placed to meet the group’s mandate for
sustainable growth.
Airliner World would like to thank
Eric Edmondson, Jennifer Salo and
Andrew Cline for their assistance
with this article.
All three companies
are completely
different but each plays
a key role in
our success.
REAL President and CEO
Eric Edmondson

28 airliner world DECEMBER 2014

22-28 Air Georgian.indd 28 30/10/2014 10:19

 Airbus at
Finkenwerder
Tony Dixon visits
Hamburg in northern
Germany and the major
assembly facility for
Airbus airliners.

O
n the shores of the River
Elbe, just to the west
of the city of Hamburg
in northern Germany,
there are large warn-
ing signs displaying an aircraft sym-
bol. Normally seen at the side of roads
that pass close to airports, these are
for the benefit of pilots – ships’ pilots
– because the end of the runway at
Airbus’ Hamburg/Finkenwerder air-
field is very close to the river. Here
the ‘monsters’ of the air – in the shape
of the A380 Superjumbo – can con-
flict with the ‘monsters’ of the sea – the
huge container ships that pass on the
way to the nearby Port of Hamburg.
The region hosts the world’s third-
largest concentration of aviation con-
struction, production and mainte-
nance facilities – after Boeing in
Seattle, USA, and Airbus in Toulouse,
France. Meanwhile, Lufthansa
Technik (see Airliner World October
issue) has its headquarters at
Hamburg’s other airport at Fuhlsbüttel
and there are other Airbus facilities
at nearby towns and cities that pro-
duce parts for aircraft which are then
brought to the main factory.
Assembly and production
The primary tasks at the airfield are to
produce A320 Family aircraft and the
internal fitment of A380 ‘Superjumbos’
and deliver them to customers. All these parts are brought together Two paint shops for the
However, parts for all the A380s that and assembled in the 755ft x 393ft A380 have a total floor
return for interior fitment and painting (230m x 120m) Building 260 – the area of 240,742sq ft
have already spent some time at Major Component Assembly Facility (22,365m²). They are
755ft (230m) long, 344ft
Hamburg before being transported (by –located on the northern edge of the (105m) wide and 92ft
ship and road) to Toulouse. Sections airfield close to the river. This is very (28m) high.
of the A330 and the new A350 XWB convenient as some sections are then
(‘Xtra widebody’) are also assembled transported to France via ship while
here before being shipped to the Final others are carried by air – via the A300-
Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse. 600ST (Super Transporter) ‘Beluga’.

30 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014

30-36 Airbus Hamburg.indd 30 30/10/2014 10:07

 Around 600 employees work on the A380 line in two daily shifts, with the paint shops
available as required 24 hours a day.

www.airlinerworld.com 31

30-36 Airbus Hamburg.indd 31 30/10/2014 10:07

 Finkenwerder

History ICAO code:

IATA code:
Location:
EDHI
XFW
N 5332.1 E 00950.1

The Hamburg area has a rich history

of aircraft production dating back
to 1933, when local shipbuilder Blohm & Voss
founded Hamburger Flugzeugbau (HFB) and pro-
duced its first aircraft – a cloth-covered biplane
called the HA135. This was quickly followed by
number of flying-boats including the four-engined
HA139, which was used by German national airline
Lufthansa on transatlantic postal services. In
1940 the construction site moved from the port
to the new airfield at Finkenwerder, and included
a seaplane base; aircraft production continuing
throughout the war years.
Onsite aircraft production restarted in 1955, HFB
producing the Nord Noratlas transport aircraft
(under licence). It was followed by the Transall
C160 and the Hansa Jet business aircraft. HFB
merged with Messerschmitt-Bölkow in 1969 to
form MBB (Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm) which,
a year later, was absorbed into Airbus Industrie.
The first locally produced A300 components,
including those for the rear fuselage section, were
delivered to Toulouse in November 1971, using a
HA 139 Nordmeer taking off from Schwabenland
1937. VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
converted Boeing 377 Stratocruiser ‘Super Guppy’.
In 1976, ‘green’ single-aisle A320 Family air-
craft started arriving from Toulouse for interior
fitment. However, worldwide demand for the
type increased and stretched the capacity at
Toulouse, which led to A321 production starting
at Finkenwerder in 1992, followed by the A319 in
1995 and the A318 in 2002. Toulouse now only
produces the A320. To accommodate the A380
facilities, an area of land was reclaimed from the
river banks and the first aircraft arrived in 2008.
Elevation:
Runway:
Frequencies:
23ft (7m)
05/23 10,447ft (3,183m)
App: 124.625 Tower: 123.25
Finkenwerder is officially listed as a private air-
field and most of the operations involve test flying
for the A320 Family and A380. Starting in 2006,
the runway was extended from 8,805ft (2,684m)
to its current 10,447ft (3,183m) to accommodate
A380 operations, work being completed in 2007.
Airbus also flies regular employee shuttle services
between here and Toulouse – currently flown by
A319s of Germania. There are also daily ‘Beluga’
arrivals and departures carrying parts to and from
other Airbus sites in Europe.
Daily employee shuttles to Finkenwerder from
Toulouse are currently operated by Germania.
KEY – TONY DIXON

The A350 aft fuselage section is
some 66ft (20m) long and is assembled
by joining the rear fuselage barrel
– produced at Airbus’ Getafe plant
(Spain) – with two lateral aft fuselage
panels made by Premium AEROTEC
(Germany) plus the upper and lower
aft fuselage panels manufactured by
Airbus at its plant in nearby Stade.
Once complete, it is then flown on a
Beluga to Toulouse to be joined to the
rest of the fuselage.
Meanwhile, the A380 hangar houses
components for around 15 aircraft at
any one time. Rear fuselage sections
13, 18 and 19 and mid-fuselage section
15 – between 16ft 8in (5.1m) and 74ft
10in (22.8m) long – are constructed
in Germany and assembled here.
One side of the hangar deals with
structural assembly before the sections
are moved across to the other side for
equipment installation. Once joined
and ready for transportation, they start
their long water and road journey to
Toulouse from the nearby dock.
A320 Family Production
Airliner World was given a tour
of the whole site by Heiko Stolzke,
Manager Media Relations for Airbus
An A350 XWB landed Corporate Communications Germany,
at Finkenwerder for which started off in ‘Hangar 8’ where
the first time in March
the A320 Family single-aisle centre
2014. It was based here
for several cabin test fuselages sections are worked on.
flights. These have arrived by road from

32 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014

30-36 Airbus Hamburg.indd 32 30/10/2014 10:07

 The Airbus site in
Bremen supplies fully-
equipped wings and
landing flaps/high-lift
systems to the final
assembly lines in
Toulouse and Hamburg.

The company’s four German sites in
Hamburg, Bremen, Stade and
Buxtehude employ more than 20,000 people,
Finkenwerder being the largest with around
15,000 workers.
As well as the aircraft production and assem-
bly facilities Airbus has a large spares centre,
close to the commercial airport at Fuhlsbüttel,
which holds some 120,000 parts, and a
24-hour-a-day spares call centre for custom-
ers from around the world.
The second largest site is at Bremen where
more than 3,000 people are employed. It is
Airbus in Germany
responsible for the design and manufacturing
of high-lift systems for the wings of all Airbus
aircraft and includes a project office, technol-
ogy engineering, flight physics, system engi-
neering, structural development, verification
tests, structural assembly and wing equipping
and, ultimately, delivery of the components
to the FALs.
Wings for the A330 and the A350 XWB air-
craft are delivered to Bremen from the Airbus
plant in Broughton, UK, and fully equipped
with all relevant systems before delivery to
the FALs in Toulouse, France. For the A400M
military transport, Bremen develops and
manufactures the integrated fuselage assem-
bly including cargo loading system. The fully
equipped fuselage is then flown to the FAL in
Seville/Spain.
Vertical tailplanes for all Airbus aircraft
are made at Stade, the site being one of
the world’s leading centres in the use of
weight-saving carbon fibre reinforced plastic
(CFRP). Other products such as the flaps
for the single-aisle A320 Family, spoilers for
the A330, pressure bulkheads for the A330
and A380, upper wing shell, vertical tailplane
and CFRP fuselage shells for the A350 XWB
– plus vertical tailplanes and wing skins for
the A400M – are produced by the site’s more
than 2,000 employees.
Airbus’ smallest site in northern Germany is
at Buxtehude, with a workforce of some 400
people. All the electronic communications
and cabin management systems needed
by crew and passengers are designed and
produced here. They include the intercom-
munication data system used to control cabin
functions and passenger service units for
seating system applications.

Wings for the A350

arrive at Finkenwerder
from Stade for onward
transportation to Toulouse
by Beluga.

www.airlinerworld.com 33

30-36 Airbus Hamburg.indd 33 30/10/2014 10:07

 other Airbus sites in Germany or by air
on the Beluga aircraft from elsewhere
in Europe. In the hangar are two rows
of seven fuselages with new units
being added at the far right-hand side
(as viewed from the observation area).
“There are around three million parts
for an A321 – and four million for an
A380,” Heiko said. “In this building
there’s a sideways-moving line – of
about 3ft [1m] per hour – and when
the fuselage gets to here [front right],
a crane moves it to the left-hand side
for more outfitting and testing, the line
then moving away and the fuselages
exiting the building in the far left-hand
corner of the hangar.”
Work in this hangar starts with the
assembly of air conditioning, fuel
and water systems plus the fitment of
cargo, passenger and baggage doors.
This is followed by hydraulic and elec-
trical testing, the assembly of the belly
fairing, floor grid panels and air con-
ditioning pipes and the insertion of
insulation. Every day, more than one
fuselage section is ready to be moved
to final assembly. All single-aisle fuse-
lages are equipped here making a total
Gate Guardians
Three aircraft are on display at
Finkenwerder in an area close
to the river bank to the north (unfortunately out of
sight to anyone not on a tour but visible from the
north bank of the river).
The largest is an Aero Spacelines B-377-SGT
Super Guppy Turbine (Guppy 201), F-GDSG (c/n
0003), which was powered by Allison 501-D22C
turboprops. The aircraft was the predecessor of
the Beluga and used to carry Airbus wings inside
its enlarged cargo section. It was built from
scratch instead of being converted from original
Boeing C-97J components as in earlier variants of
the Guppy.
Airbus A320 wings were originally transported by
Aero Spacelines Super Guppies. Key – Tony Dixon
The Nord Noratlas was built at Finkenwerder under licence. This example, ‘G-NORA’,
served with the French Air Force. Key – Tony Dixon
34 airliner world DECEMBER 2014
30-36 Airbus Hamburg.indd 34
of 42 aircraft per month.
All A320 Family types are assembled
at Finkenwerder, while there are other
lines at Toulouse, France and Tianjin,
China that produce the A320. Current
total production is 42 single-aisle air-
craft per month with 22 or 23 of these
coming from Hamburg. “We started
building A320s here in 1993 and now
make 250 per year across the whole
family,” added Heiko.
The next stop for the fuselage sec-
tions is one of three Final Assembly
Lines (FALs) on the site – either in
Hangar 14 (‘Otto-Lilienthal-Halle’) -
two - or Hangar 9. In the latter, they
arrive at the rear at what is called
Station 41 where the front and rear sec-
tions of the fuselage are mated togeth-
er, but not before larger units – such as
the galleys and toilets – are installed.
This is followed by the fitment of In the middle of the where the vertical tail section is put
floor panels and electrical cabin sys- picture is one of the into place and the cabin interior fitting
hangars that houses
tems before the fuselage is moved for- A320 Family Final
starts. The final phase in this hangar
ward by crane to Station 40, where it Assembly Lines. is called the ‘Dock’, where the under-
is mated to the wings and the landing Administration buildings carriage is tested and the engines and
gear and engine mounts are installed. are located close to seats are installed. In the cabin, the in-
the river.
The aircraft is then moved on its flight entertainment system is checked
wheels for the first time to Station 35 and the interior ‘accepted’ by the
intended carrier. The aircraft spends a
below and bottom • Work
on the A320 Family couple of days at each station.
starts with the assembly It is then moved across the runway
of air conditioning, fuel to the northeast corner of the airfield,
and water systems
where there are four paint bays, before
and the fitting of
cargo, passengers and returning to what is called the ‘final
Nord Noratlas transports were built at
Finkenwerder under licence. The example on dis-
play is ex-French Air Force, 157 (c/n 157), which
baggage doors. phase’ hangar and prepared for flight
has been painted as G-NORA.
Hansa Jet HFB-320, D-CARA (c/n 1021), is ex-West
German Air Force (16+08) and was withdrawn
from use in 1984. The type made its first flight at
Finkenwerder in 1964, being the first German com-
mercial jet aircraft to enter production.
A fourth aircraft will be added in the coming
months. Also built at Finkenwerder, it is a Transall
C160, 50+62 (c/n D84), of the German Air Force,
which arrived earlier this year. In July it was still
parked on the airfield awaiting a repaint.
Work on the A320
Family starts with
the assembly of air
conditioning, fuel and
water systems and
the fitting of cargo,
passengers and
baggage doors.
30/10/2014 10:07
 The A350 XWB aft
fuselage section is
66ft (20m) long and is
assembled by joining
the rear fuselage barrel
with two lateral, plus
upper and lower aft,
fuselage panels.
All photos Airbus
unless stated

testing. After its initial sortie, the air-
craft again moves to the eastern side
of the airfield and the (single-aisle)
Delivery Centre where it is inspected –
and ultimately approved – by the cus-
tomer before acceptance and delivery.
At the end of 1994, the time taken to
produce, assemble and deliver an air-
craft was as high as 90 working days.
“This has been progressively reduced
through improved production tech-
niques and the whole process in the
FAL now takes around 30 working
days,” said Heiko. “In addition, all the
A320s produced at Toulouse arrive
here following their initial flight tests Superjumbo
for their internal cabin fitment, before As well as parts of the A380 starting
returning to France prior to their deliv- their lives at Finkenwerder, once
ery to the customer.” complete, all the Superjumbos are
flown here from Toulouse, usually
at the end of their maiden flights for
In 1994, the time cabin interior fitment, functionality
taken to produce, testing and painting, which normally
assemble and deliver takes around six weeks. There are six
an aircraft was as high aircraft hangars (Buildings 211-216) –
four facing the river on the north side
as 90 working days. of the airfield and two more facing the
Today it is around airfield –each bay having a total floor A380s spend between
ten and 12 days inside
30. area of some 602,800sq ft (56,000m2), the enormous paint
a depth of around 303ft (92.4m) and shop hangars.

www.airlinerworld.com 35

30-36 Airbus Hamburg.indd 35 30/10/2014 10:08


a height of 92ft (28m) and houses a
single aircraft.
Two large paint shops (Buildings
221 and 222) have a total floor area of
240,742sq ft (22,365m2). The conjoined
buildings are 755ft (230m) long, 344ft
(105m) wide and 92ft (28m) high and
aircraft spend between ten and 12 days
inside. Once ready for handover to
There are around
three million parts for
an A321 – and four
million for an A380.
36 airliner world DECEMBER 2014
30-36 Airbus Hamburg.indd 36
a customer, A380s destined for most
European and Middle Eastern/Gulf
carriers are delivered from Hamburg
– via the widebody ‘Jürgen Thomas’
Delivery Centre, opened in 2008.
Those for Far Eastern operators return
to Toulouse first.
Looking at one of the aircraft inside
one of the enormous hangars, Heiko
pointed out it was not actually sitting
on its wheels, but was on jigs. “This
is so that the aircraft remains exactly
level at all times so that the interior
Rear fuselage sections is fitted correctly. Around 60 tonnes
13, 18 and 19 and of equipment is added at this phase
mid-fuselage section
15 for the A380 are
constructed in Germany
and if work is started at the front, for
example, the undercarriage would sink
and assembled at slightly and could put alignment out to
Finkenwerder. a small degree.”
Above right • Airline
There are around 600 employees
customers for the working on the A380 line in two daily
A350 XWB can have a shifts, with the paint shops available as
virtual tour of their new
aircraft via the Customer
Definition Centre.
A380s for most of the
airlines in Europe and
the Middle East are
delivered directly from
Finkenwerder.
required 24 hours a day. Once in their
full customer colours, the aircraft are
first returned to the interior fitting
hangars for final approval before
moving on to the flight line, where
there are two more hangars and a
large parking apron. A cabin flight
test ensures everything works as
planned and the aircraft is then ready
for delivery.
Tours
Enthusiasts and the general
public can book
visits to the facility via Globetrotter Tours (www.
globe-tours.de), which provides access on behalf
of Airbus. Lasting around 150 minutes and with
a meeting point close to the main gate, the tour
– which attracted nearly 50,000 visitors in 2013
– includes visiting a small museum and some of
the A320 Family production lines.
Tours must be pre-booked (online, by e-mail,
fax or phone) and are available Monday to Friday
between 09:30 and 16:30. On Saturdays, they
are only open to complete groups with their own
or a chartered bus. The cost is €14 per person
(€11 for concessions, but the trips are not suitable
for wheelchair-users or those with mobility prob-
lems) and the minimum age is 14. A combination
tour that includes visits to the A380 line is only
possible with an exclusively booked group with
its own or a rented bus (via Globetrotter Tours).
These must be pre-booked well in advance.
30/10/2014 10:08
World Routes
Visits the Windy City
Barry Woods-Turner reports on all the sights and sounds from this year’s World Routes
Development Forum, held in Chicago.
W
orld Routes, which
this year celebrat-
ed its 20th anniver-
sary, took place in
the Illinois city of
Chicago between September 21-23. It
was the second consecutive year that,
one of the largest commercial avia-
tion gatherings in the world, has been
hosted in the US; in 2013 it was held in
Las Vegas.
Over the past 20 years it has grown
considerably. The inaugural event
in Cannes, France, used a small hotel
conference room, but this year World
Routes was held at North America’s
largest conference and convention
centre, the McCormick Place in
downtown Chicago.
Although the underlying concept of
World Routes has changed very little
38 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
over the two decades – airports and
airlines sit down together in a series
of 20-minute meetings, discussing
potential new routes – its popularity
certainly has, as one delegate told
the author: “This is the place to be;
everyone we need to talk to is here
under one roof.” Official figures from
the organisers support this, with more
than 3,000 delegates representing
120-plus countries attending this
year, bringing together marketing
executives from 800 airports, route
network developers from 300 carriers
and representatives from 200
tourism authorities.
Two areas of the giant exhibition
space were cordoned off where
280 individual meeting tables
were assembled ready for top-level
discussions. The organisers said, over
the three days, there were more than
16,000 private one-to-one meetings
between airlines and airports.
The importance of attracting a
World Routes event to a host city
such as Chicago was underlined by
Chicago Department of Aviation’s
(CDA’s) Commissioner, Rosemarie
Andolino. “I attended the event in
Vancouver in 2010 and immediately
saw the potential for Chicago. The
CDA has attended the event every year
since, and through our meetings with
airlines we’ve secured dozens of new
Just a few of the exhi- flights to our city which have
bition stands at this
year’s World Routes benefited the local economy to the
which was held in the tune of $2.8bn.”
vast McCormick Place Escorting Chicago’s Mayor, Rahm
Convention Centre in
Emanuel, around the large Chicago
downtown Chicago.
ALL IMAGES ROUTES/UBM display in the exhibition hall as well
LIVE UNLESS STATED as to other selected stands, she said:

“This shows the value of hosting this
forum – and why competition to
bring it to cities around the world is so
fierce. We’re very proud of having the
opportunity to showcase our city to
airlines, marketers and tourism chiefs
– this is invaluable – and having
them all under one roof is very cost-
effective.”
Alongside the meetings and colourful
stands in the exhibition area, the
organisers also ran a Tourism Summit
and the now well-established Strategy
Summit. At both, issues affecting
the industry were discussed with
LEFT • Rosemarie
Andolino, Commissioner
of the Chicago
Department of Aviation,
was a driving force
behind the city’s suc-
cessful bid to host World
Routes this year.
RIGHT • One of the high-
lights of the Strategy
Summit was hearing the
views of Sir Tim Clark,
President and CEO of
Emirates who was inter-
viewed by the BBC’s
Aaron Heslehurst.
BELOW RIGHT • Where
business is done – more
than 16,000 individual a number of keynote speakers and summit, presentations and panel
20-minute one-to-one presentations, including contributions discussions covered many important
meetings were held this
year between airlines from two of the largest carriers issues affecting the commercial
and airports. operating at Chicago/O’Hare – aviation industry today, such as the
American Airlines and United Airlines. introduction of new aircraft types
offering improved operations and how
BOTTOM RIGHT • One of the Strategy Summit airlines are planning to use them;
many colourful exhibi- This year’s Strategy Summit, airport infrastructure coming under
tions stands present at
this year’s World Routes. held in the Skyline Ballroom at increasing pressure from the forecast
KEY – BARRY WOODS-TURNER McCormick Place, brought together growth of air travel over the next
heavyweights from the commercial 20 years; and how to manage
aviation industry, including Emirates tighter regulation.
BELOW • Delegates make
their way to meetings President and CEO Sir Tim Clark Overall, the summit succeeded
in the vast McCormick and American Airlines President in giving delegates a much needed
Place Convention Centre. Scott Kirby. During the two-day overview of how the industry is
www.airlinerworld.com 39
 Chicago’s Mayour, Rahm
moving forward as well as adapting Emanuel (centre) with
and embracing modern technologies, CDA Commissioner
but also highlighted areas where Rosemarie Andolino
looking at an aerial
improvements are desperately needed,
photograph of the
such as visa waiver programmes. O’Hare International
Among several keynote speeches, Airport.
Jim Compton, Vice Chairman and
Chief Revenue Officer of United
Airlines, described the carrier’s
investment projects, including an
increase in capacity through gradual
replacement of its 50-seater regional
aircraft with 76-seat Embraer 175s.
The airline has made substantial
investments in products and staff,
updating its fleet and improving the
matching of demand with capacity. Formed in Chicago
United’s network strategy, he said, in 1969, Earth Wind
and Fire returned to
includes using San Francisco as the
the city in September
main hub for Asian flights, adding 2014 to play at the
that recently-introduced routes to World Routes’ Airport
Chengdu and Taipei are doing “better Marketing Awards.
than expected” while direct Houston-
Munich links have started and more
capacity is available to Tokyo/Narita.
Scott Kirby, President of American
Airlines, updated delegates on the
progres s his company has made
following its merger with US Airways
in December 2013. The resultant
airline has 100,000-plus employees
and expects to carry more passengers
this year than the populations
of France, Germany and the UK
combined. Meanwhile, a Middle
Eastern perspective was offered by The Emirates View able to fill it. I guess it goes to prove it’s
Etihad Airways’ Chief Strategy Officer, One of the most eagerly awaited not what you’ve got, it’s what you do
Kevin Knight, who spoke about the speakers at the Strategy Summit was with it that counts!” The jet, he added,
different business model it is adopting Sir Tim Clark, President and CEO is “loved by our passengers” and the
to ‘catch up’ with regional rivals of Emirates Airline, and the Skyline management are “shocked” if load
Emirates and Qatar Airways. Ballroom was almost full when he was factors on the A380 drop below 85%.
Another subject that generated invited onto the stage and introduced Sir Tim used the opportunity to fire a
fervent debate in the hall was how to the delegates. In an interview, broadside in the direction of Toulouse,
governments viewed aviation – “either conducted on a one-to-one basis home of Airbus, saying Emirates is in
as cash cows or economic drivers”, as with the BBC’s Aaron Heslehurst, he the market for another 60 to 70 A380s
IATA’s Thomas Windmuller put it. The revealed where Emirates is today along for its fleet – but they [Airbus} need to
UK was singled out as having various with some of its future plans. move forward with the A380neo (new
government ministries, each with its Highlighting the Airbus A380 – for engine option) quickly. “Rolls-Royce
own agenda, with no single person which Emirates is by far the largest is in the market and is keen to offer
or department in overall control. Not user with more than 50 in service and suitable engines that, we believe, could
only was the UK market burdened 90 more on order – Sir Tim described offer double-digit improvements in
by air passenger duty (APD) but also, the aircraft as an “outstanding success operating economics. We’re looking at
despite having the busiest single and story” which offers Emirates “excellent this derivative to take the aircraft into
twin runway airports in the world seat-mile economics”. the next generation, however the idea
(Gatwick and London/Heathrow), “I keep telling other airlines the is not stacking up in Toulouse. But
no national decision on additional A380 is a wonderful airliner but they we need to persuade Airbus to take
capacity will be made until after mid- respond by saying they wouldn’t be this forward.”
2015 at the earliest – meaning any
new runway is unlikely to be ready for
at least a decade. In the meantime,
other European facilities handling
fewer passengers already have more
Chicago Convention
runways, and expansion in the Middle
East and Asia is progressing rapidly as
governments there understand
on International Civil Aviation
The 2014 World Routes event was held in regulating international air travel after The document was signed on December
the value of good air connections for
their economies. Chicago in what is the 75th anniversary the end of World War Two. The conven- 7, 1944 by 52 signatory states, ICAO
An interesting addition to the of the Convention on International Civil tion established the rules of how nations starting work 16 months later on April
Aviation – also known as the Chicago and airlines fly today, from airspace 4, 1947. As of 2013, the Chicago
summit this year was an interactive
Convention – which saw the crea- management to aircraft registration and Convention had 191 state signatories,
ballot – during the debate delegates tion of the International Civil Aviation operational safety, as well as detailing which includes all member states of
were able to register whether or not Organization (ICAO), the United Nations the rights of the signatories in relation to the UN except Dominica, Liechtenstein,
they agreed with various statements agency charged with co-ordinating and air travel. Tuvalu and the Cook Islands.
presented on a screen.

40 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014

 He also indicated he would be
interested in a stretched -900 variant,
which could seat more than 800
passengers in a three-class layout –
adding it “would be beautiful”.
Emirates is a relatively new arrival
to Chicago, launching flights in
August this year in a market already
served by rivals Etihad Airways and
Qatar Airways. The launch brings
the carrier’s US network to nine
destinations – three points in the east,
three central and three in the west
coast. “I have to be honest, there’s
more to come,” Sir Tim confirmed,
although he wouldn’t be drawn where
it would fly.
He confirmed Emirates will increase
its presence in the US through new
destinations, additional frequencies
and capacity growth to existing
destinations. “The US currently gives
us about 7% of route revenue. It’s not
the number one market, as the UK and
Australia both give around 9%, but the
US is certainly growing. It will rise but
will likely remain around the 9-10%
level as our global scale also increases.”
Sir Tim empathised with comments
during the summit that infrastructure
issues around the world are a major
concern, saying many airports in
North America had been risk-averse
in developing new infrastructure
– but with the largest US airlines
becoming more profitable, they would
increasingly be putting pressure on
these to enhance their facilities.
Marketing Awards Chicago’s impressive
Field Museum of Natural
After the awards ceremony, the party
The networking evening and gala History, which host the really took off with an exclusive set
dinner on September 21 was held at network evening and from Chicago’s very own ‘jazz funk
Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural gala dinner. masters’, Earth Wind and Fire, who
History, home to the world’s largest, played many of their famous hits –
most extensive and best preserved including Boogie Wonderland, After
Tyrannosaurus Rex, called Sue (after the Love has Gone and Let’s Groove.
palaeontologist Sue Hendrickson The familiar songs brought back many
who discovered her in 1990), memories for a large percentage of the
which watched over the evening’s audience while the younger ones
proceedings. among us were busy checking out
The World Routes Airport Marketing Google to find out who was playing!
Awards, presented midway through The evening was rounded off by a
the evening, are voted for by the spectacular firework display over Lake
airlines and recognise the best Michigan, with the lights of the city
airport marketing teams for their skyline forming an impressive
achievements during the previous backdrop.
year. Five of the six awards go to
facilities in different size categories; Marketing Award Winners
the other is presented to the ‘best and Finalists
destination’ and rewards the best Brussels Airport Overall Winner
marketing initiatives by a tourism
More than 50 Million Passengers
authority or organisation (see panel Changi Airport Group Winner
opposite). The overall winner this Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Highly Commended
year was Brussels Airport, its second Frankfurt Airport Highly Commended
success in three years after winning in 20-50 Million Passengers
Abu Dhabi in 2012. Dublin Airport Winner
Katie Bland, Director Routes/UBM Copenhagen Airports Highly Commended
Live, the event organiser, said: “We’re Munich Airport Highly Commended
4-20 Million Passengers
delighted to mark the achievements of
Brussels Airport Winner
all of our nominees and destinations
Athens International Airport Highly Commended
in our annual Airport Marketing
Budapest Airport Highly Commended
Awards. Year on year we’re impressed Less than 4 Million Passengers
by the calibre of the submissions. Shannon Airport Winner
Brussels has had an outstanding year, City Airport Bremen Highly Commended
welcoming four new carriers and 18 Destination Award
destinations , and we congratulate Tourism Australia Winner
them on their continued success.” Turismo de Tenerife Highly Commended
www.airlinerworld.com 41
 Bigger, Quieter,
I
n the mid-1990s Duncan Peace
was employed by Aberdeen-based
Business Air as a Saab 340 Training
Captain. The role led to him trav-
elling frequently to Basle to fly
Crossair’s 340 flight simulator. During
the trips he first encountered the Swiss
carrier’s newly-delivered Saab 2000s.
The aircraft, a stretched version of the
340 with more powerful Allison (now
Rolls-Royce) AE2100A engines, made
an instant impression on Peace. He
recalled being highly impressed by the
comfort of the cabin while he would
also cast the odd admiring glance into
the flight deck. Little did he know, 20
years later, he would be part of the team
introducing the Saab 2000 into service
with ‘Scotland’s Airline’, Loganair. Two
of the three examples the carrier – a
Flybe franchise holder – has acquired
are former Crossair aircraft.
Peace has amassed almost 17,000
flying hours on turboprops and jets.
He was one of four Loganair pilots who
went to Braathens Training in January
2014 to begin the type conversion
process for the Saab 2000. It included
a comprehensive ground school, nine
simulator sessions (each lasting four
hours) at Stockholm/Arlanda, flying
circuits in a Braathens Regional Saab
2000 at Ronneby in southern Sweden
and a further two, four-hour simulator
trips to cover the Operator Conversion
Course and Operator Proficiency
Check. Having completed the course,
it was time to deliver Loganair’s first
Saab 2000.

Loganair took delivery

of its first Saab 2000,
G-LGNO (c/n 013), on
March 18. The aircraft
then completed around
40 sectors between
Aberdeen, Sumburgh,
Kirkwall, Edinburgh and
Glasgow to give pilots,
cabin crew, engineers
and ground handling
staff the opportunity to
familiarise themselves
with the new type.
ALL PHOTOS AUTHOR

42 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014

42-48 Loganair Saabs.indd 42 30/10/2014 10:38

r, Faster...
Scottish carrier Loganair has introduced the
Saab 2000 turboprop to its fleet.
Guy Warner samples the new type on a
return trip from Aberdeen to Sumburgh.

The Saab 2000 aircraft underlines Loganair’s drive to keep Scotland connected.
Loganair Chief Operations Officer Phil Preston

www.airlinerworld.com 43

42-48 Loganair Saabs.indd 43 30/10/2014 10:38


Into Service
Peace flew the first aircraft, G-LGNO
(c/n 013), to Aberdeen on March 18
accompanied by Saab’s Chief Test
Pilot, Åke Wargh. He spent the next
ten days completing 30 hours of line
training. This included flying around
40 sectors, without passengers,
between Aberdeen, Sumburgh,
Kirkwall, Edinburgh and Glasgow to
give pilots, cabin crew, engineers and
ground handling staff the opportunity
to familiarise themselves with the new
type. It also served as an excellent
publicity tour for Loganair, an airline
which is regarded with a great deal
of pride and affection in Scotland.
The aircraft entered revenue service
on the 3pm flight from Aberdeen to
Sumburgh on April 14.
Peace had accumulated more
than 6,000 hours on the Saab 340,
many with Loganair, and found
converting to its big brother relatively
straightforward; at least from a piloting
point of view. The course was not,
however, without its challenges.
The Saab 2000 is significantly more
complicated than the 340 and features
an integrated six-screen Rockwell-
Collins Pro Line 4 avionics suite and
44 airliner world DECEMBER 2014
42-48 Loganair Saabs.indd 44
dual Full Authority Digital Engine prepared for the Saab 2000’s
Controls (FADEC), comparable to the arrival including recruiting several
most modern jet airliners. experienced and type-rated pilots
Peace said: “Adding three Saab and type-certificated engineers.
2000s to its fleet is a major project for Peace noted that since the Saab
a relatively small airline. No praise 2000 had been introduced into
can be too high for the professional Loganair service, there had been “a
and dedicated fashion in which all constant exchange of ideas as our
of Loganair’s staff have gone about knowledge base increases”. He said
a challenging and busy introductory the company’s Standard Operating
period, particularly Flight Operations, Procedures (SOPs) for the aircraft
the training manager and the fleet would be formally reviewed after six
technical manager.” months in light of the experience
The carrier ensured it was well- gained in the conditions peculiar to
TOP • The Saab 2000’s
Allison AE2100A
engines offer plenty of
power and give the type
significantly improved
performance over
Loganair’s smaller
Saab 340s.
Above • The author’s
flight to Sumburgh,
BE6778, was loaded
with 43 passengers,
972lb (441kg) of bag-
gage, 50lb (23kg) of
freight and sufficient
fuel for the return
journey. Total take-off
weight was 46,819lb
(21,237kg) – about
3,306lb (1,500kg) below
the permitted maximum.
Captain Duncan Peace
poses in front of Saab
2000, G-LGNO (c/n 013),
alongside First Officer
Pernilla Hansson (left)
and flight attendant
Heidi Stalker.
30/10/2014 10:38

the north of Scotland and would be
amended where necessary.
Loganair now has the three Saab
2000s in service. Two are based at
Aberdeen, flying eight scheduled
services a day to Sumburgh and back,
along with charter flights to Wick. A
third machine links Edinburgh to
Sumburgh and Kirkwall in the Shetland
and Orkney Islands respectively. The
carrier is considering other possible
uses for the type, particularly the
charter market to mainland Europe,
where the Saab 2000’s speed, range
and passenger capacity could be used
to good effect.
The Swedish-built type was designed
from the outset to compete with
regional jets and, with a cruising
speed of 370kts (685km/h), remains
the fastest turboprop in service today.
For Loganair, this means significantly
reduced sector times and, allied with
the active noise suppression system in
42-48 Loganair Saabs.indd 45
The Swedish-built
type was designed from
the outset to compete
with regional jets...
the cabin and the smoothness of the
ride, the aircraft is proving popular.
The Saab 2000 also features a 24.9ft
(7.55m) fuselage stretch over the 340
and offers an additional 16 seats,
adding much-needed capacity in
today’s increasingly strong market.
Flying the 2000
Airliner World was invited to sample
Loganair’s new type on a rotation
between Aberdeen (ABZ) to Sumburgh
(LSI). On the day of the trip, the
unique operating conditions of
northern Scotland, and particularly the
Shetlands, were immediately apparent.
Morning rotations to Sumburgh were
First Officer Pernilla
cancelled because of low cloud over Hansson had
the islands, despite the rest of the previously flown
country being bathed in sunshine. Fairchild Swearingen
SA-226 Metroliners for
Sea fog is also common, especially in
a Swedish-based firm
June, while autumn and winter bring before joining Loganair
strong crosswinds. Operations are in May this year.
complicated further by Sumburgh
airport itself. Its main 4,921ft (1,500m)
Runway 09/27 has no approach
lighting due to both thresholds
projecting into the sea, while an
instrument landing system (ILS) is
only available for easterly approaches.
The Saab 2000 is permitted to land
in crosswinds of up to 40kt (74km/h).
Its Allison AE2100A engines offer
plenty of power, so the aircraft is
easily capable of taking off from both
Runway 09/27 and the shorter 15/33.
Our steed for flight BE6778 to
Sumburgh was G-LGNO and I
joined Captain Peace in the cockpit.
We were joined by First Officer
Pernilla Hansson, who has been
with the carrier since May 2014
having previously flown Fairchild
Swearingen SA-226 Metroliners in
Sweden. Loganair presented an ideal
opportunity for her, as a young pilot
with 800 hours flying time, to gain
experience; learning her trade on short
sectors offering plenty of take-offs and
landings. It was noticeable Peace used
the pre-flight checklists as a teaching
The Saab 2000 was
aid, asking questions and encouraging designed from the
Hansson to contribute. Both were outset to compete with
full of praise for the carrier which, regional jets and, with a
cruising speed of 370kts
they said, provided a sound learning (685km/h), remains the
environment. Unusually, Peace also fastest turboprop in
pointed out another useful modern service today.
Loganair Saab 2000 Fleet
Registration c/n First flight Delivered to Loganair Flying hours* Cycles*
G-LGNR 004 1993 May 2014 31,787.08 29,236
G-LGNO 013 1995 March 2014 28,872.55 24,402
G-LGNP 018 1995 June 2014 28,807.00 27,094
*Hours and cycles as on delivery to Loganair
www.airlinerworld.com 45
30/10/2014 10:39

aid – a weather app on his mobile
– which, he noted, was a handy
supplement to (though by no means a
substitute for) the more conventional
meteorological reports.
Flight attendant Heidi Stalker was
in charge of the cabin for the trip to
Sumburgh, which lies on the southern
tip of the Shetland mainland, 20 miles
(31km) south of the capital Lerwick.
With loading completed, she handed
Captain Peace a yellow Passenger
Headcount form. “This is completed
by the cabin crew and shows where
passengers are sitting throughout the
aircraft,” he told Airliner World. “The
cabin is divided up into six bays, which
is reflected on the computer-generated
loadsheet that the dispatcher brings
to the aircraft. I then check to ensure
46 airliner world DECEMBER 2014
42-48 Loganair Saabs.indd 46
The Saab 2000
With the Saab 340 selling well and the regional
airliner market expanding, the Swedish manufacturer
turned its attentions to a larger capacity model and
announced on December 15, 1988, it was to develop
a 50 to 58-seat aircraft. Dubbed the Saab 2000,
the new type was essentially a longer version of the
340 with a 24.9ft (7.55m) fuselage stretch but incor-
porating more powerful Allison AE2100A engines
and an advanced glass cockpit. Other manufactur-
ers developed jet-based regional aircraft but Saab
believed the turboprop would be able to compete
effectively. It offered a cruising speed of 370kts
(685km/h), could climb quickly and had excellent
high altitude performance but was far cheaper to
Flight BE6778 took
off from Aberdeen’s
Runway 16/34, before
flying along advisory
route ‘Whiskey 5 Delta’
towards Peterhead and
then tracking towards
the Sumburgh VOR
navigational beacon.
that this matches the loadsheet bay
distribution, therefore confirming the
[elevator] trim setting.”
Low cloud and poor
visibility led to the Peace explained the Passenger
morning service to Headcount form had originally been
Sumburgh being introduced on the Saab 340 several
cancelled and was
years ago but had been carried
still apparent as flight
BE6778 approached the forward to the bigger 2000. “It’s a
airport’s Runway 27. useful confirmation that the balance
operate. By the time the programme was officially
launched in May 1989, the aircraft had attracted 46
orders and 147 options from eight customers.
The first prototype Saab 2000, SE-001, made its
maiden flight on March 26, 1992. Problems with
high-speed directional stability led the manufacturer
to introduce a fly-by-wire-powered elevator control
system (PECS). The aircraft received its type certifi-
cation in March 1994 and Crossair put its first exam-
ple into service the following September. However,
with the regional jet revolution well under way, sales
were slow and Saab terminated production in April
1999 having built just 63 airframes.
(Photo Saab/Key Collection)
and trim are accurate. As an example,
on the first ABZ-LSI flight of the day,
we generally carry around [1,320-
1,543lb] 600-700kg of newspapers
to Shetland so it’s important that the
passengers are sitting in the seats
shown on their boarding cards and
haven’t decided to move into an empty
row, which might affect the trim of
30/10/2014 10:39
 the aircraft.” He said it was normally
possible to accommodate a request
to change seats, “provided it doesn’t
affect the aircraft trim limits”.
‘Whiskey 5 Delta’
For today’s flight, the aircraft was
carrying 43 passengers, two required
wheelchair assistance, along with
972lb (441kg) of baggage, 50lb (23kg)
of freight and sufficient fuel for the
return journey. Total take-off weight
was 46,819lb (21,237kg) – about
3,306lb (1,500kg) below the permitted
maximum. Peace and Hansson
carried out additional pre-flight checks
as this was G-LGNO’s first flight of the
day, including the function of the Saab
2000’s de-icing boots on the leading
edge of the wings, tailplane and
vertical stabiliser.
With a heavy load on a warm day,
engine power was set to 87% for the
departure from ABZ’s Runway 16/34.
The aircraft was flown initially along
advisory route ‘Whiskey 5 Delta’
– essentially a published corridor
through otherwise uncontrolled
airspace – before coasting out near
Peterhead and then tracking towards
the Sumburgh VOR navigational
beacon.
During the climb, we had an average
ground speed of 289kt (535km/h),
accelerating to 366kt (677km/h) as we
levelled off at our cruising altitude of
42-48 Loganair Saabs.indd 47
The auxiliary power unit were given radar vectors towards
fitted to the Saab 2000
is a real boon when
By comparison, Runway 27 by air traffic control.
operating to remote the Saab 340 would During the approach to LSI, the
airfields.
be 8,000ft lower and weather that had led to the cancellation
of morning services was still lingering
100mph (160km/h) and the islands were wreathed in
slower cloud. We intercepted the ILS and
descended on the glideslope towards
Above Right • The Saab
2000’s active noise FL230 (23,000ft) around 17 minutes the airfield, breaking through the
suppression system after takeoff. By comparison, the overcast at an altitude of 400ft (122m)
significantly reduces Saab 340 would be 8,000ft lower before smoothly settling onto the
the volume in the cabin
and makes conversa-
and 100mph (160km/h) slower. runway shortly after. “It’s not a bad day
tion easy. Comfortable Peace said the 2000 was cleared to for Sumburgh but the weather here can
leather seats add to the FL310, but Loganair rarely flies change quite quickly”, Peace warned.
passenger experience. above FL280. Once on the ground, the passengers
After the short cruise, we began disembarked and G-LGNO was
our descent towards Shetland and prepared for the return leg to ABZ.
Loganair now has the
three Saab 2000s in
service, two based at
Aberdeen and the third
at Edinburgh.
below • Former Crossair
and Carpatair Saab 2000
G-LGNP (c/n 018) is one
of three in service with
Loganair. The aircraft
currently wears an all-
white livery.
www.airlinerworld.com 47
30/10/2014 10:39
 Flight attendant
Heidi Stalker was in This included an external inspection
charge of the cabin of the airframe, during which Peace
for the return trip from pointed out the Saab 2000’s auxiliary
Aberdeen to Shetland.
power unit (APU), which sits in the
Loganair offers
passengers complimen- tail cone and provides electrical,
tary soft drinks, accom- hydraulic and pneumatic (bleed
panied by a biscuit or air) when the main engines are not
a traditional Scottish
speciality – a Tunnock’s
running. He added that, though it
Caramel Wafer. was fairly noisy for pilots performing
the ‘walk around’, it was a real boon,
particularly when flying to remote
airfields where ground power units
may not be available.
For the return flight, I sat in the
cabin (seat 10a is a good pick for
extra legroom) and, as we prepared to
depart, the local weather once again
proved its capricious nature. Barely
half an hour after we had arrived,
the low cloud had broken and it was
pleasantly sunny.
After take-off, I spoke to flight
attendant Heidi Stalker. Born in
Shetland, she decided on a change
of career after raising her family
and joined the airline in January
2014, fulfilling a life-long ambition
of flying for a living. Stalker said
she was “enjoying every moment of
her new career”, getting to know the
frequent fliers and being the ‘public
face of Loganair’, though it could
also be hard work, particularly if all
50 passengers wanted a hot drink
on the 40-minute flight between
Shetland and the mainland. Loganair
The Scottish carrier is
offers complimentary soft drinks,
accompanied by a biscuit or a
considering other traditional Scottish speciality –
possible uses for the
type, particularly the a Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer – not
charter market to to be missed.
mainland Europe, where
the Saab 2000’s speed,
For passengers, the Saab 2000
is proving a welcome addition to
range and passenger
capacity could be used the fleet. The type’s active noise
to good effect. suppression system significantly
48 airliner world DECEMBER 2014
42-48 Loganair Saabs.indd 48
reduces the volume in the cabin and
makes conversation easy, while the
leather seats are comfortable.
The return trip took a little longer
than the outbound leg. A slight
headwind reduced our groundspeed
to 340kt (629km/h). We were
then held up by air traffic control.
Aberdeen is a major hub for the North
Sea oil and gas extraction industry
and, between the fixed wing and
helicopter traffic, the airport can get
Adding three Saab
2000s to its fleet is
a major project for
a relatively small
airline...
Loganair Training Captain
Duncan Peace
particularly busy. We were directed to
hold for 15 minutes. It gave me time
to appreciate the countryside below
and the smooth flying and handling
qualities of the Saab 2000.
For Captain Peace and his crew,
a further two sectors awaited that
evening. For me, our arrival into ABZ
marked the end of a very enjoyable
and constructive day.
A Perfect Match
Loganair has forged a reputation for
making shrewd decisions when it
comes to its aircraft and has
demonstrated an ability to exploit them
to deliver the best possible returns for
the company. This has been the case
with types such as the Britten-Norman
BN-2 Islander, de Havilland Canada
DHC-6 Twin Otter, Shorts 360 and the
Saab 340. The Saab 2000 is well on the
way to joining this list, given its
promising introduction. The carrier’s
Chief Operations Officer Phil Preston
said: “The acquisition of the three Saab
2000s, now the biggest aircraft in our
fleet, again underlines our commitment
to improving the overall experience of
our customers by ensuring increased
demand for services between Aberdeen
and Sumburgh continues to be met.
Continued growth in our passenger
numbers year on year demonstrates
public confidence in the services we
provide and the addition of the Saab
2000 aircraft underlines Loganair’s
drive to keep Scotland connected.”
Grateful thanks are due to the
crew of BE6778/9; to Ian Ritchie at
Loganair Head Office and to Andrea
Hayes of Flybe in Belfast.
30/10/2014 10:39
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 Conquering
Hunnu Air has grown
into one of the leading
lights in Mongolian

Mongolia
civil aviation but,
as Sebastian
Schmitz examines,
the privately-owned
carrier has far
bigger plans.

M
ongolia is a vast coun-
try, though dwarfed by
neighbouring China
and Russia. Its land area
covers 603,909sq miles
(1.56 million km2) – roughly the equiva-
lent of France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium,
Germany and the Netherlands com-
bined. The land-locked nation’s geog-
raphy varies dramatically from the Gobi
Hunnu Air’s two
Airbus A319-112s Desert in the south to the
share the ramp at mountainous regions of the north and
Ulan Bator. ALL PHOTOS west. More than 11% of the country is
AUTHOR UNLESS STATED
forested. This largely inhospitable
terrain, combined with harsh winters, a
poor road infrastructure and large dis-
tances between its major cities, means
air travel is becoming increasingly
important to Mongolia’s social and eco-
nomic development. A host of colour-
ful operators have launched into the
domestic market, though some have
been more successful than others.

www.airlinerworld.com 53

53-58 Hunnu Air.indd 53 30/10/2014 10:34

 The
Mongolian
market is full
of challenges
for any airline
operating there
but in particular
for a small
company like
Hunnu Air.
Margad Byambajav,
Vice President and Chief
Operations Manager

‘Great Mongol’, Hunnu Today, only two privately-owned car- A Challenging Market any airline operating there but in
Air’s Airbus A319-112, riers fly internal services since state- Airliner World met Hunnu Air´s Vice particular for a small company like
JU-8888 (c/n 1706),
owned MIAT Mongolian Airlines with- President and Chief Commercial Hunnu Air. Firstly, it’s still relatively
departs Hong Kong/Chek
Lap Kok. drew from the sector in July 2008: Aero Officer Margad Byamabajav onboard small – Mongolia has a population
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/ Mongolia and newcomer Hunnu Air, one of the carrier´s flights from Ulan of fewer than three million, around
EDWIN CHAI which has ambitious plans to extend its Bator to Hong Kong. “The Mongolian half of which live in the capital Ulan
reach beyond its native Mongolia. market is full of challenges for Bator. And, although the wealth in the
country is growing, many Mongolians
can’t [yet] afford to travel by plane,”
he explained. “At the same time, with
the size of the country, flying is a
necessity if you want to get from Ulan
Bator to any of the other important
cities. We also often have severe
climatic conditions in Mongolia, and
bad weather – in particular during the
cold winter months – can have a major
impact on operations.”

What’s in a Name?
Hunnu Air has substantial back-
Several Mongolian ing from mining firm Mongolyn Alt
carriers, Hunnu Air
(MAK) Group (the third largest busi-
included, are based at
the capital’s Chinggis ness in the country as ranked by the
Khan International Government in Mongolia and the
Airport. National Chamber of Commerce) and

54 airliner world DECEMBER 2014

53-58 Hunnu Air.indd 54 30/10/2014 10:34


one of the country’s largest corporate
conglomerates, the Bodi Group.
The carrier was initially launched in
December 2011 as Mongolian Airlines
following the acquisition of agricul-
tural aviation services firm Monnis Air
Services and its fleet of former MIAT
Antonov An-2 utility aircraft. The
company underwent a major transfor-
mation and, ahead of the introduction
of passenger services, acquired a pair
of former SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Fokker 50s, JU-8881 (c/n 20183, ex
LN-RNF) and ’882 (c/n 20184, ex
LN-RNG). Confusion soon arose with
the similarly-named national carrier
MIAT Mongolian Airlines, despite the
newcomer’s starkly different liveries
(the aircraft were finished in a strik-
ing white, purple and yellow colour
scheme). In April 2013, the threat of
a legal dispute, and subsequent gov-
ernment intervention, led the private-
ly-owned start up to adopt the name
Hunnu Air, inspired by the Hunnu
Empire – essentially the predecessor
to modern-day Mongolia. The Hunnu
period was one of rapid development
53-58 Hunnu Air.indd 55
and significant cultural achievements
and it, along with emperors who
oversaw it, is still revered in the country
today. The carrier has embraced this
rich heritage, including the use of four
important symbols from Mongolian
mythology – a sun, a moon, a deer and
a falcon – in its company logo. Its air-
craft are named after culturally-signif-
icant tribes and clans: the Fokker 50s
are christened Kidan, Hamag Mongol
and Hunnu, while the Airbus A319s are
named Great Mongol and Nirun.
Crossing Borders
Hunnu Air’s first scheduled service
– from Ulan Bator to Bayankhongor
in central Mongolia – was flown on
January 2, 2012 – coincidentally
mirroring the country’s first passenger-
carrying flight, operated by an An-2
some 56 years earlier. The following
days and weeks saw the introduction of
other domestic routes from the capital
to Murun, Choibalsan, Dalanzadgad
and Khovd.
The carrier’s first jet equipment
arrived later the same month in the
Hunnu Air Current Fleet
Registration Type c/n
JU-8881 Fokker 50 20183
JU-8882 Fokker 50 20184
JU-8883 Fokker 50 20181
JU-8888 Airbus A319-112 1706
JU-8889 Airbus A319-112 1750
Hunnu Air is one of two
privately-owned com-
panies– along with Aero
Mongolia – to operate
domestic services. The
carrier was previously
known as Mongolian
Airlines and derives its
name from the Hunnu
Empire. Four important
symbols from the coun-
try’s mythology – a sun,
a moon, a deer and a
falcon – feature in its
company logo.
form of two former Mexicana A319-
112s, JU-8888 (c/n 1706) and ’889
(c/n 1750), enabling Hunnu Air to
extend its network beyond Mongolia’s
border. With the type undergoing
certification, the airline’s first foray into
the international market – to Tokyo/
Haneda – was completed without
passengers and carried humanitarian
aid for Japan’s earthquake and tsunami
victims. The first revenue service
followed in April 2012.
Eager to promote itself on a global
scale, Hunnu Air started selling
tickets via the Amadeus computer
reservations and distribution system.
Work was continuing to expanding
both its fleet and network. A third
Fokker 50 was acquired and new routes
were opened to Bangkok, Hong Kong
and Shanghai.
Fokker 50, JU-8882 (c/n Big Ideas
20184), one of three Hunnu Air is now flying regular
examples in the Hunnu international services to Shanghai
Air fleet, pictured at
Murun, in the northern (twice-weekly), and thrice-weekly to
Mongolian province of Hong Kong, all served by the carrier’s
Khövsgöl. two A319s configured with 12 Business
Class and 108 Economy Class seats.
Charter flights to Tokyo currently
Configuration Aircraft Name operate during the summer season,
Y50 Hunnu although the carrier is optimistic this
Y50 Kidan will become a year-round service in
Y50 Hamag Mongol the near future. Political unrest in
C12 Y108 Great Mongol Thailand has led to falling demand for
C12 Y108 Nirun
www.airlinerworld.com 55
30/10/2014 10:34
 RUSSIA Lake Baikal Paris
RUSSIA
Manzhouli
Mörön Hailar
Ulaangom Ulaanbaatar
Khovd
Uliastai ULAANBAATAR
Choibalsan MONGOLIA
MONGOLIA
Erlian
DPR KOREA
Altai
Bayankhongor KOREA

CHINA
CHINA
Dalandzadgad
HUNNU AIR
Domestic Routes
BHUTAN

travel and the Bangkok link has been
temporarily suspended until the
market recovers.
One significant development
during the summer of 2014 was the
introduction of limited connections
to Europe. A twice-weekly service to
Paris was a bold move for a relatively
small carrier like Hunnu Air but,
according to the airline, the case for
doing so was compelling. France is
one of the most important trading
partners for Mongolia after Russia
and Germany but, unlike the latter
two, is not currently served by flag
carrier MIAT. Paris is also a popular
tourist destination and offers excellent
connections to the rest of the continent.
Establishing the new link was not INDIA
without its challenges. Hunnu Air BANGLADESH
was unable to secure permission to
Hong Kong
overfly Russia. The original plan to MYANMAR VIETNAM
HUNNU AIR
route the flight via Yekaterinburg was LAOS
International Routes
PDR
shelved in favour of transiting through
Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan, Bangkok Current
THAILAND Seasonal / Suspended
increasing the distance from 4,400
miles (7,100km) to 5,200 miles
(8,370km) and adding two hours flying
time. The carrier currently lacks any
widebody aircraft so employed its
A319s, leading to a westbound trip of
around 12 hours without amenities
such as in-flight entertainment.
Byamabajav admitted the A319s were
not the ideal mount for this long-
haul service but the carrier gained

Hunnu Air
IATA MR
ICAO MML
Founded 2011 (as Mongolian Airlines)
Callsign Transmongolia
Headquarters Ulan Bator

56 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014

53-58 Hunnu Air.indd 56 30/10/2014 10:34

 LEFT AND FAR LEFT •
The Mongolian carrier valuable experience and enabled it
has configured its two to test the market. The seasonal link
Airbus A319’s in a 120- was terminated in late August, though
seat layout including 12
Hunnu Air plans to re-launch this as
Business Class and 108
Economy Class seats. a non-stop service during 2015. It is
close to finalising a deal to acquire a
widebody A330.

Finding a Niche
One limiting factor in Hunnu Air’s
RIGHT • Hunnu Air’s ambitious plans is the highly-restrictive
domestic services are bilateral agreements between Mongolia
flown largely by its fleet
of three Fokker 50s.
and neighbouring countries, which
permit only one Mongolian airline link
to the respective nations. Flag carrier,
rival MIAT holds a dominant position in
the international sector and serves the
most lucrative markets, such as to Seoul
and Beijing. One exception is Hong
Kong, where the two airlines compete
directly. For Hunnu Air, the former
British colony is a key market and has
led the privately-owned operator to
secure interline agreements with the 12 months should trading conditions two to three connections per week
likes of Cathay Pacific and Dragonair. be unfavourable. up to double daily, as in the case of
Hunnu Air offers charter flights to The Fokker 50 turboprops are also Dalanzadgad in southern Mongolia.
LEFT • With its extensive deployed internationally on Hunnu Internal flights are generally flown
leisure destinations because the current
domestic network,
Hannu Air operates eight international schedule does not fully Air’s services to Hailar and Manzhouli by the airline´s three Fokker 50s but,
of Mongolia’s major utilise the airline’s two Airbuses. in the Chinese Province of Inner with a cruising speed of around
cities while most of its It flies to Jeju Island, South Korea, and Mongolia. These flights are routed 285kt (530km/h), flight times can be
international services
Hainan in China – aimed specifically through the eastern Mongolian city of anything up to two hours, particularly
are into neighbouring
China. at Mongolian holidaymakers – and Choibalsan, the fourth-biggest in the on the longest route from Ulan Bator to
to secondary Japanese cities such country. Combining a key domestic Khovd, in the far west.
as Shizuoka where the majority of service with links into neighbouring
passenger traffic is inbound China has proved particularly beneficial Ups and Downs
to Mongolia. for Hunnu Air and ensures the carrier Seasonality is a major challenge
Former Mexicana Airbus The introduction of its first widebody has healthy loads year-round. for Hunnu Air, and for every other
A319-112, JU-8888 (c/n jet, planned for early next year, will Development of intra-Mongolian Mongolian airline, at least on
1706), wears the titles of
enable the carrier to expand its network services has been the airline’s ‘bread international routes.
Hunnu Air predecessor
Mongolian Airlines. The to destinations currently unsuitable for and butter’ since its launch. Today, Tourism in Mongolia
company adopted its its A319s. Growth is dependent upon it flies to eight cities covering all is growing rapidly
current name in April the global economy and, according to the major domestic air routes in the but remains in
2013. AIRTEAMIMAGES.
COM/KEISHI NUKINA
the airline, may be postponed by up to country. Frequencies can range from its infancy.

www.airlinerworld.com 57

53-58 Hunnu Air.indd 57 30/10/2014 10:34


The recent introduction of visa-free
entry for a host of nations has made
the country significantly easier to
visit but, with the industry focusing
predominantly on Mongolia’s ecology
and wildlife, most tourists prefer to
travel during the summer.
One solution may be the establishment
of a hub operation at Ulan Bator –
conveniently located en route between
Europe and Eastern Asia – which
would potentially guarantee year-round
passenger traffic. It is an avenue being
considered by Hunnu Air but any such
operation will be limited, at least in the
short-term, by the small and outdated
terminal at the capital’s Chinggis Khan
airport. A new facility is already
under construction and is expected
to open within the next two to three
years. In the meanwhile, the carrier
Hunnu Air Destinations
Domestic: International:
Altai (LTI)
Bayankhongor (BYN) Bangkok (BKK)*
Choibalsan (COQ) Hailar (HLD)
Dalanzadgad (DLZ) Hong Kong (HKG)
Khovd (HVD) Manzhouli (NZH)
Murun (MXV) Paris (CDG)**
Ulaangom (ULO) Shanghai (PVG)
Uliastai (ULZ)
*Temporarily suspended **Seasonal only
58 airliner world DECEMBER 2014
53-58 Hunnu Air.indd 58
We try to avoid head-to-head
competition with MIAT, and will thus
have to find niches to operate in
Margad Byambajav, Vice President and
Chief Operations Officer
is investigating options to lease out
its excess capacity during the low
season. As Airliner World went to
press, Hunnu Air was reportedly close
to concluding a wet-lease agreement
with an undisclosed operator in
Southeast Asia.
Byambajav also revealed the airline
was looking to replace its ageing Fokker
50s and is expected to select a mixture
of two ATR 72s and one smaller ATR
42. Another area under consideration
is engineering. Basic line maintenance
of the aircraft is currently undertaken
in-house but the airline lacks the
facilities to complete more substantial
checks. For major overhauls, Hunnu
Air flies its Airbuses to Hong Kong
and its Fokker 50s to Contact Air in
Saarbrücken, Germany, much to the
delight of local aviation enthusiasts but
at great expense to the airline.
Hunnu Air’s only foray
into the international
market – to Paris/Charles
de Gaulle – last summer
– was carried out with its
Airbus A319s. However,
the aircraft lacked the
necessary range and
required a technical
stop in Turkmenbashi,
Turkmenistan. The
Mongolian carrier plans
to re-launch this as a
non-stop service during
2015. It is close to final-
ising a deal to acquire
an A330.
The carrier has outlined
plans to replace its age-
ing fleet of Fokker 50
turboprops with a mix-
ture of two ATR 72s and
one smaller ATR 42.
Teaming Up
Hunnu Air is at a crossroads and
must face a number of difficulties if it
is to thrive in what is a small and
highly seasonal market. “We try to
avoid head-to-head competition with
MIAT, and will thus have to find niches
to operate in”, Byambajav told Airliner
World, adding the carrier would need
to find “the patience necessary to
develop new markets”. Hunnu Air´s
Vice President and his team are
reluctant to expand too quickly in what
has proved to be a volatile sector as the
recent demise of another Mongolian
start-up, Eznis Airways, highlighted.
Securing strong partners may be one
way of shoring up its position. There
are plans to team up with China
Eastern Airlines with a view to
eventually joining the SkyTeam
alliance. The first major step
towards its eventual accession –
the completion of its IATA Operational
Safety Audit (IOSA) – is due for
completion imminently but the
airline faces an interesting, if not
challenging future.
30/10/2014 10:35
Just Planes F_P.indd 1 28/10/2014 11:55
 CHANNEL AIRWAYS
The Golden Fleet
M
any entrepreneurs
found their way into
the world of civil avia-
tion in the years fol-
lowing World War Two.
Squadron Leader Reginald ‘Jack’ Jones
was one of a small band of ex-service
personnel who were instrumental in
creating many of the independent car-
riers that captured the British public’s
imagination. Channel Airways was
launched by Jones in mid-1946 as East
Anglian Flying Services, a small air taxi
Bob O’Brien looks back on the history of the Southend-based carrier which,
in its heyday, was one of Britain’s leading independent airlines.
60 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
60-66 Channel Airways.indd 60
outfit offering pleasure flights along
the Kent coast from a landing strip near
Herne Bay.
The opening of a new airport at
Southend on January 1, 1947 was
the prompt Jones needed to expand
his fledgling airline. He spotted an
opportunity to gain a vital foothold
in the market and his was the first
company to take up residence at the
facility. He also acquired a second de
Havilland DH 80A Puss Moth to join
his initial example, G-AEOA (c/n 2184),
along with a former Royal Air Force
Airspeed AS 5 Courier. East Anglian
continued to operate pleasure flights
and between these and the occasional
charter service, it earned enough
money to acquire its first new aircraft, a
Miles M.57 Aerovan. The factory-fresh
example, G-AJKM (c/n 6402), arrived
in June 1947 and provided a significant
boost for the airline. It could now offer
charter flights to destinations deep in
the heart of mainland Europe, with
refuelling stops en route. During its first
30/10/2014 10:25
S
12 months, the Aerovan visited a host
of exotic destinations including Athens,
Marseille and Rome. The aircraft’s fixed
undercarriage, rudimentary navigation
equipment, no autopilot and a cruising
speed of just 112mph (180km/h) led to a
fairly arduous trip for both pilots
and passengers.
In June 1948 East Anglian addressed
this issue by acquiring four military
surplus DH.89 Dragon Rapides. The
type’s arrival was followed a month
later by the introduction of an associate
60-66 Channel Airways.indd 61
East Anglian’s de agreement with British European East Anglian. The following year
Havilland DH 80A Airways (BEA), under which the brought an extension of the BEA deal
Puss Moth, G-ABKZ
(c/n 2132), pictured at Southend-based carrier operated feeder to include a Saturday morning service
Ringway in June 1948. links to Rochester, Kent. from Southend to Jersey. The British
WIKICOMMONS/RUTHAS The write off of the Aerovan, which Government’s introduction of currency
ABOVE LEFT • East Anglian was blown over in high winds while exchange controls and renewed
acquired several de refuelling at Lympne, Kent, on May restrictions on overseas travel during
Havilland DH 89A 3, 1949 was a low point in what was the early 1950s had a near catastrophic
Dragon Rapides during impact on the travel market. This led to
otherwise a period of stability for
the late 1940s, including
G-AKJZ (c/n 6880). the collapse of numerous independent
...the Aerovan airlines. East Anglian was forced to
suspend its scheduled services and
Channel Airways Vickers visited a host of exotic lay off all bar two of its staff – Jones
Viscount 810, G-AVHE
(c/n 363), shares the destinations including
Gatwick ramp with a
Dan-Air de Havilland
Athens, Marseille
Comet and a Boeing and Rome...
707 of Caledonian.
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
CAZ CASWELL
www.airlinerworld.com 61
30/10/2014 10:26
 himself and an office clerk.
Though drastic, the cutbacks were
sufficient to ensure the carrier survived
arguably its most difficult challenge to
date. The subsequent, though gradual,
rise in demand enabled East Anglian to
re-hire some of its former employees. A
new-look board of directors, consisting
of Jones, Captain Angus Pascoe,
Captain A E Hugo Parsons and R H
Pike, led the carrier back to growth and
by 1953 the airline was employing 25
staff and had an average load factor of
around 70%.
With the airline on the up, it increased
its presence in South East England.
New bases were introduced at Ipswich
and Shoreham. It also purchased
three DH 104 Doves from West
African Airways to replace its ageing
Rapides, and used the new type to
pioneer scheduled services to the
Channel Islands, Belgium, France
and the Netherlands.
The Doves were soon complimented
by a pair of Bristol 170 Freighters,
which added much-needed capacity
in both the passenger and air cargo
markets. East Anglian considered
following competitors such as Silver
City Airways and Channel Air Ferry
in using the aircraft to fly vehicle ferry
services to mainland Europe but after
several aborted attempts, the project was
ultimately abandoned. By the end of
the decade, East Anglian was regularly
flying passengers across the English
Channel in a modernised fleet of
Vickers Vikings and Douglas DC-3s.
New Decade, New Look
East Anglian Flying Services was
officially renamed Channel Airways
on October 29, 1962. The change was,
however, largely a formality given that
its aircraft had carried the name for
most of the preceding decade. The
forward-thinking Jones continued to
innovate to put his company ahead
of the competition. This included the
introduction of a luxury coach service
to feed passengers from various points
across South East England to Channel
62 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
60-66 Channel Airways.indd 62
This Douglas C-47A, Airways flights. Another first was Southend-based charter outfit Tradair’s
G-AMDZ (c/n 12911), the use of high-density seating on its financial difficulties and acquired
was built in Oklahoma
City, US in 1942 and
aircraft – the idea to equip its new DC-4 the carrier and its fleet of Vikings,
initially served with Skymaster, G-ARYY (c/n 42907) with 88 outright in late 1962. The deal also
the US Army Air Force seats (against the industry-norm of 44) included Viscount 707, G-APZC
before joining Channel raised many eyebrows but between the (c/n 34), Channel’s first turboprop
Airways. It is pictured
at Southend wearing the carrier’s short sectors and significantly- aircraft. Its arrival coincided with the
carrier’s early green and reduced air fares, it received few introduction of a striking new white
yellow livery. complaints from passengers. and gold livery. It marked a major step
ALL PHOTOS AUTHOR
Channel Airways, now established change for the airline. The Viscount
UNLESS STATED
as one of Britain’s major independent featured a comfortable pressurised
carriers, took advantage of fellow cabin, complete with panoramic
The arrival of a pair of
Bristol 170 Freighters
in 1957 added much-
needed capacity in
passenger and cargo
markets. The type was
to be used to launch
cross-channel car ferry
services but the plan
never came to fruition.
Channel Airways flew
several Vickers Vikings,
including G-AHOZ (c/n
129), between 1958
and 1962.
The arrival of the
Vickers Viscount in
1962 coincided with
Channels’ decision to
introduce a striking new
gold and white livery.
The four-engined
turboprops were also
adorned with additional
‘Golden Viscount’ and
‘Prop Jet’ titles.
30/10/2014 10:26
 windows. It was quieter, faster Travel Group to fly British tourists to and of new opportunities for the British
Channel Airways from Rotterdam for the Dutch bulb field
and more fuel efficient than airline. Most significantly, the extra
Types Operated
its predecessors; making the season. The six week-long airlift, which range offered by the 800 series enabled
BAC One-Eleven
type popular with passengers ran from April to mid-May, gave Channel Channel Airways to upgrade many of
Bristol 170 Freighter
de Havilland DH 80A Puss Moth
and accountants alike. This some much-needed business during the its IT flights to non-stop and, for the first
de Havilland DH 89 Dragon led Channel Airways to traditionally quiet winter and finished in time in its history, its annual passenger
de Havilland DH 106 Comet acquire a further nine 700 time for the summer season proper. traffic exceeded half a million.
de Havilland DH 104 Dove series examples, employing Buoyed by its recent success, the
de Havilland DH 114 Heron the type on inclusive tour The Jet Age airline took the plunge and placed a
Douglas DC-3 (IT) charter flights from Continental Airlines’ decision to £5.5 million order for its first jet aircraft
Douglas DC-4 Manchester and Southend to switch to an all-jet fleet during the mid- – four British Aircraft Corporation
Hawker Siddeley HS748 leisure destinations around 1960s proved particularly beneficial (BAC) One-Eleven series 400s, plus
Hawker Siddeley HS121 Trident
the Mediterranean. Like the to Channel Airways. Having heard two options – in September 1966.
Miles M.50 Aerovan
DC-4, Channel also equipped that the US carrier’s Viscount 812s Surprisingly, rather than maintaining
Vickers Viking
Vickers Viscount
its Viscounts in a high-density were to be placed on the market, the a common jet fleet and acquiring the
configuration, with the 71 seats Southend-based firm went in search larger 500 series, Channel Airways
TOP • A timetable dat-
leaving little in the way of legroom. of a bargain and quickly concluded a opted instead for Hawker Siddeley’s
ing back to the summer
of 1969 covers flights When the aircraft weren’t flying hordes deal to acquire the aircraft. The maiden Trident 1E – a real coup for the
from the Channel of holidaymakers to and from the UK, example, G-ATUE (c/n 357), arrived manufacturer, particularly as sales of
islands to various the type was regularly leased to carriers in April 1966 and opened up a host the Hatfield-produced jet had
points across South
East England. such as BKS Air Transport, British Eagle slowed considerably.
and Bahamas Airways.
Channel’s increasing dependence
...the forward- The Bus-stop Service
Channel Airways on the IT market made it a highly thinking Jones In January 1969, Channel Airways
equipped its Douglas seasonal airline, with pronounced continued to innovate experimented with a new form of
DC-4s in an 88-seat,
high density configura-
peaks and troughs in activity and to put his company domestic flying. Known as the ‘Bus-
aircraft utilisation. To counter this, stop’ service, the new flight ran twice-
tion – more than twice
Jones secured a contract with Clarksons
ahead of the daily from Southend to Aberdeen
the industry norm.
competition.

www.airlinerworld.com 63

60-66 Channel Airways.indd 63 30/10/2014 10:27

 via intermediate stops at London/
Luton, East Midlands, Leeds-Bradford,
Teesside, Newcastle and Edinburgh.
Air fares were cheap but each stop on
the route lasted barely five minutes
and boarding and disembarking were
carried out with two of the Viscount’s
64 airliner world DECEMBER 2014
60-66 Channel Airways.indd 64
four engines still running.
This link was subsequently
complemented by a second bus-stop
service – from Norwich to Liverpool
– with both aircraft meeting at East
Midlands to enable connecting
passengers to switch flights. The project
was short-lived and, after several months
of heavy losses, Channel Airways axed
the services in October the same year.
TOP • Channel later The arrival of jet equipment brought
complemented its fleet
of Vickers Viscount
its own difficulties and, faced with
701s with the larger a prohibitively short runway and
800 series. ADRIAN BALCH mounting noise complaints at
COLLECTION Southend, the carrier announced in
1968 that it would relocate its BAC 1-11s
and Tridents to nearby Stansted also
above left • Channel in Essex where they could be flown
Airways was one of just without payload restrictions.
four carriers to acquire
the Hawker Siddeley HS Two years later, the airline secured
121 Trident 1E.
above • The Southend-
based carrier used de
Havilland DH 104 Doves
to pioneer routes to
mainland Europe.
30/10/2014 10:27
 A Black Day
Unsuitable airport infrastructure was one element
that hampered Channel Airways’ expansion dur-
ing the 1960s, as the carrier traded in its ageing
piston-engined aircraft for faster and more modern
turboprop and jet equipment. Portsmouth Airport
in Hampshire was one of the last commercial facili-
ties to have grass runways and was particularly
problematic for the carrier. It was here two different
A Channel Airways Channel Airways aircraft crashed during landing on
poster celebrating the the same day.
carrier’s 21st anniver-
sary and promoting its
The first, Hawker Siddeley 748, G-ATEK (c/n 1588),
use of the jet-powered was flying a scheduled service from Southend to
BAC One-Eleven. Paris via Portsmouth on August 15, 1967. After
making a normal approach during inclement weath-
er, including low cloud and rain, the aircraft touched
down on 2,730ft (832m) Runway 36 but skidded on
the wet grass and struck an embankment on the
northern airfield boundary.
In January 1969, Less than two hours later, sistership G-ATEH (c/n
Channel Airways
experimented with a
new form of domestic
flying.
BELOW • In
September
1966, the a lucrative 24-month contract to
airline placed operate IT flights on behalf of Lyons
a £5.5 mil-
lion order for
Tours. In order to fulfil the terms of
four BAC One- the deal, Channel once again entered
Elevens, its first the second-hand aircraft market
jet equipment. and purchased five Comet 4Bs from
BEA. The jets were configured in a
spacious 109-seat layout – a far cry
from the rest of the fleet – but unlike
their counterparts, the Comets did not
receive the carrier’s distinctive golden
livery; instead they were flown in basic
BEA colours.
60-66 Channel Airways.indd 65
1585) crashed under near-identical circumstances,
landing on Runway 07 after operating a sector from
Jersey and Guernsey and skidding through the
perimeter fence before shearing off its undercar-
riage and coming to rest on its belly on an adjacent
main road.
The combined 81 passengers and eight crew
escaped uninjured but the accidents raised ques-
tions as to why the airfield continued to accept
flights following the first crash. The subsequent
investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority noted
the aircraft performance data for operating on grass
runways did not make allowances for wet condi-
tions, but attributed the cause of both crashes to
the poor condition of the airfield.
Both aircraft were recovered to Hawker Siddeley’s
facility at Woodford, Cheshire, and then repaired
before returning to service.
(Photo Adrian Balch Collection)
Air England
Channel Airways’ business model
had evolved significantly by 1970. The
carrier’s board of directors elected to
change the company’s name to Air
England to reflect its position as one of
the UK’s leading independent airlines.
The first aircraft to wear the new titles,
DH 114 Heron G-APKW (c/n 14046),
was also the last and the initiative was
abandoned. An attempt to enter the
North American market later the same
year was another ultimately fruitless
www.airlinerworld.com 65
30/10/2014 10:27
 Having secured a lucra-
tive 24-month contract
with Lyons Tours,
Channel acquired five
de Havilland DH 106
Comet 4Bs. The aircraft
never received the car-
rier’s distinctive golden
livery and were flown in
basic BEA colours.

endeavour. The airline had planned to Channel’s intention of flying to carrier ended 1971 in dire financial
BELOW RIGHT • This de
Havilland DH 114 Heron,
launch services to the US and Canada Stansted rather than BEA’s London/ straits. By the following February,
G-AKPW (c/n 14046), using Boeing 707s, but its application Heathrow base. it had appointed a receiver. Within
was the only Channel was rejected by the respective aviation By 1971, the carrier was at a critical two weeks, Channel had withdrawn
aircraft to wear Air authorities. Instead, the carrier point. Its fleet was dogged by its jets. Less than a fortnight later
England titles.
looked to Europe and, in particular reliability issues and, keen to keep its remaining Herons and Viscounts
West Germany, where it its Comets flying, the airline was followed suit.
...the secured a contract to fly forced to acquire a former Mexicana The final Channel Airways service –
tourists from West Berlin example and cannibalise it for spare from Ostend, Belgium – was flown by
increasing to various Mediterranean parts. Its Tridents were not so lucky. Heron G-APKW, and landed at the
seasonality of sun spots. This proved to Both G-AVYB (c/n 2136) and ‘YE (c/n company’s Southend base on the after-
its operations be one of the few highlights 2139), were sold to generate much- noon of February 29, 1972. Though the
had led to in what became the most
difficult period in the history
needed revenue. The increasing
seasonality of its operations had led
airline was ultimately confined to the
history books, Squadron Leader
regularly of Channel Airways. In to regularly recurring crisis talks with Reginald ‘Jack’ Jones will be remem-
recurring crisis early 1971, the Air Transport the banks at the end of each summer bered alongside fellow innovators,
talks with the Licensing Board (ATLB) season to tide it over the lean winter such as British Eagle’s Harold Bamberg
banks... partially rejected the airline’s
application to compete with
months. Aircraft reliability issues
caused major disruption to its lucrative
and the late Freddie Laker, who
pioneered affordable air travel for
BEA on domestic trunk routes summer charter programme and the the masses.
from London to Belfast, Newcastle
and Glasgow. Channel Airways was
granted permission to fly to Scotland
Turboprops galore!
Channel Airways with a provisional start date of May
Hawker Siddeley 748, 1972. State-owned BEA objected in the
G-ATEJ (c/n 1587), strongest terms and, as had happened
parked alongside a KLM
with British Eagle before, the decision
Lockheed L-188 Electra
and a BEA Vickers was subsequently overturned and
Vanguard. the licence revoked. This was despite

66 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014

60-66 Channel Airways.indd 66 30/10/2014 10:27

 SPOTTING

Vancouver
Spot
Locations
to view and
photograph

C
airport anada’s Vancouver International rapid transit line – dubbed the Canada From here, photographers can take
activities. Airport (YVR) is recognised by Line – was opened in 2009 and links shots of arriving aircraft from a variety
travellers and employees alike YVR to Downtown in just 25 minutes. of angles.
OPPOSITE •For those
wishing to get
as one of North America’s leading Elsewhere, the primary road connec- Continuing north, two small hills adja-
up close to some gateways. In fact, independent review tion to Sea Island is via the Arthur cent to the airfield boundary offer a
of Vancouver’s and status website SkyTrax has ranked Laing Bridge, which carries the Grant good location for touchdown shots
‘heavies’, the Avis the facility as the top airport in the McConachie Way expressway north while the frequently snow-capped
rental car park is a
must visit. Americas for five consecutive years, towards Vancouver, while a further four, Mount Baker provides a striking back-
and it is the only one on the Continent smaller bridges connect to the neigh- drop for approaching aircraft.
MAIN IMAGE • The to feature in the global top ten. bouring Richmond. Another popular spot is the Avis
snow-capped Mount Vancouver served as the primary entry The airfield features two main runways rental car park, which sits less than
Baker provides a
striking backdrop point for the 2010 Winter Olympics, – 08L/26R and 08R/26L – with depar- 330ft (100m) from the parallel taxiway
for this China and is now the second busiest airport tures generally using the northern run- to the northerly Runway 08L/26R.
Southern Airlines in Canada by passenger traffic and air- way and the southern handling arrivals. Photography is possible through gaps
Boeing 787-8.
ALL PHOTOS AUTHOR
craft movements after Toronto/Pearson. A third, crosswind runway (12/30) is in the fence and ladders will facilitate an
The towering North Shore Mountains occasionally used by smaller, regional unobstructed view; however, this area
BELOW •This image and the sparkling waters of the Strait aircraft while seaplanes are restricted is frequented by the local police and ID
of WestJet’s Boeing of Georgia provide a breathtaking to a specially-approved channel imme- checks are occasionally carried out.
737-7CT, C-FWCN
(c/n 33698), backdrop for the airport, which lies on diately south of YVR. For those wishing to watch YVR
illustrates the Sea Island, around 7.5 miles (12km) Vancouver very much lives up to its departures, there are dedicated viewing
excellent viewing south of Downtown Vancouver and ‘international’ title – 12 different carriers facilities near the South Terminal which
opportunities within the suburb of Richmond. The link the Canadian city to destinations overlook the southerly runway, while Air
afforded by
Templeton Road. facility is also very well connected – a across the Asia/Pacific region, while North and Pacific Coastal Airlines both
a further eight fly to Europe during operate from the adjacent ramps and
the peak summer season. It is also their aircraft can be seen at
an important hub for Western Canada close proximity.
and is served by an array of smaller, The YVR Airport Authority fully endors-
domestic operators. This makes for es what it calls “a vibrant and active
an interesting mix of wide- and nar- plane spotting community” and hosts
rowbody traffic, including more than 25 monthly photography competitions as
Boeing 747 flights per week. part of a wider programme to
For aviation enthusiasts, the most encourage visitors to the airport.
popular spot is on Templeton Road, a The facility’s popularity is not surpris-
spur off the main Grant McConachie ing and with a wide array of traffic,
Way that runs adjacent to the perim- a plethora of spotting locations and
eter fence and passes the threshold easy accessibility from Downtown
of Runway 26R. It is also a short walk Vancouver, the airport has established
from the Templeton Canada Line sta- itself as one of the ‘must visit’ locations
tion and affords excellent views of the for aviation enthusiasts.
airfield and the northerly approach. Derek MacPherson

68 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014

Engine Alliance F_P.indd 1 28/10/2014 11:52
Fleet Updates
for Etihad Airways
A
bu Dhabi-based Etihad The A380 can carry up
Airways reached a major to 498 passengers in a
four-class layout.
milestone when it cel- ETIHAD AIRWAYS
ebrated the roll-out of
its first Airbus A380-
861, A6-APA (c/n 166) on September
25, during a ceremony at the Airbus
Finkenwerder facility in Hamburg,
Germany. The airline has a firm order
for ten A380s and will become the 13th
operator of the type when the first
Airbus A380-861 6A-APA
example is delivered later this year. (c/n 166) rolled out of
The event also marked the unveiling a paint hangar during
of the Etihad’s new livery, named a ceremony at Airbus’
facility in Hamburg-
‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’, which is based
Finkenwerder on
on a colour palette that reflects the September 25.
varying hues of the desert landscape ETIHAD AIRWAYS
of the United Arab Emirates as well
as the geometric shapes found in the Heathrow route from December 27. Two
modern architecture of Abu Dhabi. A380s due to be delivered in early 2015
The airline’s existing fleet of more than will also fly on the same sector, making
100 aircraft will be painted in the new it a three times daily flight, and by the
livery over the next three years. end of the year Etihad plans to have five
James Hogan, President and CEO in operation to Sydney/Kingsford Smith
of Etihad Airways, said: “Only a few and New York/John F Kennedy.
months ago Etihad Airways unveiled
the new cabin interiors for our A380
aircraft and we are now proud to show
the world how this aircraft will look
on the outside. The striking new liv-
ery also continues our commitment to
breaking from convention and doing
things differently. This is a real diver-
gence from the norms of tradition-
al airline livery design and will stand
out in the sky and at every airport we
fly to.”

Deliveries
Of ten A380s on order, the carrier is
scheduled to take delivery of four more
Superjumbos next year followed by
three in 2016 and the remaining
two in 2017.
The type will initially be put into
service on the Abu Dhabi to London/

Richard Benedikz travelled to Airbus’ Hamburg/Finkenwerder production facility to

witness the official roll-out of the first Etihad Airways A380.

70 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014


Boeing Orders
Etihad is also the world’s largest
customer for the Boeing Dreamliner
family with firm orders for 71 aircraft,
including 41 787-9s and 30 of the larger
-10 variant. The airline celebrated
the roll-out of its first -9 example at
an event in Seattle, Washington, on
September 28 and is scheduled to
take delivery during the latter half of
December – followed by three 787-
9s next year, three in 2016 and nine
in 2017. Deliveries of the rest will run
through to 2025.
The Dreamliners, which also feature
the new ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ livery,
will be configured in a three-class
layout with eight First Class suites, 28
Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 layout
and 199 Economy seats in a 3-3-3
configuration.
The first 787-9 will enter commercial
service in December 2014 on the Abu
Dhabi-Düsseldorf and Abu Dhabi-
Doha sectors. Flights to Brisbane,
Mumbai, Moscow and Washington
Luxury Cabins
The airline unveiled its new cabin
interiors for its 787 Dreamliner fleet
last May. The jets are designed to carry
up to 498 passengers in a four-class
layout. Two Residence suites on the
forward upper deck feature a living
room, a separate double bedroom and
an en-suite shower room. They can
accommodate two guests each and
come with a personal butler trained at
the Savoy Butler Academy in London.
First Class consists of nine private suites,
each with a reclining lounge seat and a
full-length lie-flat bed, a mini-bar and a
Etihad Airways’ first
Boeing 787-9, A6-BLA shared bathroom/shower. The Business
(c/n 39646), was Class cabin is fitted with seats 20% larger
unveiled in Seattle on than Etihad’s existing offering and can
September 28. BOEING carry 70 passengers, while the new 417
economy seats come with adjustable
headrests. Tickets for the ‘Residence
suite’ – which, according to Hogan, will
be the “most luxurious living space in
the air” – start at around $20,000 one-
way between London and Abu Dhabi.
Speaking at the launch of Etihad’s
new livery in Hamburg, Hogan said he
Airbus President and believes there is also strong demand
CEO Fabrice Brégier
(left) and James Hogan,
for the luxury Residence suites as an
President and CEO of alternative to private jet charters.
Etihad Airways, at the “We calculated the cost of a private jet
unveiling of the new to London at $60,000 to $80,000 and we
‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’
livery in Hamburg. are selling our service for US$20,000,”
KEY - RICHARD BENEDIKZ Hogan said. “With additional routes
DC will follow in the first half of 2015 for our A380 and 787 now on sale,
with additional destinations to be passengers have a unique opportunity
confirmed later in the year as the to experience the most advanced cabins
airline takes delivery of more 787s. in aviation history. ”
Etihad says more than 40 international Hogan specifically mentioned flights
routes have been identified for future from London to Sydney via Abu Dhabi,
Dreamliner operation. which will be available from June.
www.airlinerworld.com 71
 t h at l a s t s
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 Airliner
Deliveries
The latest
commercial
aircraft
deliveries from
manufacturers
and lessors.
Low-cost carrier
Ryanair has started
to take delivery of its
next batch of Boeing
737-8MDs. EI-FEF
(c/n 44687) is the
second aircraft and is
pictured at Boeing Field
Dublin at the end of
September.
JOE G. WALKER

airblue [ED/ABQ ‘Pak Blue’]

UR-WRO A321-211 0781 ex G-OOPH, dd 23.08.14 Kiev
– Karachi, wet-lsd fr Wind
Rose
Pakistan International Airlines [PK/PIA]
China Airlines received JY-JAT A320-211 2061 ex N261FG, dd 11.08.14 Abu
its first Boeing 777- Dhabi – Karachi, lsd fr
36NER at the start of Jordan Aviation
October. The aircraft, Bhutan Airlines [B3/BTN]
B-18051 (c/n 41821), is A5-BAB A319-112 1541 named ‘Rimp’
the first of ten ordered Air Arabia [G9/ABY ‘Arabia’]
by the Taiwanese A6-AOB A320-214 6234 ex D-AVVN, dd 22.08.14
flag carrier. BOEING Eastern Skyjets [EE/ESJ]
A6-ESR B737-33A 25119 N375DC is assigned D-AIQF A320-211 0216 ex F-WWDR, dd 30.08.14
Xiamen Airlines [MF/CXA]
Emirates Airline [EK/UAE] Shannon – Berlin TXL
B-2768 B787-8 41536 dd 29.08.14
A6-EEY A380-861 157 st Amedeo on dely Lufthansa [LH/DLH]
& lsd back Cathay Pacific Airways [CX/CPA]
D-ABYQ B747-830 37840 dd 29.08.14
A6-EEZ A380-861 158 ex F-WWAU, dd 22.08.14 B-KQP B777-367ER 41758 dd 11.08.14 D-AIUH A320-214 6225 ex D-AVVM, dd 06.08.14
A6-ENT B777-31HER 41366 dd 15.08.14 B-KQQ B777-367ER 41762 dd 26.08.14
Fiji Link [FJ/FJA ‘Link Fiji’]
Qatar Airways [QR/QTR ‘Qatari’] Hong Kong Express Airways [UO/HKE ‘Hong Kong Shuttle’]
DQ-FJY ATR 42-600 1041 ex F-WWLW, dd 06.08.14, lsd
A7-BCO B787-8 38333 dd 28.08.14, Charleston #34 B-LCC A320-232 6142 ex F-WWIY, dd 21.08.14, fr Nordic Aviation Capital
A7-BEC B777-3DZER 43216 dd 13.08.14 lsd fr BOC Aviation
TACV – Transportes Aéreos de Cabo Verde [VR/TCV]
Gulf Air [GF/GFA] China Airlines [CI/CAL ‘Dynasty’]
LY-MCA ATR 72-201 212 ex SE-MCA, dd 27-28.08.14
A9C-LG A340-313X 212 dd Amman – Madrid 09.14 N18359 A330-302 1367 GECAS st Intrepid Aviation, Copenhagen – Praia,
9Air.com still lsd to China Airlines lsd fr DOT LT
B-1715 B737-8GP 39819 ex N746DB, dd 27-30.08.14 tigerair Taiwan [IT/TTW ‘Gocat’] Iberia [IB/IBE]
Victorville – Guangzhou, lsd B-50001 A320-232 6187 ex F-WWIH, dd 28.08.14, EC-IEI A320-214 1694 ex F-WWBT, dd 17.09.14
fr Transportation Partners lsd fr tigerair
Iberia Express [I2/IBS]
B-1719 B737-8GP 39820 ex N748DB, dd 03.09.14, lsd UNI Airways [B7/UIA ‘Glory’]
EC-LKG A320-214 1047 ex EC-HAF, dd 03.09.14,
fr Transportation Partners B-17012 ATR 72-600 1175 ex F-WWEP, dd 05.09.14, lsd fr Aircastle
Air China [CA/CCA] lsd fr Aviation PLC EC-MCS A320-214 6244 ex D-AVVP, dd 27.08.14,
B-1958 B737-89L 40042 dd 13.08.14 Alpine Helicopters named ‘Playa de Los Lances’
Key to Abbreviations Air China Cargo [CA/CAO ‘Air China Freight’] C-FGCO Bell 212 30933 ex P2-HCT, reg’d 11.09.14 part of Iberia order
a/c aircraft B-2091 B777-FFT 44682 dd 29.08.14 Canadian North [5T/ANX ‘Empress’] Swiftair [7J/SWT ‘Swift’]
als airlines China Eastern Airlines [MU/CES] C-GOKF B737-36N 28596 rr C-GCNO EC-JRP ATR 72-212 446 ret fr Air Europa lease, ferried
awys airways B-1859 A320-232 6062 ex B-506L, dd 01.08.14 C-GZCN B737-36N 28594 ex G-TOYL, reg’d 08.09.14, Madrid – Aswan 07.08.14
bf bought from B-1860 A320-214 6213 ex D-AVVJ, dd 19.08.14 lsd fr Regency Airlease Vueling Airlines [VY/VLG]
b/u broken up/scrapped B-1862 A320-214 6127 ex B-515L, dd 18.08.14, lsd Cargojet Airways [W8/CJT] LY-VEO A320-233 0558 ex F-ORAD, dd 02.08.14,
canx cancelled fr China Aircraft Leasing Corp C-FLAJ B757-23A(F) 24567 ex TF-FID, dd 05.09.14, sub-lsd fr Avion Express
cls colours B-1863 A320-232 6137 ex B-516L, dd 25.08.14 lsd fr AWAS Air Contractors (ABR ‘Contract’]
cn manufacturer’s B-1981 B737-89P 41478 dd 18.08.14 Kenn Borek Air [4K/KBA ‘Borek Air’] EI-EXR A300B4(F) 677 ex TC-ACM, dd 14.-15.08.14
construction/serial B-2325 A300B4-605R 746 ferried Shanghai – Dresden C-GHUE B1900D UE-52 ex N152MJ, reg’d 17.09.14 Dresden – Hong Kong,
number 08.14 for cargo conversion Pascan Aviation [P6/PSC] lsd fr AerCap
cnvrtd converted B-2332 A319-112 1303 N303SF is assigned
dbf destroyed by fire C-GUSC JS 3212 902 restored to register 05.09.14 Air Armenia [QN/ARR]
B-2400 A320-214 1072 N720AP is assigned
dbr damaged beyond B-5821 B737-79P 39737 dd 25.08.14 Summit Air EK-72928 An-72 60640 ex UR-CFI, seen at Juba
repair B-5893 A330-343E 1551 ex F-WWKT, dd 25.08.14 C-FASO DHC-6 100 78 restored to register 04.09.14 20.07.14, white with titles
dd delivery date B-6459 A319-115 6116 ex B-514L, dd 12.08.14 C-FLRJ Avro RJ85 E2302 ex G-CHKP reg’d 18.09.14 Veteran Airline [VB/VTF]
ex previous reg'n China Southern Airlines [CZ/CSN] Sunwest Aviation [CNK ‘Chinook’] EK74798 B747-281B 24399 ret fr Saudia lse
ff first flight B-1847 A321-231 6233 ex D-AZAT, dd 19.08.14 C-GAAF SA227-DC DC-891B ex B-3956, reg’d 17.09.14 Mahan Airlines [W5/IRM]
frtr freighter B-1848 A321-231 6241 ex D-AVZC, dd 29.08.14 LAN Airlines [LA/LAN] EP-MMC A340-313X 282 ex EX-34004, dd 08.14,
lrf last revenue flight B-1979 B737-86N 41252 dd 20.08.14, lsd fr GECAS lsd to Manas Airways
CC-BBG B787-8 38477 dd 04.08.14
lsd fr leased from B-2007 B777-31BER 43221 dd 06.08.14 Pouya Air
BOA – Boliviana de Aviación [OB/BOV]
lsd to leased to B-2008 B777-31BER 43222 dd 21.08.14 CP-2881 B767-33AER 27377 ex N368MS, dd 11.04.14 EP-PUC An-74T-200 91032 ex 15-2252, seen at Tehran
msn see cn
CITIC Offshore Helicopter Co Goodyear – Cochabamba, THR 01.07.14
ntu not taken up
oo on order B-7143 EC-225LP 2927 reg’d 10.09.14 lsd fr AWAS Ethiopian Airlines [ET/ETH]
op operated Hainan Airlines [HU/CHH] EuroAtlantic Airways [YU/MMZ] ET-ARE B787-8 34751 dd 01.08.14, Charleston #36
pax passenger B-1996 B737-84P 39214 dd 07.08.14 CS-TFS B767-3Y0ER 25411 ret fr Air Canada lease Asia Airways
pwfu permanently Loong Air (Zheijian Loong Airlines) [GJ/CDC ‘Hualong’] CS-TFT B767-3Y0ER 26208 as CS-TFS EY-406 An-12B 347704 ex EK12704
withdrawn from use B-2954 B737-3J7 27518 cnvrtd to B737-3J6(F) 08.14 CS-TRW B767-35DER 24865 ex SP-LPA, dd 07.08.14 East Air [EG/ETJ ‘East Tajik’]
reg’d registered SF Airlines [O3/CSS ‘Shun Feng’] Warsaw – Budapest, EY-624 A320-231 0373 ex EP-TTC
reg’n registration lsd fr LOT
B-2924 B737-31B 27287 reg’d 25.08.14 Atlantic Airlines [NPT ‘Neptune’]
ret fr returned from Hi Fly Transportes Aéreos [5K/HFY]
Shandong Airlines [SC/CDG] G-JMCU B737-301(F) 23513 ex OO-TNC, reg’d 24.09.14,
ret to returned to CS-TQZ A340-313X 202 ret fr XL Airways France
rr re-registered B-1985 B737-85N 41617 dd 04.08.14 lsd fr GECAS
TAP Air Portugal [TP/TAP] BA CityFlyer
rts return to service Shanghai Airlines [FM/CSH]
CS-TOR A330-203 486 named ‘Bartolomeu Dias’ G-LCYU E190-100SR 0674 ex PR-EHF, dd 04.09.14
sb sold by B-1968 B737-86D 39311 dd 15.08.14
scr scrapped/broken up B-5931 A330-243 1440 ex F-WWKG, reg’d 24.07.14 Cubana [CU/CUB] Bristow Helicopters [BHL]
st sold to Shenzhen Airlines [4G/CSZ] CU-T1716 An-148 201-05 dd 08.08.14 G-CIJC S-92A 920240 ex N240E, reg’d 12.09.14
std stored B-1973 B737-87L 37624 dd 20.08.14 Germania [ST/GMI] British Airways [BA/BAW ‘Speedbird’]
tba to be advised Spring Airlines [9S-CQH ‘Air Spring’] D-ASTB A319-112 4691 ret fr Gambia Bird lease G-ZBJH B787-8 38615 dd 15.08.14
unk unknown Germanwings [9U/GWI]
B-1839 A320-214 6073 ex B-513Ldd 01.08.14 Flybe [BE/BEE ‘Jersey’]
wfu withdrawn from use D-AIQD A320-211 0202 ex F-WWDM, dd 08.08.14
B-1892 A320-214 6216 ex D-AVVK, dd 07.08.14, lsd G-FBEH E190-200LR 0128 rts 12.08.14
w/o written off/destroyed Shannon – Berlin TXL
fr SMBC Aviation Capital G-FBEJ E190-200LR 0155 ret fr Helvetic Airways lease

74 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014

74-77 deliveries.indd 74 30/10/2014 10:42

 Farnair Hungary [FAH ‘Blue Strip’] Blue Panorama Airlines [BPA]
EI-CMD B767-324ER 27392 ex N838TM, dd 13.08.14
N121AN

A321-231 6238 ex D-AVZA, dd 25.08.14, lsd
fr Aviation Capital Group
Airliner
HA-FAU

B737-43Q(F) 28494 ex N462PR, dd 12-13.09.14
Miami – Budapest Shannon – Rome FCO, lsd fr N122NN
N956NN
A321-231
B737-823
6252 as N120EE
31200 dd 07.08.14, st SMBC
Deliveries
Belair Airlines [4T/BHP] Spectre Air Capital, named
‘Città di Milano’ Aviation Capital & lsd back,
HB-JOZ A320-214 4631 reg’d to SMBC Aviation
Capital, still lsd to Belair ANA – All Nippon Airways [NH/ANA] reg’d to Wells Fargo Bank We welcome
Northwest 18.08.14
Pan Am World Airways Dominica [7Q/PWD ‘Pawa’] JA78AN B737-881 33908 dd 06.08.14
Ameristar Jet Cargo / Charters [7Z/AJI] any feedback
JA831A B787-8 34496 dd 03.08.14
HI- DC-9-31 48139 ex YV1879
JA832A B787-8 42249 dd 14.08.14 N229DE DC-9-15RC 45826 rr N782TW on this listing.
Allas – Aerolíneas del Llano
JA834A B787-8 40750 dd 20.08.14 Berry Aviation [BYA]
HK-4971 DC-3C 13860 ex N293WM, reg’d 10.09.14
Skymark Airlines [BC/SKY] N729C SA227-AC AC-571 st CBG LLC 17.09.14 (The listing is alpha-
Easyfly [EFY]
JA330D A330-343E 1542 reg’d to Skylux 7 Inc 07.14, Bristow US [L9/BTZ ‘Bristow Group’] betical with reference
HK-5070 ATR 42-500 655 ex OH-ATD, reg’d 09.09.14 still lsd to Skymark N7007Q Bell 412EP 36315 ex XA-TYA, reg’d 21.08.14 to the registration of
HK-5071 ATR 42-500 651 ex OH-ATC, reg’d 09.09.14
Royal Jordanian Airlines [RJ/RJA] Delta Air Lines [DL/DAL] the country of origin.
SEARCA
JY-BAA B787-8 37983 dd 26.08.14 N825DN B737-932ER 31936 dd 07.08.14, st CIT Columns indicate the
HK-5059 B1900D UE-181 ex N49543, reg’d 04.09.14
Aerolíneas Argentinas [AR/ARG] Aerospace on dely & lsd back
SELVA – Servicio Aéreo del Vaupés [SDV] registration, type,
LV-FUB B737-8HX 39893 ex N1787B, dd 28.08.14, & reg’d to Wells Fargo Bank
HK-4295 An-26 4702 named ‘Maribel’ Northwest 08.08.14 construction number
lsd fr Aviation Capital Group
HK-4296 An-32A 1704 named ‘Lalo’ N826DN B737-932ER 31937 dd 14.08.14, st CIT and notes.)
Avion Express [X9/NVD ‘Nordvind’]
Viva (Fast Colombia) [VVC ‘Viva Columbia’] Aerospace on dely & lsd back
LY-VEW A320-214 1005 ex N115MT, dd 17.09.14
HK-4861 A320-214 1867 named ‘Tec. Mario’ & reg’d to Wells Fargo Bank
Small Planet Airlines [S5/LLC]
Air Busan [BX/ABL] Northwest same day
LY-SPD A320-232 0990 ex VN-A195, dd 07.14, N314SQ B747-412(F) 26554 ex 9V-SCB, reg’d 29.08.14,
HL7713 A321-231 1734 ex D-AVXD, dd 07.14, lsd fr Aircastle
lsd fr AerCap to be used for spares
ABX Air [GB/ABX ‘Abex’] Endeavor Air [9E/FLG ‘Flagship’]
COPA Airlines [CM/CMP]
N226CY B767-383(F) 26544 EC-LKI, dd 15.08.14, lsd fr N325PQ CRJ900 15325 dd 14.08.14, sb Delta Air
HP-1840 B737-8V3 44155 dd 05.08.14 Cargo Aircraft Management Lines to CIT Aerospace on
Avianca Honduras (Isleña Airlines) [AV/AVA] Air Flamenco (Air Charter Inc) [ dely & reg’d to Wells Fargo
HR-AYJ ATR 72-600 1172 ex F-WWEM, dd 18.08.14, N875RR Short 360 SH3741 ex G-ZAPD Bank Northwest same day,
leased from AviancaTaca lsd back to Delta & sub-lsd to
AirTran Airways [FL/TRS ‘Citrus’]
Jet Asia Airways [JF/JAA] Endeavor Air
N169AT B737-76N 32744 rr N7705A
HS-JAK B767-2J6ER 24007 ret fr Euro Atlantic Airways N174AT B737-76N 32667 rr N7707C N326PQ CRJ900 15326 dd 20.08.14, sb Delta Air
Nok Air [DD/NOK] N175AT B737-76N 32652 rr N7708E Lines to CIT Aerospace on
HS-DQA Dash 8-Q402 4455 st GECAS on delivery & N299AT B737-76N 32678 rr N7733B dely & reg’d to Wells Fargo
leased back Alaska Airlines [AS/ASA] Bank Northwest same day,
Orient Thai Airlines [OX/OEA] lsd back to Delta &
N469AS B737-990ER 41702 dd 15.08.14
HS-BKI B767-346 23965 ex JA8264, reg’d 08.08.14, sub-lsd to Endeavor Air
Aloha Air Cargo [KH/AAH] N329PQ CRJ900 15329 dd 28.08.14,
ferried ex Tokyo HND 08.14 N843KH Saab 340A 046 named ‘Ke Kela’ lsd fr Delta Air Lines
Siam Air Transport N844KH Saab 340A 108 named ‘Hoko Ao’ N330PQ CRJ900 15330 dd 04.09.14,
HS-BRV B737-3L9 26440 ex N338TH, reg’d 13.08.14 American Airlines [AA/AAL] lsd fr Delta Air Lines
Thai Airways International [TG/THA] N8001N A319-115 5678 purch off lease fr Wells Fargo FedEx Express [FX/FDX ‘FedEx’]
HS-TKW B777-3D7ER 42112 dd 27.08.14 Bank Northwest N539UA B757-222 25223
Alpha Star Aviation Services N9004F A319-115 5745 purch off lease fr Wells Fargo N521UA B757-222 24891 rr N68087
HZ-A15 A320-216 3261 ex 9M-AHV, dd 24-27.08.14 Bank Northwest N578UA B757-222 26694
Kuala Lumpur KUL – Riyadh N4005X A319-115 5753 purch off lease fr Wells Fargo N360FE DC-10 10(F) 46636 ferried Victorville – Singapore
flynas [XY/KNE] Bank Northwest SIN 21-24.08.14 for rts
VP-CXD A320-214 2182 ex B-6029, dd 28.08.14, N9012 A319-115 5810 as N4005X JetBlue Airways [B6/JBU]
lsd fr AerCap N3014R A319-115 5842 as N9004F
N935JB A321-231 6185 named ‘Fly In Mint Condition’
N119NN A321-231 6222 ex D-AVZB, dd 11.08.14, lsd
Livingston [JN/NLV ‘Seagull’] N937JB A321-231 6245 ex D-AVZD, dd 28.08.14
fr Avolon Aerospace
OE-IDP A320-233 2118 ex SP-ABK, dd 14.08.14, N120EE A321-231 6227 sold to Avolon Aerospace on Mesa Airlines [YV/ASH ‘Air Shuttle’]
sub-lsd fr White dely & lsd back N242LR CRJ900 15076 in American Eagle colours
N943LR CRJ900 15068 as N242LR
N946LR CRJ900 15104 as N242LR
PSA Airlines (American Eagle/US Airways Express) [JIA]
N551NN CRJ900 15327 dd 22.08.14,
lsd fr American Airlines
N552NN CRJ900 15328 dd 26.08.14,
lsd fr American Airlines
Republic Airline [RPA ‘Brickyard’]
N163HQ E190-100AR 0255 in full Republic Airways
colours with ‘Operated by
Republic Airlines’ stickers
N164HQ E190-100AR 0275 as N163HQ
N165HQ E190-100AR 0291 as N163HQ
N176HQ E190-100AR 0461 as N163HQ
N177HQ E190-100AR 0481 as N163HQ
N433YX E170-200LR 0417 ex PR-EHC, dd 19.08.14
N434YX E170-200LR 0418 ex PR-EHD, dd 22.08.14
Sierra West Airlines [P8/PKW ‘Platinum West’]
N891BC SA227-AC AC-709B ex N2708D
SkyWest Airlines [OO/SKW]
N117SY E170-200LR 0416 ex PR-EHB, dd 14.08.14
N118SY E170-200LR 0420 ex PR-EHH, dd 28.08.14
Southwest Airlines [WN/SWA] Arriving at Brisbane,
N508SW B737-5H4 24185 purch off lease 28.08.14 Australia on October
N7745A B737-7BD 33933 ex N326AT 5, Air New Zealand/
N7748A B737-7BD 36399 ex N330AT
Mount Cook Airlines
N7749B B737-7BD 36724 ex N353AT
N7750A B737-7BD 36716 ex N336AT ATR 72-600, ZK-MVE
N8642E B737-8H4 42525 dd 06.08.14 (c/n 1182), wears the
N8645A B737-8H4 36907 dd 11.08.14 carrier’s new livery.
N8646B B737-8H4 36935 dd 20.08.14 Christopher Chai

Sénégal Airlines has

leased Bombardier
Dash 8-Q400, A6-FLA
(c/n 4454), from Falcon
Aviation of the UAE.
Malcolm Bezzina

www.airlinerworld.com 75

74-77 deliveries.indd 75 30/10/2014 10:42

 Airliner
Deliveries

Philippines Airlines
has taken delivery of
a former Iberia Airbus
A340-313X, RP-C3441
(c/n 474) ex-EC-IDF,
which had been in
temporary storage
since earlier this year.
JAVIER RODRIGUEZ
Suburban Air Freight [SUB ‘Sub Air’]
N420CM B1900C-1 UC-131 ex N15486, reg’d 02.09.14,
bf Aerologistics III LLC
United Airlines [UA/UAL]
N66831 B737-924ER 44562 ex N5200K, dd 08.08.14
N65832 B737-924ER 44563 dd 21.08.14
US Airways [US/AWE ‘Cactus’]
N584UW A321-231 6194 ex D-AZAH, dd 01.08.14
Vietnam Airlines’ Airbus N585UW A321-231 6214 ex D-AZAV, dd 04.08.14
A321-231, D-AVZM (c/n N586UW A321-231 6230 ex D-AZAO, dd 19.08.14
N587UW A321-231 6236 ex D-AZAU, dd 19.08.14
6266), became VN-A611
N911UY A321-231 6249 ex D-AVZE, dd 28.08.14
on delivery to the N913US A321-231 6255 ex D-AVZH, dd 29.08.14
carrier in September. Western Global Airlines
MARTYN CARTLEDGE N435KD MD-11(F) 48435 ferried East Midlands –
Akrotiri 10.08.14, rts Rossiya Airlines [FV/SDM ‘Russia’] Airnorth Regional [TL/ANO ‘Topend’]
Xtra Airways [XP/CXP ‘Ruby Mountain’] VP-BWI A320-214 2163 ex F-WWBD, dd 14.08.14 VH-TFX Emb.120ER 079 ex VH-RPA, reg’d 11.08.14,
N353AS B737-484 25313 ex HS-RCA, dd 14.08.14, lsd Ostrava – St. Petersburg, lsd fr Acena Nominees,
fr AerSale, ferried Roswell – lsd fr GECAS rr VH-ANQ
San Antonio SAT 13.08.14 S7 Airlines [S7/SBI ‘Siberian Airlines’] Chartair
Andes VQ-BVL B737-8GJ 41399 ex (VT-SZL), dd 27.08.14, VH-NGS Ce 208B 0416 ex N1114W, reg’d 01.08.14
OB-1897-P DHC-6-300 521 rr OB-1897 lsd fr BOC Aviation CHC Helicopters Australia
Air Cargo Global [UB/CCC] AirAsia Zest [Z2/EZD] VH-SRU EC-225LP 2910 reg’d 06.08.14, lsd fr
OM-ACG B747-409(F) 24311 entered service 25.08.14 RP-C8974 A320-216 3568 ex 9M-AHO, dd 06.14, Heliworld Leasing Ltd
VLM Airlines [VG/VLM ‘Rubens’] lsd fr AirAsia, in special Colville Aviation Services
OO-VLJ Fokker 50 20105 named ‘Owain Glyndwr’ ‘Solaire Resort & Casino’ cls VH-VPC BN-2A-20 521 ex P2-MFW, reg’d 15.08.14
Danish Air Transport [DX/DTR ‘Danish’] CEBU Pacific Air [5J/CEB] JetStar Airways [JQ/JST]
OY-CIR ATR 42-300 107 ret fr Stobart Air after lease RP-C3345 A330-343E 1552 ex F-WWKV, dd 30.08.14, lsd VH-VGD A320-232 4527 reg’d to QF A320 2014 No.1
fr Intrepid Aviation Partners Pty Ltd 21.07.14
Jet Time [J4/JTG]
Philippine Airlines [PR/PAL] VH-VGJ A320-232 4460 reg’d to QF A320 2014 No.4
OY-JTL B737-42C(F) 24231 ex N455KA, reg’d 12.09.14
RP-C8764 A330-343E 1553 ex F-WWYA, dd 29.08.14 Pty Ltd 21.07.14
& ferried Cecil Field –
RP-C9910 A321-231 6201 st GECAS & lsd back VH-VGP A320-232 4343 reg’d to QF A320 2014 No.2
Copenhagen 12-13.09.14,
RP-C9911 A321-231 6253 as RP-C9910 Pty Ltd 21.07.14,
lsd fr Kahala Aviation Leasing
Royal Star Aviation (all still lsd to JetStar)
OY-JZF ATR 72-600 1165 ex F-WWEF, dd 06.08.14, lsd
RP-C Ce 208B 2167 ex N169WD, dd 28.08.14 VH-VKG B787-8 36232 dd 24.08.14, lsd fr Qantas &
fr Nordic Aviation Capital &
Key to Abbreviations reg’d to QF Exim B787 No.2
reg’d to NAC Aviation 2 A/S, Malmo Aviation [TF/SCW ‘Scanwings’]
a/c aircraft Pty Ltd same day
in SAS colours SE-RJI Avro RJ100 E3357 ex OY-RCC, reg’d 26.08.14,
als airlines VH-VKH B787-8 36233 ex N8295V, dd 14.08.14, lsd
Denim Air [7J/DNM] lsd fr Atlantic Airways fr Qantas, Charleston #37
awys airways
bf bought from PH-JXJ Fokker 50 20232 ferried Aswan – Maastricht NextJet [2N/NTJ] Qantas Airways [QF/QFA]
b/u broken up/scrapped 02.09.14 after UN operations SE-KXD Saab 340B 248 ex N248DP, reg’d 28.08.14, VH-EBA A330-202 508 ret fr JetStar after lease &
canx cancelled PH-JXN Fokker 50 20239 ferried Maastricht – Aswan lsd fr Alandia Air reg’d 15.09.14
cls colours 30.08.14 for UN operations South Supreme Airlines VH-EBD A330-202 513 ret fr JetStar after lease &
cn manufacturer’s Batik Air [BTK] EX26310 An-26B 13310 ex UR-CFX, at Juba 06.14 reg’d 05.09.14
construction/serial PK-LBK B737-8GP 39822 dd 22.08.14, lsd fr Lion Air ST-AQD An-26B 11008 ex EX-26057, at Juba 08.14 VH-EBC A330-202 506 ret fr JetStar, reg’d 21.07.14
number PK-LBL B737-8GP 39821 dd 11.08.14, lsd fr Lion Air True Aviation VH-VXA B737-838 29551 purch off lse & reg’d 08.14
cnvrtd converted Citilink Indonesia [QG/CTV ‘Supergreen’] S2-AGA An-26B 13505 ex UR-ELA VH-VXB B737-838 30101 as VH-VXA
dbf destroyed by fire PK-GQC A320-214 6224 ex D-AVVL, dd 12.08.14, S2- An-26B 13408 ex UR-ELP VH-VXC B737-838 30897 as VH-VXA
dbr damaged beyond lsd fr ICBC Leasing Pegasus Airlines [PC/PGT ‘Sunturk’] VH-VXD B737-838 29552 as VH-VXA
repair PK-GQD A320-214 6243 ex D-AVVO, dd 21.08.14, VH-VXE B737-838 30899 as VH-VXA
TC-DCD A320-214 5995 named ‘Deniz’
dd delivery date lsd fr ICBC Leasing VH-VXF B737-838 29553 purch off lse & reg’d 08.14
ex previous reg'n Turkish Airlines [TK/THY]
Garuda Indonesia [GA/GIA] VH-VXG B738-838 30901 as VH-VXF
ff first flight TC-JIP A330-223 876 ex OE-IDC, dd 14.08.14, VH-VXM B737-838 44574 dd 04.08.14
PK-GNK B737-8U3 41798 dd 21.08.14, lsd fr AerCap lsd fr AerCap
frtr freighter PK-GPT A330-343E 1548 ex F-WWCZ, dd 18.08.14 VH-XZL B737-838 44573 dd 28.07.14
lrf last revenue flight Icelandair [FI/ICE] Skippers Aviation
KAL STAR AVIATION [KD/KLS]
lsd fr leased from TF-FIT B757-256 26244 named ‘Helgafell’ VH-XKM Fokker 100 11410 seen still parked at Perth
lsd to leased to PK-KSC ATR 72-212A 638 ex 2-CSLA, dd 29.08.14, lsd TF-FIW B757-27B 24838 named ‘Búrfell’
fr Aviation Solutions Lux 07.14, not entered service
msn see cn Avianca Inter Regional (Aviateca) [AV/AVA] VH-XKN Fokker 100 11420 as VH-XKM
ntu not taken up Lion Air [JT/LNI ‘Lion Inter’]
TG-TRC ATR 72-600 1167 ex F-WWEH, dd 23.07.14, Sunstate Airlines (Qantas Link) [QF/SSQ]
oo on order N748DB B737-8GP 39820 dd 12.08.14, lsd to 9Air.com lsd fr Avianca TACA Holding
op operated via Transportation Partners VH-LQQ Dash 8Q-402 4461 ex C-GWRF, dd 08.08.14,
TG-TRD ATR 72-600 1174 ex F-WWEB, dd 03.09.14, lsd fr Qantas & reg’d
pax passenger Wings Abadi Airlines [IW/WON] lsd fr AviancaTaca
pwfu permanently to QF Dash 8 Leasing No.6
PK-WGM ATR 72-600 1168 ex F-WWEI, dd 25.08.14 Aéro-Frêt Business
withdrawn from use Virgin Australia [VA/VOZ ‘Kanga’]
Azul Linhas Aéreas [AD/AZU] TN-AIO An-12BP 45505 ex UR-LAI
reg’d registered VH-VUG B737-8FE 1948 st GAL MSN One Ltd
PR-AIV A330-243 532 ex EI-FFR, dd 20.08.14 Lake Air Côte d’Ivoire
reg’n registration 27.06.14 & lsd back
Charles – Belo Horizonte F-HBXH E170-100 0307 ex PT-XQH, lsd fr Hop!
ret fr returned from to Virgin Australia
CNF, lsd fr AerCap
ret to returned to Sunday Airlines VH-VUI B737-8FE 34441 st GAL MSN Two Ltd
PR-AQQ ATR 72-600 1166 ex F-WWEG, dd 06.08.14, st
rr re-registered UP-B6703 B767-332ER 30597 ex B-2499, at Antalya 27.06.14 & lsd back
DAE Capital on dely & lsd
rts return to service 13.07.14 in full colours to Virgin Australia
back & reg’d to MSN 1166
sb sold by Air Urga [3N/URG ‘Urga’] VH-VUJ B737-8FE 34443 as VH-VUI
Leasing Ltd
scr scrapped/broken up VH-VUN B737-8BK 29676 named ‘Carrickalinga Beach’
Insel Air Aruba [8I/NLU ‘Insel Aruba’] UR-ESA Saab 340B+ 449 ex N449XJ, dd 04.09.14,
st sold to VH-VUT B737-8FE 36608 reg’d to JRQ 5 Ltd 07.14, still
P4-FKA Fokker 70 11528 ex PJ-JCH, dd 08.14 lsd fr AeroCentury
std stored lsd to Virgin Australia
P4-FKB Fokker 70 11537 ex PH-JCT, dd 25-26.08.14 AtlasJet Ukraine [UJX] VH-YIW B737-8FE 40700 reg’d 29.08.14 to Short Haul
tba to be advised
unk unknown Norwich - Curacao UR-AJC A320-214 1390 ex OE-ICV, dd 08.14, 2014 No.2 Pty Ltd
wfu withdrawn from use P4-KVL Fokker 50 20278 ex HK-4496, dd 08.14 lsd fr GECAS VH-YIZ B737-8FE 40702 dd 29.08.14 & reg’d to Short
w/o written off/destroyed P4-KVM Fokker 50 20288 ex HK-4497, dd 09.14 Wind Rose Airlines [7W/WRC] Haul 2014 No.2 Pty Ltd
Aurora Airlines [HZ/SHU] UR-WRQ A330-223 296 ret fr TAP Air Portugal lease VH-ZPT E190-100AR 0451 named ‘Little Beach’
VQ-BBD A319-111 3838 ex D-AVYP, dd 19.08.14 Yanair [YE/ANR] Virgin Australia Regional Airlines [ZR/OZW ‘Ozwest’]
Thanks to Dave
Shannon – Novosibirsk, UR-CME A320-212 0671 ret fr Eurolot lease VH-FZI Fokker 100 11333 ex PH-CXN, reg’d 22.08.14,
Richardson and LAASI lsd fr GECAS UR-YAD A320-211 0726 as UR-CME lsd fr AeroCentury
Aviation for the above

76 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014

74-77 deliveries.indd 76 30/10/2014 10:42

 VH-VPJ

ATR 72-600 1169 ex F-WWEJ, dd 01.09.14,
leased from Aviation PLC,
East Horizon Airlines [EA/EHN] South African Airways [SA/SAA ‘Springbok’] Airliner
named ‘Monkey Mia’
YA-EHC An-24RV
Al-Naser Airlines [MHK]
10203 ex UR-ELK ZS-SZF
ZS-SZG
A320-232
A320-232
6189 ex F-WWBX, dd 25.07.14
6200 ex F-WWDG, dd 01.08.14 Deliveries
Vortex Air YI- A340-642 371 ex G-VGOA, dd 30.07.14 Starlite Aviation Operations
VH-POV Ce 208B 1182 ex SX-ARX, reg’d 05.07.14 Lourdes – Baghdad ZS-RTP AS.332C1e 2864 ex F-WWOV, reg’d 16.07.14
West Wing Aviation Air Wings ZS-RTS AS.332L 2122 ex N222VA, reg’d 03.07.14 We welcome
VH-NDC Ce 208B 2215 ex N2056W, reg’d 25.10.14 YR-AWA B737-4H6 26467 ex 9M-MMG, dd 05.09.14 Ultimate HELI any feedback
Hai Au Aviation Sharjah – Craiova, lsd fr Bin ZS-HND Bell 412EP 36468 ex SU-CBS, reg’d 18.07.14 on this listing.
VN- Ce 208B/EX 5121 ex N30466, dd 25.08.14 Vali Leasing EC Air – Equatorial Congo Airlines [LC]
VN- Ce 208B/EX 5122 ex N3051H, dd 25.08.14 YR-AWG B737-4H6 26466 ex 9M-MMF, dd 05.09.14 HB-JJF B767-316ER 27613 ex CC-CBJ, dd 22.08.14,
JetStar Pacific Airlines [BL/PIC ‘Pacific Express’] Sharjah – Craiova, lsd fr Bin op by Privatair (The listing is alpha-
VN-A560 A320-232 3621 ex RP-C8989, dd 14.08.14, Vali Leasing Azerbaijan Airlines [J2/AHY ‘Azal’] betical with reference
lsd fr Macquarie AirFinance Air Serbia [JU/JAT] to the registration of
4K-AZ66 E190-100AR 0631 named ‘Salyan’
CHC Cayman Islands A6-SAB A319-132 1159 rr YU-APJ 4K-AZ67 E190-100AR 0636 named ‘Khankandi’ the country of origin.
VP-CHF AW139 31479 ex G-FTOM YU-APD A319-132 2335 ex EI-LIR, dd 28.08.14, Silk Way Airlines [ZP/AZQ ‘Silk Line’] Columns indicate the
VP-CHJ AW139 31474 ex G-LLOV lsd fr CIT Aerospace registration, type,
VQ-BVB B747-83QF 44444 ex N973BA, dd 22.08.14
Air-India [AI/AIC] Aviolet
VQ-BVC B747-83QF 44937 ex N807BA, dd 29.08.14 construction number
VT-ANQ B787-8 36288 dd 17.07.14, Charleston #32 YU-ANI B737-3H9 23416 ex Z3-AAA flyvista (Vista Georgia) [GT/AJD ‘Vista Georgia’] and notes.)
VT-ESF A320-231 0432 Star Alliance colours Avior Airlines [9V/ROI]
4L-AJC B737-33R 28873 ex M-ABGT, dd 10.07.14
Blue Dart Aviation [BZ/BDA] YV3011 B737-401 23989 ex N422US Bucharest BBU – Tbilisi, lsd fr
VT-BDQ B757-28A(F) 26276 named ‘Vision XI’ Rutaca Airlines [5R/RUC] GRAF1 (Aviation)
IndiGo [6E/IGO ‘Ifly’] YV B737-3Q8 26311 ex N221LF, dd 13.08.14 4L-AJF A320-232 1422 ex 9V-SLD, dd 08.14,
VT-IAP A320-232 6208 ex D-AVVI, dd 30.07.14 Avianca Central America (TACA Int’l Airlines) [AV/AVA] lsd fr Kahala Aviation
VT-IAQ A320-232 6247 ex D-AVVQ, dd 28.08.14 N697AV A321-231 6190 ex D-AZAE, dd 22.07.14 & 4L-AJG B737-37Q 28537 ex G-ODSK, dd 24.07.14
Jet Airways [9W/JAI] reg’d to Wells Fargo Bank Norwich – Tbilisi,
Northwest same day lsd fr Aergo Capital
VT-JFW B737-85R 42799 ex N1796B, dd 22.07.14 4L-AJH B737-505 25794 ex EI-FDE, dd 27.08.14
VT-JFX B737-85R 42800 st Avolon Capital on delivery N725AV A321-231 6219 ex D-AZAW, dd 14.08.14 &
reg’d to Wells Fargo Bank Bournemouth – Tbilisi
& lsd back
Northwest same day Cargo Air Lines [5C/ICL ‘Cal’]
VT-JFY B737-85R 42804 st Avolon Aerospace on dely
& lsd back Conviasa [V0/VCV] 4X-ICB B747-412F 26561 ex N491EV, dd 05.09.14
LIAT [LI/LIA] YV2984 ACJ319-133 1468 ex 0001, seen Caracas El Al [LY/ELY]
V2-LIK ATR 42-600 1012 ex F-WWLU, dd 11.07.14 06.08.14 all white 4X-EAJ B767-330ER 25208 named ‘Bat Yam’
Aerolitoral (Aeroméxico Express) [5D/SLI] Transcarga International Airways [T7/TIW ‘TIACA’] 4X-EAR B767-352ER 26262 named ‘Kfar Saba’
YV560T A300B4(F) 261 ex N261AX, dd 10.09.14, 4X-EHC B737-958ER 41554 dd 09.07.14
XA-GAG E190-100AR 0188 ex N169HQ
bf/lsd fr Southern Aircraft Auric Air Service
XA-GAI E190-100LR 0672 ex PR-EGT, dd 04.07.14,
lsd fr CIT Aerospace Charters, ferried 5H- Ce 208B/EX 5102 ex N81602, dd 19.08.14
XA-GAM E170-100STD 0141 ex 5Y-KYG, dd 15-17.07.14 Sanford – Caracas 23.09.14 Air Peace
Exeter – Mexico City YV A300B4(F) 274 ex N830JM, dd 10.09.14, 5N-BQR B737-528 25235 ex N254SC, ferried San
XA- E170-100STD 0146 ex 5Y-KYL, dd 04-06.07.17 bf/lsd fr Southern Aircraft Antonio SAT – Lagos 08.14
Exeter – Mexico City Charters Air Taraba
Aeroméxico [AM/AMX] flyAfrica [Z7/FZW]
5N- ERJ 145LR 488 ex N292SK, dd 18.09.14,
XA-AML B737-852 36707 dd 19.08.14 Z-FAA B737-55S 26539 ex T7-FAA, dd 07.14 sub-lsd fr Chautauqua
XA-AMN B737-852 39945 dd 11.07.14, Air New Zealand [NZ/ANZ] Airlines
lsd fr SMBC Aviation Capital ZK-OXF A320-232 6182 ex F-WWBU, dd 21.07.14 Mauritania Airlines International [L6/MAI]
Aeronaves TSM [VTM] Airwork [AWK] 5T- ERJ 145LR 0852 ex N852EC, dd 21.07.14,
XA- DC-9-32(F) 47355 ex N207US, dd 22.08.14 ZK-SLA B737-377 23653 ferried Brisbane – Bucharest lsd fr ECC Leasing
MAYAir BBU 26-28.07.14 Blue Bird Aviation [BBZ ‘Cobra’]
XA- Fokker 50 20194 ex SE-LIT, dd 17.07.14, Airwork Flight Operations [AWK] 5Y-VVY Dash 8-Q402 4009 cnvrtd to Dash 8Q-402(PF)
lsd fr Largus Aviation ZK-JTQ B737-476 24442 cnvrtd to B737-476(F) at 07.14 at Abbotsford
VivaAerobus (Aerolíneas Nacionales) [VB/VIV] Cecil Field 08.14 & ferried Kenya Airways [KQ/KQA]
XA-TAR A320-232 2908 ex 4R-ABG, dd 01.08.14, Cecil Field – Auckland 08.14 5Y-KZC B787-8 36040 dd 30.07.14, Charleston #35
lsd fr AWAS in full Toll Priority colours 5Y-KZD B787-8 36041 dd 22.08.14, Charleston #38
Volaris [Y4/VOI] Awesome Aviation (Awesome Flight Logistics) 5Y-KZX B777-3U8ER 42097 dd 01.07.14
XA-VOB A319-133 2780 has additional ‘San Luis ZS-JAG B1900D UE-115 ex VH-VAZ, reg’d 21.08.14 UniWorld Air Cargo
Potosi’ titles ZS-SEM B1900D UE-91 ex VH-VNT, reg’d 21.08.14 5Y-DBH DC-9-33F 47384 ex ZS-DBH
Bassaka Air CemAir [5Z/CEM] Maldivian (Island Aviation Services) [Q2/DQA ‘Island Aviation’]
XU-112 A320-214 0648 ex VN-A309, dd 24.07.14 ZS-CMB CRJ100 7215 ex N989CA, reg’d 15.08.14 8Q-IAK Dash 8-315 557 ex C-GYDS, dd 19.07.14, lsd
Hanoi – Phnom Penh, lsd fr ZS-CMD CRJ100 7141 ex N969CA, reg’d 21.08.14 fr Avmax Aircraft Leasing
Aerostar Leasing Fly Safair European Coastal Airlines
XU-113 A320-214 0650 ex VN-A310, dd 23.07.17 ZS-JRD B737-4Y0 24917 ex EI-JRD, ret fr Air 9A-TOA DHC-6-300 557 ex VH-AQU, dd 16.08.14
Hanoi – Phnom Penh, Contractors lease AirAsia [AK/AXM ‘Asian Express’]
lsd fr Aerostar Leasing ZS-JRE B737-4Y0 26065 ex EI-JRE, ret fr Air
HS-BBM A320-216 6170 ex F-WWBR, dd 09.07.14,
Skywings Asia Airlines [SWM ‘Sky Angkor’] Contractors lease
lsd to Thai AirAsia
XU-701 A320-212 0421 ex PK-TAA, dd 08.08.14, lsd Solenta Aviation [SET ‘Solavia’]
HS-BBN A320-216 6178 ex F-WWBU, dd 09.07.14,
fr Indonesia Air Transport? ZS-BBK ERJ 135LR 396 ex N737MW, reg’d 25.07.14 lsd to Thai AirAsia
9M-AJP A320-216 6158 ex F-WWBN, dd 02.07.14
Thai Airways’ latest
AirAsia [AK/AXM ‘Asian Express’]
Boeing 777-3D7ER,
9M-AJQ A320-216 6204 ex F-WWDH, dd 01.08.14
9M-AJR A320-216 6215 ex F-WWDO, dd 26.08.14 HS-TKW (c/n 42112),
arrives at Stockholm/
Arlanda Airport after
flying from Bangkok as
flight TG 960. It was
delivered to the carrier
on August 27.
Stefan Sjogren

Boeing 757-222,
N773FD (c/n 24872),
was undergoing
conversion to a
freighter at Victorville
California in September.
The aircraft will fly
for FedEx and had
previously operated
with United Airlines as
N519UA. Barry Ambrose

www.airlinerworld.com 77

74-77 deliveries.indd 77 30/10/2014 10:42

 MAIL ORDER
F O R M O R E G R E AT G I FT I DE AS THIS CHRISTMAS – VISIT w ww.keypublishing.c om /s hop

Jetairfly Boeing 787-8 Blu-Ray NEW
This Boeing 787 programme features
the very succesful Belgian airline Jetairfly,
part of the TUI group which operates the
largest leisure fleet in Europe! We join an
11-hour flight from Brussels to Cancun,
where the pilots present the Dreamliner
inside out and focus on whats new and
different on the aircraft, plus fantastic
views during the trip.
Region-Free Blu-Ray,
Running time 257 minutes.
Edelweiss Airbus A330 Blu-Ray NEW
Edelweiss was founded in 1995 with one
McDonnell Douglas MD-83 aircraft. Today the
company operates a fleet of 7 Airbus A320/
Aa30s to more than 50 leisure destinations
around the world. Our round-trip flight
from Zurich to the resort island of Phuket is
hosted by Edelweiss Deputy Head of Flight
Operations. Together with his co-pilot, they
take you through the entire process from their
flight preparations at the operations office to
all the duties they perform on the aircraft for
this trip. Region-Free Blu-Ray,
Running time 221 minutes.

Code: BR040 Code: BR039 ONLY

ONLY £19.49
£19.49

Miami Airport 2013-14 Blu-Ray
This 8th airport Blu-Ray from Just
Planes features one of the most
interesting airports in the US! With
nearly 60 airlines from all over the
world, it is the second busiest airport
for International travel in the US
behind New York/JFK and ahead of
Los Angeles. Our crews have placed
their cameras in fantastic locations
to capture all the action and this
programme gives you nearly 5 hours
of it! Region-Free Blu-Ray, Running
time 280 minutes.
ONLY
£19.49 Code: BR042
Norwegian Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner AeroMexico Boeing 787 Blu-Ray
Blu-Ray
This programme covers Just Planes is delighted to
Norwegian’s Asian routes from Oslo welcome AeroMexico to its
and Stockholm to the Thai capital of Flight in the Cockpit series which
Bangkok on-board its new Boeing now counts more than 250
787 Dreamliner. We’ve gathered airlines! Mexico’s largest airline
some great pilots who take their provides you with Just Planes’
time to present the aircraft in full 4th Dreamliner programme with a
detail as you enjoy a great flight round-trip flight to New York JFK
with striking scenery and great followed by a trip to Paris.
approaches thanks to 6 cameras in Region-free Blu-Ray,
the cockpit! Running time
Region-free Blu-Ray disc, 210 minutes.
Running time 202 minutes.
ONLY ONLY
£19.49 Code: BR032 Code: BR035
£19.49

Las Vegas Nevada Airport Blu-Ray
Las Vegas/McCarran has always
been very interesting because it
accommodates the huge crowds
that come and visit this very special
destination. You will see many special
liveries, a lot of low-cost airlines as well
as widebody traffic from Europe and
Asia. The programme was filmed from
locations right around the touchdown
zone with great views of the Las Vegas
skyline in the background!
Region-Free Blu-Ray Disc,
Running time: 202 minutes.
ONLY
£19.49 Code: BR023
Air France Airbus A380 Blu-Ray
For the very first time you can take a
detailed look inside the Airbus A380
and discover what makes this aircraft
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Air Canada Airbus A330-300 DVD Swiss Airbus A340-300 DVD New York JFK
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MRO ATR 42/72 landing gear MRO
RUAG AVIATION of Switzerland and Rheinland
The latest
news from
Air Service (RAS) of Germany are collaborat-
ing to better support the worldwide client base
maintenance,
repair and
overhaul
of ATR 42/72 aircraft. The combined services
solution includes landing gear maintenance,
repair and overhaul services (MRO) by RUAG
providers at its facilities in Interlaken, Switzerland.
Meanwhile, RAS works with the loan and
exchange of landing gear sets, along with
Qatar Airways Maintenance Contract
BRITISH AIRWAYS’ (BA) line maintenance
team has been selected by fellow oneworld
carrier Qatar Airways to provide technical
handling for the airline’s Boeing 787 flights to
Edinburgh Airport. This is an extension to an
existing deal that sees BA supporting Qatar
Airways operations at 13 destinations in North
FAA Approval
at KLM UKE
NORWICH, UK-BASED Maintenance,
Repair and Overhaul (MRO) provider KLM
UK Engineering has obtained its FAA
Approval. Managing Director Arjan Meijer
says: “We have always had the
expertise and facilities to accommodate
the required work. This new approval
allows us to expand and develop our cur-
rent maintenance activities and we look
forward to welcoming new customers to
our hangars.”
Services include base maintenance, line
maintenance, component sales, technical
training and decommissioning of Airbus
A320 Family, Boeing 737s, Fokker 70/100
and BAe146/Avro RJs. The company also
recently unveiled its new facility for the
dismantling and recycling of aircraft.
80 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
removal, installation and other aircraft
maintenance services.
“Following our successful Dornier 328 landing
gear support programme, the move towards
the ATR 42/72 was a natural next step,” said
RUAG’s Uhrich Gehling at the ERAA confer-
ence at Barcelona. “We may expand further in
due course and have started discussions with
Embraer.” (Photo ATR)
America, Africa and Europe.
Under the agreement, BA will also provide
maintenance for the Gulf carrier’s Airbus A380
services into London/Heathrow, which started
on October 10, taking the number of Qatar
Airways’ aircraft types supported by BA at
Heathrow to six.
High-speed Wi-Fi for Nok Air
BOEING SHANGHAI Aviation Service has suc-
cessfully installed in-flight Wi-Fi on the first
of three Nok Air Boeing 737-86Js. The Wi-Fi
devices have been manufactured and supplied
by Row 44, a Westlake Village, California-
based company that provides in-flight broad-
band connectivity and wireless entertainment
for commercial aircraft. This combined with
Airbus
Freighter
Conversion
Announced
SAN DIEGO-BASED PACAVI Group has
revealed it is spearheading a programme
to convert Airbus A320 and A321
aircraft from passenger-to-freighter
configuration. The conversions will be
performed by AeroTurbine, a wholly-
owned subsidiary of AerCap, one of
the world’s largest aircraft leasing
companies. The work will be carried
out at AeroTurbine’s Goodyear, Arizona
facility, where it conducts passenger-
to-freighter conversions on other types,
as well as providing maintenance, repair
and overhaul (MRO) services for A320s.
CEO Dr Stephen Hollmann said: “We view
this as an exciting opportunity. There
are currently about 600 freighters of the
size category of the A320/A321 operating
globally, and this market is set to grow
rapidly in the coming years. Right now
the only products of similar capacity are
from Boeing and we look forward to the
opportunity to provide Airbus operators
and others with technologically advanced
freighters at a highly competitive price.”
Airbus cancelled a similar programme
in June 2011 after deciding to focus
on its aircraft manufacturing business
but since then demand has increased.
Hollmann said all the information required
in order to get the Supplemental Type
Certification (STC) was publicly available.
With close collaboration with the FAA and
EASA on the technical requirements, the
PACAVI Group is forecasting commercial
deliveries starting in 2017.
Thaicom, a high-speed internet provider and
Global Eagle Entertainment, is now providing
the carrier’s passengers with 3G-like connec-
tivity. Nok Air’s first jet, HS-DBQ (c/n 37794)
has returned to service, while work on the two
remaining aircraft will be carried out later this
year at Boeing Shanghai’s facility at Pudong
International Airport. (Photo Boeing Shanghai)
CTC PAGE 1 F_P.indd 1 28/10/2014 11:49
Aviation
Training Traffic Advisory Systems
The latest-generation Traffic Advisory
System (TAS) is to be installed across the
The latest entire training fleet of 57 Diamond and
training aids Cessna ab initio training aircraft belonging to
available for UK provider CTC Aviation.
the aviation In line with the company’s airline-focused
professional training approach, the next generation tech-
Aircraft Mechanic Course
Aviation technical training services provider, FL
Technics Training of Vilnius in Lithuania, plans
to launch a new 36-month technical training
course in January. It will cover all the basic
subjects required to be qualified as an aircraft
mechanic and includes such modules as: math-
ematics, physics, electrical and electronic fun-
damentals, digital techniques (for) electronic
instrument systems, materials and hardware,
maintenance drills, aerodynamics, human fac-
Airbus in Mexico
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is set
to open a new training operation in Monterrey,
Mexico, as local low-cost carrier VivaAerobus
gears up to switch to the A320 Family, which
will replace the entire fleet of Boeing 737-
300s. Under a ten-year agreement, the pro-
cess – called ‘Training By Airbus’ – will provide
simulator support and courses for pilots, main-
tenance personnel, flight operations engineers
82 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
nology, combined with the airline-style
Garmin G1000 avionic systems (Electronic
Flight Iwnstrument System) already installed
to the fleet, will create one of the safest and
most airline-authentic training environments
for trainees.
(Photo CTC Aviation)
tors, aviation legislation, turbine aeroplane aer-
odynamics, structures and systems, gas turbine
engine and propellers.
All successful students will have an opportunity
to join the international team of FL Technics and
work at one of the company’s aircraft mainte-
nance centres in Lithuania, as well as through-
out its line maintenance network across Europe,
the CIS and in the Asia/Pacific region.
(Photo FL Technics)
and cabin crews in Miami and Monterrey. It
will include more than 25,000 flight-training
hours for approximately 750 pilots.
Courses for the company’s pilots are already
under way at Miami, Florida, however, by early
2016 they will move to a new satellite site at
Monterrey’s North International Airport,
located on the campus of the University of
Nuevo León.
“Elles du Futur –
Girls for the Future
of Aeronautics”
Airbus welcomed 80 secondary school stu-
dents for a day at its Toulouse site to meet
Airbus employees and learn more about
the different professions in the aeronautical
industry. The “Elles du Futur – Girls for the
Future of Aeronautics” initiative, launched by
Airbus in 2011, aims to help make the
aeronautical industry’s professions better
known and encourage girls of senior school
age to consider studying aeronautics and
pursuing a career in the industry. This year
the day was also open to boys who along
with the girls are industry ambassadors in
their schools.
After a presentation about Airbus and its
professions, the students visited an Airbus
aircraft final assembly line and met female
Airbus employees from a broad range of
academic backgrounds to discuss their
career paths.
ATC Simulator
in Bristol
United Kingdom air navigation services pro-
vider NATS is soon to provide enhanced train-
ing services at Bristol Airport for Air Traffic
Controllers (ATCs). The 3-D Aerodrome and
Approach simulator, which is due to go live this
month (December) will operate remotely and
provide training for new ATCs as well as allow-
ing seasoned staff to practise new procedures
and techniques.
‘Pseudo pilots’, who interact with controllers
by playing the role of pilots during the training
and simulation, will provide services remotely
from a NATS Training Centre in Hampshire.
Three-dimensional airfield and aircraft mod-
els, along with various simulated air traffic
scenarios will be provided as part of a data
service, with the ability to add in more at short
notice if needed.
A350 XWB
training
equipment
Equipment provider CAE has achieved
US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
and European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) qualification of the first Airbus
A350 XWB suite of training equipment.
It includes a full-flight simulator (FFS)
and a flight-training device (FTD). The
FFS achieved Interim Level C qualifica-
tion as per FAA and EASA rules, while
the FTD achieved FAA Level 6 and EASA
level 2 certification.
Airbus is using the A350 XWB training
suite at its Training Centre in Toulouse,
France, to deliver all initial instruction to
customers who are due to take delivery of
the A350 XWB aircraft.
CTC PAGE 2 F_P.indd 1 28/10/2014 11:49
 Departure
Gate Continental Viscounts
Airliner World contributor Bob O’Brien
Information added the following with reference to
for the the November 2014 issue.
traveller. 'The story of Continental Airlines’ early
days would not be complete without
a mention of its Vickers Viscounts.
The carrier signed up for 15 aircraft
‘straight from the drawing board’ in
Horse Dragon takes Flight
Air charter broker, Air Partner teamed
up with heavy cargo specialist, Ruslan
International, to transport a giant
mechanical model known as Long Ma
Jing Shen or ‘The Spirit of the Horse
Dragon’. It was flown to Beijing, to take
part in a Chinese parade in October to
mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic
relations between France and China.
The 39ft-high (12m), 46-tonne dragon
was built by French production com-
pany, La Machine, and flown by Air
Partner from Nantes, France to China in
an Antonov An-124.
The model is made of a wooden chas-
sis over a steel body and requires eight
84 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
1955 and christened the new fleet ‘The
Viscount Two’, to distinguish it from the
earlier fleet of 700 series United Airlines’
machines. The aircraft was popular
with the travelling public and airline
accountants alike and was estimated
to add approximately $4 million to the
Continental’s bank balance in the first
operators to control intricate move-
ments such as the ability to rear its hind
legs, spew fire, snort jets of smoke and
uncoil its tongue.
Thierry Zemouli from Air Partner’s
French office commented: “The freight
team worked extremely hard mak-
ing preparations for the flight and
throughout the meticulous six-hour
loading process. Great care was taken
to ensure that the model would arrive
safely in China. The An-124 was perfect
for transporting Long Ma Jing Shen as
its doors open to 21x14.4ft (6.4x4.4m)
making it ideal for this enormous and
unique animal.” (Photo Air Partner)
year of operation. Continental retired
its fleet of Viscounts in 1966 when the
new Douglas DC 9 entered service. But
Continental’s loss was Channel Airways’
gain when they re-crossed the North
Atlantic and flew for many more years
with the UK airline.'
(Photo Bob O'Brien)
Inkjet
printing for
aircraft liveries
Airbus is developing a new method for applying
complex, large-scale aircraft liveries through direct
inkjet printing, which can reproduce any design
faster and more efficiently than traditional painting
processes. AIRBUS
Boeing 707
at 60 Years
The Boeing 707 made its maiden flight
in 1954, 60 years ago. Pan American
World Airways (Pan Am) was the first
airline to put the type into service
with the launch of its inaugural flight
at National Airport on October 17,
1958, attended by President Dwight D
Eisenhower. The Pan Am International
Flight Academy continues to offer the
last FAA approved training courses
on its 707 simulator at the company’s
Miami headquarters. There are still
a number of B-707s flying today, all
operated by private individuals
or governments.

Events
Enthusiast shows and events worldwide may be listed
here – FREE of charge. Organisers are invited to send
correspondence to the editorial department (email:
airlinerworld@keypublishing.com) or visit our website
at www.airlinerworld.com
Nov 16
Heathrow Aircraft Enthusiasts’ Fair, Kempton Park
Racecourse, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex, TW16
5AQ, UK. Keith Manning Tel: +44 (0)1423 862256
keith768@btinternet.com or go to
www.aircraftenthusiastfair.co.uk
Jan 4, 2015
Croydon Airport Aviation and Airline Collectors’ Fair,
Hallmark Hotel, Purley Way, Croydon, UK.
acebellaviation@aol.com
Shows/Displays
Feb 01–03, 2015
Routes Americas, Denver, Colorado, US
www.routesonline.com
Mar 15–17, 2015
Routes Asia, Kunming, Yunnan, China
www.routesonline.com
Apr 11–13, 2015
Routes Europe, Aberdeen, Scotland
www.routesonline.com
May 19-21
EBACE – European Business Aviation Convention and
Exhibition, Geneva, Switzerland
www.ebace.aero
Airlines Told to Change Gate
Cockpit Screens
Airlines have been told to replace or
modify cockpit displays fitted to hun-
dreds of Boeing jets after safety regu-
lator said tests had indicated mobile
phone and computer signals could
cause the screens to go blank.
The Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) expressed concerns the screens
could be disrupted by cellular and Wi-Fi
signals from mobile devices. It has esti-
mated that the changes will affect 1,326
Boeing 737 and 777s at a cost of
$13.8 million.
The aircraft are typically fitted with sev-
eral screens, each costing thousands of
pounds although Honeywell – the dis-
play manufacturer – stressed the prob-
lem has not been experienced during
a flight. A Honeywell spokesman said:
Departure
Information
for the
“No display units have ever blanked traveller.
in-flight due to Wi-Fi interference. The
only known occurrence was during a
developmental test conducted on the
ground. We worked with Boeing and
addressed any concerns in 2012 with
new display hardware.”
A Boeing spokesman said:”We made
these recommendations in 2012. The
FAA directive makes them mandatory.”
The FAA has given airlines five years
to swap or modify the components,
although several carriers, including
Virgin Australia, Air France, Ryanair have
opposed FAA’s decision, stating they
do not believe current in-flight Wi-Fi
systems or electronic devices emitted
signals at a strong enough level to affect
equipment on the flight deck.

New Title for PSA Retrojet

May 26-28, 2015
AP&M Europe, London
www.apmexpo.com
May 30 - June 01, 2015
Routes Middle East and Africa, Bahrain
www.routesonline.com
June 15-21, 2015
Paris Air Show, Le Bourget, Paris
www.siae.fr/EN
June 16-20, 2015
Airliners International 2015, Atlanta
www.airlinersinternational.org
Sept 18-19, 2015
World Routes, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
www.routesonline.com
Nov 08-12, 2015
Dubai Air Show, Dubai World Central, Dubai, UAE
www.dubaiairshow.aero
Events are subject to change without Airliner World’s
knowledge. Please check details prior to travel.

Final Call
Former US Airways
Airbus A319, N742PS
(c/n 1275), which is
painted in the legacy
.................................................................................................................................... colours Pacific South
Airlines (PSA), now car-
ries American Airlines

Heathrow Helpers on Trial

Heathrow Airport has unveiled the
next generation of passenger service –
Heathrow Helpers. The team of
helpers will be on hand to assist pas-
sengers at London/Heathrow, for
example, handing out tissues to rela-
tives waving off loved ones or sharing
the latest restaurant openings times
in key destinations.
Based throughout the airport, passen-
gers will be able to identify the caring
crew by their purple uniforms and
tool belts ready to respond to the
most popular passenger requests,
including cuddly toys for young children
and mobile phone chargers for busi-
ness travellers.
With a combined experience of 264
years of assisting passengers, each
titles following the
recent merger of the
two carriers.
JAY SELMAN/
AIRLINERSGALLERY
Heathrow Helper has been selected ing my holiday in London?
for their skills, which range from tour- • Where can I see James Bond’s
ism specialism to proficiency in sign house?
language. The dedicated team can • Will I be able to see Beefeaters in the
also assist people in more than 38 street?
languages. According to a statement • Can I drink the water here?
on the Heathrow website, the top ten • Do I need to change the time on my
strangest passenger requests are: watch or will it change automatically
• Can I bungee jump from your control when I fly?
tower? Normand Boivin, Chief Operating
• I am heading to Tower Hill; can I try Officer at Heathrow, said: “We see a
on the Crown Jewels there? wide range of passengers travelling
• What’s the difference between a toilet through the airport, and with them
and a loo? comes a variety of needs and demands
• Are there ATM’s in central London? that must be catered for. That’s why
Can you mark them on my map? our latest trial highlights Heathrow’s
• Where can I exchange currency for endeavour to provide a unique and
some Scottish dollars? bespoke service to everyone using
• Will most people speak English dur- the airport.”

www.airlinerworld.com 85
 Air
Safety NextGen ATC
The US FAA has sent a plan to the US
Reports Congress to accelerate the implementa-
and details tion of the satellite-based NextGen air
of recent traffic control (ATC) system, which had
incidents. been criticised by members of Congress
and US airlines for being rolled out too
slowly and at too high a cost.
The FAA said that collaboration with the
NextGen Advisory Committee, which
includes representatives from airlines,
airports, aerospace manufacturers and
employee unions, has enabled it to
develop a plan to speed implementation
of “high priority, high readiness NextGen
initiatives” over the next three years.
The new procedures will be instigated at
36 airports “to increase airport efficiency
and reduce flight delays,” according to
a FAA spokesman. “We plan to deploy
satellite-based navigation procedures
[dubbed Performance-Based Navigation]
at three key metropolitan areas – north-
ern California, Atlanta and Charlotte
– to provide more direct flight paths,
improved airport arrival rates, enhanced
controller productivity, increased safety
due to repeatable and predictable flight
paths, fuel savings and a reduction in
aviation’s environmental impact.”
Chicago ATC reopens
Air Traffic Controllers have returned to
work at the FAA’s Chicago Center fol-
lowing an arson attack at the end of
September. The building had been
closed for 17 days, with controllers using
back-up facilities nearby to maintain traf-
fic flow. Over 4,000 flights have been
LOT Emergency
A LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 787-8
Dreamliner, SP-LRB (c/n 37894), fly-
ing from Chicago/O’Hare to Warsaw
carried out an emergency landing
at Glasgow on September 26. The
aircraft was en route over the Atlantic
at 41,000ft when a fire warning in the
front cargo hold alerted the crew.
They elected to make an emergency
diversion to the Scottish facility where
the aircraft made an uneventful landing
cancelled or diverted following the fire,
which was started deliberately by a
contract worker during a failed suicide
attempt, according to local law enforce-
ment officials. Vital communications
equipment was damaged in the fire and
had to be replaced.
on runway 23. The Dreamliner taxied
to the apron, escorted by the airport’s
fire services, where the passengers
and crew disembarked safely. After a
careful inspection no evidence of a fire
was found, and investigations revealed
that the fire and smoke detection sys-
tem had given a false warning. After
six hours on the ground the aircraft
was cleared to continue its journey to
Warsaw. (Photo Michael McQuade)

Travel Safety Course
MedAire, an international company
that provides practical and virtual
advice on airborne medical problems,
has announced a new e-learning
course to provide airline crewmembers
and executives with the knowledge
and skills to enhance their personal
safety when travelling.
The Travel Risk Awareness e-Learning
package provides information on
layover safety, travel precautions
when choosing accommodation and
transport, as well as tactics to respond
to acts of violence, crime and natural
disasters in an unfamiliar location.
The course includes infographics,
animations, expert videos, and audio
film strips to keep students engaged
and includes a Traveler Toolkit, a
handy reference guide giving key tips
and risk mitigation advice. For more
information, see www.medaire.com
On Board
Electronic Devices
EASA has lifted restrictions on the use
of portable electronic devices (PED) –
such as tablets, laptops, smartphones or
e-readers – on board aircraft. However,
before passengers can freely use PEDs,
each airline has to go through an assess-
ment process, ensuring aircraft systems
are not affected in any way by the
transmission signals. This means usage
rules may differ between operators and
passengers must at all times follow the
airline crew instructions.

DATE REG'N C/N TYPE OWNER FATALITIES LOCATION NOTES

Sep 17 XA-TWN 0931 Ce 208B Grand Caravan Aéreo Calafia - Mexico Severely damaged on ground by hurricane
Sep 19 N322QS 0165 Emb 500 Phenom 300 NetJets - USA Damaged in runway excursion on landing
Sep 20 K2757 1202 An-32RE Indian Air Force - India Severely damaged in landing accident
Sep 20 P2-KSF 528 DHC-6-300 Twin Otter Hevilift 4 Papua New Guinea Crashed into wooded terrain
Sep 21 8R-GGB n/k BN-2AA Trislander Golden Arrow Airways - Guyana Damaged in hard landing
Sep 21 n/k n/k C-130 Egyptian Air Force 6 Egypt Crashed during training flight
Sep 23 N774MF 20035 Pa-31T Cheyenne American Medflight - USA Damaged after wheels up landing
Sep 24 RA-02322 1G239-26 An-2 Russian Air Force - Russia Severely damaged in take-off incident
Sep 25 N406GA 0329 Ce 402C Cape Air - USA Right mainwheel collapsed on landing
Sep 25 N211PC LJ-910 C90 King Air Remote Area Medical - USA Damaged in runway excursion on landing
Sep 26 C-FEYT B-210 A100 King Air Air Creebec - Canada Partial gear failure on landing
Sep 28 C-GKSN 493 DHC-6-300 Twin Otter Air Labrador - Canada Damaged in landing incident
Sep 29 VH-PFJ LJ-1586 C90 King Air Pacific Flight Services - Malaysia Damaged in runway excursion on landing
Sep-Oct UR-42372 n/k Yak-42D Donbassaero - Ukraine Destroyed by rebels (along with UR-42377, UR-4238 and UR-42383) – all in storage
Sep-Oct RA-46447 n/k An-24 Kiev Aviation Plant - Ukraine Destroyed by rebels – aircraft in storage
Oct 1 FAS 003 n/k PA-23 Aztec Salvadorian Air Force 3 Salvador Crashed into lake
Oct 4 N700PQ 11389 Rockwell 690B Forestry Service - USA Undercarriage collapsed on landing
Oct 7 EI-EMH 34974 B737-8AS Ryanair - Ireland Left-hand winglet struck tail of sister aircraft (EI-EKK) on taxiing
Oct 10 YV1315 11618 Rockwell Turbo Commander Private - Venezuela Destroyed after ditching
Oct 10 RA-24614 82-41 Mil Mi-8T Tuva Airlines 12 Russia Missing
Oct 11 M-518 50225 EH101 Danish Air Force - Afghanistan Damaged in crash landing
Oct 12 YV1940 1G177-38 An-2TP Rutaca - Venezuela Damaged in forced landing
Oct 12 HI-816 694 BAe Jetstream 31 ACSA Air Century - Dominican Republic Destroyed after runway excursion on landing
Oct 12 1405 11075 Rockwell Turbo Commander Iranian Police 7 Iran Destroyed in crash landing
Oct 12 n/k n/k S-70 Seahawk Turkish Navy 4 Turkey Crashed into terrain
Oct 13 OE-FLP 0011 Ce 525A Fly Tyrol - Italy Damaged after tractor drove into aircraft
Oct 14 RA-24506 20845 Mil Mi-8T Alrosa - Russia Struck buildings on take-off

86 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014

Win
Caption
Comp
This month's
caption
a year's subscription competition.

to
FOR THE CHANCE
TO WIN A ONE-YEAR
SUBSCRIPTION TO Thanks to everyone
who entered the August
AIRLINER WORLD 2014 competition. It
proved to be very
SIMPLY WRITE AN popular, with many of

AMUSING CAPTION TO the entries keeping

the judges amused
THIS PHOTOGRAPH. for quite some time.
Congratulations go to
Ben Lodge who was
Send your caption, name, address, selected as the winner:
telephone number and e-mail (if you have
one) to: Caption Competition, Airliner “Just PAWING my
World, December 2014, Key Publishing, PO way though an
Box 100, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1XQ. Airliner World”
Alternatively, you can submit your entry via
e-mail, addressing it to Other notable entries:
barry.woods-turner@keypublishing.com “Ahh the purr-fect
with ‘December 2014 Caption Comp’ in the magazine”
subject box. DR B WILES

??????????? “What do you mean it’s

Closing dates for entries is 15:00 GMT not available in black
on February 20, 2015. The winner will be and white”
notified no later than February 28, 2015. GEORGE WORBY

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE YEAR A

re you handy with a camera? Then you could
be in with a great chance to win a fantastic
prize in this year’s Airliner World Photograph

COMPETITION 2014
of the Year competition.
First prize is a voucher towards camera equipment
and each of the runners-up will receive a selection of
books, models and DVDs. The closing date for entries
is January 16, 2015, so there is plenty of time to plan
the perfect picture, or maybe you already have a
The Photograph favourite photo taken earlier this year.
of the Year 2013
competition was
won by Andy The subject can be chosen by the photographer,
Crossley with but ideally should have some relevance to commer-
this image of
Aero Spacelines cial aviation. It does not need to be a shot of an air-
377SGT Super craft, but should feature any subject covered by the
Guppy taken at
Bruntingthorpe. magazine. So, you could shoot a view of an airport,
a terminal, airline employees, passengers, perhaps
even an in-flight meal – but it must be taken this
year. Entrants may enhance and improve images as
required.

Once finished, a 300dpi image should be sent as

a jpeg attachment to an email) to airlinerworld@
keypublishing.com Please mark the subject box as
‘Photograph of the Year 2013’. Photographers may
submit up to three entries each, but please send only
one picture per email. The winner will be selected
by a panel of judges from Key Publishing that will
include professional photographers and editorial
staff. The panel’s decision will be final.
So get snapping!

The closing date for entries received is 15:00GMT on January 16, 2015
and we plan to feature the winning entries in the March 2015 issue of
Airliner World.

www.airlinerworld.com 87
United Airlines
FLY THE FRIENDLY SKIES
U
nited Airlines is one of the
oldest US carriers still fly-
ing today and it can trace
its history back to the pio-
neering air-mail com-
panies of the mid-1920s. Under the
guidance of William A Patterson it
grew into the world’s largest carrier in
the early 1960s after its acquisition of
Capital Airlines. However, the US Civil
Aeronautics Board restricted its opera-
tions to domestic routes for many years,
before it finally won approval to launch
international services in February 1986.
88 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
But since then it has faced its fair share
of turmoil, which has had a profound
effect upon its evolution.
The Early Years
United Airlines’ early development
mirrored that of Continental Airlines
(see part one in Airliner World,
November 2014) and centred on the
vision of one man, Walter T Varney.
While Continental can trace its linage
from Varney Speed Lines, United
evolved from another of Walter’s
companies, Varney Air Lines.
The Air Mail Act of 1925 made the
carriage of mail by air,' a private
operation based on a system of
In recent years, United
competitive bidding. Walter Varney Airlines has concen-
was an enterprising chap and entered trated on strengthening
a bid for one of the new air mail routes its international network
being issued. He was successful and and now flies to 374
airports across six con-
was awarded Route No 5, the 412 tinents. AIRTEAMIMAGES.
mile (663km) journey from Pasco, COM/SIMON GREGORY
Washington State and Elko in Nevada
via Boise, Idaho. He formed his own
company, Varney Air Lines, acquired a
fleet of six new Swallow biplanes and
launched his first air mail service on
Following his history
of Continental Airlines
last month, Michael
Manning recounts the
fascinating story of the
carrier it merged with in
2010 – United Airlines.

In September 2013, after almost a 20-year hiatus, United Airlines

once again is urging its passengers to ‘Fly the Friendly Skies’.

www.airlinerworld.com 89
April 6, 1926.
Three years later, on February 1,
1929, William Boeing, President of
the Boeing Airplane Company, and
Fred Rentschler, President of Pratt &
Whitney joined forces and established
United Aircraft & Transport Corporation
(UATC). The new group acquired
other subsidiary organisations, such
as Hamilton Standard Propellers and
the Chance Vought Corporation, plus
several of the early commercial carriers
including National Air Transport and
Varney Air Lines. On March 28, 1931,
United Air Lines was incorporated to
co-ordinate operations of all UATC’s
airline subsidiaries.
The break-up
By 1934, the US Government was so
concerned about the size and strength
of UATC that it took action to stop it
getting any bigger. Congress passed
anti-trust legislation that prevented
airframe manufacturers from owning
mail-carrying companies and this
ultimately led to the break-up of the
corporation. It was separated into three
parts: United Air Lines, responsible
for air transportation; United Aircraft,
responsible for manufacturing in
the east (later to become United
Technologies), and the Boeing
90 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
William A Patterson Airplane Company which took over
guided United Air Lines’ manufacturing in the west. On July
development from 1934
until his retirement in 20, 1934 United Air Lines Transport
1966. UNITED AIRLINES Corporation (UALTC) was formed to
take over from United Air Lines, and
In November 1936, this is officially recognised as the
United became the sec- founding day of the organisation we
ond customer to order know today. William A Patterson,
the Douglas DC-3 – the
first aircraft that was a banker and Boeing official, was
both comfortable and appointed as CEO of the airline in 1934.
reliable for passengers He went on to serve as its President
and also allowed air- until his retirement in 1966.
lines to make money.
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/ Throughout the rest of the 1930s,
STEVE FLINT UALTC continued to grow its domestic
operations. At the same
time it proved to be an
In November innovator – it introduced
1936, the carrier air-to-ground radio (thus
became the improving communications
and safety), and
second customer stewardesses. Eight, all
to order the registered nurses, were
Douglas DC-3. hired to allay passengers’
fear of flying and worked on
12-seat Boeing 80As flying
between San Francisco and Chicago
United operated 20 via Cheyenne, a journey that took 24
new-build Sud Aviation hours. In November 1936, the carrier
SE.210 Caravelle became the second customer to order
6Rs including this the Douglas DC-3, the first aircraft
example, N1006U
(c/n 91). CHRISTIAN that was not only comfortable and
VOLPATI COLLECTION/ reliable for passengers, but also enabled
AIRLINERSGALLERY airlines to make money. A month later
it opened the industry’s inaugural
flight kitchen in Oakland, California,
where meals were prepared to be served
on board its airliners. UALTC played
a significant role during World War
Two supporting the US Armed Forces,
including modifying 5,736 Boeing
B-17 Flying Fortresses at its Cheyenne
maintenance facility as well as flying
7,000 flights amounting, to 50 million
miles, transporting troops and supplies
to Alaska and across the Pacific Ocean.
On December 22, 1943 UALTC’s board
decided the carrier should revert to its
former name, United Air Lines. After
the war, the US economy boomed and
United expanded its domestic network
to meet the increasing demand for air
travel. On April 27, 1947, it introduced
the Douglas DC-6 into service, the first
airliner to feature a pressurised cabin
– because it was able to fly higher
(thus avoiding bad weather) and faster,
travelling time from coast-to-coast
was reduced to ten hours. Four days
later United launched scheduled flights
between San Francisco and Honolulu,
Hawaii. Between 1950 and 1954 the
carrier introduced three new types:
the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, Convair
CV-340 and the Douglas DC-7. Its first
non-stop transcontinental link between
San Francisco and New York started in

June 1954 using its DC-7s, a journey
of 3,000 miles (4,828km) completed in
only seven and a half hours.
The jet age arrives
Having ordered many Douglas
products in the past, the carrier turned
to the manufacturer again for its first
commercial jet, placing a $175 million
contract for 30 DC-8s on October 25,
1955. Two years later it signed a deal
with Boeing for 11 of its 720s. United’s
first DC-8 jet flight from New York to
San Francisco took place on September
18, 1959, and a year later the 720 joined
the fleet. The Boeing had better
operating characteristics, was more
efficient on the medium-range routes
compared to the DC-8 and could land
on shorter runways.
United announced the acquisition
of the financially struggling carrier
Capital Airlines on July 28, 1960.
Eleven months later the deal was
completed and once Capital’s 7,000
employees, network and equipment
had been fully integrated, the combined
organisation became the world’s
largest airline, boasting routes to all
the important cities and towns in
the US. The next logical step was to
expand into the international market,
but when it applied to fly services
across the Pacific Ocean to Asia, the
US Civil Aviation Board (CAB) refused
to grant it permission. The CAB had
apparently decided to keep United
as a domestic carrier and leave the
international routes to companies such
as Pan American World Airways (Pan
Am), Trans World Airlines (TWA) and
Northwest Orient.
On October 29, 1963, United received
its first 727 from an order for 40 placed
with Boeing, and four months later it
became the inaugural tri-jet to enter
US commercial service, flying short-
to medium-range routes. William
Patterson retired from the airline
industry in April 1966 having built the
biggest carrier in the free world – a
legacy that stood unchallenged for 40
years. He was succeeded by former
engineer George Keck.
Still frustrated by the CAB decision to
thwart its international ambitions the
carrier decided to launch a Chicago to
Toronto service in August 1967 in a bid
to prove it should be allowed to start
flying to international destinations.
On December 30, 1968, Keck oversaw
the creation of a holding company
called UAL Inc, with United Air Lines
becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary.
To keep up with growing demand its
first widebody jet, the 747-100 was
introduced on its popular California to
Hawaii link in July 1970.
TOP • United Air Lines
acquired the finan-
cially struggling Capital
US Deregulation
Airlines in July 1960 and Richard J Ferris was appointed
among the transferred Chairman, President and CEO of United
fleet it inherited was in April 1976. It was he who guided the
Vickers V745D Viscount,
organisation through the passage of the
N7406 (c/n 104) which
displays its new United 1978 Airline Deregulation Act passed
livery. BOB O’BRIEN by US President Jimmy Carter, which
ABOVE • Parked on the
apron at San Francisco
International Airport
awaiting its next load
of passengers is United
Convair 340-31, N17152
(c/n 170). JACQUES
GUILLEM COLLECTION/
AIRLINERSGALLERY
www.airlinerworld.com 91
called for the gradual elimination of
Civil Aviation Board (CAB) regulatory
functions, freeing carriers to price their
own services and to select routes under
two clauses:
• Clause A – allowed the domestic US
airlines to fly international routes.
• Clause B – allowed Pan Am to fly
domestically within the US.
However, 17 US domestic carriers
(United included) joined forces against
Pan Am and convinced Congress
92 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
it would become a monopoly were
it allowed to fly both domestic and
international flights.
Despite a deep economic recession
in 1980, United began services to
Mexico and had transitioned to
a new reservations system called
Apollo. Buoyed by the industry’s
first frequent flyer programme
developed by American Airlines in
1981, United followed suit with its
own ‘Mileage Plus’. By 1983, non-stop
flights were granted to the carrier on ABOVE LEFT • After land-
rotations outside the North American ing at Chicago/O’Hare
United Airlines’
continent, flying between the Pacific McDonnell Douglas
Northwest and Tokyo, followed by DC-10-10, N1818U (c/n
non-stop links from Seattle to Hong 46617), taxies towards
its gate. AIRTEAMIMAGES.
Kong. It also established a West Coast
COM/BOB ROBINSON
hub at San Francisco and purchased
ABOVE RIGHT • United
the Hertz Rental Company in 1985.
entered the jet age with
an order for 30 Douglas
United Expansion DC-8 on October
Financially troubled Pan Am, having 25, 1955. STEPHEN
TORNBLON COLLECTION/
been denied activation of ‘Clause B’
AIRLINERSGALLERY
within the Airline Deregulation Act,
moved to acquire National Airlines for
$437 million in January 1980. This
acquisition put further pressure on
Pan Am’s balance sheet, which was
already struggling to cope with the
financing of the large 747 order placed
with Boeing in the mid-1960s. So in
order to balance its books, CEO William
Seawall started to sell off some of the
company’s assets. United struck a deal
with Pan Am, paying $750 million for
the carrier’s entire Pacific Division,
including a fleet of 11 747SPs, six
Lockheed L-1011 TriStars and a single
DC-10. Also included were 2,700 Pan
Am employees and all of its facilities in
ABOVE • Turning to
Asia. The deal was announced in April and liquidate its remaining assets. line-up on the active
United Airlines Current Fleet
1985 and gave United valuable access United benefitted again, outbidding runway at Ronald
No in On
to an additional 15 cities in 11 Pacific Manufacturer Variant American Airlines, Delta Air Lines Reagan Washington
Service Order
Rim countries. Just nine years after and USAir for Pan Am’s former Latin National Airport is
A319 55 Boeing 737-522, N934UA
the acquisition, conservative industry Airbus A320 97 American links. (c/n 26662), belong-
analysts valued Pan Am’s former Pacific A350 XWB (1000) - 35 In 1993, Wolf negotiated another ing to United Airlines.
Division at $3 billion. Secondary 737 round of steep wage and benefit cuts of BRIAN MCDONOUGH/
280 39
(500/700/800/900) AIRLINERSGALLERY
hubs were also added in Denver, San 15% to 25% was taken from employees
737 MAX - 100
Francisco and Dulles/Washington. salaries which resulted in savings for
757 (200/300) 114
Boeing
767 (200/300/400) 51
the carrier of $5 billion. In exchange OPPOSITE TOP • Boeing
Revolving Door of CEOs 777 (200) 74 for the concessions, United’s pilots, 727-22, N7017U (c/n
Richard Ferris was succeeded machinists, baggage handlers and 18309), served with
747 (400) 24
United between May
as Chairman and CEO of the UAL 787 (-8/-9/-10) 12 53 non-contract employees struck a 1964 and November
Corporation and United Airlines by Total 707 227 deal after three years of negotiations, 1991. BRUCE DRUM/
Stephen M Wolf, who had previously resulting in them acquiring 55% of the AIRLINERS/GALLERY
held senior positions at Pan Am Airlines shut down in January 1991, company’s stock. However, the carrier’s
and Continental Airlines as well as TWA and Continental both filed for 20,000 flight attendants chose not to
overseeing the sale of Flying Tigers Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, while participate in The Employee Stock BELOW • Boeing 747-422,
N179UA (c/n 25158)
to Federal Express in December Pan Am also went out of business in Ownership Plan (ESOP) that made
was delivered to United
1988. Once again the US economy December that year. The latter sold its United the largest employee-owned Airlines in July 1991
entered recession in 1990, which was lucrative transatlantic routes to United corporation in the world. and 23 years later it is
exacerbated by the 1990-91 Gulf War for $400 million. Alas, the selling off of As a component of the ESOP still an important asset
in the carrier’s long-
and increasing oil prices. This was a its assets failed to save Pan Am, and in agreement, Wolf resigned in July haul fleet. MARK DURKIN/
tough period for US carriers – Eastern December 1991 it was forced to close 1994 and was succeeded by Gerald AIRLINERSGALLERY

United struck a deal with Pan Am, paying $750

million for the carrier’s entire Pacific Division.

www.airlinerworld.com 93
Greenwald, a former Chief Financial
Officer of Chrysler Corporation, who
was credited with helping to salvage
the bankrupt car maker in the late
1970s by helping to secure a substantial
government loan.
Under Greenwald the company
established ‘Shuttle by United’, the
low-cost airline-within-an-airline
concept. This subsidiary operated
in the California corridor between
Sacramento in the north and San
Diego in the south, to thwart the
encroachment of Southwest Airlines
into its markets. After losing more than
a billion dollars between 1991 and 1993,
UAL finally posted a profit of $51 million
in 1994.
Greenwald strived to expand United’s
footprint across the globe and was
instrumental in the formation of the
Star Alliance on May 14, 1997 with its
co-founders Air Canada, Lufthansa,
SAS – Scandinavian Airlines and
Thai Airways International. The
global grouping has since grown to 27
members offering more destinations
than any other alliance.
94 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
Merger with US Airways
In January 1996, Stephen M Wolf
returned to the airline industry as
Chairman and CEO of USAir, where
he appointed Rakesh Gangwal as
President. The duo changed the
company’s name to US Airways
– signalling ambitious worldwide
expansion plans. It placed an order for
24 Airbus A319s, the first US carrier to
order the variant, for its domestic route
network. However, after initial success,
the airline began to lose money.
Unable to find a suitable solution for its
survival, Wolf entered discussion with
United regarding a possible merger.
On May 24, 2000 a merger agreement
was announced, with UAL paying
$4.3 billion to acquire US Airways.
Immediately the deal was doomed to
Shortly after take-off fail as objections from labour unions,
from New York’s John
consumer advocates and anti-trust
F Kennedy International
Airport, United Boeing regulators flooded in. Negotiations
767-200, N619UA (c/n stalled causing both carriers to lose
21879) climbs towards money and with the deal certain now
its cruising height
as it heads out over
to be blocked by Federal Government,
the Atlantic Ocean. UAL withdrew its purchase offer in
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/ July 2001.
ANDY MARTIN Just two months later the airline
industry changed forever following the
September 11 terrorist attacks on New
York and Washington – two of the four
hijacked aircraft belonged to United.
The resulting industry downturn,
coupled with economic difficulties,
spiralling oil prices and higher labour
costs meant it posted a $2.14 billion
United Airlines were the
loss for 2001. A $1.5 billion loan
first US carrier to order
the shorter variant of guarantee from the Air Transportation
the Airbus A320 Family, Stabilisation Board – established in
signing a deal for 24 the wake of the 9/11 attacks – failed to
examples of the A319
for its domestic route help, and the UAL Corporation filed for
network. BRUCE DRUM/ Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in
AIRLINERSGALLERY December 2002, which also resulted
in the termination of ESOP, its shares
now being virtually worthless. What
followed was one of the longest and
most complex bankruptcy cases in
American corporate history. Tens of
Boeing 777-222, N768UA thousands of employees were laid off
(c/n 26919), rotates and it closed all of its city ticket offices
off the runway at across the US. The mainline fleet was
Amsterdam/Schiphol
International Airport
also drastically reduced from 557 to
ahead of another trans- 460 aircraft, costs were slashed and
atlantic service to the its feeder contract with Atlantic Coast
US. AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/TT Airlines was cancelled. Domestic flight
capacity was cut by 14%. However, all
these actions finally paid dividends
and the UAL Corporation finally exited
Chapter 11 on February 2, 2006. It
emerged as a smaller, more efficient
company, which in turn put additional
pressure on its competitors to reduce
their costs and capacity.
 Just two months later the airline industry changed forever
following the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and
Washington.

Departing Washington/ an old story about the company’s 2002 Continental left the SkyTeam Alliance
A Merger with Continental Dulles International
Airport is United
bankruptcy that was being presented and joined the rival Star Alliance.
Towards the end of 2006, United’s Airlines’ Boeing 757-222, as breaking news. UAL’s share price
management was calling for further N574UA (c/n 26686). subsequently recovered when trading The Trigger for a New Merger
consolidation in the industry. The The aircraft was sold to restarted later the same day. Continental Airlines and the UAL
Federal Express in May
Wall Street Journal broke a story on and has now re-entered
In 2009, United entered into an Corporation entered advanced stages of
December 12 revealing that Continental service. as freighter. extensive code share and frequent merger negotiations in the immediate
Airlines had entered into preliminary BRIAN MCDONOUGH/ flyer partnership with Continental. aftermath of rivals Delta Air Lines and
talks with United regarding the AIRLINERSGALLERY As a component of this agreement, Northwest Airlines agreeing to join
possibility of a merger. In April 2007
United reached an agreement with
the British operator British Midland
International-bmi to effectively merge
their transatlantic operations and the
following month it acquired an equity
stake in Aloha Airlines.
In March 2008 United said it planned
to ground up to 20 aircraft, and cut
capacity further during the year to
help soften the blow of soaring oil
prices. At the time, its pilots criticised
the plan, saying that: “shrinking the
airline to achieve profitability has
been demonstrated to be a failed
business practice.” The Chairman,
President and CEO of the airline at
the time, Glenn Tilton also began
cutting several international routes,
including San Francisco-Nagoya and
Chicago-Mexico City to help balance
the books. However, on September 8, United’s Eco-Skies
2008, the price of UAL shares fell nearly programme is being
promoted with the
99% in just 15 minutes to $0.01, amid appropriately branded
rumours of a second bankruptcy filing, Boeing 737-924ER,
prompting trading of its shares on the N75432 (c/n 32835).
BRIAN MCDONOUGH/
NASDAQ to be temporarily suspended.
AIRLINERSGALLERY
However, the rumours were traced to

www.airlinerworld.com 95
forces. The timing was fortuitous
because Northwest’s golden shares in
Continental – that provided Northwest
veto authority against any merger
involving the carrier – could now
be redeemed, freeing Continental
to pursue a marriage with United.
However, on April 27, 2008, Continental
broke off merger negotiations stating
that it would remain independent
within the Star Alliance.
Keen to continue growing and
secure its future, United entered into
preliminary discussions with US
Airways. But a change of thinking
saw the CEOs of both United and
Continental sign an alliance agreement
to link their international networks as
well as share technology development
and passenger perks, in what industry
analysts described as a “virtual merger”
at the time. The rumours of serious
discussions with US Airways came to
the fore in February and again in early
April 2010, with the New York Times
reporting a deal was close. This was
not to be, acrimony stemming from
the merger of American West with
bankrupt US Airways in 2005 was
described as a major deal breaker.
On the morning of April 9, 2010
Continental’s chief, Jeff Smisek
telephoned UAL’s Glenn Tilton touting
Continental as a better option. During
their conversation Smisek was reported
to have said; “I didn’t want him to
marry the ugly girl. I wanted him to
marry the prettier one, and I’m much
prettier.” Talks quickly resumed and on
April 22 United officially announced
that it would not pursue a merger with
US Airways. Ten days later, the board
of directors at both airlines approved
a stock-swap deal. The two carriers
that can trace their history back to
Walter Varney more than 80 years
previously, were given approval from
the US regulators to proceed with their
merger on August 27 – the transaction
was officially closed on October 1 that
year. As a concession to assuage the
US Department of Justice’s concerns,
both agreed to lease 18 slot pairs to
Southwest Airlines at the congested
Newark International Airport.
96 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014
The Star Alliance was and July 2014) United Airlines has
formed on May 14,
1997 by co-founders continued to consolidate its presence,
United Airlines, Air establishing what it says is the world’s
Canada, Lufthansa, SAS most comprehensive global route
– Scandinavian Airlines network with 374 destinations served.
and Thai Airways
International. One of It boasts optimal hub locations,
the US carriers’ Boeing including in four of the largest cities in
777-222ERs, N218UA the US.
(c/n 30222), has adopted
the airline grouping’s
Continental Airlines under its CEO
livery. BRUCE DRUM/ Gordon Bethune had established the
AIRLINERSGALLERY carrier as an all-Boeing operator, using
737s and 757s domestically and 767s
and 777s plying its international routes.
By comparison, United flew a mix of
A319s, A320s and 757s on domestic
links, while using ageing 747s and 767s
to transcontinental destinations. A pre-
merger order for 35 A350-1000s has
I didn’t want him to been retained, with the first examples
marry the ugly girl. I due in 2018, while both carriers had
outstanding deals for a total of 65
wanted him to marry Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Under the
the prettier one, and leadership of former Continental CEO
I’m much prettier. Jeff Smisek, United has concentrated in
recent years on strengthening its
Jeff Smisek, Continental Airlines CEO
international network and now serves
374 airports across six continents, with
Over the next two years teams from an average of 5,100 flights per day. In
both airlines work tirelessly to bring 2013, United and its regional affiliate
the two organisations together, and on United Express operated nearly two
March 3, 2012 the carriers’ passenger million flights carrying 139 million
service systems, frequent flyer passengers. In September 2013, after
programmes and websites became one, almost a 20-year hiatus, United Airlines
United Airlines became consigning the Continental name and once again is urging its passengers to
the first US carrier to brand to the history books. ‘Fly the Friendly Skies’. The iconic
operate both the Boeing tagline, created by Leo Burnett in 1965
787-8 and 787-9 vari-
ants of the Dreamliner United Today was used by the airline for 31 years
family following Despite losing its ‘world’s largest before being dropped in 1996 – its
handover of its first -9, airline’ crown to the American Airlines comeback emphasises renewed efforts
N38950 (c/n 36402), on
and US Airways merger in December to be seen as the world’s leading
SEPTEMBER 4. BRANDON
FARRIS/AIRLINERSGALLERY 2013 (see Airliner World May, June customer-focused airline.
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FIRST AIR
Canada’s self-proclaimed ‘Airline of the North’ has served the
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VIRGIN’S DREAMLINER
DEBUT
The British carrier has recently taken delivery of its
first Boeing 787.

QATARI SUPERJUMBO
Travelling on the maiden flight of Qatar Airways’ Airbus A380
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HUNTING DC-9S
Crossing Africa in some of the oldest Douglas twin-jets
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The Taiwanese regional airline is a subsidiary of EVA Air.

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Acronyms and abbreviations have become an intrinsic EASA European Aviation Safety Agency LED Light-Emitting Diode
part of business speak. In the commercial aviation ERAA European Regions Airline Association localiser Steering guidance element of an ILS system
EROPS Extended-Range OPerationS LORAN Long Range Aid to Navigation
business their usage has become unavoidable and in

key
ETOPS Extended-range Twin-engine OPerationS MD Managing Director
the following table we try to guide you through some FAA Federal Aviation Administration (US) MLS Microwave Landing System
of those most commonly-used examples in the pages FAI Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (France) MLW Maximum Landing Weight
FAR Federal Aviation Regulations (US) MoD Ministry of Defence (UK)
of Airliner World. This list will be regularly updated. FBO Fixed Base Operator MoU Memorandum of Understanding
FDR Flight Data Recorder MRO Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul
FL Flight Level (usually expressed in hundreds of feet) MTOW Maximum Take-Off Weight
AAIB Air Accidents Investigation Branch (UK)
FOD Foreign Object Damage NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US)
ACAS Airborne Collision-Avoidance System
GA General Aviation NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization
ADR Accident Data Recorder
GAPAN Guild of Air Pilots And Navigators (UK) NBAA National Business Aircraft Association (US)
ALPA Air Line Pilots Association (US)
GDP Gross Domestic Product OFT Office of Fair Trading (UK)
ANS Airborne Navigation System
GE General Electric PAPI Precision Approach Path Indicator
APU Auxiliary Power Unit
GECAS GE Capital Aviation Services PAR Precision Approach Radar
ATC Air Traffic Control
GMT Greenwich Mean Time pax Passenger
ATP Advanced Turbo-Prop (BAe)
GNS Global Navigation System P&W Pratt & Whitney
ATS Air Traffic Service
GPS Global Positioning System PPL Private Pilot’s Licence
BAe British Aerospace (now renamed BAE Systems)
GPU Ground Power Unit PR Public Relations
CAA Civil Aviation Authority (UK)
IACA International Air Carrier Association RFP Request for Proposals
CDA Continuous Descent Approach
IAP International Airport RVR Runway Visual Range
CEO Chief Executive Officer
IATA International Air Transport Association SARS Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
CIS Commonwealth of Independent States
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization SID Standard Instrument Departure
(formerly Soviet Union)
IFALPA International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations STAR Standard Terminal Arrival Route
c/n Construction number
IFR Instrument Flight Rules STOL Short Take-Off & Landing
combi Aircraft that routinely carry passengers and
ILFC International Lease Finance Corporation TCAS Traffic alert and Collision-Avoidance System
cargo on the main deck at the same time
ILS Instrument Landing System TWR Tower – airport control tower
CVR Cockpit Voice Recorder
IMC Instrument Meteorological Conditions VASI Visual Approach Slope Indicator
dB Decibel
INS Inertial Navigation System VFR Visual Flight Rules
DfT Department for Transport (UK)
JAA Joint Aviation Authorities (European) VMC Visual Meteorological Conditions
DME Distance-Measuring Equipment
LCC Low-Cost Carrier VOR VHF omni-directional range (radio beacons)
EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company
LCD Liquid Crystal Display

98 AIRLINER WORLD DECEMBER 2014

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