A Turkish Airbus A330 sinks off the north-western coast of Turkey...................................on purpose.

A disused and partly dismantled Airbus A330 passenger jet has sunk just off the north-western coast of Turkey - but this isn't some kind of crash or disaster, this sinking was done on purpose to attract diving tourists.

The aircraft, which is around 65 metres long was scuttled in 30 metres of water in the Aegean Sea close to Ibrice Harbour in Edirne province, the UK's BBC reported.

Watch a video of the sinking below.

Azul receives the first Airbus A330neo in the Americas

The first A330neo of the Americas has been delivered to Azul Linhas Aéreas on lease from Avolon, becoming the first airline from the Americas to fly the A330-900. The aircraft is the first of 15 A330neo ordered by Avolon.

The A330neo, Airbus’ new generation A330 aircraft, will be used by the airline to expand its international route network between Brazil and Europe and the United States. Fitted with a three-class cabin accommodating 34 business class,  96 economy Xtra  and 168 economy class seats, the A330neo offers passengers greater comfort along with the newest and the most advanced in-flight experience while the airline will benefit from the aircraft’s unrivalled operating economics.

“We are very proud to be the first A330neo operator in the Americas. This new aircraft will play a key role in the expansion of our international markets supporting our strategy of having a modern and fuel-efficient fleet,” celebrated John Rodgerson, Azul’s CEO.

“With its many new features and an Airspace cabin, the A330neo can only add to Azul’s many travel awards,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer. “Innovation-packed, superior passenger comfort and 25% fuel efficiency all rolled in to one – that’s the A330neo.”

Uganda Airlines firms up orders for two Airbus A330neo aircraft

Uganda Airlines, the national carrier of Uganda, has firmed up its order for two A330-800 airliners, the latest version of the most popular A330 widebody airliner. 

Fitted with the new Airspace by Airbus cabin, the A330neo will bring a range of benefits to Uganda Airlines and its customers, offering unrivalled efficiencies combined with the most modern cabin. 

Brussels Airlines selects ABC International for A330 cabin branding

Brussels Airlines has selected ABC International as supplier of cabin branding elements for its A330 fleet retrofit program.

The companies first collaborated in 2017 SSJ100 aircraft Brussels took on ACMI basis from CityJet. Brussels selected ABC International because of their “common feelings” and it was “love at first sight," according to a press release from ABC International.

Starting from the design concepts of UK-based JPA Design, ABC International translated the "brilliant ideas" into an airworthy product in compliance with aviation regulation.

“This project is a further step to cement the relation between two companies that have been sharing a common outlook to the future of cabin interiors industry since the first moment," said Olindo Spatola, ABC International's VP Engineering and Programs. “Brussels Airlines is an ideal partner for developing new products and solutions for cabin branding, considering their continuous commitment in looking for new ways to improve passengers experience and cabin environment.

Hawaiian Airlines starts Boston service - the longest interstate route

US aviation history was made earlier this week, when Hawaiian Airlines operated flight 90 for the first time between  Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), becoming the US' longest interstate route!

Now its the turn of New England to say Aloha to a direct link to the Hawaiian islands five times each week.  aloha to New England.

As the world’s best premium leisure-destination airline, Hawaiian’s newest nonstop route opens a rainbow of possibilities to the Northeast region thawing out from another winter. It also gives Hawai‘i residents convenient access to more of the East Coast. In commemoration of the city of Boston's deep history and Hawaiian Airlines' 90th year of operation, the carrier numbered its Honolulu to Boston flight HA90.

Delta to add Airbus A330 to Puerto Rico route

Airbus A330 Photo Delta

US mega-carrier, Delta is planning to capitalise on the extra holiday demand on its Atlanta - San Juan route by upgauging the aircraft on one of its four daily flights to an Airbus A330-300.

 “From Thanksgiving through the winter season, visitors flock to Puerto Rico to experience its vibrant culture, biodiversity, gastronomy and hospitality. These flights connect those customers to the vast number of holiday festivities, which culminate with the San Sebastian Street Festival,” said Agustin Durand, Delta’s general manager – Central America and the Caribbean.”

Delta plans to put the bigger Airbus A330-300 to work on flight DL559  which flies daily departing at 0940 between 21st December and 31st March 2020.  The A330-300 is configured with 293 seats, spread over 34 seats in First Class, 40 Comfort + seats, and 219 Main Cabin seats.

Brussels Airlines opens a “boutique hotel in the air”

Brussels Airlines reveals a brand new travel experience onboard its long-haul aircraft. By investing 10 million euro per aircraft in a completely new Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class the airline wants to offer a personal experience, recreating a boutique hotel feel at 30,000 feet. The interior was designed in collaboration with JPA Design.

Brussels Airlines aims to make the journey as important as the destination. With three new highly differentiated classes with quality products and the typical Belgian hospitality, the airline calls its newly introduced and retrofitted  A330 aircraft “a boutique hotel in the air”, offering the same small scale personal experience as one finds in a boutique hotel. To translate its boutique aspirations into reality, Brussels Airlines has worked with JPA Design to design the brand new Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class.

The Belgian touch

Premium-quality material such as wood and leather have always been important when it comes to Belgian design. Belgian Art Nouveau and Victor Horta were the inspiration for the new A330 cabin interior. The dome light of the ceiling in the boarding area features an elegant Art Nouveau design. All seats feature rich 3D textured fabric, inspired by famous Belgian designers like Dries Van Noten.

As culinary excellence is key to Belgians, Brussels Airlines teams up with a Belgian Star Chef every year to design the Business Class menu’s on its long-haul flights. With its new cabin, the airline also brings the Belgian beer and bar culture to the sky, by including a self-service bar in its aircraft and offering a varying choice of 8 famous Belgian beers to all guests. Next, to that, Belgian wines, coffee and premium Belgian chocolates from Neuhaus are personally served by the airline’s warm and friendly crew.

Due to growing demand Singapore Airlines adds third daily service to Osaka

One of the World's most popular air carriers, Singapore Airlines confirmed recently that it would be adding a third daily service to Osaka’s Kansai International Airport from April 2019. The third flight is to meet the growing demand for travel between Singapore and Japan.

SIA already operates two flights per day on the popular Singapore-Osaka route, and the third will be introduced with effect from 27 April 2019. Airbus A330-300 aircraft will be operated, adding nearly 2,000 seats per week in each direction.

Flight SQ620 will depart Singapore at 0830hrs and arrive at Osaka at 1610hrs. The return flight will operate as SQ621, departing Osaka at 1725hrs and arriving in Singapore at 2305hrs.

In addition to Osaka, Singapore Airlines operates six daily services to Tokyo (Haneda and Narita airports), as well as daily services to both Fukuoka and Nagoya. Regional subsidiary SilkAir operates thrice-weekly services to Hiroshima, while low-cost subsidiary Scoot operates 11 weekly flights to Osaka, four weekly flights to Sapporo and 19 weekly flights to Tokyo Narita. With SIA’s third daily service to Osaka, the SIA Group will operate a combined 114 weekly flights between Singapore and Japan.

The new flights are subject to regulatory approvals. 

First Airbus A330 MRTT delivered to The Republic of Korea Air Force

Photo Airbus

The first Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft for The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has now been delivered.   

The new-generation A330 MRTT extends the endurance and range of  The Republic of Korea Air Force’s fighter aircraft and provides the service with strategic transport capability for passengers and freight.

In South Korean service the A330 MRTT will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, be equipped with the Airbus Refuelling Boom System, and can be configured in a variety of layouts to carry passengers and freight or for medevac purposes.

Photo Airbus - Pablo CABELLOS

Finnair increases capacity to London for summer 2019

Finnair increases capacity to London for summer 2019 with 

a second wide-body aircraft upgauge 

and a new daily frequency

One of the leading and most respected European airlines, Finnair, will be adding capacity on its route between Helsinki and London Heathrow for the summer season 2019. From the end of March, the carrier will add a new daily frequency to and from Heathrow, operated with an A320 family aircraft. Providing good connection opportunities from London with Finnair’s oneworld partners, the new flight will leave Helsinki at 11:40 and the return flight from London will depart at 13:50.   

The economy cabin of A330

In addition, Finnair will further increase its capacity on the London route by upgauging the 16:00 flight between Helsinki and London, as well as the 18:10 flight from London to Helsinki, with an Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft. The change will provide more than 50 additional seats per flight compared to the current A321 narrow-body aircraft. Finnair currently flies an Airbus A350 aircraft daily for the first flight leaving Helsinki in the morning and for the return flight from London. Customers travelling from London via Helsinki to Finnair’s Asian destinations can now have a seamless business class experience with full-flat seats on their way to Asia and back. 

TAP Air Portugal to add a third new US. route for 2019.................Lisbon - San Francisco 5 times a week

TAP Air Portugal will fly five weekly nonstop round-trips, year-round, between San Francisco and Lisbon from June next year.  San Francisco International Airport (SFO) will become the airline’s eighth North American gateway and the only one on the west coast.  Last month TAP announced new routes to Lisbon from Chicago O’Hare and Washington-Dulles, also starting in June.

The SFO flights will operate Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, from June 10, departing SFO on at 4:10pm, and arriving in Lisbon at 11:25am the following morning.  Returning flights leave Lisbon at 10am, arriving into SFO at 2:40pm.  Economy fares from SFO to Lisbon start at just $380 one way, all-inclusive of taxes, or from $800 round-trip.

“We’re excited to keep adding new cities from the USA to Portugal,” said David Neeleman, founder of JetBlue Airways and a major shareholder in TAP. “Despite being a 73-year old airline, this year TAP is one of the world’s top 10 fastest growing airlines.  As Portugal has become a more popular destination, US travellers have not only found out about Portugal but also about flying TAP beyond Lisbon to our 70+ destinations across Europe and Africa.”

"We are proud that TAP Air Portugal has selected SFO for its growth plans on the United States West Coast," said Airport Director Ivar C. Satero. "We share TAP Air Portugal's passion for making air travel an enjoyable experience, and travellers in the San Francisco Bay Area can look forward to an easy and economical new way to travel to Portugal and beyond."

Cathay Pacific to start new Japanese route...................Komatsu coming soon

Cathay Pacific says that 3rd Aril 2019 will be the date to say "konnichiwa" to Komatsu when the company starts its new route to Japan.

The route is scheduled to operate on a seasonal basis running from 3rd April 2019 until 26th October and is scheduled to fly twice each week on Airbus A330 Cathay Dragon aircraft. The flights will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays with a proposed departure time of 0945 from Hong Kong, landing in Komatsu at 1455. The return sector has a departure timed to leave at 1630 and land back in Hong Kong at 2000.

Komatsu, in Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture, is considered to be ideal gateway to the historic Hokuriku region and the perfect entry point for those wishing to explore the historic attractions, the mountainous landscapes, the wild coastlines. The area is rapidly growing in popularity from both regional and international tourists, with many hot-spots that border the Sea of Japan.

If good things come in threes, then travelling to Japan's historic Hokuriku region, along the country's central west coast, should exceed all expectations. From the country's third holiest mountain, Mount Haku, to historic Kanazawa's pristinely kept Kenrokuen gardens, considered one of Japan's three most beautiful, you'll uncover a wealth of heritage and scenic splendours across the region's three attractive prefectures – Ishikawa, Toyama, and Fukui.

China Southern Airlines to launch first service between Los Angeles To Shenyang, China

China Southern Airlines to launch Los Angeles To Shenyang, China service.

On December 18th, 2018, China Southern Airlines will be starting a new non-stop service from Los Angeles to Shenyang, China. The service will be operated with Airbus A330-300 aircraft and scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It will directly connect the US west coast and the northeast corner of China. 

Shenyang was China's first capital from 1625 until 1644, and was the home to the former Imperial Palace, A UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. In 2008, during the Summer Olympic Games, Shenyang hosted soccer matches at the Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium. It is now the fourth largest city in the in China and according to Hou Ming, Head of China Southern Airlines North America, "The new Los Angeles flights will serve to strengthen and open new opportunities for economic, cultural and trade exchanges between the two countries,".

The schedule for the new service as follows, 

Finnair forced to wet-lease Air Italy A330 to cover Miami and Chicago routes

One of the leading European airlines, Finnair has confirmed it will be wet-leasing an Airbus A330 aircraft from Air Italy for its Chicago and Miami routes for a limited period of time.

The short period is estimated to be from 12th October until 31st October and Finnair is having to hire in the Air Italy aircraft as one of its own long-haul aircraft was damaged at Chicago airport on 25th September when a high loader accidentally hit it. 

In order to continue to operate the Chicago and Miami routes the airline has had to wet-lease in the A330 from Air Italy, while the damaged aircraft gets repaired.  "The aircraft damage in Chicago was very unfortunate. With high-quality wet lease from Air Italy, we can continue operating our Chicago and Miami flights and offer our customers a smooth travel experience regardless of the aircraft change," says Jaakko Schildt, Chief Operating Officer, Finnair.

New route to Dallas Fort Worth for Air France from Paris

Air France has announced new international service between its main hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport and Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport.  The airline will operate up to five weekly flights beginning 31st March 2019, utilising Airbus A330 aircraft on the direct route.

"We're pleased to welcome Air France back to DFW Airport and bring more international flight service to the Dallas Fort Worth region," said Sean Donohue, chief executive officer at DFW Airport. "The new flights from Air France offer customers another convenient way to get to Europe for business connections or tourism."

Singapore receives first A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport

Airbus has delivered Singapore Air Force’s first A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). The aircraft made its first official public appearance on Saturday 1 September 2018 at the RSAF’s 50th-anniversary parade.

The new-generation A330 MRTT extends the endurance of the RSAF’s fighter aircraft and ensures the service’s continued capability to provide air-to-air refuelling support.

It also provides the RSAF with greater cargo and passenger transport capabilities and enhances its ability to contribute to international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) and peace support operations.

Poor preflight checks caused Malaysia Airlines flight to depart with covered pitot tubes.

A Malaysian Airlines Airbus A330 departed Brisbane Airport in Australia at 23.18 on the 18th of July this year, yet as the aircraft climbed away from the airport, the crew couldn't tell how fast the aircraft was going.

The flight deck crew were alarmed and declared a 'Pan Pan Pan' alert advising air traffic control that they had an issue. It appeared to them that all the airspeed indicators had failed during the take-off phase of the flight. The crew decided to return to Brisbane airport but first jettisoned some fuel to lighten the aircraft to a safe landing weight.

There were 226 passengers on the aircraft, 9M-MTK, who had been hoping to go to Kuala Lumpur as scheduled but were told they were returning to Brisbane. The aircraft made a safe, but heavy fast landing at Brisbane and passengers were able to disembark the aircraft.

New A330-300 for Tianjin Airlines and Hainan Airlines

News from Haikou, China is that Hainan Airlines are all set to take delivery of an Airbus A330-300 aircraft by the end this month and is the 18th new A330-300 to join the carriers fleet.

This is the first new aircraft to be introduced by Hainan Airlines this year and is configured with 303 seats, there are 279 in the economy class cabin while 24 are positioned in the business class cabin. All the business class seats feature herringbone arrangement that allows passengers to enjoy lie-flat beds, increased privacy and direct aisle access.   All seats also include a USB slot, 110v power supply as well as an entertainment system. 

Sister airline, Tianjin Airlines is also getting its hands on a brand new A330-300 aircraft direct from Airbus at Toulouse today, which will initially serve the Tianjin to Tokyo and Osaka routes as well as planning flights from Tianjin, Xi'an, Chongqing to London, Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland. 

New Hi Fly A330 takes its First Flight

The second brand new Airbus A330 from the Hi Fly direct order has successfully completed its first flights in Toulouse last week and looks all set for an on time for an expected delivery in late July.

The flight program included testing the aircraft for stability and controllability and checking the efficiency of the onboard equipment in all extreme configurations.

The aircraft has now successfully completed the PATM (Production Aircraft Test Manual) - the basis for the Certificate of Airworthiness and is today ready and technically certified to fly the globe.

Nepal Airlines takes delivery of its first widebody aircraft, an Airbus A330

Nepal Airlines has taken delivery of the first of two A330s, which it will lease from the wide-body lease specialists, Hi-Fly. These will be in addition to its two existing A320ceos, and will be one of the largest aircraft operating out of Tribhuvan International Airport.  Situated at high altitude, only the most sophisticated of aircraft are capable of operating from this location, which is Nepal’s gateway to destinations in the rest of Asia and beyond.  

The A330 is the most popular widebody aircraft ever, having won over 1,700 orders from 119 customers worldwide. Today, over 1,300 A330s are in service with 124 airlines, flying on everything from high density domestic and regional operations to long-range intercontinental routes.