Yearly Archives: 2012

Singapore Airlines to retire the Boeing 747 with two special flights on April 6

Singapore Airlines (Singapore) has announced it will operate special commemorative flights between Singapore and Hong Kong on April 6, 2012 to mark the retirement of the Boeing 747 after nearly four decades of service.

Flight SQ 747 from Singapore to Hong Kong and SQ 748 from Hong Kong to Singapore will be operated with this Boeing 747-400 (9V-SPQ), replacing existing flights SQ 860 and SQ 863, which are normally operated with Airbus A330-300s.

The special flights, which will be SIA’s last commercial passenger services with the Boeing 747, are now open for sale. In addition to more than 300 commercial passengers, on board will be employees who have worked on the aircraft throughout its storied history, as well as a group of underprivileged children and media.

The commemorative flights will have an extended flying time of one hour to enable those on board to be treated to a unique inflight experience. This will include specially crafted meal services and inflight entertainment. Customers will also receive limited edition Boeing 747 memorabilia.

First Class customers will be provided an additional experience – an exclusive tour of the Airline’s cabin crew training facilities and Boeing 747-400 flight simulator in Singapore.

A dedicated website has been set up to commemorate the jumbo’s retirement, at http://www.SIAjourneys.com, featuring milestones and records set over the years, historical photographs and video footage, including interviews with staff and customers. Information about fares for flights SQ 747 and SQ 748 can also be found on the website.

Top Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best.

Singapore Photo Gallery: CLICK HERE

Worldwide routes operated by Singapore Boeing 747s:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Christian Volpati. Please click on the photo for additional details.

ANA announces its strategy for the coming years

ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo) has announced it strategic plans for the next two fiscal years (this is a common practice in Japan).

The highlights of the plan are:

1. A 22 per cent increase in ANA’s international operations in two years.

2. Increase in operating income to ¥110 billion in FY2012 and ¥130 billion in FY2013.

3. Adoption of multi-brand strategy and switch to holding company structure.

4. Further efficiency measures to reduce Group costs by ¥100 billion.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean.

ANA Photo Gallery: CLICK HERE

Lion Air signs a contract for 27 additional ATR 72-600s for Wings Air

Lion AIr (Jakarta) on February 16, 2012 signed a contract with ATR for the purchase of 27 additional ATR 72-600 aircraft. Once these aircraft will be integrated into the fleet of Lion Air’s regional subsidiary Wings Air, it will become the largest operator of ATR aircraft in the world, with a total fleet of 60 aircraft (20 ATR 72-500s and 40 ATR 72-600s). Wings Air currently operates a fleet of 16 ATR 72-500s across its domestic network in Indonesia. The airline plans to receive its 60th ATR 72 by the end of 2015.

These next 44 ATR 72-500/600s to be delivered to Wings Air will continue to develop new routes departing mainly from Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua islands. Some of these aircraft will also replace and complement Wings Air’s MD-80s and Lion Air’s Boeing 737s operating from these airports, thus adding new frequencies into the network.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing.

United rebrands premium cabins, upgrades food, entertainment and amenities

United Airlines (Chicago) today announced the company is upgrading its premium-cabin services to offer customers new food and beverage options, additional choices in in-flight entertainment, and – on long-haul international flights – new amenity kits, pillows and blankets.

According to the airline, “United is also rebranding its international, long-haul premium-cabin services, introducing:

United Global First, the international first-class experience on three-cabin aircraft.

United BusinessFirst, the international business-class experience on two-cabin and three-cabin aircraft.

United Global First, United BusinessFirst

Beginning on March 3, 2012 on long-haul international flights and many flights within Asia and the Pacific, first-class customers on three-cabin aircraft will experience United Global First, with a higher level of privacy and comfort, a flat-bed seat, priority airport services and more-personal attention.

On most of United’s three-cabin aircraft, United Global First suites offer flat-bed seats, laptop power, USB ports, individual audio and video on demand with noise-reduction headsets, additional storage compartments and a multi-course meal with complimentary wines.

Beginning in the second quarter 2012 , United will upgrade the long-haul first-class experience with new amenities, including:

More-comfortable bedding amenities.
Additional in-flight food choices.
New amenity kits featuring Philosophy-brand skin-care products.

United also will extend Continental’s award-winning BusinessFirst product to United, offering an elevated business-class service with new amenities that include:

An additional entree option, for a total of four, designed by United’s Congress of Chefs. United is also changing the way it prepares business-class meals to improve the quality and taste.

Expanded wine selections chosen by Doug Frost, Sommelier and Master of Wine.

New ice cream sundae dessert option with a choice of six toppings.

Improved in-flight entertainment including noise-reduction headsets.

New amenity kits featuring Philosophy-brand skin-care products.

Duvet-style blankets and higher-quality pillows and hot towels.

For customers flying United in North America, between North America and Central America, between North America and northern South America, and on some flights within Asia and the Pacific islands, the airline will continue to offer United First and United Business premium-cabin services.

On most flights, United has revamped its premium-cabin meal and snack choices to offer customers their favorites among options previously available only on United flights or Continental flights, including:

Warmed, all-natural scones and cookies, made from scratch exclusively for United.

Warmed cinnamon rolls on breakfast flights.

Pasta salads as a light snack.

Premium snacks including all-natural pop chips, Emerald nuts, Clif organic energy bars, Toblerone

Swiss milk chocolate and fresh fruit.

Warmed nuts offered in a small china bowl on all lunch and dinner services.

Ice cream sundaes offered with a choice of six toppings, available on many transcontinental lunch and dinner services.

On United Express flights longer than two hours, customers seated in the premium cabin may enjoy complimentary snack boxes.

The rebranding and expanded menu options come as United continues with plans to invest more than $550 million to upgrade aircraft interiors. The airline has installed Economy Plus seating on dozens of Continental aircraft. When fully deployed, United will offer customers more extra-legroom economy-class seats than any other airline in the world.

United continues to upgrade its widebody fleet with new premium cabins, with more than 130 aircraft outfitted with flat-bed seats. Once completed in early 2013, United will offer more premium-cabin flat-bed seats than any other airline.

Beginning later in 2012, customers will see additional improvements, including larger overhead bins on Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft – increasing the available carry-on storage space by approximately two-thirds – and satellite-enabled inflight internet service. United is also introducing on-demand entertainment on its popular transcontinental p.s. service, along with an expanded premium-cabin service with flat-bed seats.”

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing.

United Photo Gallery: CLICK HERE

Mokulele Airlines rebrands under its new ownership

Mokulele Flight Service (Mokulele Airlines) (Kailua-Kona), flying the skies of Hawai’i since 1994, was recently purchased by TransPac Aviation Holdings in late 2011 from the Mesa Group.

While rebranding its core business, the airline is maintaining its marketing relationship with Go!

Mokulele Airlines has introduced a new logo and branding and is taking a hard look at its core business. The airline will now focus on the commuter inter-island business.

Mokulele Airlines will continue all of its current routes – including flying the only shuttle between Kailua-Kona and Kahului and between Kahului and Molokai.

Mokulele offers over 40 flights a day connecting Maui and Oahu to the Big Island, Lanai, and Molokai using 9-seat turbine powered Cessna Grand Caravan 208 aircraft.

Destinations in Hawaii:

Alaska Airlines starts seasonal service between San Jose and Palm Springs, California

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) today inaugurates new seasonal service between San Jose and Palm Springs, California. The new nonstop route operates through June 2. After a hiatus from June 3 to October 4, seasonal service will then resume on October 5, 2012.

The seasonal San Jose-Palm Springs route will be operated by Alaska’s sister carrier, Horizon Air, with the fuel-efficient Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400).

Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. Please click on the photo for additional information.

Alaska Horizon Photo Gallery: CLICK HERE

Spirit Airlines moves into Denver, what is the future of Frontier Airlines?

Spirit Airlines (Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood) has announced that it will start nonstop service from Denver International Airport (DEN) to the carrier’s four largest bases. On May 3, 2012, Spirit will begin offering nonstop service from Denver to Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and Las Vegas, with connections available to 29 additional cities throughout the U.S., the Caribbean and Latin America.

Spirit’s new service includes:

1. Daily service between Denver and Chicago O’Hare.

2. Daily service between Denver and Dallas/Fort Worth with a second daily flight starting on May 17, 2012.

3. Daily service between Denver and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.

4. Twice daily service between Denver and Las Vegas.

Is this a strategic move by Spirit in preparation of a potential bid for Frontier Airlines (2nd) (Denver)? Frontier’s parent Republic Airways Holdings (Indianapolis) still has not made up its mind on what it will do with Frontier. However their hand may be forced by this move. The ultra low-cost carrier’s move into the DEN market will further lower air fares and also further erode Frontier’s yield in its largest hub. It is already suffering at the Milwaukee hub.

What is the future of Frontier?

Copyright Photo: Dave Campbell.

Spirit Photo Gallery: CLICK HERE

The updated Spirit Route Map. The Frontier Route Map would mess well with Spirit’s. Spirit’s recent moves have been mainly in the West setting the stage for this announcement.

Please click on the map to expand.

Air Australia goes into bankruptcy and the fleet is grounded

Air Australia (formerly Strategic Airlines) (Brisbane) on February 17, 2012, the Director of the Air Australia group of companies appointed John Park and Mark Korda of KordaMentha as Voluntary Administrators.

The fleet has been grounded.

The following statement was issue by Air Australia:

“It currently appears that there are no funds available to meet operational expenses so flights will be suspended immediately. For clarity, it also appears highly unlikely there will be any flights in the short to medium term. You should make alternate travel arrangements.”

Read the “behind the scenes” account of the over-spending by Air Australia by newscom.au: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Lloyd Fox. Please click on the photo for additional information.

Air Australia Photo Gallery: CLICK HERE

Strategic Airlines Photo Gallery: CLICK HERE

QANTAS Group announces a half year profit of A$202 million

QANTAS Group (Sydney) issued the following financial statement (all amounts in Australian dollars):

“The Qantas Group has announced underlying profit before tax of $202 million for the half-year ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of $215 million compared with the prior corresponding period. Statutory profit before tax was $58 million.

The result reflects the $194 million financial impact of industrial action during the first half, as well as increased fuel costs compared with the prior corresponding period. Total fuel costs in the half were $2.2 billion, up $444 million (or 26 per cent).

The Group also today outlined measures that respond to global economic conditions and the structural challenges facing Qantas, including the European finance crisis, the changing Australian economy and the need to increase efficiency and competitiveness. These steps will position the Group for a strong, sustainable future and build long-term shareholder value.

They include a reduction in capital expenditure of $700 million over 2011/12 and 2012/13; a review of Qantas’ heavy maintenance footprint in Australia; and changes to Qantas’ catering and engineering operations.

Qantas’ underlying EBIT in the first half was $66 million, compared with $165 million in the prior corresponding period.

Jetstar achieved record underlying EBIT of $147 million, up $4 million on last year’s first-half earnings.

The following network changes will be made in order to adjust capacity to market conditions and route performance:

1. Withdrawal from the Singapore-Mumbai and Auckland-Los Angeles routes, effective 6 May 2012. This is in addition to previously-announced withdrawals from the Hong Kong-London and Bangkok-London routes, effective March 2012.

2. Aircraft changes on the following international and domestic routes: Sydney-Bangkok (Boeing 747 replaced with Airbus A330 from 10 June), Sydney-Perth (Boeing 747 replaced with Airbus A330 on certain services from 6 May) and Melbourne-Perth (additional A330 services added from 6 May).

3. Capacity increases on the Los Angeles-New York route from 6 May (Airbus A330 replaced with Boeing 747) and Sydney-Tokyo route from 10 June (one Airbus A330 service per week replaced with a Boeing 747 service, resulting in daily Boeing 747 services).

4. Early retirement of two further Boeing 747 aircraft (in addition to the four early B747 retirements announced in August 2011).”

QANTAS Photo Gallery: CLICK HERE

Rock Center’s feature on FedEx and interview with Fred Smith

FedEx (Memphis) was one of the feature sections last night on NBC’s Rock Center:

Watch the Video: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean.

FedEx Photo Gallery: CLICK HERE