Norwegian to increase number of transatlantic flights from Ireland by over 35% next summer

One of the worlds fastest growing and popular airlines, Norwegian has today announced its new expanded 2019 summer schedule with 37% more weekly departures to the USA and Canada, from Ireland. Consumers can now book the airline’s lowest fares for travel to the US East Coast and Ontario next summer with fares available from €129 one way at www.norwegian.com/ie

Voted World’s Best Low-Cost Long-Haul Airline 2018 by Skytrax, Norwegian currently operates flights from Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports to New York Stewart International Airport and Providence TF-Green Airport on the US East Coast. Flights are operated using brand new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that feature up to 189 leather seats, which are currently being upgraded to a new slimline seat that will offer passengers enhanced comfort and greater space.

Norwegian’s increased 2019 summer schedule from Ireland has 40 weekly transatlantic departures and is now available to book for travel from 31 March 2019, as follows:

Delta Air Lines and WestJet form transborder joint venture -

Delta Air Lines and WestJet have signed a definitive agreement to create a comprehensive transborder joint venture arrangement that will offer customers an extensive route network within the U.S. and Canada.

“Delta’s future is global and together with WestJet, we can augment the two airlines’ capabilities and bring together our strengths in this important transborder market,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s CEO. “Combined, we will be able to offer more destinations to customers with an integrated network, superior airline products, improved airport connections and significantly enhanced frequent flyer benefits. The JV will provide an unmatched passenger experience for customers travelling between the U.S. and Canada.”

U.S./Canada joint venture to offer more choices for travel between the U.S. and Canada

“WestJet continues its drive toward becoming a global airline, and the signing of this agreement marks a major milestone in that journey,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. “Working together with Delta, the premier U.S. carrier, we are looking forward to providing enhanced offerings and more choice for guests. The joint venture will allow us to maximize our existing partnership with Delta to benefit customers by bringing greater competition to the trans-border market.”

Lufthansa launches more new routes

Lufthansa may be engaged in a war of words with Ryanair over its dealings with Laudamotion, that hasn't stopped it launch more expansive expansion plans.

Lufthansa is expanding its offers from Frankfurt and Munich to include six new tourist destinations. 

Lufthansa now flies from Frankfurt and Munich to Eilat (Ovda), the attractive holiday resort on the Red Sea in the south of Israel. The carrier will operate the route four times a week (Thursdays and Sundays from Frankfurt and Tuesdays and Saturdays from Munich). 

British Airways to launch a service from Gatwick to Cologne

We may be basking in temperatures of around 30 celsius here in the UK and in the middle of one of our warmest summers for as long as many can remember, but summer isn't in the minds of British Airways managers, who are firmly thinking of winter and Christmas.

The UK's national airline British Airways has announced it will launch a new route to the beautiful German city of Cologne, in time for the wondrous Christmas markets that take place in the city every year.

The new route to Cologne will operate four times a week from London Gatwick Airport and will start on 16th November this year. It is currently scheduled for Mondays, Thursdays. Fridays and Sundays, making a long weekend away easy to arrange. “Cologne adds another exciting destination to our Gatwick network and is perfect for a winter break. Cologne is becoming increasingly popular due to being a cultural hub and is a living textbook on art, history and architecture.” said, Adam Carson, British Airways’ Managing Director of Gatwick

Cologne is Germany’s fourth largest city and offers something for everyone, from its famous cathedral with its dominating spires, the beautiful architecture. art and rich history to the many and varied festivals, markets and carnivals.  One of those carnivals is a six-day street festival when the city celebrates in colourful costumes, dancing, parades and parties that welcome more a million visitors for the largest carnival in Europe. Plus of course, in the run-up to Christmas, the city has lovely festive markets that are a true delight to experience. 

The next 20 years will see the need for 10,550 -150 seat aircraft

Boeing's Brazilian Embraer says there will be the need for 10,550 new 150 seat aircraft across the world during the next 20 years.

Embraer says in-service fleet is set to increase to 16,000 aircraft, up from the 9,000 aircraft currently in operation. Apparently, market growth will drive 65% of this demand, while the remaining 35% will replace ageing aircraft.

Alaska Airlines June results

Alaska Air reported its June and year-to-date operational results earlier this week showing the consolidated basis for its mainline operations and subsidiary operations of Alaska, Horizon Air and third-party regional carriers SkyWest Airlines and Peninsula Airlines.

On January 11, 2018, Alaska and Virgin America consolidated their operations onto a Single Operating Certificate (SOC). Results for Alaska and Virgin America have been combined into a single mainline operation.

Belavia-Belarusian Airlines to lease four Boeing 737-8 MAX Aircraft

Air Lease Corporation recently announced long-term lease agreements with Belavia-Belarusian Airlines for four new CFM LEAP-1B25-powered Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2019 and 2020. The first aircraft will in May 2019.

“ALC is pleased to announce this placement with Belavia at Farnborough International Airshow today,” said Steven F. Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation. “The advanced technologies in the MAX 8 aircraft will provide a new level of efficiency and comfort to Belavia’s customers, and we look forward to continuing our successful relationship with the airline as it optimizes its fleet and expands its network.”

Finnair Launches Viasat's In-Flight Internet Service on European Flights

The award-winning Finnair is launching a new high-speed internet service on its narrow-body Airbus fleet on European flights. 

From today onwards, Finnair customers will be able to enjoy the industry's fastest in-flight connection speeds—even gate-to-gate—enabling each customer to use the internet as they do on the ground, from web surfing and online shopping to listening to music and even watching movies and TV shows from popular video streaming services.

Finnair partnered with global communications company, Viasat Inc. to deliver the high-speed in-flight internet service, which has already been installed on 6 of Finnair's narrow-body Airbus aircraft. By the end of this summer, about 20 aircraft are expected to be installed with internet connectivity, with the entire narrow-body Airbus fleet expected to be internet connected by summer 2019.

British Airways to lease three more 777-300ER's

777-300 landing at Heathrow Picture by Nick Morrish/British Airways

Boeing and British Airways have announced today a commitment for three 777-300ER (Extended Range) aeroplanes. British Airways will take the 777s on an operating lease via a leasing company.

"We are delighted that British Airways, one of the world's leading airlines, has again chosen the Boeing 777 for its long-haul fleet," said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales & Marketing for The Boeing Company. "This agreement is a testament to the enduring value of the 777, its superior range, outstanding efficiency and popularity among passengers." These three aircraft will increase capacity and flexibility across the British Airways network which includes more than 200 destinations in 75 countries across the globe.

EasyJet announce new routes....

The low-cost European airline easyJet is doing well,  just a few days ago it reported that revenue for the third quarter rose 14% to £1.6bn, with revenues from baggage and seat allocation up more than a fifth to £328m.

The airline flew 24.4 million passengers - 9.3% more than the same period last year in the three months to 30 June. It has also announced a series of new routes from this autumn, the majority from the UK, Sophie Dekkers, UK Country Director, said:

“easyJet has come such a long way since our first ever route from London Luton to Glasgow in 1996 and we are so excited to have reached the 1000 routes milestone today. The launch of these 16 new routes across the UK provides our passengers with even more amazing destinations across Europe for both holidays and business travel. We are really looking forward to continuing our sustainable growth and expansion, to provide travellers across Europe with low fares and friendly customer service.”

Read on for the new services and when they start -

Uganda National Airlines orders 4 CRJ900's

Uganda National Airlines Company has ordered four new CRJ900 regional jet from Bombardier Commercial Aircraft its been confirmed today. 

“We congratulate the Government of Uganda for the revival of its national flag carrier, and are thrilled that the new airline has selected Bombardier and the CRJ900 regional jets for its upcoming debut,” said Jean-Paul Boutibou, Vice President, Sales, Middle-East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Recognized for its superior economics and efficiency, the CRJ Series aircraft have enabled airlines worldwide to serve communities with better connectivity, and we look forward to supporting the development of Uganda’s regional air travel with these CRJ900 regional jets.”

Uganda Airlines will operate the CRJ900 in dual-class configuration with 76 seats, including 12 first class seats.

“We are delighted to have ordered the world’s leading regional jet, and we look forward to providing the most modern passenger experience in regional aviation to the people of Uganda and across Africa,” said Ephraim Bagenda, CEO, Uganda National Airlines. “As we were establishing Entebbe as a strong hub in East Africa and building more connectivity in Africa, we thoroughly reviewed our needs. With its proven track record in Africa and other regions of the world, we are confident that the CRJ900 aircraft will help us succeed.”

Seattle's calling for Cathay Pacific Seattle's call

Seattle set to become the 8th US destination for Cathay Pacific  Image Seattle Port Authority 

Direct from Hong Kong - Cathay Pacific has announced it will start a new nonstop service to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on 1st April 2019,. It will be the only airline offering a direct link between Hong Kong and the fastest-growing city on the West Coast.

The service will operate four times each week and will become Cathay's eighth passenger gateway in the United States, and its 10th in North America. The airline already flies to Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York (JFK), New York (Newark), San Francisco, Toronto and Vancouver. Plus in September this year, a service to Washington, DC will be started. 

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer Rupert Hogg said the Seattle route, which will be operated by the airline's state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft, underscores the airline's expansion strategy to connect new destinations not otherwise served from Hong Kong–and to link its home, one of the most innovative cities in Asia, with tech hubs the world over.

Fastjet Zimbabwe launch Bulawayo route

African airline Fastjet Zimbabwe has confirmed it will be launching a new domestic route in Zimbabwe later this week between Harare and Bulawayo.

The route is being operated on an Embraer ERJ145 jet and starts on 20th July 2018. The airline will operate a daily rotation between the two cities, with a flight time of 50 minutes from Harare to Bulawayo while the return is scheduled to take 55 minutes. 

“Fastjet has been pursuing this route designation for several years,” says fastjet chief executive Nico Bezuidenhout. “We are delighted to see that positive changes in the Zimbabwean environment made this development possible, enabling low-fare connectivity between more domestic destinations.” Fastjet will celebrate its third year of Zimbabwean operations in October and “has invested substantially in the market with positive outcomes. While we are launching with a single frequency at present, fastjet intends to further grow the route following further consultation with stakeholders and ultimately to introduce additional aircraft to facilitate growth,” he adds.

Two undisclosed airlines agree to buy 787-9 Dreamliners according to Boeing......

Boeing says two undisclosed airlines have reached agreements to buy a total of 15 787-9 Dreamliners valued at $4.2 billion per current list prices, on Thursday at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow.

One of the airlines would become a new 787 customer. The second airline is adding more 787s to their Dreamliner fleet.  Both  'commitments' will be reflected on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website once when and if they are finalized.

"This is the Dreamliner effect. New airline customers are drawn to the potential for greater fuel efficiency and range and super passenger amenities, while existing customers have experienced all of these advantages first hand and want to grow their fleet with more 787 Dreamliners," said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for The Boeing Company. "The strong market preference for the 787 is securing its status as the fastest-selling widebody aeroplane in history."

Hawaiian Airlines finalised its order yesterday for 10 787-9 Dreamliners, included purchase rights for 10 additional 787s although the deal was effectively completed back in March after a vast discount had been applied by Boeing to woe the airline away from Airbus aircraft. 

"The Dreamliner's operational performance and passenger-friendly cabin makes it an ideal aircraft to serve as our flagship aircraft of the future," said Peter Ingram, president and chief executive officer of Hawaiian Airlines, following a script written for him by Boeing. 

Royal Air Maroc scheduling 787 this winter

The national airline of Morocco, Royal Air Maroc has released more details of its Boeing 787  Dreamliner operations during winter 2018.

The airline will adjust its schedule for the Casablanca to Rio de Janeiro Galeao route, for a 5 week period, 24th December 2018 to 29th January 2019 the airline will add a Boeing 787-8 to the schedule.  The Dreamliner flight will depart Casablanca at 1520 arriving Rio at 2240 on Tuesday's, Thursday's and Saturday's.  The return is scheduled to depart at 0010 and land back at Casablanca at 1050 local time on Wednesday's, Friday's and Sunday's.

The airline is also planning to put the Boeing 787-9's and -8's Dreamliner's on the following routes when they enter service in December this year.

Casablanca – Algiers   from 22nd December 3 x a week*
Casablanca – Montreal  from 22nd December 3 x a week*

* will be reduced to twice a week from 7th February 2019 

Casablanca – JFK New York  from 21st December  4 x a week 

Casablanca – Sao Paulo from 3rd February 1 x week. 

The Royal Air Maroc will configure the Boeing 787-9 with 18 seats in business class and 256 in the main economy cabin.