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Aviation History
1980
1980 - 1173.PDF
FLIGHT International, 12 April 1980 1121 Air Europe challenges Laker for Miami route AIR EUROPE, the Gatwick-based charter airline, has applied for licences to operate scheduled services on London-Miami. Air Europe wants the right to operate up to eight flights a week all year round, carrying pas sengers, cargo and mail, starting on July 1, 1980. Air Europe is currently a charter-only airline which operates a fleet of Boeing 737s on European in clusive tours. The airline has been planning to buy widebodied equipment for North American charters and will announce a choice of aircraft—either the Boeing 747 or McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30—-before the end of 1980. London-Miami received dual designa tion (allowing two airlines each from the UK and US to operate the route) following revision of the Bermuda 2 bilateral agreement. Laker Airways BOEING is close to selling three 757 single-aisle airliners to Transbrasil, the Sao Paulo-based Brazilian regional airline which operates 16 727s. Trans brasil president Omar Fontana says that financing terms for the deal have not yet been resolved as conditions offered so far by the US Export- Import Bank are "not satisfactory." Any order would have to be approved by the Brazilian Government. Delivery dates for the three aircraft have already been fixed—October and November 1980, and June 1984. If the order is confirmed, Transbrasil will Short hauls ... • The UK Civil Aviation Authority has approved British domestic air fare rises averaging 12^ per cent from April 1. The airlines say that since the fare increase applications were made costs have risen yet further, so there will be more appli cations later this year. • Alitalia's February passenger figures show an increase of 34 per cent over those of the same month last year. • US Congress budget uncertainties threaten to limit appropriation for and British Caledonian applied to operate London - Miami alongside British Airways but B.CAL sub sequently withdrew its application (Flight, March 29, page 972) leaving the field clear for Laker. Air Europe's chief executive, Martin O'Regan, says "the CAA now has a choice between Laker and Air Europe, both Gatwick- based airlines, which must benefit the travelling public." He notes that tour operator Intasun, which is asso ciated with Air Europe, is already heavily involved in the Florida charter market. "Our scheduled services will be linked closely to this traffic and will also serve the businessman. We intend to offer a high standard of inflight service, coupled with reasonable fares." Air Europe's chance of con- become the third 757 customer after British Airways (19 firmly ordered) and Eastern Air Lines (23). An engine choice has not been indicated but it is likely that Transbrasil will choose the Rolls-Royce RB.211-535 rather than the competing General Electric CF6-32. Transbrasil will receive its 757s soon after deliveries start (early 1983). If the GE engine was chosen, the Brazilian airline would become the first CF6-32 customer on Boeing's new narrowbody, and would have to spread certification costs over only three aircraft. Short hauls ... the Export-Import Bank to the 1979 financial year level of $3,750 million, even though the Senate has approved $6,000 million. This is of some con cern to the US aerospace industry, the nation's largest net exporter. At a time when world airline re-equip ment programmes are quickening, the Ex-Im Bank estimates that it will have exhausted 80 per cent of avail able funds by early June. Cheap credit for potential foreign customers would thereafter be in very short supply. vincing the Civil Aviation Authority seems slim, as the CAA's recent Euro pean decision indicates that it takes a cautious—some would say stuffy— view of allowing relatively new car riers on to new routes. The CAA told Air UK that it was not yet ready to take on new European routes (Flight, March 22, page 888). London-Miami dual designation for UK airlines starts on April 14 and Laker's DC-10 fleet is already large enough to start operations at short notice. Air Europe's new widebodies are unlikely to be delivered before the end of 1981 and the airline is cur rently negotiating to lease Boeing 747s or DC-lOs to meet the proposed July start. US dual designation for Miami- London starts in January 1981—a dozen US carriers have applied. Airliner market • Air Europe and Air Florida have entered into an agreement to use each other's Boeing 737-200s in a scheme taking advantage of different peak travel seasons on both sides of the Atlantic. Gatwick-based Air Europe will transfer one new 737 to Air Florida in October for use during the US travel peak on routes to Florida until April 1981. The aircraft will then return to Air Europe, together with an Air Florida 737 for use on charter flights during the European holiday season. Air Europe chief executive Martin O'Regan says that "the addi tion of an extra aircraft will enable us to increase our seat capacity during the summer of 1981, when we will operate seven aircraft, and reduce our commitment in the coming off-peak winter season when four jets will be used." The arrangement is dry lease only and will continue for "several years beyond 1981." • Philippine Airlines has ordered two British Aerospace One-Eleven 500s to add to its 10jstrong fleet. The aircraft have been resold by BAe, and were previously operated by Arkia of Israel and Aviateca of Guatemala. BAe's Hum plant will refurbish the One- Elevens before delivery in July. PAL was approached by Boeing who offered 737s to replace the One-Eleven fleet. The Philippine flag carrier, how ever, elected to stay with the BAe type. • Finnair has sold three of its four remaining Convair 440s to Cosmo politan Commuter Airlines of Farming- dale, New York. The last aircraft may be preserved in the Finnish National Air Museum. Transbrasil negotiates for 757s British airtours British airtours British Airtours, British Airways' charter subsidiary, has received its first Boeing 737. Eight more, laid out with 130 seats, are on order
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