United Airlines resumes Washington Dulles - Dublin route

                                               

United Airlines Boeing 757-200

United Airlines has resumed operations on the Washington Dulles to Dublin route effective from 22 February operating four times weekly with Boeing 757-200 equipment.

The aircraft N14118 Boeing 757-224 MSN 27560 positioned Newark to Washington Dulles as UAL2755 to operate UAL126 to Dublin.

On 3rd December the carrier announced an order to purchase 50 new Airbus A321XLR aircraft, enabling the carrier to begin replacing and retiring its existing fleet of Boeing 757-200 aircraft and further meet the airline's operational needs by pairing the optimal aircraft with select transatlantic routes.

United expects to introduce the A321XLR into international service in 2024, will also allow United to explore serving additional destinations in Europe from its East Coast Newark/New York and Washington Dulles hubs.

United VP and chief commercial officer Andrew Nocella said "The new Airbus A321XLR aircraft is an ideal one-for-one replacement for the older, less-efficient aircraft currently operating between some of the most vital cities in our intercontinental network.  In addition to strengthening our ability to fly more efficiently, the A321XLR's range capabilities open potential new destinations to further develop our route network and provide customers with more options to travel the globe."

According to United’s October 2019 investor update, the airline is already in the process of retiring its 757 fleet, as it has already retired three of that aircraft type since the beginning of the year with another 73 still in service.

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 29th February 2020 All Rights Reserved.

Private Sky Ireland's largest business jet operator adds Global 5000 to growing fleet

                                                 

EI-IIN Credit Irish Business Aviation Association 

Airlink Airways Ltd trading as Private Sky Ireland has added a Bombardier Global 5000 to its VIP & Executive Charter Fleet. The aircraft MSN 9445 registered EI-IIN callsign 'HYR95V' formerly VP-CKM was delivered Guernsey to Shannon on 26th February.

Today (Saturday 29 February) the aircraft departed Shannon to its new Moscow Vnukovo base.

Private Sky Director David Scully said "This Global 5000 addition to the AOC is an important & exciting step for us. The addition of this aircraft provides our customers with the ultimate long-range capability. It will be strategically located to serve customers in Eastern as well as Western Europe".

Private Sky operates from bases in Belfast City, Dublin Airport, London Stansted and Moscow Vnukovo, Shannon Airport operating and managing a fleet of Airbus A319CJ, Bombardier Challenger 850, Cessna 560XLs, Embraer Legacy 650, Global 5000, Global 6000, Global XRS, Gulfstream G450, Learjet 60s.

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 29th February 2020 All Rights Reserved.

Laudamotion adds 25th Airbus A320-200

                                                 

Laudamotion Airbus A320-200

Laudamotion (Lauda) has taken delivery of its 25th Airbus A320-200 OE-LMJ according to German aviation website Skyliner Aviation formerly operated by Philippine Airlines as RP-C8618.

The aircraft was delivered 28-29th February Manila-Clark International-Bandaranaike International-Muscat International-Cairo International to its new home base in Vienna.

According to Planespotters the aircraft is leased is from GECAS.

In Summer 2020 the carrier's fleet is planned to grow to 38 Airbus A320 aircraft read here

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 29 February 2020 All Rights Reserved.

Academy of Aviation (AOA) reports 2019 busiest year

                                                 

Image Courtesy of Academy of Aviation (AOA)

The Academy of Aviation (AOA) have stated that 2019 was their busiest year to date, with more students than ever taking their highly successful induction courses at their dedicated training facility next to Dublin Airport located at Clarton Hotel.

Academy of Aviation founder Ruth Thewlis says “Our specially constructed 4 -day induction courses are proving to be our most requested courses. They are designed to assist individuals get their first step on the aviation career ladder. We place a considerable emphasis on mentoring our students, giving them insight into their chosen pathway & guidance on application to the many airlines, airports ground handling service providers with which we work closely. We don’t exceed 12 on our courses and deliver all training at our bespoke training facility which allows for excellent communication between tutor and student”

The training facility includes an on-site simulated Airbus A320 cabin mock-up for a hands-on, interactive & practical approach to give students and mock-up check-in desks as well as Aircraft Safety Equipment Training Zone.

• AOA most popular Induction Courses include:
•  Airport Passenger Services Induction (Including Check In)
•  Cabin Crew Induction
•  Ramp Services Induction (Baggage Handling)
•  Flight Despatcher Induction

Later this year AOA plan to add Aircraft Marshaller and Ground Handlers Induction Course to their syllabus.

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 22 February 2020 All Rights Reserved

Moldavian Start-Up carrier HiSky to launch Chisinau-Dublin route

                                                 

Image credit HiSky 

A new Moldavian Start-Up carrier HiSky founded by private investors is to launch a twice weekly service from Chisinau to Dublin on Wednesdays and Saturdays effective 11th April in partnership with the Romanian airline Cobrex Trans using Airbus A320-200 aircraft.

The service 4H401 departs Chisinau at 2020 arriving into Dublin at 2210 and 4H402 departs Dublin at 0010 arriving Chisinau at 0530.

Currently Air Moldva and FlyOne operate on Chisinau to Dublin route. 

HiSky company offers four service packages basic, classic, premium and premium plus with passengers having a free snack and drink onboard.

General Director of HiSky Company Mr. Iulian Scorpa said "The company aims to import and to implement, here, in Moldova, on the Western culture example, the best approach of service related to aviation field. We intend to develop constantly, taking into consideration of course the needs of our passengers related to the most popular destinations, new attractive offers, etc".

Commercial Director Cobrex Trans Mihaela Apavaloaie said "It’s not the first time we collaborate with the team that today is in charge of HiSky company, that’s why we created a partnership based on mutual trust. Our primary interest is to offer a high level of service, analogous to prices usually offered by low cost companies. We want our passengers to feel safe and comfortable when travelling with us. I also consider our collaboration with Hisky team fruitful for both companies, and what is really important are the passengers and services offered to them".

The carrier plans to launch routes to Bologna, Dusseldorf, Dublin, London Stansted, Paris Beauvais and Lisbon using two Airbus A320-200 aircraft operated by Cobrex Trans in 180 single class economy configuration pending receiving its own AOC.

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 22 February 2020 All Rights Reserved

First Air France Airbus A380-800 retires to Ireland West Airport Knock

                                               

Image courtesy of Ireland West Airport Knock

On July 30, 2019, the Air France-KLM  Group announced the progressive early phase-out of the Airbus A380 aircraft from the Air France fleet through to the end of 2022. The first of up to four ex-Air France Airbus A380-800s has been positioned into Ireland West Airport for storage, signalling the start of the airline's A380 fleet retirement process.

The aircraft F-HPJB touched down in Ireland West Airport at 1612 local on Thursday 20 February 2020 in all white colours from Dresden, Germany creating history becoming the largest aircraft type to land at the airport. F-HPJB was painted all white in Malta from 23 November to 13 December before returning briefly to the Air France fleet. It completed its last flight AFR11V on 31st December 2019 flying from Shanghai to Paris CDG arriving 0535 local.

On 2nd January the aircraft positioned Paris CDG to Dresden as AFR370V where it was returned to its lessor, the Dr. Peters Group.  Then return to lessor test flights were completed on 2nd/3rd of January out of Dresden before positioning to Leipzig on 10th February for a short test flight.

In an interview with Airline Ratings November 2019 the Air France CEO Anne Rigail reportedly said " I don’t know if anyone would have been able to forecast it at the time, but the A350 and the Dreamliner just made the A380 totally obsolete, too expensive, too big. Operationally it has always been a very difficult aircraft, you need specific ramp equipment, you need to rebuild runways and taxiways, you need special boarding ramps. I say this because I was working at our CDG hub when the A380 arrived – operationally it has always been problematic. Because you even need special training for everyone on the ramp, I have never seen this before."

But when the A380 came to Air France in 2009, it replaced two aircraft types, so on the cost side, it wasn’t too bad. Since the efficiency of the A350 and the 787 is the same, but with less capacity and more flexibility, you can put them on any route. So, of course, the A380 is no longer useful. And we have all kinds of problems with it – related to the structure, the engines. And not only now when the aircraft get older – it has always been difficult with the A380.

But when you look at the overall investment when you add the refurbishment and the heavy maintenance checks due soon, the cost is so high that we think it’s better to renew the fleet. It is just more beneficial for the years to come to have new generation aircraft. I think the A380 is just outdated now",

Announcing its full year results on 20th February Air France-KLM Group said it will take a charge of €126 million in 2019 for the early phase-out of the A380 aircraft from the Air France fleet. Adding The difference between the initial depreciation plan, i.e. an expected 20-year operational life for this type of aircraft and the accelerated depreciation following the early phase-out, amounting to €52 million.

Depreciation slopes have been revised so that the net book value as of the date of the aircraft’s phase-out converges with the estimated realizable value. - Impairment of fleet related assets for €74 million (including notably cabin retrofit projects, penalties on contracts and spare parts).

At this stage, the impact of this decision is estimated at around € (370) million, mainly due to the acceleration in the depreciation of the aircraft. The impact of the change in depreciation slopes will be spread over the period through to 2022, consistent with the retirement timetable for the aircraft.

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 22 February 2020 All Rights Reserved

Acumen Aviation and CMS Business School Sign Co-Operation Agreement

Acumen Aviation and CMS Business School Sign Co-Operation Agreement: http://bit.ly/32g6u3t

Irish Commercial Aircraft Update 17 February

Irish Commercial Aircraft Update 17 February: http://bit.ly/2Sx35Km

Irish Aircraft Leasing Newsletter 17 February

Irish Aircraft Leasing Newsletter 17 February: http://bit.ly/39S4uRR

Irish Aircraft Leasing Newsletter 10 February

Irish Aircraft Leasing Newsletter 10 February: http://bit.ly/2OFatkM

Irish Commercial Aircraft Update 10 February

Irish Commercial Aircraft Update 10 February: http://bit.ly/37eUikD 

Northern Ireland looks to grow air connectivity

                                                 

Belfast City Airport 

On the 9th January it was announced a deal to restore devolved government in Northern Ireland had been reached between the political parties. The deal, entitled "New Decade, New Approach".

Annex B of New Decade, New Approach outlines Irish Government Commitments to improving North-South air connectivity working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK Government adding "The Irish Government also intends to take forward a review of the potential for Government support to renewed viable air routes from Cork to Belfast and Dublin to Derry, working with the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive to deliver improved connections as a priority".

Interestingly no reference was made to re-establish air connectivity with North America following the closure of routes from Belfast International to New York and Boston post withdrawal of Norwegian Airlines and United Airlines given significant US investment in North America.

On 3rd February UK Aviation Minister, Paul Maynard MP visited Belfast International Airport and City of Derry Airport as Regional Air Connectivity Review. Subsequently the importance of regional air connectivity and the unfair burden of Air Passenger Duty (APD) were items on the agenda.

Belfast International Managing Director, Graham Keddie said "We welcome the government’s current review of both regional air connectivity and Air Passenger Duty (APD).  We again made the case for the removal of APD on short-haul routes, we stressed the importance of direct, reliable, frequent services to the main GB markets for the growth of our economy and the continued development of the local tourism sector.  If the domestic share of APD was eliminated, it would give this airport, and the Northern Ireland region, the biggest economic boost".

CoDA Board Member Albert Harrison said "City of Derry Airport plays an integral role in making Derry-Londonderry and the wider North West City Region a more attractive and competitive proposition for inward investors as well as the development and growth of the region’s tourism potential, whilst also delivering economic and social benefits to local communities and the North-West region as a whole".

Niall Gibbons, chief executive of Tourism Ireland, said direct and competitive air services are “Critical to achieving growth in inbound tourism”.

Mr Gibbons said Tourism Ireland was committed to working with all airports to attract new carriers and services to the North and believed its policy of targeted marketing campaigns overseas would help drive demand for new air routes in and out of Northern Ireland.

In the medium to long-term it remains to been seen if Air Passenger Duty (APD) will be reduced to zero to enable Northern Ireland compete Ireland on equal competitive terms or if the Northern Ireland Executive will re-establish the Northern Ireland Route Development Fund to underpin existing routes and create new growth opportunities.

Aer Lingus and Flybe have Belfast City bases and Easyjet and Jet2 Belfast International bases.

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 15 February 2020 All Rights Reserved.

Cityjet Ends Sukhoi SSJ100 Operations

                                                 

Cityjet Sukhoi SSJ100 aircraft stored Shannon Airport 

Irish ACMI/Wet-lease specialist Cityjet has ended operational involvement with the Sukhoi SSJ100 following the departure of EI-FWF (MSN 95118) from Shannon Airport to Belgrade on 13 February. The four pervoius SSJ100s departed the over proceeding months to Belgrade and Venice respectively. 

According to NLSPOT Spotters List November 19 EI-FWB (MSN 95108) was ferried Shannon to Belgrade under the ownership of Superjet International.

Two of the aircraft EI-FWB (MSN 95108) and EI-FWD (MSN 95105) where ferried from Shannon to Belgrade. JAT Tehnika became Europe’s first maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) to win approval for the line and base maintenance of the Superjet 100 (SSJ100) aircraft, having secured EASA Part 145 approval for the type on 12 November. 

One aircraft EI-FWA (MSN 95102) departed to Venice to Superjet International where the manufacture has located a completion and delivery centre and acording to Planespotters.net the aircraft was re-registered as 9H-SJA to Seraph Aviation. 

EI-FWA Sukhoi SSJ100-95B (MSN 95102) CityJet arrived from Dublin 27 February 2019  in basic colours with titles removed and departed to Venice on 1st November 2019. 

EI-FWB Sukhoi SSJ100-95B (MSN 95108) CityJet arrived from Dublin 22 March 2019 in basic colours with titles removed and departed Shannon to Belgrade on 26th November 2019. According to Planespotters.net the aircraft was re-registered as 9H-SJB to Seraph Aviation. 

EI-FWD Sukhoi SSJ100-95B (MSN 95105) arrived from Brussels 3 December 2018 in Brussels Airlines colours on return to Cityjet and departed Shannon to Belgrade on 13th December 2019. According to Planespotters.net the aircraft was re-registered as 9H-SJD to Seraph Aviation. 

EI-FWE Sukhoi SSJ100-95B (MSN  95117) arrived from Dublin 14 December 2018 in basic Brussels Airlines colours after return to Cityjet departed to Belgrade 22 January 2020. According to Planespotters.net the aircraft was re-registered as 9H-SJE to Seraph Aviation. 

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 15 February 2020 All Rights Reserved.

Laudamotion adds 24th Airbus A320-200 aircraft

                                                   

Laudamotion Airbus A320-200

Laudamotion (Lauda) has taken delivery of its 24th Airbus A320-200 OE-LMI according to German aviation website Skyliner Aviation formerly operated by Philippine Airlines as RP-C8616. OE-LMI was previously allocated on Austrian registry to an MD83 operated by Mapjet.

Over 12 and 13th February the aircraft routed Delivered Manila-Clark International-Bandaranaike International-Muscat International-Cairo International to its new home base in Vienna.

According to Planespotters the aircraft is leased is from GECAS.

In Summer 2020 the carrier's fleet is planned to grow to 38 Airbus A320 aircraft read here

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 15 February 2020 All Rights Reserved.

Ryanair's Buzz subsidiary fleet to grow to 50 Boeing 737-800 aircraft in Summer 2020

                                               

Buzz Boeing 737-800

Irish budget carrier Ryanair announced in FY2020Q3 results the carrier is to scale up its Polish  based subsidiary Buzz to 50 aircraft in Summer 2020 transferring aircraft from Dublin based Ryanair DAC.

Buzz, is a standalone business unit of the Ryanair Group operating both scheduled and charter flights headquartered at Warsaw operating on a Polish Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC). Buzz will launch its own website and app in due course.

The airline currently operates a fleet of 32 Boeing 737-800s with bases in Budapest, Gdansk, Krakow, Ponzan, Prague, Sofia, Wroclaw and Warsaw Modlin.  Ryanair stated 7 aircraft will be allocated Buzz's charter operations and 43 aircraft to scheduled services.

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 9 February 2020 All Rights Reserved.

Ryanair to scale up Malta based subsidiary Malta Air to 120 Boeing 737-800 fleet

                                               

Ryanair Boeing 737-800's Frankfurt Main 

Irish budget carrier Ryanair announced in FY2020Q3 results the carrier is to scale up its Malta based subsidiary to 120 aircraft in Summer 2020 transferring aircraft from Dublin based Ryanair DAC.

Malta Air currently operates a fleet of 76 Boeing 737-800 aircraft transferred from parent Ryanair DAC according to Planespotters.net . Ryanair based aircraft from France, Germany and Italy onto the Malta AOC which will allow these crews to pay their income taxes locally in France, Germany, Italy and Malta bases instead of Ireland where they are currently required to pay income taxes under Ryanair’s Irish AOC.

In Summer 2020 Malta Air will base four Boeing 737-800 in Vienna airport to operate on behalf of Laudamotion. According to Ryanair the six aircraft based in Malta (10 in Summer 2021) are to re-branded in Malta Air colours.

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 9 February 2020 All Rights Reserved.

Ryanair's Laudamotion fleet to grow to 38 Airbus A320's in Summer 2020

                                                 

Laudamotion Airbus A320

Irish budget carrier Ryanair announced in FY2020Q3 results the carrier is to scale up its Vienna based fully owned subsidiary Laudamotion Airbus A320 fleet from 23 to 38 aircraft in Summer 2020 with the aircraft significantly increasing capacity at its main Vienna base and the launch of the new Zadar base.

In summer 2020 Laudamotion is significantly expanding it's Irish footrpint for Summer 2020 increasing Dublin to Vienna frequency to 11 Weekly and is to operate Zadar-Dublin weekly for Ryanair and is launching a new route from Vienna to Shannon twice weekly.

Laudamotion GmbH is based in Vienna with bases in Dusseldorf, Palma, Stuttgart with a fleet of 23 Airbus A320 aircraft.

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 9 February 2020 All Rights Reserved.

Irish Aviation Events Calendar 2020

Pilot Careers Live - Dublin 7th March Croke Park
For Details Visit: https://www.pilotcareernews.com/live/dublin/

AeroPodium 9th Annual Aircraft Records 25th March
For Details Visit: http://www.aeropodium.com/aircraftrecords.html

CAPA Airline Leader Summit: Making Money 2020 1-2nd April
For Details Visit: https://ait20.capaevents.com/

European Aviation Wellbeing Conference 23 April
For Details Visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/european-aviation-wellbeing-conference-tickets-87676297165

Dublin Aviation Summit 12-13th May
For Details Visit: http://dublinaviationsummit.com/

AeroPodium 2nd Annual Engine Leasing and Management 15th May
For Details Visit: http://www.aeropodium.com/engine.html

Future Travel Experience 3-4 June 
For Details Visit: https://www.futuretravelexperience.com/fte-emea/

Private Flyer Dublin Weston Airport 3-4th July
For Details Visit: https://www.privateflyershow.com/ireland/

Alcock and Brown Festival 2020 12-14th July
For Details Visit: https://alcockandbrown100.com/

SunExpress appoints AVIAREPS as GSA for Ireland

                                                 

Image courtesy of SunExpress 

AVIAREPS has been appointed General Sales Agent (GSA) in Ireland by SunExpress, a joint venture of Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa.

The expanded partnership between the airline and AVIAREPS will help further grow their international footprint in Europe and strengthen their presence in Ireland, where they operate up to 2 flights per week from Dublin to Izmir in Summer 2020, operated by Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The service will initially operate weekly on Saturdays from 4th April increasing to twice weekly for summer peak season from June to September before reducing back to weekly service to 7th November.

This appointment now makes AVIAREPS responsible for the airline’s sales and promotions activities in a total of 14 European markets, including Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

As a holiday specialist, SunExpress has been offering non-stop services between Europe and Turkey, as well as to popular holiday destinations on the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, North Africa and the Red Sea coasts for 30 years. Last year, SunExpress operated the largest fleet in its history, with 84 aircraft serving 90 destinations in 30 countries.

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 2 February 2020 All Rights Reserved.

Emirates celebrates eight years of operation of Dublin-Dubai route

                                                 

Emirates Airlines Boeing 777-31H(ER) 

Gulf global connector carrier Emirates Airlines is celebrating eight years of operation in Ireland on its Dublin - Dubai route.

Emirates’ inaugural Airbus A330-200 flight on the route took off on 9th January 2012 and in the eight years since, the airline has gone from strength to strength in the Irish market increasing to a double daily Boeing 777-31H(ER) service.

The Dubai based airline carries up to 22,000 passengers, each month and each way between Dublin and Dubai.  From Dubai, Emirates connects passengers to more than 150 global destinations.

Emirates recently announced its 2019 passenger figures for Ireland. And, with more than 448,000 people flying with the airline to and from Dublin last year, country manager for Emirates in Ireland, Enda Corneille confirmed that almost three million passengers had travelled the route in the eight years since launch.

Emirates Airlines Country Manager Enda Corneille said "It’s an incredible milestone as we prepare to celebrate our three millionth passenger while simultaneously experiencing year-on-year growth for the increasingly popular Dublin to Dubai route.  With two direct flights daily, a flight time of around seven hours and year-round sunshine, Dubai has established itself as an accessible and exciting destination for holidaymakers from Ireland, and I believe that this is a trend that is set to continue."
“Asia by far dominates the bucket list for people to visit and explore. We’ve seen this trend since our initial launch in 2012, with destinations such as Thailand and Bali always being the top choices.

However, in today’s technological climate, people have instant access to a number of picturesque destinations that may not have been on their radar previously, and are curious to discover more. More and more people are looking at sought after destinations such as the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, where they can experience a unique blend of culture, food, traditions, culture and sights.”

The cariers plays an important role supporting the Irish export market, transporting up to 50 tonnes of cargo from Dublin every day of the week including Irish seafood, chocolates and beef.

The airline carries a number of Irish products for passengers to enjoy including Jameson, Bailey’s, VOYA beauty products and Killowen Yogurt, ensuring there’s a little flavour of Ireland heading east every day on its twice daily Boeing 777-300(ER) service.

The airline is currently gearing up for Expo2020, the largest event ever to be staged in the Arab World. Taking place in Dubai, the world’s greatest show will run from October 2020 to April 2021 and feature a packed programme of live events, parades, music and cultural festivals, inspiring talks and workshops, dining concepts and a sneak preview from Emirates on the future of aviation.  With 192 participating countries, including Ireland, 25 million international guests are expected to visit Dubai over the course of the Expo2020 festival.

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 2 February 2020 All Rights Reserved.