Five new Ryanair routes from Budapest

Ryanair is to open five new routes from Budapest to Birmingham, Bologna, Bristol, Dublin and London Stansted from March 2012.

The airline says these services will deliver 200,000 passengers a year and create up to 200 local jobs at Budapest Airport.

In Budapest, Ryanair’s chief executive Michael O’Leary commented, “Ryanair is pleased to announce five new Budapest routes from March next. Now Hungarian consumers and visitors can beat the recession and escape high fares by switching to Ryanair’s lowest fares and our no fuel surcharge guarantee.”
 

CFM reports record year for orders/commitments in 2011

CFM International has announced that in 2011 it took orders for 1,500 commercial, military and spare CFM56 engines and commitments for 3,056 LEAP engines for a combined value of $51.7 billion at list price – a record year for the company.

CFM says it is also achieving record production rates for the CFM56 family. In 2011, CFM delivered more than 1,300 engines, claimed to be the highest rate in the industry, compared to 1,250 engines built in 2010. CFM’s current plan is to produce more than 1,600 engines per year by 2014.

"2011 was an outstanding year for CFM across the board,” commented Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International. "We are expecting additional A320neo, 737 MAX, and C919 announcements in the next couple of months, so 2012 is already off to a very good start.”
 

Bombardier announces 2011 order and delivery totals

Bombardier Aerospace delivered 245 aircraft in the 11-month fiscal year which ended 31 December 2011, compared with 256 in the previous fiscal year (1 February 2010 to 31 January 2011).

For the 11-month period ended 31 December 2011, Bombardier received 249 aircraft orders, net of cancellations, compared with 201 orders, net of cancellations, for the previous fiscal year. The 11-month long FY2011 was implemented to enable Bombardier to switch its accounting to the calendar year instead of it running from 1 February to 31 January of the following year.

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft fared less well than its Business Aircraft counterpart. In FY2011; 78 commercial aircraft were delivered (33 CRJs and 45 Q400s), compared with 97 (41 CRJs and 56 Q400s) in the previous fiscal year.

During the 11-month period to 31 Dcember 2011, the company received 54 net orders for commercial aircraft, compared with 93 in FY2010. CRJ orders dropped to four in FY2011 from 10 in the previous fiscal year. For the respective periods, Q400 orders fell to seven from 43, while CSeries orders in FY2011 totalled 43, compared with 40 in FY2010.
 

Lumexis launches stand-alone wireless delivery solution

New flight schedules released by Southwest Airlines and AirTran

Southwest Airlines and its wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways have each released flight schedules for the period from 12 August until 28 September 2012.

While the airlines' networks are not yet connected, the carriers say they are working together to publish the best flight schedules to places customers want to go. Each carrier is adding new nonstop routes with this schedule.

Southwest will add three new daily nonstop flights from Atlanta to both Norfolk and Louisville, and two new daily nonstop flights from St Louis to each of New York LaGuardia and San Antonio. AirTran will add two new daily nonstop flights between Akron-Canton and Chicago Midway.

Meanwhile, two daily nonstop flights at Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) will transition from AirTran to Southwest, so that from 12 August the latter will offer 41 flights from Seattle, which will become the first airport to fully convert to Southwest Airlines service.
 

Turkish Airlines offers Panasonic Wi-Fi connectivity

Pinnacle reports December and full 2011 traffic data

Pinnacle Airlines Corporation has released capacity and operational results for its subsidiaries for December 2011 and the full calendar year.

In December 2011, the company generated 631,346,000 revenue passenger miles (RPMs), a decrease of 6.9% compared with the 678,024,000 RPMs in December 2010. Available seat miles (ASMs) for the month numbered 870,984,000, compared with December 2010’d figure of 933,580,000, a 6.7% drop.

The load factor thus fell slightly, by 0.1 percentage points, to 72.5% from 72.6% for the respective periods. The number of passengers carried in December totalled 1,490,694 compared with 1,507,147 the previous December, a 1.1% decrease.

For the whole of 2011, RPMs totalled 8,673,702,000, an increase of 24.9% over 2010’s figure of 6,942,182,000. ASMs increased by 22.0% to 11,589,719,000 in 2011 from 9,438,766,000 in 2010.

The 2011 load factor was 74.8%, an increase of 1.3 pp from 2010’s 73.5%. The number of passengers carried for the respective periods was 20,000,957 and 16,390,620, a 22.0% year-on-year increase.

The large increase in the annual RPM, ASM and passenger figures reflect Pinnacle’s acquisition of Mesaba Aviation on 1 July 2010.
 

AirTran operations to be maintained at 22 airports by Southwest

Southwest Airlines has confirmed its intent to convert services by its wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways at 22 domestic and international airports to Southwest operations over time.

The 22 AirTran airports that will continue to operate and will eventually join the Southwest route map include: Flint, MI (FNT); Rochester, NY (ROC); Pensacola, FL (PNS); Charlotte, NC (CLT); Dayton, OH (DAY); Richmond, VA. (RIC); Key West, FL (EYW); Washington Reagan National, DC (DCA); Memphis, TN (MEM); Akron-Canton, OH (CAK); Wichita, KS (ICT); Des Moines, IA (DSM); Branson, MO (BKG); Portland, ME (PWM); Grand Rapids, MI (GRR); Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ); Cancun, Mexico (CUN); Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ); Aruba (AUA); San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU); Bermuda (BDA); and Nassau, Bahamas (NAS).

AirTran service and employees at these airports are planned to convert to Southwest gradually over the course of AirTran's integration into Southwest. The airlines earlier announced that AirTran will begin serving Mexico City, Mexico (MEX) on 24 May 2012, and San Jose Cabo, Mexico (SJD) on 3 June 2012. Those destinations also will convert to Southwest over time. Of the 69 cities AirTran served when Southwest acquired it on 2 May 2011, 53 cities are planned to convert to full Southwest Airlines service. 

From 12 August, AirTran will cease operations at: Allentown, PA. (ABE); Lexington, KY (LEX); Harrisburg, PA (MDT); Sarasota, FL (SRQ); Huntsville, AL (HSV); and White Plains, NY (HPN).
 

AirAsia optimises operations management with drop of merlot

AirAsia has deployed the first element of airline management system, merlot.aero, which has been implemented to optimise the airline’s aircraft and crew utilisation, making it possible for to improve further its on-time performance and minimise costs, among other benefits.

The first part of this new system, which will manage the real time flight and service information to all of AirAsia’s social media outlets, customers, airports and support services, went live on schedule and is now in use across AirAsia’s global network.

“We have chosen this state-of-the-art operational tool in our quest to offer our guests the best travelling experience,” explained said Bo Lingam, chief operating officer of AirAsia. “With the new system in place, AirAsia will be able to boost the on-time performance of our flights and maximise the use of our aircraft to serve more routes and increase frequency. We’re looking forward to substantial cost savings, which we can pass on to our guests in the form of low fares.”

The system will be used by the entire AirAsia Group throughout the region and by its sister company, AirAsia X. Full implementation of the system is expected to be completed by mid 2012.

AirAsia’s on-time performance for the year to date is 80%. The airline seeks to improve its performance, given its expansion and the planned increase in routes and flight frequencies.
 

Etihad Airways installs inflight connectivity on Airbus aircraft

Goodrich nacelle support for BA CityFlyer E-190s

Goodrich has signed a nacelle services agreement with BA CityFlyer for support of the nacelles and thrust reversers in the airline's fleet of Embraer 190s powered by GE CF34-10 engines.

The five-year Prime Solutions nacelle services agreement will be managed through Goodrich's Prestwick Service Centre in Scotland, which will provide local support to the airline.

Paul Farsetta, vice-president and general manager of Aftermarket Services for Goodrich's Aerostructures business, said the agreement is a vote of confidence in Goodrich services by BA CityFlyer. "This agreement is a good example of how another E-190 operator has recognised the value of securing long-term nacelle services with Goodrich. Our Prestwick service centre is conveniently located in the UK to provide cost and time savings to BA CityFlyer for their nacelle maintenance needs. Our nacelle maintenance, repair and overhaul network has seen consistent growth in providing services locally as more airlines realise the real benefits in time and cost savings, in the transportation of large nacelle components to the service provider."

Prime Solutions is a suite of maintenance services and asset/inventory management programmes that can be fully customised to meet any airline's needs for nacelle maintenance.
 

Manx2 scheduled flights begin at London Oxford Airport in May

From 8 May, London Oxford Airport will welcome daily, year round, scheduled flights to the islands of Jersey and the Isle of Man, when Manx2 makes its debut at the airport.

On Mondays to Saturdays, flights will depart Oxford for Jersey at 12:25 and for the Isle of Man at 15:15, with Sunday times scheduled at 15:30 departure for Jersey, and 18:20 for the Isle of Man.

“This is a terrific start to the New Year for the residents of Oxford and our wider catchment area, with more than five million people residing within an hour’s drive of the airport,” declared Chris Orphanou, the airport’s managing director. “We are delighted to welcome Manx2.com and its regular flights to these two important Crown Dependencies. As Jersey and the Isle of Man no longer have air services to London Heathrow, this service will be a viable alternative for Islanders heading west of London. In addition the new services will benefit the local community with expanded tourism and ancillary revenues. Wealthy creation for the region could be considerable.”

Noel Hayes, chairman of Manx2, remarked, “London Oxford Airport is a very attractive addition to our route network, located halfway between London and the UK’s industrial centre in the Midlands. Since we launched Manx2 six years ago, customers have repeatedly told us that they prefer to use the smaller, easy-to-access regional airports. We are certain they’ll love London Oxford with its award winning, state-of-the-art new passenger terminal, convenient car parking facilities and excellent access to the M40. There is car rental available on site and with a new local rail station at Kidlington opening in early 2013, access to central London will be further enhanced, taking less than an hour via public transport.”

The services from both Jersey and the Isle of Man will connect directly through Oxford, providing Jersey residents with convenient access to the Isle of Man seven days a week, and vice versa.
 

flydubai starts flights to Baghdad

flydubai has added to its expanding network with the start of flights to Baghdad, Iraq.

In addition to Erbil and Sulaimaniyah, the four-times weekly flight to Baghdad increases flydubai’s presence in Iraq to three cities. Flights to Najaf, flydubai’s fourth Iraqi point, will begin on Sunday 29 January.

flydubai’s CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, commented, “I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the Iraqi authorities. Thanks to their strong support, flydubai now serves three major cities in Iraq, with another, Najaf, to follow later this month.”

Flights to Baghdad operate four times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. FZ215 is scheduled to depart Dubai Terminal 2 at 13:55, landing in Baghdad International Airport at 15:45. The return flight, FZ216, takes off at 16:45 and arrives in Dubai at 20:05. All times are local.
 

ATR reports results of record order year

ATR has confirmed that it received 157 firm orders (13 ATR 42s and 144 ATR 72s) plus 79 options in 2011 – its 30th anniversary year – beating its previous record year in 2007 by 40%.

The backlog at 31 December 2011 stood at 224 aircraft worth $5 billion. This figure includes the removal of 38 aircraft which were on order by Kingfisher Airlines. ATR took the decision to enact a cancellation clause in the contract due to problems with pre-delivery payments in December 2011 so that, according to CEO Filippo Bagnato, it could “present a clean backlog sheet to the industry”.

A total of 193 firm orders – turboprop and turbofan – were placed in the 50-90 seat sector during 2011. Of this total 80% were with ATR and 85% were for turboprops. “The backlog for the whole sector now splits 77% turboprop against 23% jet and ATR has 70% of all the backlog in the segment,” Bagnato noted.

Of the 2011 orders the customers for 40 ATR 72-600s and one ATR 42-600 remain unannounced. Bagnato reported that announcements relating to these will be made at the Singapore Air Show.

Among the orders, Bagnato highlighted the deal with Japan’s Uni Air which had been a Bombardier customer. Overall, he added, 56% of orders in 2011 came from existing ATR operators, 23% came from new operators and 21% from lessors.

Revenue in 2011 remained at around $1.3 billion. “We kept deliveries last year the same as 2010 – 54 – so that risk was minimised as we had the -600 Series aircraft to certify,” Bagnato explained. “Now we’re pressing the accelerator to deliver 72 aircraft in 2012, at least 80 in 2013 and at least 85 in 2014. So moving towards we’ll be achieving $2 billion revenue. That production ramp-up will be 60% over the next three years.”

Contributing to the revenue alongside delivery payments and new orders was $270 million in support activity and $80 million in asset management activity. Used aircraft activity has been much lower due to the fact that by the end of 2011, the company’s portfolio was down to 10 aircraft on operating lease, two of which have already been sold. Only one new sale was made last year, with the rest of the revenue coming from the transfer of 19 aircraft titles relating to deals included in the 2010 figures.

On progress with the -600 Series, the first of the 222 aircraft ordered was delivered last August. SO far 10 ATR 72-600s have been delivered to four airlines – Royal Air Maroc Express, Azul, TRIP and Caribbean Airlines – have made more than 3,000 flights. “The dispatch reliability is exceeding 99.7%,” Bagnato commented.

Certification of the ATR 42-600 is now expected in mid Spring, with the first of the model to be delivered in August. This year will also see the last -500 Series delivery plus, on 3 May, the delivery of the 1,000th ATR since the beginning of the programme.

ATR’s forecast sees long-term demand remaining strong, with around 3,100 turboprops required – 500 in the 50-seat category, 1,600 in the 70-seat category and 1,000 in the category of 90-plus seats.

In the near term, following its bumper year, Bagnato believes that in its order outlook for 2012, ATR has to be prudent. “Ideally I’d like to arrive at the end of the year with the same backlog as today. With that I’d be satisfied,” he noted.

Asked whether ATR might end up on its own among turboprop manufacturers following last year’s orders, Bagnato quickly quelled the idea. “No, we won’t be alone even though out main competitor had a bad year. It’s not one year’s figures that change the overall picture,” he remarked. “Also, we must not forget the Chinese – they will arrive in the market [at some point].”

Finally, Bagnato discussed new aircraft programmes, including the potential for the 90-100 seat turboprop, for which most forecasts – including ATR’s own – see a requirement. “Launching a new aeroplane is a tough decision. The aircraft industry is a one-shot industry and one wrong decision can kill a company,” he emphasised, “but I hope that by the end of 2012 we can say something.

“The most valuable asset for ATR is having more than 180 operators. It is the one we have to preserve. It is the engine which will support new investments,” Bagnato declared.

Bernie Baldwin, editor, Low-Fare & Regional Airlines/LARAnews.net
Paris, France

Southwest adds comfort with new cabin design

Southwest Airlines has announced the introduction of The New Southwest Interior, a cabin update utilising durable and environmentally responsible products to reduce waste and create weight savings onboard the aircraft, while enhancing comfort for customers.

Inspired by Southwest's past with a nod to the airline's future, the cabin refresh features recyclable carpet, a brighter colour scheme, and a more durable, eco-friendly, and comfortable low-profile seat that weighs less than the current seat. The new interior design also gives the airline an opportunity for greater revenue by increasing the number of seats onboard the 737-700 from 137 to 143, without sacrificing customer comfort and personal space but, at the same time, increasing under-seat room for carry-on luggage.

"We are preparing now for our next 40 years with a fleet modernisation plan that includes the new interior, the Boeing 737-800 which is scheduled to come online beginning in March this year, and the 737 MAX, which is expected to join the Southwest fleet in 2017," explained Bob Jordan, executive vice-president and chief commercial officer. "The evolutionary changes we're making with the new interior uphold our low-cost roots and historic focus on customer service. The cabin upgrade also allows us to create significant revenue opportunities without adding unwanted fees."

Beginning with a partnership between Southwest's maintenance and engineering and marketing teams, the company set out to improve the inflight customer experience while increasing the durability of onboard materials, but without adding costs. In 2009, Southwest launched the "Green Plane" programme to test the market's latest sustainable products on an aircraft to examine onboard eco-friendly products. Based on the test results and feedback from customers onboard the Green Plane, Southwest's new Evolve interior features the e-leather seat cover and many of the other products tested on the Green Plane including the carpet, life vest pouch, foam fill, and passenger seat rub strips.

Southwest will begin retrofitting its current fleet of 372 Boeing 737-700s with the Evolve interior in March 2012, anticipating completion in 2013, for a total estimated cost of approximately $60 million. As integration of AirTran Airways moves forward, Southwest anticipates that AirTran's Boeing 737-700s and 717s will also be retrofitted with the new cabin interior as those aircraft are converted into the Southwest brand over the next several years.  Other Southwest fleet types are still being evaluated for a possible retrofit.