FleetWatch

Fleet Plan News: Rwandair receives first Next Generation 737

Fleetwatch Administrator — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:23:02 GMT

The Rwandan flag carrier took delivery in Seattle of its first ever brand new aircraft on 25 August 2011, in the form of the first of two new Boeing 737-800s (reg 9XR-WF, serial 40892). RwandAir became the first African carrier to take delivery of a Boeing 737 fitted with Boeing's latest Sky Interior, which was configured for 16 Business Class and 138 Economy Class seats. The second aircraft (9XR-WG / 40893) is expected before the end of 2011. Operating from its Kigali hub, RwandAir's fleet includes two leased Boeing 737-500s, two owned Bombardier CRJ200LRs and a wet-leased Bombardier Dash 8-100. The carrier serves most of East Africa’s capital cities with daily flights as well as Brazzaville, Dubai, Johannesburg and Libreville. The company's ambitious fleet plans call for a doubling of the fleet to 12 aircraft over the next five years, and for 18 aircraft to be in service by 2020. Additional Boeing 737s, are expected, as well as the carrier's first examples of both the ATR72 turboprop and Embraer regional jet (of an as yet unspecified model). More surprsingly, the company is also planning to acquire multiple examples of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Further details are eagerly awaited!

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Fleet Plan News: UTair continues expansion with first 737-800s

Fleetwatch Administrator — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:05:29 GMT

The Russian carrier took delivery of the first of four new Boeing 737-800s (reg VQ-BQQ, serial 37552) on 28 May 2011. The second aircraft (reg VQ-BQP, serial 37553) followed on 1 June 2011. These aircraft became the first in Russia and Eastern Europe to feature Boeing's new Sky Interior. These new 737s were originally ordered by Atlant-Soyuz in September 2008. UTair also plans to acquire 5 737-800s previously operated by Atlant-Soyuz. The Moscow-based carrier rebranded as Moskva Airlines in October 2010 but ceased operations due to bankruptcy three months later. UTair will launch 737-800 services on routes from Moscow Vnukovo to Irkutsk, Novosibirsk, Sochi and Surgut. Fast-growing UTair expects to transport more than 7 million passengers in 2011, an increase of 40% on 2010, and made possible by a fleet expansion during the year which, in addition to the 9 Boeing 737-800s, includes 10 Boeing 737-500s, two Boeing 757-200s, 12 ATR42/72s, and three Bombardier CRJ-200s. After making a preliminary commitment for 24 Sukhoi SSJ-100 Superjets in November 2010, the airline is also considering signing a firm order for these aircraft before the end of 2011.

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Fleet Plan News: Ceiba Intercontinental's first 777 takes to the air

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 09:59:44 GMT

The little-known airline from Equatorial Guinea will shortly be taking delivery of its new Boeing 777-200LR (reg 3C-LLS, serial 40668). The General Electric GE90-powered aircraft flew for the first time on 21 May 2011. The aircraft features a new, predominantly grey and white, colour scheme, unlike Ceiba's usual mainly green and white livery. One report suggests that Ceiba will operate the aircraft on behalf of the national government. Ceiba's existing fleet has been acquired since the discovery of oil in 2007 transformed the tiny West African country's economy and allowed it to replace its long-since liquidated predecessor, EGA. The airline already owns and operates two ATR42s and two ATR72s on domestic and west African regional services from Malabo and a single Airbus A300F freighter, wet-leased from MNG Airlines of Turkey, for international charter flights. The airline's website refers to flights to Central America and, soon, to the Middle East.

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Fleet Plan News: Danube Wings to introduce jet service, again, with 737-300

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:01:33 GMT

The Bratislava-based scheduled regional, charter and wet-leasing airline, plans to introduce jet service for a second time on 1 April 2011 when a 149-seat Boeing 737-300 (reg OM-VRD, serial 28333) enters service. The new aircraft, which has been leased from Aircraft Finance Trust, will primarily be used to serve holiday destinations in the Greek Islands, Turkey and North Africa. The carrier, which from launch had operated only ATR72 turboprops, briefly wet-leased a Boeing 737-400 (OK-WGY, serial 25839) from CSA Czech Airlines between December 2009 and February 2010.

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Airline Start-Ups: Confort Airlines launches services with wet-leased ATR72

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 10:56:52 GMT

The Bata, Equatorial Guinea-based airline is reported to have launched services earlier this month using a single ATR72-202 (reg OM-VRC, serial 0307), which has been acquired on a six-month ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) sub-lease from Danube Wings. Contact details for the new carrier, as obtained so far, are:

Confort Airlines,
Avenida del Puerto s/n,
Bata,
Equatorial Guinea

Email: confortairlines@confortairlines
Web: http://www.confortairlines.com

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Start Up Airlines: Asian Wings launches with ATR72s

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 09:48:48 GMT

The independent start-up carrier launched services from Yangon to Heho, Mandalay, Nyaung Oo, Sittwe and Thandwe on 27 January 2011, operating two former Yangon Airways ATR72-212s (reg XY-AIM, serial 479 and XY-AIN, serial 481). Further domestic destinations are expected. Offering both charter and schedules flights, Asian Wings enters an already very competitive domestic market in Myanmar, taking on state-owned Myanmar Airways and privately-owned carriers Air Bagan, Air Mandalay and the soon to be launched Air Kanbawza. Yangon Airways was forced to cease operations by the Myanmar authorities on 3 December 2010 due to its owner's family political connections. Contact details are:

Asian Wings Airways Limited
No.34(A-1), Shwe Taung Gyar Street,
Bahan Township,
Yangon,
Myanmar.

Tel: +951 516654
Fax: +951 527401
Email: mkt.am@asianwingsairways.com
Web: http://www.asianwingsairways.com

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Fleet Plan News: Firefly to introduce jet service with Boeing 737s

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 21:23:44 GMT

The Malaysia Airlines low cost subsidiary, which currently operates eight ATR72-500 turboprops, is shortly expected to receive the first of up to thirty Boeing 737s, which are being transferred to the LCC as part of Malaysia Airlines' plans to hit back at ever increasing domestic and regional low cost competition. Although it was originally thought that only Boeing 737-400s would be transferred to Firefly, the first 737-800 (reg 9M-MLA, serial 30703) has recently been repainted into Firefly colours in preparation for the launch of jet service on 15 January 2010. Firefly is also taking on additional Boeing 737-400s from external sources, the first of which (reg 9M-FZA, serial 27001) is thought to be one of at least two acquired from Aircastle.

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Fleet Plan News: Anadolu Jet introduces turboprop services with wet-leased ATR72s

Fleetwatch Administrator — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 09:49:23 GMT

The Turkish Airlines-owned low-cost subsidiary introduced two ATR72-500s (reg TC-YAB, serial 0588 and TC-YAC / 0701) on domestic routes, four from Istanbul and two from Ankara, on 20 December 2010. The aircraft have been wet-leased from BoraJet. Established in 2008 and perhaps better known for its executive jet charter services, BoraJet was awarded a regional air operations licence from the Turkish civil aviation authority and began regular domestic operations in May 2010 with the first of four ATR72-500s. Turkish Airlines General Manager Temel Kotil indicated this week that if turboprop operations proved successful, the airline would "take 10-12 units" in the future.

Airlines Suspending Operations: Air Mandalay still awaiting authority to resume services

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:16:13 GMT

The carrier was forced to suspend operations on 22 July 2010 when its only remaining serviceable aircraft, an ATR72-212 (reg XY-AIH, serial 0469), went for essential maintenance work. Air Mandalay has however been awaiting permission from the Myanmar Department of Civil Aviation to resume services after acquiring a replacement ATR72-212 (reg EI-CMJ, serial 0467) from Air Contractors of Ireland on 30 August 2010. This aircraft is reported to have languished in Rangoon pending certification by the Myanmar authorities ever since. The delay has been a boon for Air Bagan, which competes with Air Mandalay on domestic services. Air Mandalay's fleet also comprises another ATR72-212 and a single ATR42-320, which were already grounded requiring maintenance prior to the July suspension of services. Both aircraft are reported, however, to have received attention recently and they may be ready to resume services as soon as permission to do so is received from the authorities.

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Airlines Suspending Operations: Yangon Airways denied license renewal

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:01:37 GMT

In what appears to be a Government move against the ownership of the privately-owned carrier (which has family links with one of the country's armed ethnic militias),the Myanmar Department of Civil Aviation was last week reported to have refused to renew the Yangon Airways' operating license. The airline, which has been operating two ATR72-210s since its launch in 1996, has indicated that it had no alternative but to suspend all operations no later than today (3 December 2010). The owner of Myanmar's other privately-owned airline, Air Bagan, is seen to have close ties to the country's ruling military junta.

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Airlines Suspending Operations: LAMIA fails to obtain its AOC

Fleetwatch Administrator — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:03:27 GMT

The proposed Venezuelan start-up airline LAMIA, full name Línea Aérea Merideña Internacional de Aviación, has apparently been unsuccessful in its attempt to obtain an Air Operators Certificate from the Venezuelan authorities. Given the reported level of regional and federal government support for LAMIA, this is something of a surprise. LAMIA operated an inaugural flight on 16 August 2010, using the AOC and an ATR72-500 aircraft (reg EC-KKQ, serial 0763) wet-leased from Spanish charter and ACMI leasing specialist Swiftair. This aircraft returned to Spain last week.

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UTair plans to add additional Boeing 737-400s and CRJ200s

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:10:15 GMT

The fast expanding Siberian airline was the leading Russian carrier of domestic passengers in the first seven months of 2010. While it still has sizeable fleets of Tupolev Tu-154Ms and Tu-134As in service, UTair's fleet expansion centres on adding used western jet equipment. In 2010 it has taken delivery of its first two Boeing 757-200s, in May; while the first leased Boeing 737-400 arrived in July. The 737-400 fleet now numbers three but will have doubled by the end of the year. By the spring of next year the Moscow Vnukovo-based carrier also plans to have increased its fleet of Canadair CRJ-200 regional jets from six to fifteen aircraft. The fleet of ATR42-300 and ATR72-200 turboprops, currently numbering ten and three respectively, is also expected to continue growing. UTair expects to carry more than 4.8 million passengers in 2010, representing a 34 per cent increase on 2009.

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Airline Start Ups: Venezuelan newcomer LAMIA expects to launch services with ATR72s next month

Fleetwatch Administrator — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:11:11 GMT

The airline, full name Línea Aérea Merideña Internacional de Aviación, has been created in a 50:50 joint venture between the Government of the Venezuelan state of Mérida and private interests. LAMIA operated its inaugural flight on 16 August 2010 from the recently re-opened Mérida Airport in the Venezuelan Andes, using an ATR72-500. The aircraft (reg EC-KKQ, serial 0763) is wet-leased from Spanish charter and ACMI leasing specialist Swiftair. LAMIA plans to have six ATR72s in service by the end of the year and anticipates a requirement for twelve of the type. It is thought that at least half of these will be new-build aircraft acquired directly from the manufacturer. From September 2010, LAMIA plans to launch a domestic route between Mérida (IATA:MRD / ICAO:SVMD) and the capital, Caracas. Thereafter, the airline also plans to operate from a second base within Mérida state, at El Vigia (IATA:VIG / ICAO:SVVG), and to serve a domestic network of around ten destinations. Aruba, Bogota, Curacao, Manaus, Medellin and Miami are expected to be among the first International destinations served by LAMIA.

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