Airliner World - May 2018

EE
FPORSTER BOEING 737 MAX

w w w. a i r l i n e r w o r l d . c o m
t h e g l o b a l a i r l i n e s c e n e
Southwest
Love at First Sight
FLYING THE
KANGAROO
ROUTE
On Board with Go2Sky
Qantas Charter Specialist
June 2018
Boeing 737 Six UK £4.95
10,000 Appeal
Deliveries and Dassault’s
Counting Falcon 6X
Rio de Janeiro Gateway to the Samba Capital
Contents
5 News
Airliner World’s comprehensive coverage of worldwide
news, including reports from the first Embraer E-Jet E2
delivery and handover of the maiden Boeing 737-800
converted freighter, plus Boeing trumps Airbus on the
American Airlines widebody order, Hi Fly acquires its
first A380, IAG invests in Norwegian, SAS Scandinavian
Airlines goes all-Airbus, and Trent 1000 problems
continue for Rolls-Royce.
26 Hamburg Happenings
A full round-up of news and developments from
this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo.
28 Boeing’s Best Seller

Now 10,000 deliveries in, and with thousands more
examples on order, the 737 has enjoyed a remarkable
history but there’s still plenty more to come.
42 Just One Hop

On board with Qantas for the first direct passenger
flight between the UK and Australia, what many
pioneers regarded as the ‘Holy Grail’ of long-haul
commercial services
53 Finding its Niche

Shining the spotlight on Bratislava-based charter
specialist Go2Sky, which is succeeding where other
Slovakian carriers have failed.
60 Six Appeal
Dassault Aviation moved quickly to fill the void left by
its axed Falcon 5X programme, unveiling the bigger
and more capable 6X.
66 Gateway to the
Samba Capital
Recently privatised, Rio de Janeiro’s Tom Jobim
International Airport has undergone an impressive
transformation.
76 Deliveries
The latest commercial acquisitions.
80 MRO News
Updates from maintenance, repair and overhaul providers.
60 SIX
82 Aviation Training
A round-up of recent developments.
Bigger
84 Departure Gate
A selection of readers’ comments and photographs.
and Better
Dassault
85 Caption Competition
WIN a year’s subscription to Airliner World.
86 Air Safety
APPEAL Falcon
6X
FREE DVD! 26
Up-to-date accident reports and crash information.
88 Southwest Airlines:
People, Purpose and Performance
From the COO’s chair: how Southwest Airlines sets the
gold standard for low-fare carriers and enjoys continuing
Claim your
growth and healthy profit margins. FREE Airbus
A350 XWB
You can also find us on:
DVD when you
subscribe to
Search ‘Airliner World’
@_AirlinerWorld
SEE PAGES 40 AND 41 FOR DETAILS
66
42
28
53 Go2Sky
Finding its niche
88
85 CAPTION
COMPETITION
WIN A YEAR'S SUBSCRIPTION TO AIRLINER WORLD
Welcome
Responding to a disaster is something for which almost from this incident is still to be released and some resulting
every carrier prepares, and while many have avoided major safety recommendations remain outstanding. Building
The Team
crises, others aren’t so lucky. For Southwest Airlines, this on service bulletins issued by CFM in March and June
carefully crafted plan was put into action on April 17 when 2017, the FAA proposed inspections aimed at preventing
Craig West an apparent engine explosion sprayed shrapnel into the engine failures such as that suffered by flight 1380 –
Editor cabin of a Boeing 737-700 while at cruising altitude, including ultrasonically inspecting blades in CFM56-7Bs
Barry Woods-Turner blowing out a window and fatally injuring a female that had accumulated more than 15,000 cycles since a
News Editor
passenger (see Air Safety). shop visit – last August. The industry was in general
James Ronayne While it’s not something any carrier wants to be in a agreement with the proposed action, but the AD is yet
Assistant Editor
position to ‘get right’, few can fault the response of the to be finalised having been tied up in a lengthy federal
Andy Martin
Contributing Editor airline and its CEO Gary Kelly. The condolences were review process and subject to comments from airlines,
Steve Donovan
sincere and heartfelt, with an immediate pledge to help some of which requested more time to complete
Group Art Editor those affected by the accident and a commitment to mandated inspections.
Andy O’Neil establish the cause swiftly. The airline and its staff Investigators are now working to establish whether the
Art Editor
should be commended for their professionalism in a crisis. affected engine from flight 1380 would have been subject
Andy Mason The accident remains under investigation, but the NTSB to the pending action. It’s entirely possible the proposed
Advertising Manager
has already traced the problem to metal fatigue in the port AD may have made little difference in this instance –
Johanna Buckley
Production Controller engine, and specifically an interior crack on a fan blade. information released by Southwest on the day of the
NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt said such damage, accident suggests the powerplant in question had
Sue Blunt
Production Editor which led to the separation of fan blade number 13 (of 24 accumulated 10,000 cycles since its last overhaul,
Carol Randall in total), was “certainly not detectable from looking at significantly fewer than the 15,000-cycle threshold
Dep. Production Editor it from the outside.” mooted by the FAA. But given that the
Norman Wells In response, the FAA has issued an nature and scale of the problem will not
Sue Campbell
Sub-Editors emergency airworthiness directive (AD) be readily apparent until the global fleet
calling on operators of the CFM56-7B engine has been inspected, it does beg the
to “perform a one-time ultrasonic inspection question as to whether lessons could
of all 24-fan blades…” within 20 days. have been learnt and fixes put in place, or
CFM International has cited the engine’s indeed the accident avoided entirely, had
enviable record – it currently powers more it been possible to issue the AD earlier.
than 6,700 aircraft worldwide and, since its
entry into service in 1997, has accumulated Craig West
more than 350 million flight hours “as one of Editor
the most reliable and popular jet engines in
airline history,” the firm said.
But while such incidents are incredibly
rare, similar episodes have occurred
THIS PHOTO: previously – Southwest itself suffered a
Southwest Airlines
Boeing 737. near-identical failure over the Gulf of Mexico COVER PHOTO: Southwest Airlines Boeing 737.
ANGELO BUFALINO in August 2016. Notably the final report ANGELO BUFALINO
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR The entire contents of Airliner World is © SUBSCRIPTIONS POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:
Ann Saundry copyright, and no part of it may be reproduced Subscriptions Department, Airliner World, Key Publishing Ltd C/O 3390
in any form or stored on any form of retrieval Airliner World (ISSN: 1465-6337), is published Rand Road, South Plainfield NJ 07080.
PRODUCTION system without the prior permission of the monthly by, Key Publishing Ltd, P0 Box 300,
Production Manager Janet Watkins publisher. Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1NA, UK. DISTRIBUTED (UK) BY: Seymour Distribution
All items submitted for publication are sub- Telephone: +44 (0) 1780 480404 Ltd, 2 Poultry Avenue, London EC1A 9PP.
MARKETING ject to our terms and conditions. These are (0900 - 17.30 GMT Mon - Fri) Tel: 020 7429 4000 Fax: 020 7429 4001
Group Marketing Manager Martin Steele regularly updated without prior notice and Fax:+44 (0) 1780 757812.
are freely available from Key Publishing Ltd E-Mail: subs@keypublishing.com
GROUP CEO & PUBLISHER or downloadable from www.keypublishing.com
Adrian Cox Airliner World distributed in the USA by UKP
Worldwide, 3390 Rand Road, South Plainfield, To find a stockist near you,
EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICES We are unable to guarantee the bona fides of NJ 07080. Periodicals postage paid at
Airliner World, PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, visit www.airlinerworld.com
any of our advertisers. Readers are strongly Rahway, NJ and at additional mailing offices
PE91XQ, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1780 755131 recommended to take their own precautions
Fax: +44 (0)1780 757261 PRINTED IN ENGLAND BY: Warners
before parting with any information or item Readers in USA can place subscriptions by vis- (Midland) plc, Bourne, Lincs. UK
of value, including, but not limited to, money, iting www.airlinerworld.com or by calling toll
EMAIL: airlinerworld@keypublishing.com manuscripts, photographs or personal informa- free 800-428-3003 or fax 757-428-6253 or by The average sale for the period
tion in response to any advertisements within writing to Airliner World, 3300 Pacific Ave, Ste Jan - Dec 2017 was 31,203
WEB: www.airlinerworld.com this publication. 500, Virginia Beach, VA23451-9828 copies monthly
4 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018

News
News Review • Europe
Review
AIRLINER WORLD’S COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF WORLDWIDE NEWS
Aegean Signs
Airbus MOU
ATHENS-BASED AEGEAN Airlines has Vassilakis remarked: “Our decision options on a further 12 aircraft and Our goal was to optimise support con-
signed a memorandum of understand- to select the latest generation Airbus expects to sign the final purchase ditions but also to set a new starting
ing (MOU) with Airbus for 30 A320neo A320neo Family follows an intense and agreement, valued at $5bn at list point for the design of the aircraft’s
Family aircraft. The commitment cur- exhaustive evaluation to determine the prices, in June. future exploitation. The technology in
rently comprises 20 A320neos and best aircraft for our growth and long- Dimitrios Gerogiannis, Aegean’s CEO, these aircraft is excellent. But this is
ten A321neos, though the Greek oper- term success. These aircraft will be added: “We have worked diligently available to many operators. It only
ator retains the right to adjust this key for us to pursue our mission of over more than 12 months, across becomes a competitive advantage
breakdown, while it is also expected providing services of high standards for different teams within Aegean to thanks to our people, their skills, co-
to acquire a “significant number” of our passengers on short- and medium- structure as well as to evaluate the operation and ethos which should
examples from lessors. haul services.” proposals of the two candidate man- allow us to differentiate ourselves and
Aegean’s vice-chairman Eftichios The carrier added it has also taken ufacturers, before selecting Airbus. excel once more.” (Photo Airbus)
Hi Fly Plans for A380

PORTUGUESE ACMI charter specialist the Lisbon-based carrier’s president also be equipped with “state-of-the-art which are now in the final assembly
Hi Fly has unveiled plans to acquire Paulo Mirpuri remarked. “The A380 is technology and truly luxurious cabin stage and will be delivered in
its first Airbus A380. The Rolls-Royce the largest and most advanced airliner interiors”, including a Panasonic CX2 in- June and July respectively.
Trent 900-powered example is due to flying today and certainly the aircraft of flight entertainment system. (Photo Hi Fly)
enter service in the middle of this year choice for the most discerning air trav- The acquisition makes Hi Fly the fourth
and will be configured in a 471-seat, ellers. This acquisition has been part European operator of the super jumbo
three-class layout. This consists of 399 of our company’s plans for a while. We – after Air France, British Airways and
in economy, while the upper deck will are extremely happy to welcome the Lufthansa – and the first in Portugal.
feature 12 in first and 60 in business . first A380 to our fleet.” The incoming A380 is expected to be
“It’s a very proud moment for Hi Fly,” Hi Fly revealed the incoming aircraft will joined by two new-build A330-200s,
BA’s Neo Debut Loganair Extends its Reach

Factory fresh: Airbus handed over the first of 25 A320neos to British Airways on April 10. The SCOTTISH REGIONAL carrier Loganair tomers – as well as making it easier
aircraft, G-TTNA (c/n 8108), entered revenue service five days later and will initially operate on has further expanded its Better for overseas tourists to come and visit
services from the carrier’s Heathrow hub to Lisbon, Warsaw and Budapest. VIN MAN Connected programme after some of the beautiful places we fly to in
signing interline agreements with the Highlands and Islands. Our brand
three major airlines. The partnerships, strapline boasts that we’re ‘Better
with Air France, KLM and Thomas Cook Connected’, and deals like these make
Airlines, enable Loganair customers that statement increasingly true.”
to access connecting flights via The new partnerships are part of a
Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, wider initiative to improve connections
Inverness and Norwich under a across Scotland. The Glasgow-based
single booking. carrier already operates under a
Loganair’s commercial director Kay codeshare agreement with British
Ryan said: “These are exciting deals Airways via Manchester, and revealed
with some of the biggest names in it is close to signing similar partner-
international air travel, and they mean ships with Emirates and three other
a better, joined-up service for our cus- major carriers.
www.airlinerworld.com 5
Shamrocks
A LOT Bigger in Philly
IRISH FLAG carrier Aer Lingus has
launched direct flights between
Dublin and Philadelphia. The new
link, which operates four-times week-
ly, will increase to daily from May 18
and, along with Dublin-Seattle, is one
of two new transatlantic routes being
introduced by the IAG-owned airline
this summer – its 15th in total.
“We are delighted to commence our
LOT Polish Airlines has further expand- considered to be the most state-of- tions and will enable us to launch com- new service to Philadelphia which
ed its widebody fleet after taking the-art aircraft in the world offering pletely new routes as well.” marks the beginning of our summer
delivery of its maiden Boeing 787-9. unparalleled travel experience in its The incoming 787-9 is equipped with 2018 programme,” the carrier’s COO
The incoming jet, SP-LSA (c/n 38083), class. Dreamliner is the driver of even 294 seats in a three-class layout – 42 Mike Rutter remarked. “We remain
arrived at the flag carrier’s Warsaw faster growth of LOT, in that way more than the airline’s existing 787-8s. focused on growing our transatlantic
base in late March and is the first of making us even more competitive, This consists of 24 full-flat bed seats network and further strengthening
three stretched Dreamliners expected modern and environmentally friendly. in business, 21 seats in premium our Dublin base as a leading gateway
to enter service with the Star Alliance I’m convinced that the 787-9s will economy and 249 in economy class. to North America. Aer Lingus’ transat-
airline this year (it’s 12th and final 787 open a new chapter in our history, The newest Dreamliner is part of a lantic offering not only leads the way
is due for delivery early next year). significantly increasing the number of wider-reaching fleet renewal exercise in our home market but our connect-
“LOT is the first airline in Europe seats on the existing, most popular under which LOT will take delivery of ing options via Dublin also continue to
whose long-haul fleet consists only of routes. The aircraft will be perfect for 11 aircraft this year alone, including gain pace in the UK and Europe as the
Dreamliners,” the carrier’s CEO Rafał our flagship routes to Chicago, New two 787-9s, three 737 MAX 8s and six smartest route to North America.”
Milczarski explained. “They are still York City or selected Asian destina- Embraer 195s. (Photo LOT)
Jota Adds Freighters Austrian Revamp

JOTA AVIATION has taken delivery are able to deliver a load that is more Austrian Airlines has released the first renditions of its revised branding, the key features of
of its maiden British Aerospace (BAe) voluminous and heavier, faster and which are an enlarged logo and updated titles. The first aircraft to wear the new livery is former
146-300QT freighter. more efficient than that offered by Aeromexico Boeing 777-2Q8ER, OE-LPF (c/n 28692), which is currently undergoing maintenance in
The aircraft, G-JOTE (c/n E3182), is smaller aviation cargo companies. Hong Kong and is due for delivery to Vienna in May. AUSTRIAN
one of four examples being acquired Introducing dedicated freighter
from ASL Airlines Spain under a multi- aircraft will save customers valuable
million-pound deal which, the time, give us a wider scope of
London/Southend-based carrier opportunities and provide more
said will “substantially increase its diversity in our business, keeping us
market share and position the busy throughout the seasons.”
company as a market leader in the The first aircraft is expected to enter
cargo charter sector.” service on June 1 and will be joined
Jota’s head of commercial, Mike by the remaining three examples later
Sessions, commented: “These aircraft this year. Jota said they will be
bridge the gap perfectly between ATR available for long- or short-term
72 and older BAe ATPs in the cargo contracts, ACMI for other cargo
role, and 737s. Offering these unique operators or ad hoc charters,
freighter aircraft to the market, we operating under Jota’s AOC.
Belgian Brussels-based start-up Air Belgium has successfully undertaken its

first revenue flights. The carrier, which intends to offer premium long-
haul connections from its Charleroi base, operated several rotations
Launch
from Amsterdam and Brussels to Paramaribo in late March and early
April on behalf of Surinam Airways. It is expected to launch its own
scheduled services, to Hong Kong, imminently. BASTIAAN HART

in brief
First Neo for Primera Romanian start-up Just Us Air has secured
its Air Operator Certificate (AOC), paving the
PRIMERA AIR has taken a step closer to lessor, all of which are due for delivery we are proud to operate it on our
way for its first services. The Bucharest-
launching transatlantic services after by the end of this year. transatlantic flights.”
based carrier intends to serve the growing
receiving its first Airbus A321neo. The Primera Air president Andri Már The jet is configured in a two-class ACMI charter sector using former Air Astana
aircraft, OY-PAA (c/n 8145), was hand- Ingólfsson commented: “We are wit- layout including 16 premium and 182 Airbus A319-132, YR-URS (c/n 3614). This will
ed over on April 16 and is one of three nessing changes in aviation as long- economy seats. It will initially be be complemented by a 220-seat A321-231
being leased from GE Capital Services haul flights are becoming more based in Denmark before moving to YR-NRS (c/n 1153, ex G-OZBN) imminently.
(GECAS). It will be joined by a further available to everyone. This change is the UK, where it will be used to open
five examples (including two long- brought by the new narrowbody new routes to New York, Boston and Volotea has opened a new base in
range A321LRs) supplied by another aircraft such as the A321neo and Toronto. (Photo Airbus) Marseille, its 11th in total. The French hub
will now be served by two resident Boeing
717s, creating 60 jobs in the region and
opening up nine new routes – including
Biarritz, Corfu, Funchal, Mykonos and
Majorca – as well as adding frequencies on
the existing network.
Flybe is set to pass control of its London

City-Aberdeen route to franchise partner
Eastern Airways. The service will
continue to operate twice-daily (plus
one rotation on Sunday) but initially will
change from the existing Bombardier
Dash 8-Q400 to a 50-seat Saab 2000
and then later to a 76-seat Embraer 170.
SAS Goes All-Airbus (Photo Eastern Airways)
SAS SCANDINAVIAN Airlines will The Star Alliance carrier said recent of which are now in service. Deliveries
transition to an all-Airbus fleet after investments in its product, coupled of the second batch will be split into
confirming an order for 50 A320neos. with efficiency enhancements, have two, with 15 aircraft (due between 2019
The incoming aircraft, which are led to improved profitability, which has and 2021) coming from lessors. The
scheduled for delivery between spring enabled SAS to place this order. remainder will be supplied directly from
2019 and 2023, will replace the Boeing The latest order increases the carrier’s Airbus, though SAS still holds purchase
737 and A320ceos currently in service. total A320neo commitment to 80, 17 options for a further five examples.
Grupo SATA has shortlisted Loftleidir
TAP Neo Breaks Cover Icelandic as its preferred partner as

it moves to dispose of a 49% stake in
subsidiary Azores Airlines. The Portuguese
The first three Airbus A330neos for launch customer TAP Air Portugal have broken cover at the manufacturer’s Toulouse/Blagnac facility. This exam-
ple, F-WWCM/CS-TUB (c/n 1826), wears special ‘A330neo first to fly’ markings on the rear fuselage and is largely complete, save for its Rolls-Royce firm had invited expressions of interest in
Trent 7000 engines which are still to be installed. EUROSPOT the carrier but said its Reykjavík-based
counterpart was the only bidder “to fully
meet both prequalification requirements”.
The Icelandic company, which is also in the
process of acquiring a 51% shareholding
in TACV - Cabo Verde Airlines, is now
expected to submit a binding offer for
the Azores carrier.
Maltese charter operator Maleth-Aero has

unveiled plans to add an Airbus A340-600
to its fleet. The former Etihad Airways
example, 9H-PGS (c/n 1030, ex A6-EHK), will
be configured in a 316-seat layout, including
eight in first class and 32 in business, and is
expected to enter service in August.
IAG Eyeing Norwegian Take-Over? EasyJet has boosted its presence in the
south of France by opening a base at
a full offer for Norwegian.” about the matter.” Bordeaux. The new hub – its 30th in total
NORWEGIAN CEO Bjørn Kjos has
and sixth in the country after Paris Charles
dismissed claims he could sell the He also confirmed that “no such The carrier added that “interest from de Gaulle and Orly, Lyon, Toulouse and
carrier amid interest from International discussions have taken place to date, one of the largest international avia- Nice – will be served by three based Airbus
Airlines Group (IAG). The conglomer- that [IAG] has taken no decision to tion groups demonstrates the sustain- A320s, adding 110 local jobs in the first year
ate, which already owns Aer Lingus, make an offer at this time and that ability and potential of our business of operation and opening direct links to nine
British Airways, Iberia and Vueling, there is no certainty that any such model and global growth.” new destinations.
revealed on April 12 it had acquired decision will be made.” Details of IAG’s acquisition comes
a 4.61% stake in the Oslo-based Responding to IAG’s announcement, barely two months after Norwegian German flag carrier Lufthansa has
launched services between its Frankfurt
operator. Kjos said he “had not envisaged any posted net losses of more than £27m
base and Glasgow. The new link, which
A statement issued by IAG’s chief sale. I have to underline that we have for the year (see Airliner World, April is operated daily by an Airbus A320, is in
financial officer Enrique Dupuy de had a lot of approaches from different 2018). The performance, which the addition to the airline’s existing five-times
Lôme noted: “The minority investment airlines.” Norwegian had earlier airline attributed to “significant costs weekly connection to Munich and expands
is intended to establish a position claimed it had “no prior knowledge” of related to increased fuel prices, wet the carrier’s network to 209 destinations in
from which to initiate discussions with IAG’s acquisition and “had not been in lease and passenger care” increased 74 countries.
Norwegian, including the possibility of any discussions or dialogue with IAG total debts by 5% to more than £2bn.
Record Sales
Boost Lufthansa Technik
DR JOHANNES Bussmann, the nationalisation approach adopted by AVIATAR, a platform that brings together centre of excellence for engine casings
Chairman of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Technik.” numerous apps to enable operators and a new x-ray facility.
Lufthansa Technik, described 2017 as The number of aircraft under exclusive to monitor the status of their fleets However, last June Lufthansa Technik
the “year of sales” after the company support contracts with the Hamburg- from a single portal. Key components closed its aircraft overhaul operations
achieved record orders valued at in based firm grew by 10% in 2017, to include Fleet Management, Condition in Hamburg. The company says despite
excess of €13bn. This figure helped the more than 4,550, which is around 20% Monitoring and Reliability Management. “intensive negotiations” with labour
MRO firm’s revenues rise from €5.144bn of all commercial aircraft worldwide. Information is collated into a single groups it was unable to find a solution
to €5.404bn, an increase of more than Dr Bussmann remarked: “A growing source and using analytical models, that would have made continuing
5%. And it resulted in an adjusted EBIT number of customers and supported recommendations and notifications are operations in Hamburg commercially
(earnings before interest and taxes) of aircraft, along with considerable new generated. Lufthansa Technik says this viable. Lufthansa Technik offered all
€415m, up from €411m the year before. business, demonstrate the great trust equips customers to make decisions employees affected alternative jobs in
“Lufthansa Technik is and remains the that we enjoy in the aviation industry quicker and on a “sounder basis”. other divisions at the Hamburg site.
leading provider in our industry,” said around the world.” Dr Bussmann explained: “We have In summary, Dr Bussmann said: “Never
Dr Bussmann. “The new contracts, made a very ambitious entry into before have we generated so much
with a total volume of more than €13bn, Digitalisation digitalisation with AVIATAR. The expec- revenue, supported so many aircraft,
provide impressive proof. Last year Lufthansa Technik is embracing the tations we are placing on ourselves or employed so many people. With this
was the year of sales. Our team deliv- digital age with a series of new prod- here are very high, because we want to foundation, we will stick to our course:
ered a fantastic performance, demon- ucts, managed by its new Digital Fleet shape the digitalisation of our industry growing throughout the world and
strating the importance of the inter- Solutions business unit. Among them is with our modern fleet management driving the entire industry forward.”
solutions. With Wizz Air, we have
already won an important AVIATAR
partner with a large fleet from outside
the Lufthansa Group.”
Investments
In September the company opened its
new €60m wheels and brakes work-
shop at its Frankfurt Osthafen site, just
two years after construction began.
Around 200 people are currently
employed at the new facility. The com-
pany has also modernised its site in
Hamburg, including inducting a new
RIGHT • Dr Johannes Bussmann, Chairman of
the Executive Board of Lufthansa Technik.
ALL PHOTOS LUFTHANSA TECHNIK
LEFT • Lufthansa Technik won more than €13bn

worth of orders in 2017.

BORN
LEADERS
FLYE2
Congratulations
Widerøe Airlines on
taking delivery of the
E190-E2 aircraft.
From unsurpassed passenger comfort
and state-of-the-art connectivity to
delivering the world’s best performance
and fuel efficiency in the single-aisle
segment, the E2 ‘Profit Hunter’ is the
aircraft everyone’s looking up to.
#FlyWiderøeE2
embraercommercialaviation.com
West Atlantic takes the W LEFT • Fredrick Groth, CEO of West Atlantic,
accepted the latest addition to the
airline’s fleet.
737-400. Another 1,543cu ft (43.7m2) of

bulk cargo can be placed in the lower
holds. It is well suited to missions
shorter than 2,000miles (3,218km)
which are the staple of the air cargo
industry, but can be flown up to 2,330
miles (3,750km) to “provide capability to
open new markets”.
The -800BCF shares a common pilot’s
The world’s first type rating with 737 classics (only
Boeing 737-800BCF differences training is required) and is
was handed over to
West Atlantic during a expected to burn around 15% less fuel
ceremony on April 19. than a -400. Parts, such as the cargo
ALL PHOTOS KEY − door and roller floor, are manufactured
ANDY MARTIN
by Boeing and shipped to China for
BOEING COMMERCIAL Aircraft and GE manufacturer (OEM), was determined orders and commitments for -800BCFs installation by Boeing Shanghai Aviation
Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) have to offer the market its own BCF (Boeing from West Atlantic, GECAS, Air Algerie, Services and Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft
handed over the first Boeing 737-800 Converted Freighter) solution by re- Cargo Air, China Postal Airlines, Líneas Engineering (STAECO).
freighter to the programme’s launch engineering derivatives from original Aéreas Suramericanas (LAS Cargo), YTO
customer West Atlantic Group. The passenger versions with the benefit of Airlines and an unannounced customer. Leading the way
aircraft, which has been converted from its extensive knowledge of the base air- West Atlantic CEO Fredrik Groth
passenger configuration, will be placed craft. It will support them with a range Backed by Boeing revealed he agreed to take the four
onto the firm’s UK AOC and will be of services and warrantees, just like any Mike Fleming, vice president, -800BCFs as a “leap of faith” over
operated – along with three others – in new airframe. A survey pointed to 1,100 Commercial Services, Boeing Global drinks in a bar in Dublin during the 2016
Europe on behalf of a major integrator. aircraft being needed over the next 20 Services explained that “the 737- Global Airfinance Conference. Two
The idea to launch a conversion of the years, leading the manufacturer to for- 800BCF brings the next generation of years of hard work followed to get the
737NG (Next Generation) germinated in mally launch the programme in 2016. freighters to our customers. For the aircraft converted, certified and onto
2012. Boeing, as the original equipment Leasing company GECAS then came first time, operators get one-stop shop
onboard, sensing an opportunity to support throughout the lifecycle of a
roll -800s placed with passenger air- standard-body freighter – originally
lines over to cargo carriers as they are manufactured by Boeing, converted
replaced by the 737 MAX. by Boeing, and supported by Boeing.”
The 737-800 will be the primary focus He clearly believes this is what sets the
of the programme as there is a plenti- 737-800BCF apart from similar projects
ful feedstock available for conversion under development by independents.
(which will further improve as more The aircraft is a 52,800lb (23.9 tonne)
MAXs enter service) but a similar payload freighter with 4,997cu ft
project based around the -900 (141.5m3) of space on the main deck,
may be started if sufficient sufficient for 12 pallets (11 – 88x125in
airframes become available. [223x217cm]; 1 – 62x88in [157x223cm])
The firm currently holds 45 – two more than can be loaded onto a

World’s first 737-800BCF

The roller floor, cargo Work to add the
door, cabin linings aircraft to the UK
and bulkheads were register and West
all manufactured by Atlantic’s operating
Boeing and installed certificate will be
in China. completed at the firm’s
East Midlands Airport
engineering base.
the European carrier’s books, culminat- to a longer-term assignment once crew reliability, lower aircraft operating be monitored carefully and if everything
ing in the handover of the first example familiarisation has been completed. costs, and provide a better environmen- goes as well as expected Groth does
at East Midlands Airport in the UK on Remarkably West Atlantic calculates tal footprint.” His firm will receive the not rule out acquiring further examples.
April 19. Once the paperwork has been that when it starts flying packages the remaining conversions it has on order Conversions of 737-300s and -400s
rubber-stamped by the UK Civil Aviation jet will serve as many customers in 25 via GECAS over the next 11 months and have been stalwarts of the air cargo
Authority line training will begin. The days as it has done in its previous 14 they will be used to add capacity industry for two decades. Now the
aircraft, G-NPTA (c/n 32740), currently years as a passenger aircraft. rather than replace older airframes. classics are handing the mantle to the
has a mere 14,000 cycles on the clock. Speaking at the official handover of the Performance, reliability and customer- next generation.
It is expected to enter service between first example, Groth remarked: “With acceptance of the new fleet will
Belfast and East Midlands Airport the 737-800BCF, we expect to improve
working for Royal Mail, before moving Boeing 737-86NBCF
G-NPTA (c/n 32740) is
the first of its type
converted from
passenger to cargo
configuration. Three
more will join British-
based West Atlantic by
the end of the year.
News Review • CIS
Far Eastern Connections
More E-Jets AURORA AIRLINES has outlined plans to could start later this year, and flights
for Belavia acquire a further five Viking Twin Otter

400s, increasing its fleet to eight exam-
ples. Aeroflot’s Far East Russia subsid-
from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to
Paramushir Island once construction of
a new runway is completed.
BELARUSIAN NATIONAL carrier Martyn Holmes, VP Europe, Russia,
Belavia has agreed to lease three Central Asia & Leasing, Embraer iary said the incoming aircraft, which Elsewhere, Yakutsk-based Yakutia
Embraer 195s and two E175s from Commercial Aviation, added: “At will be partially funded by the Sakhalin Airlines has suspended operations with
Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC). Delivery Embraer we’re impressed with Region (a 49% shareholder in the air- its 72-seat Bombardier Dash 8-Q400s.
of the first three jets – two E195s and a Belavia’s continued growth. Together line), will be used to launch services to The carrier’s three-strong fleet, VP-BOS
single E175 – is expected in April 2019 with key lessor, NAC, our relationship the Kuril Islands, a disputed archipel- (c/n 4159), VP-BKD (c/n 4162) and
with the two remaining airframes fol- with Belavia is helping them expand ago lying between Hokkaido, Japan VP-BNU (c/n 4171), were acquired in
lowing in December 2019 and April their network and frequencies with and the Kamchatka Peninsula. This 2012 and 2013 from VEB Leasing under
2020. All five aircraft are drawn from the E-Jet family.” includes direct links between Yuzhno- a ten-year agreement but have since
the lessor’s existing order book with Deliveries of the leased jets will dou- Sakhalinsk and Shikotan Island, which been ferried to Europe for storage.
the Brazilian manufacturer. ble the Minsk-based airline’s E-Jet
“The medium-haul... E175 and E195 fleet to 12 examples, including five
are placed between a capacious currently in service (three E175s and
Boeing 737 and a small [Bombardier] two E195s), plus one airframe out-
CRJ in the Belavia fleet,” explained standing from a two-strong order
Anatoly Gusarov, the general direc- placed at last year’s Paris Air Show
tor of Belavia. “The additional aircraft and another signed for in December.
are in line with the enlargement of Handover of the latter two are
Belavia’s... network in order to satisfy expected later this year.
passenger demand.” (Photo Embraer)
Spot On
Rossiya has lent its support to the Far Eastern Leopards conservation campaign by repainting
Boeing 777-312 EI-UNP (c/n 28516) in this spectacular livery. The big cat markings are
reminiscent of the Amur tiger scheme worn by sistership Boeing 747-446 EI-XLD (c/n 26360).
ARTYOM ANIKEEV/TRANSPORT-PHOTO IMAGES
Qatar Eyes
First MAX for SCAT Airlines Vnukovo
KAZAKH CARRIER SCAT Airlines has Vladimir Denisov, president of SCAT they will also give a new momentum to
taken delivery of its first Boeing 737
MAX 8. The jet, UP-B3720 (c/n 61737),
Airlines, commented: “Last year we
celebrated our 20th anniversary and
the development of the aviation indus-
try in Kazakhstan.”
Tie-Up
was handed over at the manufacturer’s it is very symbolic that we are entering The carrier said the incoming MAXs QATAR AIRWAYS is set to acquire up
Seattle Delivery Center, Boeing Field a year of adulthood with a purchase are expected to deliver double-digit to a 25% shareholding in Moscow/
on March 28 and is one of six examples of the newest aircraft model. We are improvements in fuel efficiency and Vnukovo after signing a memorandum
ordered at last year’s Dubai Airshow in confident that the acquisition of these environmental performance compared of understanding with Russia’s third
a deal valued at $674m, including pur- 737 MAX 8s will not only raise the level with its current fleet of Classic 737s. busiest airport. The tie-up, announced
chase rights for a further five airframes. of customer service on our airline, but (Photo Huy Do) on April 4, is the first such deal
between the Doha-based airline and
an overseas airport, but builds on
growing collaboration between the
two nations – the two formed the
Qatari-Russian Business Council earlier
this year and have declared 2018 “a
year of culture” between the countries.
For its part, the carrier has increased
the frequency of its Doha-Moscow/
Domodedovo service to thrice daily and
added direct links to St Petersburg last
December.
Vnukovo International Airport chairman
Vitaly Vantsev remarked: “Today we
have signed the MOU, the provisions
of which, once implemented, could
establish a foundation for productive
partnership between Qatar Airways...
and Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport.”

Everywhere. Always.
Our business plan
couldn’t be simpler.
Our comprehensive global network and unrivalled 24/7
customer support has placed Avtrade firmly on the
aviation map. We’re now the world’s largest independent
supplier of aircraft components, guaranteeing that
whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’re there.
avtrade.com
TELEPHONE +44 (0) 1273 833330
EMAIL CONTACT@AVTRADE.COM
News Review • Africa/Middle East
Qatar Lines Up Zimbabwean Start-up

A HONG KONG-BASED investor looks been held later this summer.
More 777Fs set to provide Sol Air with $100m, ena-
bling the carrier to launch domestic
“We have been requested to review
our capital requirements from $55m
QATAR AIRWAYS has signed a letter in Boeing to continue to deliver an and regional operations. The airline in-order to have enough working
of intent (LOI) for five Boeing 777 outstanding product that meets our signed an agreement with Yaya Sun capital. Our advisers have proposed
Freighters, valued at $1.7bn at list exacting standards. We expect no less early last year for an investment of we seek $100m to be on the safe side
prices. The LOI was signed during than perfection, and we are confident $55m, but the deal stalled amid con- and our financiers have indicated their
a ceremony attended by Qatari Boeing will continue to deliver that.” cerns of US economic sanctions willingness to invest that much and
Minister of Finance and Qatar Airways Qatar Airways currently operates 13 against Zimbabwe and the country’s a letter of intent has been issued,”
Chairman Ali Sharif Al Emadi, Qatar 777Fs and recently added two 747-8Fs. shortage of foreign currency. Sibanda said.
Airways group chief executive Akbar McAllister remarked: “We are proud Sol Air managing director Nkosilathi Sol Air is already in possession of an
Al Baker and Boeing Commercial of our long-standing partnership with Sibanda told The Zimbabwe Air Services Licence (ASL) from the
Airplanes president and CEO Kevin Qatar Airways and we value their Independent the project has been Zimbabwean Ministry of Transport and
McAllister on April 10. business and the positive impact on revived and is expected to get under- is moving to secure an AOC from the
“The addition of five 777 Freighters is Boeing, our employees, suppliers way once national elections have Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe.
a significant moment for our cargo and communities. We are honoured
division,” said Al Baker. “As the that one of the world’s leading inter-
world’s third largest cargo operator,
Qatar Airways continues to invest in
fleet expansion. This transaction will
national cargo carriers recognises
the unmatched capabilities of the 777
Freighter to continue to lift their grow-
New ERJ Operator
be a reinforcement of our confidence ing freight operations.” (Photo Boeing)
MADAGASCAR-BASED in 2015 using two EMB120 Brasilias

MADAGASIKARA Airways has acquired and a single Beechcraft Super
an Embraer ERJ 145 on long-term King Air 200. Based in the capital
lease from PCC Aero. The 2001- Antananarivo, it provides domestic
built jet, 5R-AMX (c/n 145461), was scheduled and charter flights as well
previously operated by Republic as services to Saint-Pierre Pierrefonds
Airways as N288SK. It was delivered on the island of Réunion.
to the carrier at Kingman Airline Skyworld Aviation provided support
Services’ facility at Myrtle Beach, to PCC during the execution of the
South Carolina on March 30. lease agreement.
Madagasikara Airways was launched (Photo Skyworld Aviation)
Turboprops for fastjet

TANZANIA’S FASTJET Group plans to September to acquire the turboprops Group of Companies (ACIA), to secure haul routes with shorter runways now
add three ATR 72-600s to its fleet after under a 10-year operating lease, with the “economic rights” to the aircraft. become accessible to fastjet, whilst
securing a $12m loan from equity the option to purchase the aircraft. As “We are excited by the expected entry the fuel-efficient nature of the aircraft
partner Solenta Aviation Group. part of the LOI, fastjet is due to pay into service of turboprop aircraft dur- will stand us in good stead in an
The airline signed a letter of intent an option deposit of around $11m to ing June 2018,” fastjet CEO Nico environment where fuel prices have
(LOI) with ABRIC Leasing last ABRIC’s parent firm, ACIA Aero Capital Bezuidenhout said. “Certain short- shown an upward trend.”
New Gulf Air Livery
Bahrain national carrier Gulf Air has unveiled a new corporate livery on its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, A9C-FA (c/n 39996). The aircraft, which is currently under flight-testing, was flown to the Gulf
state to perform a flypast at April’s Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix. AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/DIPANKAR BHAKTA

News Review • Africa/Middle East
in brief
Naft Rebranded The Government of Swaziland is making
its newly delivered VIP-configured Airbus
A340-313 3DC-SDF (c/n 406) available for
charter. The jet, previously in service with
China Airlines as B-18802, was delivered
to Swaziland on April 13 after the interior
was fitted at Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg.
The aircraft will be operated by Royal
Swazi Airways and, when not flying for
King Mswati III, will be offered on the
international charter market. “As with its
predecessor, Siyinqaba [McDonnell Douglas
MD-87 3DC-SWZ (c/n 53041)], the State
aircraft will, when not in use by our head
of state, be available for private leasing,”
Acting Prime Minister Paul Dlamini told the
Iranian Naft Airlines has changed its name to Karun Airlines and introduced a new livery. The airline operates four Fokker 100s, including EP-OPI (c/n Swazi Observer.
11509) and five Fokker 50s. AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/MEHRAD WATSON
Dar es Salaam-based Air Tanzania
has taken delivery of its third and
Etihad Celebrates Zimbabwe final Bombardier Dash 8-Q400,

5H-TCE (c/n 4559). The aircraft arrived
ETIHAD AIRWAYS has applied spe- birth of Sheikh Zayed, to pay tribute to
Airways in the country on April 2 and has been
leased from the state-owned Tanzanian
Government Flight. The turboprop was
cial liveries to a Boeing 777 Freighter
and Airbus A380 celebrating the Year
his vision by promoting the values he
embodied and showcasing the impact
Receives First due to be delivered last August but was
seized by Stirling Civil Engineering over an
of Zayed. Throughout this year, the
United Arab Emirates is commemo-
he has had on the UAE as a whole, and
in the aviation industry in particular.”
777 unsettled debt of $38.7m. The International
Court of Arbitration awarded the money
rating the hundredth birthday of its Etihad’s specially painted freight- ZIMBABWE AIRWAYS took delivery to Stirling in 2010 because the Tanzanian
founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed er, A6-DDE (c/n 62745), will conduct of its first aircraft, Boeing 777-2H6ER government cancelled the $25m civil
bin Sultan Al Nahyan. humanitarian flights for charitable Z-RGM (c/n 28421), on April 11. engineering contract.
Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive organisations throughout the year, the The former Malaysia Airlines wide-
body is one of two acquired by the Kwacha Airlines has been awarded an Air
Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, said: first of which launches in May. Services Licence by the Malawian Ministry
“More than half a century ago, Sheikh The airline is working with Emirates state via its Zimbabwe Aviation
of Transport and Public Works. The start-
Zayed envisioned Abu Dhabi having Red Crescent, Khalifa Foundation, and Leasing Company SPV. up carrier intends to operate both domestic
a world class aviation industry and His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa A government statement revealed Air and international passenger and cargo
infrastructure that is on a par with Al Nahyan Humanitarian & Scientific Zimbabwe had approached the State flights using Boeing 737-700s. It plans
the major cities of the world. Etihad Foundation to conduct the philan- Procurement Board in October 2016, to finalise its certification and launch on
Aviation Group is especially honoured, thropic missions around the world. seeking approval to take on four for- September 1.
on the occasion of 100 years since the (Photo Etihad Airways) mer Malaysia Airlines 777s, a move
approved in November of that year. Emirates is introducing a second daily flight
between Dubai and Prague, starting on
Funds for two of the aircraft, plus a July 1. The service will be operated by
single Embraer ERJ, were secured by a three-class Boeing 777-300ER, offering
the Ministry of Finance and Economic eight private suites in first class, 42 lie-
Development. flat seats in business and 310 seats in
“Government also took the decision economy. Emirates flight EK137 leaves
to lease the ’planes to third parties Dubai at 3.30pm and arrives in Prague at
up to such a time as Air Zimbabwe 7.55pm. The return flight, EK138, departs
Prague at 9.35pm, arriving back in Dubai at
develops a credible business plan to
5.30am the following day. (Photo Emirates)
run the planes on a sustainable, prof-
itable basis,” the statement said.
“Accordingly, government decided
to lease the ’planes to a new aircraft
firm called Zimbabwe Airways which
has already put in place credible
plans for said ’planes.”
Zimbabwe Airways has yet to secure
Etihad Airways has boosted services to
its AOC from the Civil Aviation Morocco from its Abu Dhabi base. Since May
Authority of Zimbabwe. 1, a three-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner has
plied the daily service to Casablanca. A
third weekly service has been added to
BHN Expands Fixed-wing Services the UAE national carrier’s connection to the
Moroccan capital, Rabat. The extra rotation
will operate on Saturdays until May 12 and
BRISTOW HELICOPTERS Nigeria Flights to Lagos and Port Harcourt Nigeria by air,” Bristow Area Manager again between June 30 and September 29
(BHN) has signed a memorandum are expected to start during Q1 2019, (Africa), Dapo Oyeleke, said in a state- to meet peak demand. The route will be
of understanding (MOU) with the once all the paperwork has been ment. “There is a great deal of inter- flown using a three-class Airbus A330-300.
Bayelsa State Government for dedi- completed. BHN will serve the routes est in this service, and this agreement
cated passenger charter flights. The using Cessna 208B Grand Caravan gives us an advantage in the market. Kano-based Azman Air has returned its sole
widebody aircraft, Airbus A330-200 SU-ALC
deal will see BHN operate services turboprops. We look forward to serving the state (c/n 392), to Air Leisure after failing to put
from the state capital, Yenagoa, to “These flights are the foundation for of Bayelsa and the country of Nigeria the aircraft into service, reports Swiss airline
various destinations across Nigeria. connecting Bayelsa to other parts of with these flights.” intelligence provider ch-aviation.
News Review • Americas
American opts for Air Transat Takes First A321

Boeing over Airbus LEISURE OPERATOR Air Transat has
taken delivery of its maiden Airbus
A321-211. The aircraft, C-GEZD (c/n
has been a pleasure working with the
carrier’s team towards execution of
this project. As the result of perfect
AMERICAN AIRLINES has cancelled its we thank both manufacturers for their 4099), formerly with Aeroflot as alignment of our teams, we delivered
order for 22 Airbus A350s, placing aggressive efforts to earn more of VQ-BEE, has been acquired from the aircraft to the carrier earlier than
an order for 47 additional Boeing 787s American’s business. In the end, our AviaAM Leasing under a ten-year deal originally planned. We are already
instead, valued at $12bn. The new goal to simplify our fleet made the 787 and joins the Montreal-based carrier exploring other potential projects
Dreamliners, 22 -8s and 25 -9s a more compelling choice.” fresh from a C-check. with the carrier and we do hope that
powered by General Electric’s GEnx-1B American Airlines Chief Financial Mantas Meizneris, VP Sales at AviaAM although this is the first project, we
engines, are scheduled to begin Officer Derek Kerr remarked: “Our Leasing, said: “It is a great honour will have many more opportunities
arriving in 2023 – the former will prior plan would have had us operat- for us to support growth of such a to support growth of the carrier in
replace the oneworld carrier’s ing five widebody aircraft types, and reputable airline as Air Transat and it the future.”
767-300s and A330-300s, while the with today’s announcement we will
latter will supersede its 777-200s. soon reduce that to three. These new
American, which already operates 35 replacement aircraft are consistent
787s, has also taken options on a
further 28 airframes.
with our previous plans for the size of
our widebody fleet. We see significant
Silver’s Maiden ATR
American said its decision to cancel advantages to carrying common fleet The first ATR 42-600 for Florida-based Silver Airways departed
Toulouse on its delivery flight on April 13. The turboprop, N400SV
its A350 order, which was placed by types, including creating less friction in (c/n 1214), wears the airline’s eye-catching new Flamingo-
US Airways prior to the two carriers’ our operation when aircraft swaps are inspired livery. EUROSPOT
merger, was influenced by a bid to necessary, reducing inventory needs,
simplify its fleet. and creating a more consistent service
“We have two excellent partners in for customers and team members.”
Boeing and Airbus and our relationship As part of its new agreement with
with both manufacturers goes back Boeing, American has deferred the
many years. Both offer specific delivery of 40 737 MAX jets previously
aircraft that provide us with the planned for delivery between 2020
right lift on specific missions across and 2022.
our global network,” said American
Airlines President Robert Isom. “This
was a difficult decision between the
American said the revised delivery
schedule “will better align with
planned retirements of other narrow-
JetSuite Secures
787 and the A350 and A330neo and body aircraft”. (Photo Boeing) New Investment
QATAR AIRWAYS has invested in proud to have attracted the attention
California-based private aviation com- of one of the world’s highest rated and
pany JetSuite. The Doha-based carrier fastest growing airlines. Qatar Airways
paid an undisclosed sum for a “minority shares our focus on customers and
stake” in the firm. The deal extends to product. JetBlue and Qatar Airways
sister company JetSuiteX, which oper- together are a dream team of investors,
ates “semi-private” services on the US and they will allow us to execute our
West Coast. The latter flies to under- vision of offering a superior service to
served short-haul markets and small air- the forgotten short-haul US air market
ports with a fleet of Embraer ERJ aircraft even more quickly.”
and this latest investment will be used Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive,
to expand the fleet and enter new mar- Akbar Al Baker added: “We believe that
kets. US low-cost carrier JetBlue, which JetSuite and JetSuiteX deliver a truly
already had an interest in JetSuite, has class-leading service to the US market
also increased its level of investment. with a huge potential for development,
Alex Wilcox, founder and CEO of and we are very excited to invest in this
JetSuite and JetSuiteX, remarked: “As opportunity alongside JetBlue and the
an innovator in private aviation, we are other investors.”
The Big Brazilian carrier Gol Transportes Aéreos has

introduced an eye-catching special livery
promoting its new LIVE TV service. The jet,
Boeing 737-8EH PR-GTM (c/n 34963), visited
Orange
Fortaleza on its first day of operations wear-
ing the scheme, arriving from Recife as flight
‘G31840’. LEONARDO MELLO

News Review • Americas
More IFE Options from United in brief
UNITED AIRLINES is offering passengers to having the opportunity to purchase own devices when they travel.” Fort Lauderdale-based Tropic Ocean
more in-flight entertainment (IFE) DIRECTV to view live shows. On select flights this summer, United will Airways is planning to expand its scheduled
choices, including at least one free “Whether it is seatback on-demand, distribute free cardboard phone stands seaplane services from its home airport and
Miami/Watson Island hub. The expansion,
service, on all Wi-Fi equipped aircraft. DIRECTV or personal device entertain- which prop up gadgets and allow hands
facilitated by the delivery of four new
Between February and April, the ment, we offer customers hundreds of free viewing. It is also continuing the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX turboprops
airline installed personal device hours of programming to enjoy during roll-out of in-seat power outlets. this year, will include flights to destinations
entertainment onto more than 200 their travels,” said Mark Krolick, Vice In other news, the airline’s first Boeing such as Key West in the Florida Keys and
aircraft that previously only offered President of Marketing at United Airlines. 737 MAX 9 has been painted in the Bimini/North, Marsh Harbour and Nassau/
DIRECTV. Customers can now use their “We’re excited to expand our personal ‘swoop’ livery that, until now, was worn Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Other
laptop, Apple iOS or Android device to device entertainment offering, which has exclusively by its 787 fleet. The jet was destinations will be announced later.
access a library of complimentary been a popular option amongst many of delivered to the carrier's Houston hub
LATAM Airlines will connect Tel Aviv to Latin
movies and TV programmes, in addition our customers who tend to bring their on April 24. (Photo Joe G Walker) America for the first time from December
2018, with a new three-times weekly
service from Santiago Chile to the Israeli
capital via São Paulo, Brazil. The route will
be operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner,
offering 217 seats in economy and 30 in
premium business.
CEO Ed Bastian has revealed Delta Air

Lines will take delivery of a small number
of Bombardier CS100 jets during the fourth
quarter. “Our plan is to take the first C
Series by the end of the year and probably
induct it into service at the start of 2019,”
he told an investor earnings call. Delta’s
maiden CS100, of which it has 75 on order,
was originally planned for delivery in spring
2018. (Photo Bombardier)
Southwest Considers More MAXs

DALLAS/LOVE FIELD-BASED that we would have access to any looking at adding around 500 aircraft
Southwest Airlines is considering a more deliveries this year, so it probably in the coming years. It currently
new order for “more than a handful” would begin no earlier than next year. operates 14 MAX 8s as well as 513
of Boeing 737 MAX jets. The low-cost With the extra capital, we are working 737-700s and 190 -800s, and has a UPS has wet leased capacity to meet a
carrier would use the aircraft to replace on ways to better serve our customers backlog of 196 MAX 8s, 30 MAX 7s surge in demand for global freight services,
older aircraft and for fleet expansion and the first place we want to look is to and four -800s. In January, Southwest Air Cargo News reports. Companies
purposes, reported Bloomberg. continue to modernise our fleet.” pushed back delivery of 23 of its providing support include Western Global
CEO Gary Kelly said: “I don’t expect Kelly added that Southwest was MAX 7s until 2023-24. Airlines and 21 Air. UPS plans to add 35
jets to its fleet over the next four years,
including Boeing 747-8Fs and 767-300Fs.
“Beyond the new jets, UPS is pursuing a
Patriotic
multi-phased approach to increasing lift
Boeing 767-323ER N36NE (c/n 25193) is one of two jets used that also includes dry leases [aircraft owned
by the NFL franchise, the New England Patriots, for travelling by other companies but operated by UPS
between games. The aircraft visited Washington/Dulles on personnel]; wet leases [aircraft owned and
767
March 25 bringing students, affected by the mass shooting at operated by other carriers]; and purchasing
Parkland high school in Florida in February, to the capital to used airplanes,” a UPS spokesperson said.
take part in the ‘March for Our Lives’ rally calling for stricter
gun control. BRIAN MCDONOUGH
Fogo Island, off the East Coast of Canada,
welcomed its first scheduled flights after
Exploits Valley Air Services (EVAS)
launched a new six-times weekly connection
to Gander on April 23. The rotations are
being operated by de Havilland Canada
DHC-6-300 Twin Otter C-GNQY (c/n 450),
under the Air Canada Express banner.
XTRA Airways plans to lay-off 164 staff

on May 19 as owner AerLine Holdings
Discovery Air to Sell Subsidiaries seeks to find a buyer for the carrier,
reports the South Florida Business Journal.
Those affected include pilots, cabin crew,
CANADIAN SPECIALIST services Discovery Air is welcoming bids for all under the Companies’ Creditors maintenance staff, flight dispatchers, and
provider Discovery Air is selling its three subsidiaries until May 21, with Arrangement Act, a bankruptcy co-ordinators. Seven of the company’s
wholly owned subsidiaries as part of the auction scheduled for ten days protection law, on March 21. This aircraft have already been sold. “We have
a restructuring programme under later. All transactions are expected was extended to June 29, protecting put the company in the best position to
permit a new owner to add whatever aircraft
bankruptcy protection. It was granted to be concluded, subject to court Discovery Air or any of its subsidiaries
fleet type that best suits its operational
permission to offload Yellowknife- approval, by July 31. In the meantime, from being sued by creditors. It is needs, without the burden of expensive
based Air Tindi and Great Slave the three firms will continue to operate expected that the protection will be leases or old technology equipment,” CEO
Helicopters, as well as Discovery as normal. extended further to enable the sale of Frank Visconti told the Journal.
Mining Services on April 4. Discovery Air was granted protection the three companies to be completed.
News Review • Asia/Pacific
More MAXs for
Lion Air Jet Airways
Completes the INDIAN CARRIER Jet Airways has
concluded a deal to purchase a fur-
Family ther 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The

deal, which is valued at $8.7bn, adds
to the 75 MAXs – later adjusted to 54
jets – ordered at the Dubai Airshow
on November 9, 2015, although the
airline hasn’t indicated which variant
of the single-aisle jet it has selected.
This latest order will support Jet
Airways’ plans for expansion of both
its international and domestic net-
work. It is scheduled to take delivery
of its first 737 MAX (from the original
order) later this year.
Vinay Dube, CEO, Jet Airways, said:
“Our new order for an additional 75
737 MAX aircraft will allow us to
deliver a differentiated and world-
class customer experience to our
JAKARTA, INDONESIA-BASED Lion Air Edward Sirait, president director of Lion Air as we again lead the way with guests. This additional purchase re-
Group has further extended its the Lion Air Group, said: “We are very new aeroplane technology.” emphasises our trust and confidence
commitment to the Boeing 737 MAX excited to be a launch customer of the The Lion Air Group was the first airline in Boeing and also reaffirms our
by placing a firm order for 50 MAX 10s. latest version of the 737. This in the world to put the 737 MAX 8 and commitment to operate extremely
The deal, valued at $6.24bn, is the aeroplane delivers a new level of fuel MAX 9 into service and with the arrival modern, reliable and fuel-efficient
largest incremental order to date for efficiency and operating economics of its first MAX 10, scheduled for 2020, airliners in our fleet. This latest deal
the largest member of the MAX family, and fits in perfectly with our fleet of this will enable it to maximise fleet underscores our commitment to
and brings the airline group’s total modern aircraft. We are proud to commonality and flexibility. the growth and sustainability of the
orders for the type to 251. continue our tradition of innovation at (Photo Boeing) Indian aviation market.”
New Seats for AirAsia

MALAYSIA-BASED AirAsia has become more comfortable and boasts more
the launch customer for Mirus Aircraft legroom, but it also weighs less, which
Seating’s new Hawk slimline aircraft is good for our guests, our bottom
seat. The high-performance Economy line and the environment as well.
Class seat is made from carbon fibre, And this is just the beginning, more
aluminium and leather upholstery that innovations are on the way, including a
the airline reports “combines aircraft personal electronic device-holder and
cabin innovation with the best of motor high power 2A USB port so our guests
racing engineering”. The seat is also can stay powered and connected as
lighter than the one it is replacing and they enjoy our inflight content. It really
is expected to help AirAsia reduce fuel will be a true step-change in low-cost
consumption by more than 15,400 gal carrier passenger experience.”
(70,000lit) as well as lowering CO² The new Hawk seat is assembled at
emissions by 200 tonnes per aircraft Mirus Aircraft Seating’s state-of-the-art
every year. automotive-style production facility
Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group CEO, in Hingham, Norfolk and draws on
said: “Lots of great work has gone into Formula 1 engineering expertise.
the Hawk. Not only is this premium seat (Photo Mirus Aircraft Seating)
Promoting the Alliance
Vietnam Airlines, the SkyTeam global alliance member, has taken delivery of its 12th Airbus A350-900 painted in the airline group’s distinctive silver and blue livery. The carrier says the special
paint scheme is also part of its ongoing efforts to provide a new flying experience for passengers and to accomplish its goal of becoming the largest airline in the Asia Pacific region (see AIRLINER
WORLD, March 2018). The aircraft, VN-A897 (c/n 197) was put into service on April 15 on the Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City route. The last two A350-900s from its current order for 14 are due to be
delivered next year. AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/T LAURENT

News Review • Asia/Pacific
in brief
ANA Signs for 777Fs Air Transport Services Group has
delivered, through its ATSG West Leasing
subsidiary, the first of two Boeing 767-300
converted freighters to Air Incheon. The
aircraft, HL8319 (c/n 25202), was handed
over on April 5 and will be operated by the
South Korean carrier under a six-year dry-
lease agreement. The second freighter is
currently undergoing modification and will
be delivered under a similar deal in the
second half of 2018. Air Incheon currently
operates two Boeing 737 freighters from its
JAPANESE CARRIER All Nippon Corporate Planning & Administration, accomplish our goal. ANA will ensure Incheon International base and has a third
Airways (ANA) has placed an order ANA Cargo, said: “Air cargo is an that our cargo operations reflect the example being converted by ATSG’s Pemco
for two Boeing 777 Freighters, val- essential part of global trade growth. five-star service that we have garnered World Air Services division.
ued at $678m at list prices. ANA plans We are committed to playing a critical over the past several years.” The 777F
to operate the aircraft on routes from role in further advancing Japan’s eco- can fly 4,900nm (9,070km) with a pay- India’s Zoom Air, which launched its first
services on February 15, has signed a
Japan to Asia and North America. nomic growth through trade and these load of 112 tons (102 metric tonnes).
dry-lease agreement with fellow Delhi-
Hiroshi Sugiguchi, Vice-President, new freighter airplanes will help us (Photo Boeing) based carrier Club One Air for a Canadair
CRJ200. The airline currently operates
three CRJ200s also on dry-leases from
Work Starts on Mumbai’s New Airport Magpie Aviation (2) and Regional One and
this fourth example will be deployed on its
THE FOUNDATION stone has been laid Infrastructure are responsible for affect the residents of ten villages, UDAN flights – the regional connectivity
scheme established by the Government of
at the new Navi Mumbai International the new airport’s construction although the CIDCO is working to
India – in the country’s northeast region.
Airport by Indian Prime Minister which is estimated to cost RS16,700 relocate them. The first phase of the
Narendra Modi. The facility, crore ($2.6bn). project that will be completed next Philippine Airlines (PAL) is boosting its
which is intended to bring relief to the However, it hasn’t been a smooth ride year, will see the first of two parallel regional operations with the arrival of 15
city’s congested Chhatrapati Shivaji to reach this point. The project was ini- 12,467ft (3,800m) runways and a pas- new aircraft this year. Under the carrier’s
International, will be located 22 miles tially launched in 1997, but has been senger terminal capable of handling multi-hub expansion strategy, PAL aims
(35km) to the south of the existing beset by protests claiming the site ten million passengers per annum to improve domestic and international
airport and is scheduled to open in selected involves land reclamation of operational. By 2022, capacity will be connections. New routes and increases
to frequencies are being introduced as the
2019. The state-run City Industrial a coastal area that has a fragile ecol- increased to 25 million and will rise to flag carrier takes delivery of five additional
Development Corporation (CIDCO) ogy. The new facility is being built on 60 million by the time the fourth phase next-generation Bombardier Dash 8-Q400s
in partnership with GVK Power and a 7,200-acre (2,900ha) site and will of development is completed in 2031. and six Airbus A321neos starting in May.
In June, it will also receive the first of four
A350-900s for use on its long-haul network.
A further six aircraft – another two each of
Samurai Blue
Q400s, A321neos and A350-900s – are due
to arrive next year.
The Eastern Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan’s

flag carrier Drukair has signed a purchase
agreement for a single Airbus A320neo.
The aircraft will be powered by CFM LEAP-
1A26E1 engines which have been optimised
for high-altitude operations and will join
three existing A319s that operate out of the
carrier’s base in Paro. The facility at Paro is
located at an altitude of 7,300ft (2,225m)
and is surrounded by high mountains,
making one of the world’s most challenging
airports to reach.
Japan Airlines is showing its support again for the Japanese national football team by painting one of its Boeing 777-200s with a special livery enti-
tled Samurai Blue 2018. The aircraft, JA8979 (c/n 27638), received its new colour scheme during April and will promote the team’s participation in
the 2018 FIFA World Cup being played in Russia from June 14 to July 15. AVIATION IMAGE NETWORK/BAOLUO
New Trans-Tasman Routes

AIR NEW Zealand (ANZ) is planning services on peak days both to Cam Wallace, Air New Zealand’s Chief
to launch two new routes across the Melbourne and to Brisbane, as well Revenue Officer, said: “Market dynam- Far Eastern Air Transport (FEAT) has
Tasman Sea from December this year, as double daily between Monday and ics on the Tasman have changed and selected the Boeing 737 MAX 8 for its
in a move it reports will add an extra Friday to Sydney. the time is now right for each airline to fleet renewal programme, Swiss airline
15% seat capacity year-on-year. It The move comes after the announce- focus on its own objectives. Australia intelligence provider ch-aviation reports.
will operate a four times weekly link ment that the New Zealand flag carrier is the largest source of inbound visi- The Taiwanese carrier’s general manager
said it will introduce a total of 11 of the
between Queenstown and Brisbane is to end its trans-Tasman alliance with tors to New Zealand and we have built
type, with the first two set to arrive in
and a five-times a week service Virgin Australia in October, after a sev- up a significant presence in this mar- November and December 2019. Thereafter,
between Wellington and Brisbane. In en-year partnership. Current regula- ket. We remain fully committed to our FEAT will introduce two MAXs each year and
addition, ANZ is increasing capacity tory approval for the alliance expires other alliance relationships and our replacing its existing fleet of five McDonnell
into and out of Christchurch from at the end of that month and neither global airline alliance strategy is a criti- Douglas MD-82s and tree MD-83s.
October, moving to double daily plans to apply for a renewal. cal success factor in other markets.”
News Review • International
Airbus A321LR Proves its Credentials

AIRBUS HAS provided an update on the Seychelles non-stop to Toulouse, tion to its 16-member test crew. feature a new door configuration that
A321LR flight development programme France – a distance of 4,750nm Jim Fawcett, Airbus Flight Test Engineer, enables the jet to accomodate up to
including details of the type’s (8,797km). The trip was part of the remarked: “The A321LR has now com- 240 passengers. The record-break-
impressive long-haul capabilities. The A321LR’s 100-hour flight test and pleted 15 test flights and it is an excel- ing flight followed hot weather testing
prototype, D-AVZO (c/n 7877), has certification programme. To make the lent aircraft that keeps its promises in that was undertaken at Sharjah in the
successfully completed what Airbus trial as realistic as possible while terms of flight behaviour, passenger United Arab Emirates. (Photo Airbus)
claims is the longest flight by any evaluating the cabin systems, the comfort and fuel consumption.”
single-aisle jet airliner with a record- aircraft carried 163 human heat- Airbus said the A321LR is on track to
breaking journey from Mahé in the replicating dummy passengers, in addi- enter service later this year and will
First BBJ MAX 8 Airbus A330neo

Handed Over Testing Continues
AIRBUS HAS reported that its two weather trials were held in temper-
BOEING BUSINESS Jets has celebrated fly through its development milestones. A330-900neo test aircraft, F-WTTE atures down to -27°C, natural icing
the handover of the first BBJ MAX 8. In the past few weeks the aeroplane (c/n 1813) and F-WTTN (c/n 1795), have testing in the US, crosswind land-
The aircraft, N329BJ (c/n 61329), has achieved factory roll-out, its logged more than 700 hours flying ing evaluations in Ireland, a Bolivia-
has been flown to an undisclosed maiden flight on March 15, achieved all time during 200-plus flights as they based altitude campaign at heights of
completion centre where it will be fitted the necessary certifications and now head towards type certification. The up to 8,000ft (2,438m) elevation and
with an auxiliary fuel tank that will allow embarks on its final completion before aircraft have covered the world the recently completed hot weather
its new owner to fly up to 6,640nm being handed over to its new owner.” during the test campaign, including trials in Mexico where temperatures
(12,297km) in a standard configuration. Customers from around the world have flying to Kazakhstan where cold reached 37°C.
While at the centre it will have a so far placed orders for nearly 20 BBJ
bespoke cabin installed. examples across all three models: the
Greg Laxton, head of Boeing Business BBJ MAX 7, BBJ MAX 8 and BBJ MAX
Jets commented: “We are excited to 9. The first delivery is set for later this
Airbus Deliveries
see the first BBJ MAX come to life and year. (Photo Boeing)
The second Airbus A321-253 CS-TSG (c/n 8051) for Azores Airlines slows down on arrival on
Runway 21 at Lisbon. SOFIA FIRMINO
Airbus delivered the following aircraft in March:
Air France, AWAS (Air Guilin), AWAS (flyadeal), AWAS (Vanilla Air), Chengdu Airlines, easyJet
A320ceo 16 (2), Global Aircraft Trading (Aeroflot), International Airfinance Corporation (Saudia) (2),
International Aviation Investments Trading (Aeroflot) (2), Vueling, Wizz Air Hungary (3)
AirAsia (2), Avianca, BOC Aviation (Avianca Brazil) (2), BOC Aviation (Vistara), easyJet,
A320neo 11
Frontier Airlines (2), GECAS (Avianca Brazil), Pegasus Airlines
Bank of Communications Leasing (Hong Kong Express Airways), Cebu Pacific Air, Delta Air
A321ceo 15 Lines (4), Global Aircraft Trading (Aeroflot), JetBlue Airways (2), Spirit Airlines (3), VietJet Air,
Wizz Air Hungary (2)
Air Lease Corporation (Azores Airlines), Aviation Capital Group (Interjet), GECAS (Virgin
A321neo 3
America)
A330-200 2 Iberia, Tibet Airlines
A330-300 3 China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines (2)
AerCap (French Bee), ALAFCO (Thai Airways International), China Airlines, Delta Air Lines,
A350-900 5
Vietnam Airlines
A380 1 Emirates
Total 56

Boeing Deliveries
Rolls-Royce in brief
Trent 1000 Air Lease Corporation has finalised an
order for eight more Boeing 737 MAX 8s.
Problems The deal, which is valued at $936.8m,
raises the lessor’s commitments for the
Continue MAX to 138. John Poerschke, executive
vice president of Air Lease Corporation,
ENGINE MANUFACTURER Rolls-Royce remarked: “These aircraft perfectly fit ALC’s
and our airline lessees’ growing need for
has issued a further statement relating additional 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Our success
to the ongoing problems it is having in MAX placements to date speaks to the
with Trent 1000s powering Boeing strong market demand for these aircraft.”
The penultimate Boeing 737-800 for Japan Transocean Air from the carrier’s order for eight 787 Dreamliners.
aircraft it placed with the US manufacturer in May 2014. This example, JA07RK (c/n 61485) was
delivered on March 22. JOE G WALKER As part of an inspection regime SMBC Aviation Capital has sold eight of its
Boeing delivered the following aircraft in March: instigated by the company of the 380 single-aisle fleet to long-standing customer,
737-700 1 Kunming Airlines engines affected, it says it will now the Dublin-based lessor Genesis Aircraft
Services. The portfolio consists of four jets
9 Air, Air China, Bank of Communications Leasing (2), BOC Aviation (3), China carry out additional checks to those
from SMBC’s owned fleet and four from its
737-800 36
Development Bank Finance, China Eastern Airlines (6), China Southern Airlines previously planned. This increased managed inventory, featuring both Airbus
(3), Hebei Airlines, ICBC Leasing, Japan Transocean Air, Jet2.com (2), Ryanair (7),
Shenzhen Airlines, Southwest Airlines (2), Standard Charter Bank, Transavia (3) frequency is driven by its further and Boeing types which are currently on
737-800A 1 US Navy understanding of the durability of the lease to six different airlines.
Aeromexico, Air Canada (4), Air China (2), Air Lease Corporation, American Airlines (2), Trent 1000 Package C compressor
737 MAX 8 23 China Eastern Airlines (2), China Southern Airlines, GECAS, Hainan Airlines, Icelandair issue, a problem that the company Sukhoi Civil Aircraft has received approval
(3), SCAT Airlines, Southwest Airlines, TUI Travel, WestJet (2) from the Russian Federal Air Transport
highlighted earlier this year. These
737-900ER 4 Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines (3) Agency (Rosaviatsia) for a major modification
inspections will be supported by
737 MAX 9 1 Lion Air (Thai Lion Air) to the Superjet 100 type certification that
service management and flight
747-8F 1 UPS allows the jet to operate in Arctic latitudes
767-300F 1 FedEx Express
operations guidance to airlines that will up to 78.25° North. In tests performed
777-300ER 7 Air India, Korean Air (2), Qatar Airways, Swiss International Air Lines, United Airlines (2)
be issued by airworthiness authorities. at the end of March, the manufacturer
777F 1 FedEx Express Rolls-Royce said this will cause dispatched one of its prototype SSJ100s
Air France-KLM Group, All Nippon Airways, Aviation Capital Group, British Airways, additional disruption to its customers, to the Norwegian archipelago Svalbard
787-9 14
CIT Aerospace (2), El Al Israel Airlines, International Lease Finance Corporation, however this new regime doesn’t to monitor the jet’s inertial navigation
Norwegian Air Shuttle, TUI Travel, Unidentified Customer, Virgin Atlantic Airways, impact on operators of Trent 1000 system to ensure the type can perform
Xiamen Airlines (2) safely from airfields in high Arctic locations.
Package B or Trent 1000 TEN engines.
787-10 1 Singapore Airlines (Photo Sukhoi Civil Aircraft)
Total 91
The manufacturer added it is allocating
between £450m and £550m in its
Huge Order accounts to fix the problem.

Warren East, CEO of Rolls-Royce,
commented: “Our focus is on
for CFM International supporting our customers and doing
all we can to minimise any impact on
TRANSPORTATION PARTNERS (the has been expanded to include the their operations. We sincerely regret
leasing arm of the Lion Air Group) and Leap-1A. The engine manufacturer will the disruption this will cause, and we
CFM International have finalised an additionally provide maintenance repair are working around the clock to ensure
order for 380 Leap-1A engines to power and overhaul services to the Lion Air we return each engine to full service as
Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft Group’s CFM56 and Leap powerplants soon as possible.” Aircraft Engineers International (AEI),
the airline group has on order. The deal until the company’s own facility, Meanwhile, Boeing’s own statement the world’s only organisation representing
signed in Jakarta, Indonesia on March Batam Aero Technic, located in Batam, said about 25% of the total 787 fleet is licensed aircraft engineers/technicians,
powered by this engine variant. has written to the European Transport
29, is valued at $5.5bn – the choice Indonesia is completed. Commissioner, Violeta Bulc, warning that
of powerplant was announced in CFM International has been supporting An existing EASA Airworthiness
some countries are failing to allow licensed
February 2016. the airline’s new engine maintenance Directive for the Package C engine engineers to inspect maintenance work
Also included is an extension of the and test cell facility since the project requires inspections of an intermediate carried out by unlicensed mechanics as
25-year material service agreement was launched in 2016, providing project pressure compressor blade at certain required by the European Commission. This
for CFM56-7B, CFM56-5B and Leap-1B management, design, construction flight cycles. If a durability issue is practice has been acknowledged by EASA
engines originally signed by and commissioning advice for the found, the blade will be replaced. following audits it has carried out, however
attempts to enforce regulations have so far
Transportation Partners in 2014, which new facility. (Photo Boeing)
failed. AEI says that without the intervention
of the Commission, “only an avoidable
disaster will spur the authorities to comply”.
Boeing Horizon X, the business unit

responsible for investing in start-ups
and companies developing revolutionary
concepts and bringing them to the
market, has invested in Oxfordshire-based
Reaction Engines. The UK company is best
known for its synergetic air-breathing rocket
engine (SABRE), a hybrid engine blending
jet and rocket technology which is capable
of Mach 5 in air-breathing mode and Mach
25 in rocket mode for space flight. Boeing
said as Reaction Engines unlocks advanced
propulsion that could change the future of
air and space travel, it expects to leverage
this revolutionary technology to support its
own pursuit of hypersonic flight.
Widerøe Welcomes
NORWEGIAN REGIONAL carrier
Widerøe has taken delivery of the first
Embraer E190-E2. The aircraft was
handed over at the manufacturer’s São
José dos Campos facility on April 4
in front of VIPs, global media and
hundreds of Embraer staff.
Embraer employees, Ricardo Tadeu
Costa and Bruna Marcelino Rosa,
emerged through a sea of their dancing
colleagues to present a ceremonial
key for the maiden jet, LN-WEA
(c/n 19020009) to Widerøe CEO Stein
Nilsen and Chairman Roger Granheim.
It is the first of three firm orders for
Widerøe, with the second aircraft due
for delivery in May and the third in June. been impressed by the low fuel burn.
Widerøe has configured its E190-E2s in The first commercial flight took place
a high-density 114-seat single class on the morning of April 24, from
layout with a 29in pitch. Every seat has Bergen to Tromsø. On that route, the
a tablet holder and high voltage power E2 will shave around 20 minutes off
outlet and the aircraft has been the flight time, compared with the
prepared for high-speed (250mbps+) existing Bombardier Dash 8-Q400.
internet. The airline has selected “The E2 represents not only a major
a solution from Panasonic which is change in our service offering but
expected to become available at the also a massive change to the entire
end of 2019. Widerøe organisation,” Nilsen told
Widerøe CEO Nilsen said: “The E190-E2 guests at a hangar party in Bergen.
is an impressive aircraft. It is the ideal “Finally, the day has arrived [for us to
airplane for Widerøe as we introduce introduce] a majestic aeroplane with
jets for the first time in the company’s the potential to fulfil dreams for us
84-year history. I am convinced our working at Widerøe. Special thanks
passengers are going to love the cabin,
our operations people are going to Entry into Service Deputy COO and project leader for the
E2 programme, revealed the aircraft
TOP & MAIN • E190-E2, LN-WEA, arrives in Bergen
at the end of its delivery flight from Brazil.
embrace the new technology, while our The maiden jet touched down in AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/KIM VANVIK
financial collaborators will appreciate Norway for the first time on April 12, had made the journey from Las Palmas
the economics the aircraft permits.” when it arrived at the airline’s Bergen to Bergen without needing to refuel in
Paulo Cesar de Souza e Silva, Embraer hub. It’s delivery flight took it from São Aberdeen. While there was a minimum ABOVE LEFT • Embraer staff Ricardo Tadeu Costa
President & CEO, praised the effort José dos Campos to Recife, where it number of people on board the aircraft and Bruna Marcelino Rosa deliver the
of the company’s staff: “[An] amazing cleared customs. It then left Brazilian and no freight, Aks said the airline had ceremonial key to the first jet. EMBRAER
team of 18,000 people made this day airspace, touching down in Las Palmas
possible. It was your passion for the for a technical stop. From here the
challenge that brought us here.” aircraft routed to Aberdeen, where it
Nilsen said the airline was working stayed for a day prior to arriving home
“very hard” to make the launch a in Norway. Andreas Aks, Widerøe’s
success and emphasised the
importance of “right-sizing” for a
small regional carrier, which he
believes Embraer’s E2 family achieves.

Maiden Embraer E2 showing the Norwegian market this an engine and airframe OEM and an
beautiful aeroplane.” MRO, working in some of the harshest
Widerøe sees the E190-E2 playing a parts of the planet, inside the Arctic
key role as it looks to develop Circle. I took a lot of the flights to
heavy traffic flows from the west experience it first-hand and I could
coast of Norway to the north, tapping not think of a customer I would rather
into a growing demand from tourists. have as our launch operator. You will
At present many passengers are always and forever be in Embraer’s
required to fly from Bergen to Oslo history books.”
before travelling north, but Widerøe The Embraer Commercial Aviation
is looking to provide more direct links boss also believes the E2 will resonate
from Bergen. deeply with Norwegians, who are
Nilsen explained: “We have renowned for their environmentally
developed a unique network over friendly outlook.
decades, serving our customers from “This is the lowest fuel-burn aircraft
nearly every airport in Norway, not in the segment,” he declared. “This is
because it is easy but because it is an the quietest commercial jet aircraft in
important part of the transportation the world in production today. It
infrastructure. The E190-E2 gives us is also the quietest cabin of any
the opportunity to strengthen some of narrowbody aircraft that is flying in
our key routes in today’s network, the world today. Because of that
especially between the west coast fuel burn, this has the lowest CO²
and the northern part of Norway.” emissions of any jet built today… and
Widerøe will gradually introduce also the lowest NOx emissions. With
the aircraft into its network, with your partnership Widerøe we are
Nilsen describing its workload until showing the world that you can match
August as “low-utilisation”. Both economic sustainability… and respect
Embraer and engine provider Pratt for the planet that we live on.”
& Whitney have teams in Norway to Widerøe has 12 options for the E-Jets
assist with any challenges the airline family but said it wouldn’t take a
may encounter. decision on exercising those until after
“As launch customer we’ve prepared the summer. However, Nilsen made
for issues,” explained Nilsen, “but I’m no secret of the company’s interest in
ABOVE • Stein Nilsen (third left), John Slattery from us at Widerøe to Embraer; really confident in the product.” the smallest member of the E2 family,
(centre) and Carol Benzie, Managing Director, we are so honoured and humbled the E175-E2, which is due to enter
Aberdeen International Airport (third right), join that you chose us, a small company service in 2021. If all rights are
the cabin crew ahead of the final leg of the E2's
delivery flight. KEY-JAMES RONAYNE in Norway, to be your launch Leading the Way exercised, the total value of Widerøe’s
customer for the E190-E2. We have John Slattery, CEO & President, order with Embraer is approximately
TOP • Senior Embraer and Widerøe executives worked very hard to make this a
celebrate the handover of the first jet at São
Embraer Commercial Aircraft, invited $873m.
José dos Campos. EMBRAER success and are looking forward to Widerøe to be the launch operator for The arrival of the E-Jets has enabled
the E2 family after visiting the airline the airline to undertake a network
to get a feel for the carrier’s operation. expansion. This summer the E2
“When I spent time with Widerøe, it will fly to Hamburg and Munich,
dawned on me this is not an airline; while the increased capacity has
this is somewhere between an airline, freed up some of the airline’s Q400s
to enable the turboprop to be
used on its new Kristiansand to
London/Stansted service.
News Review • Business Aviation
ANA Zenith Welcomes Third Learjet 75

Business BIGGIN HILL-BASED Zenith Aviation and G-USHA – proved extremely tions in the level of activity generated
has taken delivery of the first of two popular with its clients. so we are hoping that the new aircraft
Jet Service new Learjet 75s, G-ZNTJ (c/n 45-562).
The aircraft was delivered over the
Stuart Mulholland, managing director
of Zenith Aviation commented: “We’re
can maintain this trend. Our business
is synonymous with the Learjet brand
Launched Easter weekend. The second, G-ZENJ
(c/n 45-565), was due for delivery after
delighted to welcome a third Learjet 75
into our fleet; 2018 is an exciting year
and the Lear’ 75 is the latest iteration
of this iconic design. We are certainly
ANA HOLDINGS and Sojitz are Airliner World went to press. for us and the sky is the limit with these interested in expanding our offering
teaming up to provide private jet Zenith ordered the extra aircraft after new arrivals. Our existing Learjet 75s and going from strength to strength.”
services under the ANA Business Jet its original pair of Learjet 75s – G-ZNTH have exceeded our wildest expecta- (Photo Zenith Aviation)
banner. The new company will
offer flights connecting to ANA
commercial services mainly bound
for North America and Europe, while
customers can also charter direct
flights from Japan to overseas
destinations. It will also provide a
concierge service, to make ground
transportation, hotel and restaurant
arrangements.
ANA Business Jet will be split 51%-
49% between ANA Holdings and
Sojitz respectively.
The new venture will use the
HondaJet, light business jet. ANA
Holdings and Honda Aircraft
OJets Takes Off
Company signed a memorandum of SINGAPORE-BASED OJETS has relationship as we expand OJets,” said OJets is promising 48-hour guaranteed
understanding (MOU) for a strategic been launched following the acqui- Michael Ta, CFO, OJets. “We have aircraft availability at a fixed hourly rate
partnership, under which Honda sition of a Bombardier Global 6000 implemented a growth objective to including global coverage without ferry
Aircraft will support various aspects and Challenger 650 from Minsheng quadruple the size of OJets’ current fees. It says there will be no initiation
of ANA’s new offering. This includes Financial Leasing. The jets, registered fleet by the end of Q2. This growth is or monthly management fees.
working with global charter 9H-OJT (c/n 9688) and 9H-OJJ underpinned by $350m in equity and Wang Fuhou, President, Business and
operators to provide coverage for (c/n 6076) respectively, were both for- debt; and will establish OJets as a Commercial Aviation Leasing Division,
ANA’s customers and establishing merly with defunct operator Zetta Jet, global operator with one of the newest Minsheng Financial Leasing, remarked:
a framework for ground support which was also based in Singapore. fleets of long-range business aircraft “We are delighted to collaborate with
functions at a variety of the airline’s “We are honoured to have closed [the in service.” OJets. Both parties are confident in
transit locations deal] with Minsheng Finance Leasing The company offers on-demand our partnership and in the business
Honda Aircraft President and CEO Co of China as our finance partner charter flights as well as a block hour aviation market. We look forward to
Michimasa Fujino, remarked: “I am and look forward to building our programme for frequent travellers. the success of this co-operation.”
delighted that ANA has chosen the
HondaJet to support their… feeder
and charter flight operations. I am
confident the HondaJet will meet and
exceed their customers’ expectations
Hahn Air Heads to Palma
with its unrivalled speed, efficiency, GERMAN CARRIER Hahn Air is intro- ed by one of the firm’s Cessna Citation holiday destination,” explained Daniel
luxurious features and comfort. I’m ducing a new weekly service from Sovereign business jets. Rudas, General Manager & COO of
looking forward to expanding the Düsseldorf (DUS) to Palma (PMI) this “We’re incredibly proud to be add- Hahn Air Lines.
business jet market through the use summer. The service, which departs ing another European destination with The new route joins Hahn Air’s origi-
of the HondaJet by ANA.” DUS at 7.15pm on a Friday and returns Palma de Mallorca and thereby offer- nal scheduled service connecting
at 4.45pm on Sunday, will be operating our passengers another attractive Düsseldorf and Luxembourg.
(Photo Hahn Air)

Jetliners Of The Red Star is a new
book that goes behind the Iron
Curtain to tell the story of the civilian
jet airliners of the Soviet Union.
The Tupolev Tu-104, Tu-134, supersonic Tu-144, Tu-154

and Tu-204, the Ilyushin Il-62, Il-86 and Il-96, and the
Yakovlev Yak-40 and Yak-42 get a chapter each,
illustrated with rare photos from the past and present.
An introductory essay details the history of Aeroflot
and the Soviet aerospace establishment.
Experience the parallel world of the airliners of the
Cold War with this essential work.
Order now at Two free DVDs with

www.theairlineboutique.com every online purchase
News Review • AIX Hamburg
Hamburg Happenings
Bernie Baldwin rounds up the many highlights of ths year's Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg.
FIRMLY PINNED to April in the aviation major announcements during the show.
calendar, Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) is Panasonic Avionics revealed a deal
probably the largest airline industry with Egyptair to provide its eX3 system
event that doesn’t actually feature for six 787-9 Dreamliners. Along with
an adjacent static display of aircraft. inflight connectivity throughout, each
Spread over seven sizeable halls (four business class seat will feature an 18in
of which also have an upper level) of (45.7cm) screen, a video touch handset,
Hamburg’s Messe Halle, this year’s a USB jack for high power in-seat
offering – held between April 10-12 charging and a noise cancelling audio
– showcased the latest and greatest jack. Economy class seats will feature a
innovations, technology and products 12in (30.5cm) screen and shared access
for cabin interiors. to power outlets.
Living up to the pre-show hype, Panasonic was also selected by Turkish
announcements came thick and fast This year's Aircraft Airlines for line-fit installation of the
Interiors Expo was
during the event. Zodiac Aerospace held at Hamburg's X-Series IFEC system on the 25 787-9s
and Airbus sprang the big opening day Messe Halle between and 25 A350-900s the airline has on
surprise, unveiling a deal to develop April 10-12. order, with options for a further ten
lower-deck modules with passenger systems. The first aircraft is due to be
sleeping berths for A330 aircraft and new A350-900s. The order covers the Additionally, Recaro also announced delivered in June 2019.
possibly the A350 XWB. These CL6710 for business class (a first on it has begun fitting WOW air’s Airbus Away from ‘hard’ IFEC equipment,
modules are being designed to be the A350 for this seat), the PL3530 for fleet with CL4400 business class Panasonic launched an airline onboard
easily interchangeable with regular premium economy and the CL3710 for seats as part of a retrofit programme. loyalty platform, NEXT Loyalty, which
cargo containers, even to the point of economy class. Recaro Customer Service gave the comprises a suite of solutions to
having the capability to be switched The manufacturer also received three seats new covers, a modification which personalise each passenger’s inflight
during a regular turnaround. No modi- orders from low-fare airlines. Peach it approved by virtue of its Design experience and let airlines extend their
fications to the aircraft’s cargo floor and has chosen the SL3510 for 14 A320ceo/ Organisation Approval (DOA) loyalty programmes. Passengers will
cargo loading system will be required. neo aircraft, the 19.8lb (9kg) seat’s first certification. be able to log in using the airline’s
The big deals for the big players were use in Japan. Meanwhile SpiceJet chosen credentials, or pair their mobile
led by Italy’s Geven with the largest ordered almost 10,000 BL3530Smart That’s Entertainment device via the carrier’s app. Customers
single order in its history as Hungarian economy seats – featuring a six-way Inflight entertainment and connectivity will then be able to use features such
carrier Wizz Air signed for 110 shipsets headrest – for its 50 Boeing 737 MAXs. (IFEC) companies also made some as resuming unfinished movies from
of the new Essenza economy-class seat previous flights, receiving tailored rec-
for its incoming A321neos. The product ommendations or accessing exclusive
was also chosen by Lufthansa Group content and offers related to their loy-
for 93 new A320neo/A321neo aircraft alty programme status. NEXT Loyalty’s
on order for its hub airlines Austrian, launch customer is Singapore Airlines.
Lufthansa and Swiss (which will receive Elsewhere, Global Eagle Entertainment
the first in early 2019). (GEE) launched Airconnect Go, a wire-
Mexico’s Interjet will also use the less IFE all-in-one portable video-on-
Essenza on 35 new A320neos from demand solution. Identifying a strong
May 2019, this reclining version featur- market among regional airlines, the
ing a more cushioned seat, multiway firm noted the unit does not require
padded headrest, USB, in-seat power installation (and thus no Supplemental
supply and “a very generous pitch”. Type Certificate) and can be accommo-
Recaro Aircraft Seating also secured dated in the overhead bin of most
several major commitments, reaching commercial aircraft types.
an agreement to furnish all three A similar product was on display in AIX’s
classes on China Southern Airlines’ new Passenger Technology Solutions

News Review • AIX Hamburg
Zodiac Aerospace has

partnered with Airbus Manufacturers
to offer lower-deck showcased a wide
sleeping modules for variety of technology
the A330 and A350. and innovation.
area, where MiniMe-Labs showed off path marking system will be installed
its Flying Plaza portable Wi-Fi media on 116 aircraft across its retrofitted and
server. Weighing less than 15.4lb (7kg), new 737-700, MAX 9 and A320 Family
the battery-powered server offers a fleets – making it one of the largest
private onboard network that detects multi-platform programmes ever
smartphones, tablets or laptops as they awarded to STG.
are switched on. Once logged into the
system, passengers will have the ability Crystal Cabin Winners
to order food and drink, access movies The 12th Crystal Cabin Awards were
and games, or shop for items to be presented in Hamburg on April 10 as
delivered on board and/or directly part of the AIX trade fair.
to their homes, as well as having an The awards, organised by Hamburg
onboard upgrade option. Aviation (an association of companies,
Franco-Italian turboprop manufacturer research institutions, educational
ATR revealed Afrijet of Gabon as the institutions based in the city) offer the
launch customer of Cabinstream, a only international recognition for
new wireless IFE solution developed by excellence in aircraft interior innova-
Phitek. Another simple IFE box solution tion. This year, the panel of 25 judges
that can be retrofitted, it enables – of which Airliner World has proudly
passengers to access a variety of been a member since its inception –
multimedia content on their personal assessed a record 91 entries spanning
devices. The system is now an option eight different categories (see table).
on all new ATRs and will be installed on
the African carrier’s examples by the Record Breaker
end of the year. AIX Hamburg hailed this year’s show
Another low-fare airline adding as its biggest yet, citing the more than
connectivity services was Citilink 14,000 visitors, 600 exhibiting
Indonesia, which signed a memoran- companies and 1,200 VIPs from over
dum of understanding with Inmarsat, 260 airlines around the globe that
Mahata Aero Teknologi (MAT), attended the event.
Lufthansa Systems and Lufthansa Exhibition director Polly Magraw
Technik, to provide inflight broadband remarked: “Every year we see more
for the airline’s fleet of A320 Family and more demand from passengers
aircraft. The four technology compa- Peach has contracted
for seamless connectivity and greater
nies are expected to work together to Recaro to provide expectations placed on all the players
provide Citilink with a Bring Your Own seating for 14 Airbus that make up the travel experience.
Device (BYOD) connectivity offering, A320ceo/neos. As a result, we have seen some truly
powered by Inmarsat’s GX Aviation ground-breaking innovations at AIX
inflight broadband service. Category Winner Product this week.
Inflight Entertainment and An IFE platform with on-board enter- “I’d like to thank all of our exhibiting
Cabin Systems Connectivity (IFEC)
Bluebox Aviation Systems
tainment for the visually impaired. companies, VIP airline attendees and
Major deals at this year’s AIX extended PriestmanGoode (in partnership
Qatar Airways Qsuite business visitors for helping to continue to make
Cabin Concepts with Qatar Airways and Rockwell
to cabin systems and STG Aerospace, Collins)
class cabin. AIX the world-renowned event for the
which was chosen by Icelandair to Silhouette MOVE, an innovative aircraft interiors sector. With the
design, develop and patent a new Cabin Systems Rockwell Collins partition wall between business and aircraft interiors industry innovating
saf-Tsign – complete with a switchable economy class cabins. rapidly, we look forward to bringing you
Greener Cabin, Health, Safety
Wi-Fi sign – to replace the carrier’s and Environment
Villinger LiteHeat, a heated floor panel. all of the latest updates at the 20th AIX
existing overhead Passenger Service Printed electrics, replacing
next year.”
Units. Material and Components Airbus and Altran traditional cable harnesses for The 2019 edition of AIX will return to the
The British company also announced cabin electronics. Hamburg Messe from April 2-4 where
its selection to supply its photolumi- Passenger Comfort Hardware Rockwell Collins
Valkyrie Bed, a seat/bed offering for it will be co-located with World Travel
premium business class.
nescent emergency floor path marking Catering and Onboard Services Expo
University Cranfield University E-tom Smart water tap concept.
system for Alaska Airlines’ Boeing and 3D Seat Map VR, which offers
(WTCE) and Passenger Technology
Airbus fleets. STG’s saf-Tglo SSUL Visionary Concepts
Renacen (in partnership with
passengers a virtual 360-degree Solutions (PTS).
Emirates)
photoluminescent emergency escape view of the cabin during booking. (All photos Aircraft Interiors Expo 2018)
Boeing’s Best S
Now 10,000 deliveries in, and with thousands more examples on order, the 737 has enjoyed a
remarkable history. Airliner World’s Craig West shines the spotlight on Boeing's baby.
D
esigned as the smallest the competing European and US types Model 377 Stratocruiser, had landed the Boeing’s move into small
member of an emerging account for more than half of the cur- company with a $15 million loss. jet-powered airliners was a
reluctant one, but what
family of jetliners, the rent 30,000-strong global airliner fleet. However, the KC-135 Stratotanker,
followed was an aircraft
Boeing 737 was developed the winning design for the USAF’s jet- that has remained in
as a means for the US Military Pedigree powered aerial refuelling tanker pro- production for more than
manufacturer to enter the previously Boeing’s initial entry into the gramme, proved to be the ideal oppor- five decades.
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
untouched short-haul sector and rep- commercial market was a somewhat tunity for the manufacturer to offset MATTHIEU DOUHAIRE
resented a natural progression from the reluctant one. The manufacturer had development costs for a passenger
long-range 707 and medium-range 727. built its reputation in the military aircraft. The resultant airliner, the 707,
What followed was an aircraft that sector, having secured was well received by the commercial
has remained in production for consecutive, lucrative contracts aviation market and changed the face
more than five decades, see- for two US Air Force strategic of long-haul travel, but carriers soon
ing off home-grown competi- bombers, the B-47 Stratojet demanded a shorter-range version of
tion from the Douglas DC-9 and and the eight-engined B-52 the intercontinental jet.
its MD-80/90 evolutions, and from Stratofortress during the Still grappling with the start-up and
Europe where numbers of British late 1940s. production costs of the 707 and facing
Aircraft Corporation’s (BAC) One- The then Seattle-based conflicting demands from potential
Eleven quickly paled into insignifi- firm’s scepticism of the customers over the layout and preferred
cance compared with Boeing’s small civilian air transport number of engines of the new design,
twin. Only Airbus’ A320 Family has market was justified; many of Boeing’s senior manage-
ever posed a serious challenge to the its last foray into the ment team was unenthusiastic.
US manufacturer’s dominance – today, sector, with the But proceed they did. The first

eller
727 tri-jet rolled out on November
27, 1962, buoyed by 40 orders each
from launch customers United
Airlines and Eastern Air Lines.
Development of an even smaller
aircraft was perhaps inevitable and,
bowing to pressure from a host of
operators, Boeing began preliminary
design studies in May 1964 on a 50-60
seat twinjet.
Innovation in Design
Initial work looked at the preferred
layout for the new jet. The rear-engined
Sud Aviation Caravelle offered several
advantages over a wing-mounted
engine layout, including a cleaner wing,
reduced asymmetrical thrust in the
event of an engine failure, and well-
shielded intakes to reduce the risk of
damage from debris thrown up by the
undercarriage. The design had inspired
a raft of new-generation airliners, such
as the DC-9 and Fokker 28, but was
disregarded by Boeing and
by Joe Sutter in particu-
lar. The designer, better
known for his later
work with the 747, took a pair of scis-

sors to a drawing of the then T-tailed
concept and began to move the engine
“Instead of mounting pods around the airframe.
“I slid the cut-out tight under the wing
the engines away from and felt a sudden flash of excitement,”
the wing on struts, why he later wrote. “Instead of mounting the
not mount them hard engines away from the wing on struts,
against the underside of why not mount them hard against the
underside of the wing itself?”
the wing itself?” It was an inspired move and one that
Joe Sutter, Engineer,Boeing earned him the then-standard $50
payment for the patent. Not only did
The first 271 737s were
assembled at Boeing
the extra weight of the larger fin, the jet
Field/King County before was still 1,543lb (700kg) lighter than an
production was moved to equivalent, rear-engined design.
nearby Renton in 1970. Where the twinjet really stood out
WIKICOMMONS/JELSON25
from its siblings was in its wing, which
was designed to deliver good lift and
low-speed handling characteristics
for short field operations, economic
high-speed performance at the
relatively low altitudes of short-range
commuter services, and space to
accommodate sufficient fuel for flights
of up to 1,000 miles (1,609km).
It was thicker than that of the 727 and
had a less acute sweepback, though the
737 inherited leading edge Kruger flaps,
outer span leading edge slats and triple
slotted trailing edge flaps, along with
the same Pratt & Whitney (P&W)
JT8D-7 engines.
Low running costs were also a key
The first prototype N73700
design requirement, and Boeing
(c/n 19437) was officially
rolled out in December 1966, incorporated several novel features to
adorned with Boeing’s reduce weight. When retracted, the
distinctive yellow and main landing gear folded into an
brown house livery. The jet
completed its maiden flight opening in the fuselage, effectively
the following April, kicking sealing itself and eliminating the need
off a 1,300hr, six-aircraft for heavy doors.
certification programme.
BOEING
International Rescue
By the end of 1964, the Seattle manu-
facturer was locked in a bitter sales bat-
tle with rival firm, the Douglas Aircraft
Company. The British-built One-Eleven
had already secured sales in the US and
Boeing was reluctant to proceed with
the 737 unless it secured a large-volume
the redesign reduce drag, but it also one for Boeing; like the Caravelle, order from one of the leading domestic
Having failed to secure a
gave a more favourable centre of the impact of an engine failure was large-volume order from a
carriers, namely United Air Lines and
gravity, a quieter aft cabin with more relatively benign on the 727 tri-jet major domestic customer, Eastern Airlines.
usable space, and easier access for while symptoms were also less-notable the 737 programme was Ultimately, it was the intervention of
maintenance. on the four-engined 707. To combat the instead launched on the German national carrier Lufthansa that
back of a 21-aircraft
It did, however, come with some potential difficulties, the 737 was given commitment from German decided the future of the new
downfalls. The problem of excessive a taller, redesigned tail fin to provide flag carrier Lufthansa. aircraft. Having been in discussion
asymmetric thrust was a relatively new greater directional stability – even with KEY COLLECTION/BOEING with Boeing over a potential order, the

The 737 was designed
airline threatened to walk away unless around the same, six-
the manufacturer made a firm com- abreast cabin and forward
mitment to build the type it was on the fuselage of the 727, which
back of this, and a 21-aircraft launch itself was similar to the
four-engined 707. Seating
order, that the programme was officially capacity was, however,
launched on February 15, 1965. quickly increased from the
Though significant, Lufthansa’s order original 50-60 to 100 for the
-100 series, and 112 for the
was not particularly large despite the
stretched 737-200.
aircraft having been designed to the KEY COLLECTION/BOEING
airline’s exacting specifications. In par-
ticular, it had been given seating capac-
ity for 100 passengers, as opposed to the
50-60 seats that formed the basis of the
original design. Despite the increased
size, neither Eastern nor United felt the
737 met their future capacity require-
ments. Boeing immediately offered
the -200 series, a stretched variant that
incorporated a 193cm (76in) fuselage
extension and increased seating to 112
– sufficient to attract a 40-aircraft order
from United.
Airborne
Two’s Company, Three’s a Crowd
Design and production of the first six
prototypes began in earnest during the
spring of 1965. Of immediate concern
Sales of the original 737 series were (35,834kg) to 93,000lb (42,184kg). As Continuous evaluations over the past to Boeing was the simultaneous devel-
relatively slow, particularly in the US. a result, the jet – designed for just two two years included regular operations opment of both the -100 and -200
This was due in part to design decisions pilots and lacking a flight engineer’s of the aircraft in a high-density air traf- series, particularly given the low
that led to considerable controversy station – legally required a third crew fic environment to determine workload, number of orders at that time. Savings
between the pilots, the airlines, member, making it a decidedly expen- complexity, and safety of operations in
were gained in tooling, design, man-
and the FAA who would be certifying sive proposition. a fail-safe concept. These flights were
the aircraft. In April 1965, the FAA moved to abolish part of a very extensive flight-testing hours and workforce training by
At the time the twinjet was launched, the weight limit criteria, but two years programme accomplished by the FAA building the 737 around the same, six-
legislation dictated that only aircraft of deliberation and consultations and Boeing personnel. The technical abreast fuselage and nose design of the
with a maximum take-off weight of followed between pilots’ unions, airline findings coming out of these evalua- 727, which itself was similar to the 707.
80,000lb (36,287kg) could be oper- managers and airframe manufacturers. tions are that the aircraft can be safely With the manufacturer’s facility at
ated by a two-man crew. It was these The authority eventually launched a flown with a minimum of two pilots.” Renton, Washington already busy with
rules that dictated the size of the series of trials in 1967, flying the 737 The 737 was subsequently certified the 707 and 727, the 737 was initially
first Douglas DC-9s, while the BAC on airline-style services on the busy in December 1967, though several
assembled at nearby Boeing Field/King
One-Elevens acquired by Braniff and Boston-New York-Washington corridor operators – including Western Airlines,
American Airlines also met this crite- with a two-man crew. As a result of Frontier, Wien Air Alaska and United – County (the production line was moved
rion. So too did the 737 in its original these tests, the FAA declared: “The far- were bound by labour agreements with to Renton in 1970, after 271 airframes
guise, but with potential customers reaching evaluation of the Boeing 737 the unions to fly with a crew of three. were completed).
demanding a bigger aircraft, its weight was started in September 1965, with The latter did not revert to two-pilot It was here that prototype N73700
crept up from the initial 79,000lb the evaluation of the cockpit mock-up. 737 operations until 1981. (c/n 19437) was officially rolled out in
December 1966. Adorned with Boeing’s
distinctive yellow and brown house
livery, the jet departed from Boeing Field
on its maiden flight on April 9, 1967 in
the hands of test pilots Brian Wygle and
Len Lewick. The successful two-and-a-
half-hour sortie ended at another of
the company’s facilities, nearby Paine
Field, Everett, marking the start of a
1,300-hour, six-aircraft certification
programme.
Testing Times
By the time the prototype had taken
flight, the first production example
for launch customer Lufthansa was
nearing completion, leading Boeing
to believe it would meet its optimistic
deadline of putting the aircraft into
service by the end of the year.
However, early testing identified a
problem that was significant enough for
the manufacturer to announce a three-
month delay on deliveries. Boeing
found the airframe produced excess
drag at high cruise speeds, putting the
new, lower-weight wing spars at risk
of buckling at a loading of just 34%
The -200 series proved above normal operational levels.
popular with a variety of
As a quick fix, engineers reinforced
British carriers including
Air Europe, Air UK Leisure, the rear spar on the first two test aircraft
Ambassador Airways, to increase this figure up to 50%, but
British Airways, Caledonian, further delays were encountered
Dan-Air and Inter European.
London Luton-based after the modified wing had to be put
Britannia Airways operated through another structural overload
around 45 different cycle. Additional design refinement
examples, including G-BECG enabled the manufacturer to squeeze
(c/n 21335), which was
delivered new in April 1977. even more performance from the wing,
KEY COLLECTION an essential development after the
stronger but heavier spars increased
weight and compromised the 737’s
short-field performance – one of its
major selling points.
Certification for the series -100 was
received from the FAA on December 15,
Northern Air Cargo’s Boeing 1967, with approval for the longer -200
737-232A freighter N321DL following six days later. Remarkably, the ushered the 737 into a new era – pay- and main landing gear to protect the
(c/n 23093) is equipped
manufacturer met its original certifica- load and range had been improved fuselage and wings, reinforcing the
with a gravel kit, including
deflectors on the nose and tion schedule though the first example significantly, while cruising speed and airframe and antennas, applying an
main landing gear and was not delivered to Lufthansa until short-field performance were far closer abrasion-resistant Teflon-based paint
vortex dissipaters to protect December 28, too late for Boeing's to the original specifications laid down on undersurfaces, a retractable lower
the engines from ingesting
debris. The modifications
planned end-of-year entry into service, by Boeing. anti-collision light and vortex dissipat-
were popular with carriers which came the following February. Successful as the changes were, the ers to protect the engines from ingest-
serving remote regions – at small capacity of the 737-100 meant the ing debris.
its peak of operation, 737s
were completing more than
Growing Appeal variant attracted just 30 orders. The The protective equipment added to
2,000 movements a year Boeing worked throughout 1968 to bigger -200 offered a much more eco- the 737’s versatility and, according to
from unpaved runways. develop a longer-term solution to the nomical proposition, and Boeing moved Boeing, limited extra maintenance
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/ excess drag issue. The additional 500lb to maximise the type’s appeal. This costs associated with flying to and from
DARREN HOWIE
of thrust offered by the more powerful included two special variants, the -200C semi-prepared airstrips (with, for exam-
P&W JT8D-9 turbofan again delivered a convertible and 200QC ‘quick-change’, ple, additional tyre wear and paint loss)
quick fix, but more substantial chang- both of which were equipped with a to just $15 per landing. It was certain-
es were necessary. After almost a year large cargo door in the forward fuse- ly popular with carriers serving remote
of wind tunnel and flight testing, sev- lage, specialist handling equipment and regions – at its peak of operation, 737s
eral aerodynamic modifications were reinforced cabin floors, enabling mixed were completing more than 2,000
made. This included redesigned engine passenger and freight operation or rapid movements a year from unpaved
nacelles and wing fairings, improved reconfiguration between the two. runways.
airflow over the lower edge of the wing, Among the more unusual options
vortex generators on the rear fuselage offered by Boeing was the ‘Unpaved Advancing the Design
and redesigned thrust reversers. Strip Kit’ (or gravel kit). Rolled out in With the 737 established and in
These upgrades were introduced as early 1969, the modification included service, Boeing set about a radical
standard from aircraft number 135 and installing gravel deflectors on the nose development programme, producing
Key Dates
Family Original Classic Next-Generation MAX
Series 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 7, 8, 9, 10
First flight Apr 9, 1967 Aug 8, 1967 Feb 24, 1984 Feb 19, 1988 Jun 30, 1989 Jan 22, 1998 Feb 9, 1997 Jul 31, 1997 Aug 3, 2000 Jan 29, 2016
First delivery Dec 28, 1967 Dec 29, 1967 Nov 28, 1984 Sep 15, 1988 Feb 28, 1990 Sep 18, 1998 Dec 17, 1997 Apr 22, 1998 May 15, 2001 May 22, 2017
Launch customer Lufthansa United Airlines US Air Piedmont Airlines Southwest Airlines SAS Southwest Airlines Hapag Lloyd Alaska Airlines Batik Air
Last delivery Nov 2, 1969 Aug 2, 1988 Dec 17, 1999 Feb 25, 2000 Jul 21, 1999 Aug 31, 2006 - - - -
Units produced 30 1,114 1,113 486 389 69 1,280 4,853 510 86
On order - - - - - - 5 321 569 4,230

the aircraft as the -200 Advanced from
the 281st delivery onwards. With an
increased take-off weight, more
powerful engines and a greater fuel
capacity, the Advanced delivered a vast
improvement over its predecessors. Its
cabin was reconfigured to seat 130
passengers, while revisions to the wing
flaps and more powerful brakes allowed
the upgraded aircraft to operate into
smaller airports. In the later production
examples, airframe weight was also
reduced, by 1,000lb (454kg), using
carbon composites in the rudder,
elevators, ailerons and cabin interior.
This was, however, as far as Boeing
could take the 737 on JT8D power. The
jet continued to perform well against
the DC-9 and, later, the MD-80 series,
but when Europe’s Airbus Industrie
unveiled plans to marry a clean-sheet
competitor with the latest-generation
high bypass turbofan engines, the 737
was left in a precarious position.
With its A320, Airbus was offering the
much greater fuel efficiency of the CFM
International CFM56, fly-by-wire con-
trols and a wider cabin cross-section.
Boeing had allowed the market for small British leisure carrier
Caption
jetliners to evade it once before and Orion Airways became
would not repeat the mistake. It had the first export customer
for the 737-300 when it
already begun to re-invent the 737. took delivery of its maiden
example in January 1985.
Replacing a Classic AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
Large, powerful high-bypass turbo- THE SAMBA COLLECTION
fans had been in development by
companies on both sides of the Atlantic
since the mid-1960s. This type of
engine offered higher thrust and
reduced fuel consumption compared
with lower bypass powerplants such
as the JT8 used on early 737s, but
TOP • The 737-300/400/500

series features a glass
cockpit in place of analogue
gauges. KEY COLLECTION
Boeing 737-2M2A D2-TBP

(c/n 23220) was one of ten
examples acquired by TAAG
Angola. KEY COLLECTION
applications had been restricted to ten-aircraft, plus options, launch order Second Generation The CFM56 engine offered
widebody aircraft. It was not until 1974 from USAir and Southwest. Takes Flight significant improvements
over the original JT8D,
that CFM International – a joint venture The cornerstone of this upgraded The prototype 737-300, c/n 22950, was but had a far larger diam-
between General Electric and design was the CFM56, but the change rolled out at Boeing’s Renton plant on eter, so it could not be
France’s Société Nationale d’Etudes et of powerplant brought mixed blessings. January 17, 1984 and made its maiden conventionally mounted to
the aircraft without exten-
Construction de Moteurs d’Aviation It offered significant improvements flight under the command of Jim sive modifications to the
(SNECMA) – pooled its parents’ over the original JT8D, but had a far McRoberts on February 24. The jet was wing and undercarriage.
research into small-fan, high-bypass larger diameter, so it could not be the 1,001st 737 to be built and carried the AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
JORGEN SYVERSEN
engines. The resulting CFM56 ran for conventionally mounted to the aircraft same registration as the first -100 series,
the first time on June 20, 1974 and won without extensive modifications to the N73700, a theme that would continue
its first application in United’s DC-8-60 wing and undercarriage. across all the ‘new generation’ models.
ABOVE LEFT • Many Classics
re-engine programme. Keen to avoid a costly redesign, It was joined by a further two examples have been given a new
With the new turbofan proving itself Boeing worked with CFM and devised for the nine-month certification lease of life as freighters.
in service, Boeing began design work an unusual solution – the intake fan programme. This ASL Airlines Belgium
example, OE-IAG (c/n 25168),
on a CFM56-powered 737-upgrade – diameter was reduced, while several USAir took the first customer aircraft
was delivered new to
the -300 series. Using a tried and tested components were relocated from on November 28, 1984, two weeks Dan-Air in 1992.
concept, the latest variant would be beneath the engine to the sides, after FAA certification was granted. AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
a linear evolution of its predecessors, giving the nacelle a unique, flattened Southwest received its initial aircraft RUDI BOIGELOT
sharing a 70% commonality with the appearance. two days later and deliveries continued
earlier -200 but incorporating extended Furthermore, the 20,100lb-rated rapidly– with orders flooding in. In
wing tips and an 8ft 8in (2.68m) fuse- CFM56-3B1 was positioned in front of Europe, British leisure carrier Orion The -400 series was
lage stretch, providing space for up to the wing rather than underneath it and Airways became the first export intended to plug the gap
between the existing 737-
149 passengers. this, along with a slightly lengthened customer for the type when it took 300 and the 240-seat 757.
The 737-300 was given the official nose wheel, provided the necessary delivery of its maiden example on AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
go-ahead in March 1981, following a ground clearance. January 29, 1985. DANIJEL JOVANOVIC
Milestone Jets
Variant Customer Delivered
First airline delivery 737-100 Lufthansa December 28, 1967
1,000 737-200 Delta Air Lines December 22, 1983
2,000 737-500 Lufthansa February 25, 1991
3,000 737-400 Alaska Airlines February 27, 1998
4,000 737-800 Air Algérie June 19, 2001
5,000 737-700 Southwest Airlines February 13, 2006
6,000 737-800 Norwegian April 16, 2009
7,000 737-800 flydubai December 16, 2011
8,000 737-900ER United Airlines February 16, 2014
9,000 737-800 China United Airlines April 21, 2016
10,000 737 MAX 8 Southwest Airlines March 30, 2018

The most notable difference on the
latest variant was the now standard
glass cockpit, with Boeing having
bowed to increasing customer pressure
to offer the 737 with at least some com-
monality to its larger siblings. The first
-400 was officially unveiled on January
26, 1988 with McRoberts again com-
manding the first flight on February 19.
…and a Shrink
Sales of the new-generation models
were brisk, but for some existing 737-
200 operators looking to upgrade, the
stretched fuselage and additional
capacity was too much. Thus, the -500
series was born – Boeing’s newest
offering combined the best features
of the latest models with a 102ft (31m)
fuselage, just 1ft 7in (48cm) longer than
the -200 it was intended to replace and,
in an effort to attract repeat
business, customers were given the
option of keeping analogue gauges in
place of the new glass cockpit.
A Long Stretch… Boeing continues to ramp up Undeterred, Boeing pressed ahead The now standard CFM56 engine was
In its -300 application, the CFM56- production of the 737 family. with the series -400, incorporating retained, though there was a choice of
This year the Renton plant
3B1 delivered 20,100lb of thrust, but the is increasing output from 47
a 10ft (3m) fuselage extension and the -3B1 variant from the 737-300 or the
basic engine was capable of consider- aircraft per month to 52, a pushing seating capacity up to 170 in de-rated, 18,500lb -3B4 variant,
ably higher ratings. Boeing took this figure set to rise to a record an Economy layout. Other changes both of which were 25% more efficient
flexibility and combined it with various high of 57 in 2019. included strengthened wings and than the JT8D-9 turbofans they
BOEING
fuselage lengths to produce 737 undercarriage to cope with take-off replaced. By the time production of the
derivatives suitable for routes and weights up to 150,000lb (68,039kg), -200 series was concluded and the final
passenger loads never-before envisaged along with installation of a tail bumper, example, 737-25C, B-2524 (c/n 24236)
for the type. considered necessary because of the was delivered to Xiamen Airlines in
Developing an even longer airframe longer fuselage and the increased risk of August 1988, its long-term successor
was something of a gamble for Boeing. tail scrape on rotation. was poised to take over.
The US manufacturer was eager to plug
The 110-seat 737-600 was
the gap between the existing family the smallest of the Next
and the 240-seat 757, but such a move Generation series and
would pitch it directly against the A320. achieved only modest
sales. Production spanned
just 69 examples before
The
Boeing officially withdrew
the variant from its
catalogue in 2012.
Sound of
AVIATION IMAGE NETWORK/
BAILEY
Silence
The launch of the 737-300/-400/-500 models
by Boeing proved to be well timed. The The -800 entered service
Aviation Noise and Capacity Enhancement in April 1998 and has since
Act, imposed by the US Government in 1990, gone on to be the most
had a significant impact on the original JT9D- popular of all the 737
powered 737 when it set out to regulate variants, accounting for
aircraft noise by mandating the introduction almost half of the 10,000
of Stage 3 noise suppression technology on examples produced to date.
all aircraft by 2000. Carriers were faced with AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
SIMONE CIARALLI
the choice of buying new, compliant aircraft
or reducing the noise of their existing fleets,
creating a large market for ‘hush kits’. The
equipment, which could be retrofitted to the
engines of ageing 737-100s and -200s, would
bring the aircraft within the Stage 3 require-
ments, but they were still significantly noisier
than the new-generation models. However,
with legislation becoming increasingly
stringent and the hush kit-equipped jets
consuming almost 50% more fuel than their
new-build counterparts during take-off alone,
the majority of early-model 737s were
effectively forced out of Europe and the US.
Limited ground clearance
The first -500 model completed its on the 737 led Boeing and
maiden flight less than a year later CFM to come up with an
and deliveries to launch customer innovative solution to mount
the then new CFM56 engine.
Southwest Airlines started in February The intake fan diameter
1990. A year later, Lufthansa took the was reduced, while several
2,000th 737 built, also a -500, while Aer components were relocated
Lingus had become the first carrier with from beneath the engine
to the sides, giving the
-300, -400 and -500 models in service nacelle a unique, flattened
simultaneously. appearance.
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
The Next Generation MATTHIAS GEIGER
The emergence of the A320 during

the early 1990s posed a serious threat to
Boeing’s market share. The European-
built Airbus, which pioneered the use of ABOVE RIGHT • The ‘office’
digital fly-by-wire flight control systems of a Next Generation 737,
showing the enlarged flat
and side-stick controls, had landed panel displays that replaced
orders from previously loyal 737 cus- the CRTs employed on the
tomers, such as Lufthansa and United Classic series.
Airlines, leaving the US manufacturer RENATO SERRA FONSECA
BBJ Variants
with little choice but to mount a
response. The company’s board of
directors acted swiftly and initiated a
design study into a new family of The initial Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) was on November 23 that year. Subsequently, the
aircraft in 1991, officially launching launched in July 1997, combining the 737-700 BBJ2 was created, based on the -800, and the
the Next Generation (NG) programme fuselage with the wing and undercarriage of BBJ3 on the -900. Interior fit varies accord-
two years later. the -800. Offering a standard range in the ing to customer, but all BBJs feature integral
Opting to do very little to the fuselage, region of 6,000nm (11,104km) and seating airstairs, winglets and additional fuel capacity.
up to 68 passengers, the type first flew on They are certificated for 180-minute ETOPS
the manufacturer combined it with a
September 4, 1998 and the first customer as standard. (Photo Aviation Image Network/
bigger, redesigned wing (with optional airframe, for General Electric, was delivered Bravo November)
winglets) offering greater aerodynamic
efficiency and increased fuel capacity.
For its part, CFM offered the upgraded NG into Service the A321. The 737-900 was launched
CFM56-7, equipped with full-authori- Southwest Airlines, already a major in late 1997 on the back of a ten-aircraft
ty digital engine control (FADEC) and 737 operator, placed the NG launch order from Alaska Airlines. Remarkably,
delivering a baseline thrust rating of order on January 19, 1994, committing the jet could carry up to 220 passengers,
26,400lb (the new engine required to 63 -700s. Its maiden example arrived placing it on a par with the popular but
Boeing to enlarge the aircraft’s tailfin to in December 1997, barely 10 months ageing 757 in terms of capacity if not
maintain directional stability). after the type’s first flight. range.
Cruising at 41,000ft and just under Next ‘out of the box’ was the -800, Evidently there was potential for a 737
Mach 0.8, compared with typical which debuted with Hapag-Lloyd Flug that could replace the older 757
figures of 37,000ft and Mach 0.75 for in April 1998 and has since gone on to altogether and, buoyed by a 30-strong
the -300/400/500 (since dubbed the be the best-selling of all the 737 variants. order from Lion Air of Indonesia,
Classic series), the NG had a basic range Conversely, the 110-seat -600 series Boeing launched such an aircraft, the
of 3,300nm (6,111km), around 800nm (the smallest of the NGs) achieved only -900ER (Extended Range) in 2005,
(1,480km) further than its longest- modest sales with production spanning coinciding with the end of production
ranged predecessor. Passenger comfort, just 69 examples before Boeing officially for the 757. Powered by the 28,400lb
on flights that were now increasingly withdrew the variant from its catalogue CFM56-7BE, the -900ER also features
medium-haul in length, was improved in 2012. a reworked tailskid, modified leading
with a cabin based on the flex interior of The success of the -800 persuaded and trailing edge surfaces for improved
the Classic, but featuring improvements Boeing to pursue an even longer take-off and landing performance, and
adapted from the 777. stretch, rising to the challenge posed by a range of 3,235nm (5,990km).

fuel burn and when Airbus announced
its re-engined A320neo in December
2010, Boeing was obliged to react.
The manufacturer had been
considering a clean-sheet replacement
for the 737 since the mid-2000s, but
once again opted to improve the 1960s’
design. Significantly, it elected to stick
with the engine-sourcing strategy that
helped it secure huge numbers of orders
for its previous-generation aircraft. This
meant continuing its longstanding
relationship with CFM International
and replacing the popular and reliable
CFM56 with its successor, the Leap-1B.
Elsewhere, the fourth iteration of the
best-selling twinjet – named the 737
MAX – features a raft of refinement
and improvements that, according to
Boeing, reduce fuel burn by 11-12% and
lowers operating costs by 7% compared
Going MAX the product, quickly followed by The 737-900ER is the biggest with the NG.
Conscious of the growing importance Malaysia Airlines, Jetairfly, Continental of the NG series and can Launching the MAX in August
accommodate up to 220
of passenger experience in gaining and Norwegian; the latter taking the passengers in a single-class 2011, Nicole Piasecki, VP Business
customer loyalty for its airline clients, 1,000th -800 with a Sky Interior during layout. AVIATION IMAGE Development and Strategic Integration,
in October 2010 Boeing revealed a new February 2014. NETWORK/SIMON GREGORY Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said:
737 cabin configuration. Named ‘Sky Boeing followed the new cabin with “The 737 MAX will deliver maximum
Interior’ and taking advantage of work a performance improvement package The fourth iteration of the efficiency, maximum reliability and
best-selling twinjet, the
for the 787 Dreamliner cabin, it incor- aimed at reducing fuel consumption by 737 MAX, features a raft of the Boeing Sky Interior will continue to
porated an LED lighting system, revised 2%, along with a commensurate low- refinements and improve- offer maximum passenger comfort. We
stowage bins and all-new ceiling and ering of carbon emissions. However, ments which, according to call it the 737 MAX because it optimises
wall panels, designed to maximise these upgrades served only to keep the Boeing, reduce fuel burn by everything we and our customers have
11-12% and lower operating
space and optimise comfort. Low-cost NG competitive. For the future, airlines costs by 7% compared with learned about designing, building,
operator flydubai was first to introduce were looking for huge improvements in the NG. BOEING maintaining and operating the
The MAX bears Family Evolution

more than a passing Model 737-200 Adv 737-400 737-800 737 MAX 8
resemblance to its
Passengers 130 170 189 210 (737-8-200)
Engines (x2) JT8D-15A (15,500lb) CFM56-3C (23,500lb) CFM56-7 (24,200-27,300lb) CFM Leap-1B (26,786–29,317lb)
predecessors but Length 100ft 2in (30.53m) 119ft 7in (36.45m) 129ft 6in (39.50m) 129ft 8in (39.52m)
incorporates several Wing Span

Max Take-Off Weight
93ft (28.35m)
128,100lb (58,105kg)
94ft 9in (28.88m)
150,000lb (68,039kg)
117ft 5in (35.80m)
174,200lb (79,015kg)
117ft 10in (35.9m)
181,200lb (82,191kg)
significant differences... Range 2,596 miles (4,179km) 2,879 miles (4,633km) 3,582 miles (5,765km) 4,085 miles (6,570km)
42985), was in fact handed over, again
earlier than planned, to Malaysian
carrier Malindo Air on May 16.
An Evolving Market
Given the popularity of its best-selling
predecessors, it’s hard to imagine the
fourth-generation 737 being anything
less than a commercial success over
its projected 15-plus year lifecycle. The
order book for the MAX is healthy and
growing – it’s the fastest selling airliner
The latest 737s feature the
same six-abreast layout in Boeing’s history. VietJet Air’s
as the original examples, signing for 100 MAXs in mid-2016 is
but the advent of in-flight an indicator of wins to be had from
entertainment systems
and Boeing’s Sky Interior
existing Airbus operators.
has transformed the cabin With the 737 MAX 8 now entering
almost beyond recognition. service with operators around the globe
AVIATION IMAGE NETWORK (at the time of writing, Boeing has
delivered almost 90 aircraft to 20
world’s best single-aisle airplane.” “The team met all the milestones, carriers), attention is now focused on
Wind tunnel testing was essential including wing-body join, power on how to compete more effectively with
to substantiate the MAX’s aerodynamic and roll-out.” the A321neo. The US firm has never
performance and formed a crucial Notably, the manufacturer was backed down from a fight and, with
part of the aircraft’s development. In rather conservative with its timeline, the longest member of the A320 Family
February 2012, the manufacturer planning a six-year launch-to-delivery having racked up more than 1,900
announced the final phase of low- cycle and allocating 20 months to orders, Boeing made its move at the
speed testing at QinetiQ’s facility in undertake a nine-month flight testing BELOW • Intended to compete
2017 Paris Air Show with the launch
Farnborough and high-speed testing programme. Progress was, however, more effectively with Airbus’ of the much anticipated MAX 10. Its
at the Boeing transonic wind tunnel in faster than anticipated, leading Boeing A321neo, the 737 MAX 10 unveiling was accompanied by a slew of
Seattle. Models used had modifications to accelerate the estimated entry into was launched last year orders and commitments, spanning 361
and features a stretched
to the aft fuselage, struts and nacelles. service by several months to autumn fuselage and more powerful airframes and 16 lessors and operators.
Following completion of these tests, 2017. The first example, 9M-LRC (c/n engines. BOEING Commenting at the show, Boeing
Boeing made a series of design deci-
sions for the final configuration, which
was confirmed in November 2012.
The MAX bears more than a passing
resemblance to its predecessors but
incorporates several significant differ-
ences. This includes an extended tail
cone, while the section above the
elevator has been thickened to improve
air flow, eliminating the need for vortex
generators on the tail. Engine wing
integration is now similar to the 787
Dreamliner with a new pylon and strut,
and an 8in (20.3cm) nose gear
extension, maintains ground clearance.
Flying controls include new fly-by-wire
spoilers, which save weight by replacing
the previous all-mechanical system,
while the aircraft also features new in-
house developed Advanced Technology
winglets.
In the cockpit, four new large-format
wide-screen displays consolidate some
analogue functions, but other switches
and panels, such as the overhead panel,
are largely unchanged.
Testing to Delivery
Named The Spirit of Renton, the first
737 MAX 8, N8701Q (c/n 42554), was
rolled out in front of Boeing employees
on December 8, 2015, resplendent in a
special teal version of the company’s
house livery. Nine days earlier, the
aircraft went into the hangar for paint-
ing, this final stage of the aircraft’s build
starting on the precise date determined
four years previously. Keith Leverkuhn,
VP and General Manager, 737 MAX,
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said:

Deliveries of the new 737
Commercial Airplanes President and MAX 8 are well under way
fleets the range capability, fuel efficien- significantly, as a long-awaited replace-
CEO Kevin McAllister, remarked: “The with almost 90 aircraft now cy and unsurpassed reliability that the ment for the popular but ageing 757,
MAX 10 extends the competitive advan- in service with 20 carriers 737 MAX family is widely known for.” many observers predict the MAX 10
tage of the 737 MAX family and we’re around the globe. BOEING The newest member of the MAX fam- could be the ultimate enhancement to
honoured that so many customers ily is 66in (168cm) longer than the MAX date for the 737 programme. As the
across the world have embraced the 9, enabling it to carry up to 230 pas- company’s venerable cash cow, the type
outstanding value it will bring to their ABOVE RIGHT • Keen to retain sengers. It will be powered by the same is believed to account for around
fleets. “Airlines wanted a larger, better commonality with the Leap-1B as its European rival and 40-45% of the operating profits for
option in the large single-aisle segment previous-generation 737s, feature a modified wing and new Boeing Commercial Airplanes and,
the cockpit of the MAX is
with the operating advantages of the largely unchanged save for levered main gear to help accommodate while the A320neo continues to pose a
737 MAX family. Adding the 737 MAX the inclusion of four new the larger powerplant. significant challenge, there’s little doubt
10 gives our customers the most 15.1in displays in place of Pitched as a direct competitor to the the baby Boeing remains a force to be
the old six-screen system.
flexibility in the market, providing their long-range A321LR but, perhaps more reckoned with.
ROBERTO ACEVEDO
Many observers
predict the MAX 10
could be the ultimate
enhancement to date
for the 737 programme.
WHEN YOU TAKE OUT A 2-YEAR OR
DIRECT DEBIT SUBSCRIPTION TO
ONLINE PHONE POST

UK 01780 480404 Complete the form and post to:
OVERSEAS +44 1780 480404 Airliner World,
Subscribe at: Monday to Friday Key Publishing Ltd,
www.airlinerworld.com 9.00am until 5.30pm PO Box 300, Stamford,
Fax UK 01780 757812 Lincs, PE9 1NA,
Overseas +44 1780 757812 United Kingdom
A IR B US MAKE HUGE SAVINGS
A 350 when you pay by easy Direct Debit – just £10.99 every quarter or £41.99 annually PLUS FREE DVD
XWB DV D Free gift is only available on Direct Debit with a minimum 2 year subscription.
Join the AirUtopia  YES, I would like to subscribe to Airliner World

team on this
‘Magic of Flight’ PAYER’S DETAILS
adventure on- Title First name Surname
board the most
advanced airliner Address
currently in
operation, the Postcode Country
Airbus A350
XWB! We join Email address
Ethiopian Airlines  I am over 18 years of age.
Flight 814 and 815 on an amazing  We would like to keep you informed by email about Key Publishing's future offers and new product launches.
round-trip from Addis Ababa Please tick this box to let us know that you are happy for us to do this. Don't forget, you can change your contact preferences
to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar. at any time by logging into your account or by using the unsubscribe links which you will find on all our emails.
Step inside the cockpit of
this A350-900 XWB as the RRP DELIVERY DETAILS (IF DIFFERENT)
captain guides you through £9.99! Title First name Surname
each step of this wonderfully
scenic flight. Address
REGION-FREE DVD,
RUNNING TIME 90 MINUTES Postcode Country
Email address
Please send gift card tick here 
SPECIAL OFFER (PLEASE TICK)
BEST OFFER - 24 FOR THE

12 FOR THE PRICE OF 10 PRICE OF 19, PLUS FREE DVD
UK 12 issues  £48.99 24 issues  £89.99
Europe 12 issues  £56.99 24 issues  £99.99
USA 12 issues  $72.99 24 issues  $128.99
Rest of the World 12 issues  £59.99 24 issues  £104.99
PAYMENT DETAILS
I enclose a cheque for £ / $................................. made payable to Key Publishing Ltd
Please debit my Mastercard  Visa  for £ / $ ...............
Expiry date Security Code (3 digit code on reverse of card)
OFFER CLOSE DATE: 30 JUNE 2018 PLEASE QUOTE: AW0618
Signature .............................................................................................................Today’s date ...................................
INSTRUCTION TO YOUR BANK OR BUILDING SOCIETY TO PAY BY DIRECT DEBIT

Please tick: UK Direct Debit Quarterly £10.99 Annually £41.99
6 5 8 9 6 0
Image: Rainer Bexten

375/18
AMERICAN READERS
Readers in the USA may place orders by telephone

toll-free 800-428-3003 or by writing to
Airliner World, 3330 Pacific Ave, Ste 500,
Virginia Beach, VA 23451-2983
Direct Debit UK only. If paying by Direct Debit please send in form.
Alternatively, order online at Payments are accepted by Direct Debit, cheque, Postal Order, Credit Card and US Dollar check. Payments by credit or debit card will be shown on your statement
www.imsnews.com/alw quoting/entering AW0618 as Key Publishing Ltd. Key Publishing will hold your details to process and fulfil your subscription order. Gift subject to change. Any alternative gift will
be of equal or higher value. Please note: Free gift is only available on Direct Debit with a minimum 2 year subscription. Should you cancel your subscription earlier
then an invoice will be raised for the full price of the gift. 375/18
ONE
D
Just
uring the last weekend in
March, Qantas achieved
what many pioneers have
HOP
regarded as the ‘Holy Grail’
of long-haul commercial
services; a direct flight between
Australia and the UK.
The great distances between the
Australian continent and most other
nations have led to Qantas playing a
key role in developing long-haul travel
ever since its formation in the late
1920s. It has certainly pushed the
boundaries of what was possible in
the past, so it seemed only right that
Qantas would be the one to accom-
plish the first direct passenger
service linking its home and
Europe; albeit some 71 years after
the Australian flag-carrier’s famous
Kangaroo route was launched.
Many readers may remember
that Qantas staged a direct London
Heathrow to Sydney flight for
publicity, courtesy of a Boeing 747-400
delivery flight, in August 1989. It
covered the 10,500-mile distance non-
stop in 20 hours. However, it carried
just a few VIP guests and one kilo of
freight; a cricket ball that was a gift to
the Australian Prime Minister of the
day from the victorious Australian
cricket team that was touring England
at the time!
Commercial
Back in 1947, flying between the two
countries meant Sydney to London.
Taking four days and seven stops it
wasn’t a trip for the faint-hearted. At
that time, unless you were travelling
on government business – which,
incidentally, accounted for many of
the bookings – only the wealthy could
afford a ticket. Back then, a return
flight from Sydney to London cost
£525 (Australian pounds) when the
average wage was only £7. Today,
the average UK weekly wage is
approximately £520 and a return fare
from London to Perth nonstop can
cost less than £800.
Over the years, longer range aircraft
have of course made the Kangaroo
route’s ‘hops’ ever greater.
Consequently, airports that were once
important tech-stops along the route
have been by-passed as each next

Qantas 787-9, generation of airliners appeared. As
VH-ZND (c/n 63390) the new direct services illustrate, that
was used to operate
practice continues to this day.
Tom Allett the first nonstop
commercial service At the moment, direct commercially
joined the between Australia
and Europe, which took
sustainable flights between Sydney and
first direct place during the night of
Europe are still just out of reach; though
not for much longer. Qantas believes
March 24/25. VICTOR PODY
passenger that the future variants of the Boeing
flight 787 and Airbus A350 will achieve this
by 2022. CEO Alan Joyce has already
between predicted that date as the year of the
the UK and first direct London-Sydney services.
Australia For the last year though, all the talk
has been about the Australian carrier’s
direct Perth-Heathrow-Perth flights.
Announced in December 2016 as a
Boeing 787-9 service, tickets went on
sale on April 27, 2017; almost 12 months
in advance. The new route involved

changing sectors of a Melbourne-
Dubai-London-Dubai-Melbourne flight
listed as QF9/QF10, that was previously
flown by an Airbus A380. Dubai’s loss –
although the Middle East giant is
QANTAS
unlikely to notice it - is Perth’s gain

and this change marks only the second
occasion on which a Qantas service had
routed between Australia and the UK
without flying via Dubai (DXB) since the
airline signed a co-operation deal with
Emirates five years ago. That agree-
ment was extended immediately before
the first direct Perth service took place.
Debate
With flight times in the region of 17
hours northbound and 16+ on the
return, there is an ongoing debate about
whether passengers actually want to
travel for such extended periods without
having the opportunity to disembark
ABOVE • Passengers check “We’ve added a very high level of com- competition for Perth traffic by launch-
in for the inaugural service fort in each of the cabins and a lower ing A380 services from Doha on May
from Perth to London, the
seat count [236] than most of our com- 1, but Etihad withdrew its Perth-Abu
first non-stop commercial
flight between Australia petitors. And we’ve made tweaks to our Dhabi flights last September.
and the UK. in-flight service designed to help cus-
tomers enjoy the journey more.” Qantas Backing
787s have 42 business, 28 Western Australia’s (WA) regional
premium economy and 166 economy government and its associated tourist
seats with the airline opting for the board are certainly backing the direct
Dreamliner-standard 3-3-3 layout. London services, with the latter
TOP RIGHT • Qantas CEO Alan
In the lead up to the first departures, providing significant financial support,
Joyce (centre) with the crew
of flight QF9. ALL PHOTOS and stretch their legs. Making the same The carrier underlined the preparatory especially in terms of preparing Qantas’
QANTAS UNLESS STATED trip via perhaps Dubai or Singapore will work involved, not just from a flight Perth terminal for international flights.
add some three or four hours to the total planning perspective, but also the Facilities at Heathrow and Perth Airport
journey time and include the hassle of science behind maintaining travellers’ have been enhanced in preparation for
extra security checks during transit. well-being in the air. Studies had the new services. Qantas’ Heathrow
It’s horses for courses though. Those identified the best cabin lighting and lounge received a major upgrade,
travelling to Australia on holiday may optimum food intake. while its previously domestic-only Perth
want to enjoy a stopover en route, while Usually, my first choice is to fly direct terminal was redeveloped to handle
the business traveller, or those making whenever possible unless there is a international services, including a
a once-in-a-lifetime visit, perhaps to serious difference in price. When asked transit lounge and even a yoga facility.
see family, may want to maximise every about the competition, CEO Joyce The tourist board’s backing ensured
BELOW RIGHT • The pilots of moment available at their ultimate described Qantas’ fares as “competitive” that the Australia-bound flight is
QF9 pose for photographs destination. and surely time will tell if he is right. promoted as having ten onward
after arriving at Heathrow. Commenting on the duration, Joyce From a Melbourne point of view, the connections from Perth – WA’s capital
said: “We’re conscious that this is a long swap to a 787 from an A380 has reduced city – with all those domestic depar-
The maiden flight departed flight, but not much longer than our the number of Qantas seats available tures leaving within four hours of your
amid much fanfare, with [15+-hour 787] Sydney to Dallas service. from the Victoria airport. However, arrival. These include seven regional
staff dressed as kangaroos, It’s the kind of route that the Dreamliner Emirates responded by upgrading its towns in Western Australia such as
Aborigines, beefeaters and was created for because of its built-in third daily MEL-DXB service from a 777 Broome, Karratha and Paraburdoo.
Guardsmen complete with
bearskin hats on hand to features to reduce jetlag and improve to an A380. Perth’s British expat community is
greet passengers. the overall travel experience. Qatar Airways has also stepped up the estimated to be some 330,000 strong

and before the new intercontinental inbound passengers to emerge, followed
flights began Joyce had already said that by more with the flight crew and VIPs
direct routes tended to stimulate new from the airline and Western Australia
travel demand by making it easier tourist board. Asked if other aircraft
to get to a destination. He added types had been considered for the new
that this factor would benefit the UK, non-stop services, Joyce told Airliner
Western Australia’s economy and World: “The fuel burn involved
Australian tourism more broadly. He eliminated other [aircraft types] from
predicted the route would make Western the route. We looked at using a 777-200;
Australia a new tourism gateway for we evaluated using an all-business class
Australia, noting: “We know from our aeroplane at one stage and we also
research that there’s a lot of appetite to considered flying the A380 from Perth
explore the West, not just from British to London but this [787] business case
and European visitors but also from was the only one that worked.”
Aussies on their way to London. A lot He continued: “It was two years in the
of business travellers, particularly in the planning. We announced it 12 months
resources sector, will stop off in Perth on ago and it has taken the last year to get
their way to the UK.” the facilities in place; essentially a new
Inbound travellers from other terminal at Perth, to get our domes-
Australian cities can connect to tic connectivity right. There have been
London via Perth and both Qantas and thousands of our people involved [in
the tourist board are certainly hoping the direct flights project] and it’s a great
for a surge in passenger stopovers success story.”
within Western Australia. The flight deck crew for the first Perth-
London service comprised Captain
The Proof of the Pudding… Lisa Norman, Captain Jeff Foote, First
Many of the passengers on the first Officer Dave Summergreene and
Perth-London-Perth sectors were Second Officer Troy Lane. By this
onboard specifically to take part in August, the two captains will each
this aviation milestone, but those who have clocked-up 29 years of service
thought they were on just another with the Australian flag carrier. Asked
flight were soon made aware of the about their duties from a scheduling/
significance of the journey ahead. Though culturally signifi- event started at 05:40 and it seemed as if crew slip pattern point of view they said
The lead-up to the first Perth depar- cant, the London-Perth every member of Qantas’ London-based there was “no difference at all” from the
route is not the longest in
ture received considerable media staff must have been there to cheer their other long-haul Qantas services, with
the world – that accolade
coverage as CEO Joyce and the other is held by Qatar Airways’ crew and VIPs as they emerged into the Captain Norman adding: “Our Dallas-
VIPs checked in for their flight. Some Doha-Auckland service. Arrivals area at Heathrow’s Terminal 3, Sydney flights are [scheduled at] 17hrs
of those travelling to the UK on QF9 and why not; to my mind something 5mins while this flight today was 17hrs
had begun their journey in Melbourne. special had been achieved. 9mins, so there’s no real difference
All on board still had another 17 hours Then the press interviews began, except that we are crewed out of Perth
ahead of them. Some faced another initially involving some of the first and London.”
potential ‘discomfort’ factor because, She explained that she had led the
in late March, an 18:45 departure and
an expected 05:05 arrival in London
It seemed as if every direct flight project “for many years”
and, referring to her fellow captain,
meant their entire journey was made in member of Qantas’ said she had picked Jeff Foote for the
the dark. London-based staff inaugural: “because of his many years
To greet the weary travellers upon must have been there of experience and expertise with all
arrival in London, the Qantas PR team
had assembled a line-up of British and
First announced by Qantas
in December 2016 as a to cheer their crew and things coming up through Europe.”
The flight deck crew had a little over 48
Australian stereotypes including a
Boeing 787-9 service, tickets
went on sale on April 27,
VIPs as they emerged hours’ rest in London before operating
Beefeater, Guardsman, Aborigine and 2017; almost 12 months in into the Arrivals area... QF10 back to Perth on March 27.
of course, a cuddly kangaroo. The press advance. Now it was my turn to check in for the
first Heathrow departure. I was
in the cheap seats and I must admit I
approached this journey with a certain
degree of trepidation. I don’t mean
I was clutching a Bible or anything
like that – I had complete faith in the
Dreamliner and in Qantas’ crews as they
were already proven over similar
distances. For example, the airline’s first
two 787s were introduced on the afore-
mentioned Melbourne-Los Angeles
route from December 2017, and the
arrival of its third and fourth aircraft
provided the capacity to add the
London-Perth-London service from
March 2018.
Nevertheless, despite being excited to
be taking part in this historic event, the
advertised 16-17 hours was still a long
time to spend in the economy seats,
even in a state-of-the-art aeroplane.
Attending the Qantas arrival event passing through security so that I could ABOVE AND BELOW • Boeing in its red and white indigenous art liv-
several hours earlier had led me – watch the Qantas PR team welcome 787-9 VH-ZND (c/n 63390) is ery and even the title was suitably
accidentally – to become the first their 200+ passengers in joyful mood the latest in Qantas’ Flying ‘dreamy’ for a 787, being based on the
Art series. Based on the
fare-paying passenger to check in on this special day. work ‘Yam Dreaming’ by painting Yam Dreaming by the late artist
for a direct UK to Australia service. I Later, it was time to see the star of late Northern Territory artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye. Just prior to
had already checked in online, so the show – Qantas’ Boeing 787-9 Emily Kame Kngwarreye, the boarding Qantas staff handed out
striking livery was adapted
this was effectively just the bag drop. Dreamliner, VH-ZND, parked at Gate 1, commemorative cupcakes and helped
by design studio Balarinji.
Nevertheless, for some unknown of Terminal 3’s Pier 20, ten years and travellers with props for their group
reason my seat was reallocated at this one week after the same location photographs. The Beefeater, etc, were
point but, as I still had my preferred was used to host the London hub’s there again. The six-foot tall Kangaroo
window place, but now on the port side first passenger A380 service by left numerous small children spell-
of the aircraft, it was of no real conse- Singapore Airlines. bound, and there was even a
quence. With just one bag to check in, It was appropriate that this special cardboard cut-out window frame
ABOVE LEFT • Australian and
the process – complete with receiving intercontinental flight should be Union flags are waved as the with the words “I’m flying nonstop to
security questions and departure performed by a particularly striking Dreamliner arrives on stand Australia!” being passed around the
information – was over in a minute, looking aircraft. It looked magnificent at Heathrow. crowd to provide another photo
but due to my ‘first person’ situation, opportunity. Social media must have
the paperwork/boarding pass handover been buzzing with these images.
sequence was repeated for the With all the celebrations under way I
photographers at the request of the had begun to wonder if the 13:15 depar-
Western Australia tourist board. ture might be delayed but, in the event,
A TV interview, also for the tour- QF10, under the command of Captain
ist board, followed immediately Andrew Simpson, pushed back three
afterwards. minutes early by my watch.
My early check-in meant there After Senior First Officer
was still four hours to departure so, Jim Eaglen had
knowing the gate information wouldn’t introduced the
be shown on the display screens until crew and
about an hour before the flight, I put off
It was appropriate
that this special
intercontinental flight
should be performed
by a particularly striking
looking aircraft...

reiterated the historic nature of the flight Qantas CEO Alan Joyce,
over the P/A, as with the Dreamliner’s together with the flight
arrival, our departure was also marked crew and VIP guests from
by a goodly gathering of flag-waving the Western Australia tourist
board were cheered by
Qantas staff – and that kangaroo! We airline staff as they
were held on the taxiway for a few min- appeared at Heathrow’s
utes before moving off to the west to arrivals area in Terminal 3.
join the queue for runway 09R.
There were 13 cabin crew on this
flight, one more than usual due to the TOP RIGHT • Handshakes
need to get staff more acquainted with all-round: Captain Lisa
Norman, commander of QF9,
the Dreamliner; all were UK-based. celebrates the completion of
It was almost three hours after the inaugural service with
take-off that the meal service reached her crew.
my location. We’d heard much of how
the airline had hired nutritional experts
to create a menu specially optimised
for ultra-long-haul travel, and how the
meals were designed to keep passengers incorporated a useful electronic device stage my thoughts were mostly
hydrated. However, if I am honest, back tray, with a USB charging point imme- about sleep. Nevertheless, gazing out
in the cheap seats, the food seemed diately alongside, but once the person in of the tinted window at the world some
rather bland to me. Perhaps I shouldn’t front of me had reclined their seat, there 35,000ft below made me think of how
ABOVE RIGHT • Initial flights
have been surprised − everyone knows are being operated with full
was virtually no room for manoeuvre. the long-haul travellers of yesteryear
only things that are bad for you fuel tanks, several economy I found it physically impossible to reach must have felt. Yes, their seats and the
taste nice! seats ‘blocked out’ and no the main power socket located between food must have been better, but they
Below the 12in (30.5cm) IFE touch- freight in the hold until the the seats about a foot above floor level. would have needed to take out a
carrier refines the service
screens, but above the usual fold-down and proves the operational However, with such an early start, it mortgage to be on board and the
food tray, the economy seat backs range of the aircraft. had already been a long day and by that hours – if not days – of engine noise
gone for an aisle seat instead.
Thankfully, some three hours before
our scheduled arrival, my suffering at
the window was rewarded. My spirits
were lifted as the previously jet-black
sky developed an horizon, then quickly
turned from inky hues to bright blue
as the sun positively leapt into place to
begin the new day. As it climbed rapidly
in our 10 ‘o’clock position, its rays
caught the edges of hundreds of
seemingly tiny clouds scattered perhaps
30,000ft below us, creating an idyllic
sight. A stunning palette of orange sun-
rise and sparkling blue sea was perhaps
fitting, matching, in terms of ‘wow’ fac-
tor, the raw beauty of Western Australia
that lay ahead of us. It is at such
moments that, despite your exhaustion,
all seems well in the world. At least the
arrival of the breakfast service prompted
the person in front to put their seat back
upright, giving some welcome breath-
in an unpressurised cabin must ing space and, after the trays were
Captain Andrew Simpson
have left them somewhat deaf long speaks to journalists ahead cleared away we began our descent.
afterwards. Though I ‘learnt’ how to of the return leg from Despite the hours of discomfort, the
sleep on long-haul flights some 30 years London back to Perth. final minutes of the journey reminded
KEY-TOM ALLETT
ago, I could only manage three hours’ me that something special was coming
shut-eye this time; so, I wrote about to an end…there would never be another
1,000 words of notes for this article and first UK-to-Australia flight.
relied on the in-flight entertainment We touched down at 12:37, by my
to provide some distraction. However, watch, 16 hours and seven minutes after
there are only so many movies you can take-off. It appeared that every airside
watch and, with my row full and every- vehicle was out on the grass to meet us
one else asleep, I felt rather trapped for and the Perth fire service provided
some considerable time and wished I’d The inaugural flight was a water-arch salute as we taxied in
loaded with more than towards our stand on Qantas’ combined
21,000 individual items,
including 330 peppermint
Terminals 3 and 4.
teabags and hundreds of With the take-off to touch-down times
biscuits. With payload at confirmed, it was clear that we had
a premium, Qantas plans beaten the record point-to-point UK-to-
to refine these numbers
as it gains experience on Perth time set by a Royal Air Force VC10
the route. in 1987 – by one minute! However, as
this journey is now a routine daily
Qantas is marketing the new event, ‘our’ record may already have
route as “the fastest way been eclipsed. As we disembarked, it
to get to Australia” – QF10 seemed a little surreal to be in Australia
continues on to Melbourne,
having boarded an aircraft at Heathrow
while passengers can also
connect via Perth to 11 other – but well done Qantas you’ve clocked
destinations. VICTOR PODY up yet another aviation milestone.

OPENING HOURS: The Museum is open daily
from 9:00am to 5:00pm (except Christmas and Boxing Day).
Tours operate daily and bookings are essential.
Combination tour packages are also available.
Sir Hudson Fysh Drive, Longreach, Queensland, Australia
(07) 4658 3737 info@qfom.com.au
www.qfom.com.au
Come explore under our wings!

350 Aircraft - 6 Indoor Hangars - Exclusive Tours Of The “Boneyard”
PIMA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM www.pimaair.org

I - 1 0 t o E x i t 2 6 7 - 6 0 0 0 E a s t V a l e n c i a R o a d , Tu c s o n , A Z U S A - + 1 5 2 0 5 74 0 4 6 2
The
Centre
Spread
JUNE 2018
A Hive of Activity:
A stunning
time-lapse of
the busy ramp
at Amsterdam/
Schiphol.
PHOTO • DENNIS JANSSEN

PHOTOGRAPHY

Finding its Niche
Airliner World's Barry Woods-Turner travelled to the Slovakian capital, Bratislava, to find out why
ACMI and charter aircraft provider Go2Sky is succeeding where others have failed.
T
he Slovakian airline
industry has ndured a
turbulent history of hope
and failure since the
dissolution of
Czechoslovakia in 1993. A successsion
of air carriers have tried to establish
themselves in the market, but low
passenger numbers and financial
pressures have conspired to put them
out of business. However, one
company, Go2Sky, has found itself a
niche in the aircraft, crew, maintenance
and insurance (ACMI) market that it is
exploiting to its full potential and, more
importantly, profitably.
While the industry here isn’t unique, it
has had its own political and
geographical considerations to over-
come that have contributed to where it Lands) in the west, and Slovakia, a part ABOVE AND BELOW • ACMI Slovak market, with several – including
operator Go2Sky has
is today. During the 20th century the of Hungary, in the east. After World Air Slovakia, Danube Wings and Slovak
an all-Boeing 737 fleet
nation went through considerable War Two, it came under communist consisting of two -400s Airlines – trying to establish a hub and
turmoil. The country was created rule, becoming a Soviet satellite. The and two -800s, with a fifth fly scheduled services from Bratislava.
in 1918 following the collapse of the non-violent 1989 Velvet Revolution example, another -800 set All failed because they couldn’t attract
to join in the summer.
Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of overthrew the communst regime and ALL IMAGES GO2SKY
sufficient business. Daniel Ferjancek,
World War One. It was made up democracy was reinstated. However UNLESS STATED CEO of Go2Sky, explained: “There are
of Bohemia and Moravia just three years later, on January 1, many factors that make establishing a
(often called the 1993 Czechoslovakia was split into two carrier here very difficult, but the pri-
Czech countries, the Czech Republic mary two are that we have a very small
and Slovakia. home market, our population is around
Since then various airlines have 5.5 million people and then there is
struggled to make an Slovakia’s geographic location. We are
impression on the just 56km [35 miles] from Vienna,
Austria and 164km [102 miles] from BOTTOM LEFT • Daniel we currently are, that is, unless some-
Budapest, Hungary. Both are within Ferjancek, Go2Sky’s chief Go2Sky has taken a very one rich comes along and invests in us
easy driving distance for many executive officer sits in
the right-hand seat of one different approach, rather and changes our business model.” The
travellers and from these airports
airlines offer connections to most parts
of the company’s Boeing
737s. Despite running the
than forming an airline, CEO clarified this refreshingly frank
statement: “As a ACMI provider here in
of the world.” company Daniel is still it decided to become Europe, Go2Sky must contend with the
rostered to fly several times
an ACMI provider and seasonality of the market. In the peak
Ups and Downs per month.
charter operator instead. summer season – when tour
Go2Sky has taken a very different companies are trying to move as many
approach. Rather than forming an people as possible to holiday desti-
airline, it decided to become an ACMI take ad hoc charters particularly during nations – we cannot provide enough
BELOW RIGHT • Go2Sky’s
provider and charter operator instead. fleet of 737s are all operated the winter period to help us pay the seats, and all our aeroplanes are busy.
“We were formed on February 14, 2013,” on leases and all are bills. We have grown steadily over the However, demand falls dramatically
Ferjancek explained, “and essentially we configured in a single-class last five years, and I am very proud of over winter and there are fewer requests
layout, with 167/170 seats in
are an ACMI provider – that is our the -400 and the standard our achievements thus far. But we are for our aeroplanes. So, to remain
primary focus. However, we do under- 189 in the larger -800s. not planning to get much bigger than successful we must find our

Boeing 737-400, OM-GTA
(c/n 24332), on final
approach into Cagliari,
Sardinia in August 2014.
The company’s aircraft
are familiar sights at
airports across Europe,
particularly during the
summer peak season.
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
SIMONE CIARALLI
The Bratislava-based firm's

aircraft have carried a
variety of liveries over the
years. Here OM-GTB (c/n
28882) wears the colours
of CSA Czech Airlines and
is seen departing Madrid/
Barajas in May 2016.
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
CARLOS ENAMORADO
The company’s aircraft also

act as flying billboards –
OM-GTB carries an
advertisement for
airport parking business
parkingo.com in June 2015.
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/HAMFIVE
Go2Sky has grown steadily
over the five years it has
been in business – today
it has a staff of 180; 30 of
them are on the ground in
Bratislava and the rest are
‘sweet spot’ that balances having All of Go2Sky’s heavy maintenance is air crew.
enough summer capacity against an outsourced to third party providers and
over-capacity situation during the during the author’s visit one of its -400s
SmartWings, a brand of
winter. I like to think we have it just was undergoing a C-check in Poland. Czech charter airline Travel
right currently, and our financial bottom “During the summer we carry out our Service, is one of several
line backs me up. own light maintenance checks on our carriers that have taken
“As I have already said, we do not have fleet, but all the major work is carried advantage of Go2Sky’s
ACMI services.
any problems during the summer out during the winter - well, that is what AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
months when our aeroplanes are work- we aim for,” he grinned. MATTHIEU DOUHAIRE
ing hard. Most of my attention is now “We have grown to a manageable size
focused on winter 2018/19 and trying and currently employ around 150 air-
to find sufficient work to keep our aero- crew, pilots and cabin crew, as well as 30
planes and crews in the air. As demand people on the ground here in Bratislava.”
falls, usually around mid-October To enable Go2Sky to remain profitable,
through to late April, this is the period the business must be run as leanly as
where we have to market ourselves possible and there is no room for com-
to find additional charter work.” This placency. Ferjancek observed: “We
‘extra’ work can be anything from are like a huge family, especially on
carrying mail to transporting football the operations side of the business, as
teams. To assist with these peaks and we are all working towards a common
trough we rely upon aircraft brokers, goal. In fact, the family ethic is car-
companies such as Zela Aviation, which ried through even further as the CEO’s
provide invaluable support to us.” wife sits opposite him in the office and
As is typical with most ACMI handles much of the company’s human
providers, the winter break provides resource issues, while his nephew
a good opportunity to put its aircraft works down the corridor in the
through essential maintenance so they operations centre.
This Go2Sky 737-800,
Despite its relatively
are ready for the next summer season. Daniel Ferjancek started his working OM-GTE (c/n 29925), was small size, Go2Sky has
developed a strong
career in IT sales, but a change of operating on behalf of
direction in the early 2000s saw him FlyEgypt in December
join the industry. Having caught the 2017 and is about to touch
down at a wintry looking
reputation for the
aviation bug, he learnt to fly gaining his Milan/Malpensa Airport. service its provides to
PPL. Not satisfied with flying single-
engined light aircraft he enrolled on a
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
CARLO MARCORA
third party airlines.

multi-engined course before acquiring jets are flown under long-term leases." honest. While he believes the passen-
his airline transport pilot licence (ATPL) Meanwhile, a fifth example, another gers prefer the Airbus cabin, he said the
at a flying school based in Bristol, UK. -800, is currently under negotiation, Boeing’s operating economics, adapt-
After a stint of flying executive jets and it is hoped that it will join the fleet ability as well as the type’s availability
in Europe and building hours, he in June to boost capacity during the In 2017 Go2Sky expanded on the leasing market [at the time] were
eventually took his type rating on the peak summer season. its horizons by entering major drivers in the decision.
the South American
Boeing 737. While much of his time is Asked why Go2Sky had decided to fly market through an ACMI Despite its relatively small size, Go2Sky
now taken up with running Go2Sky, with 737s rather than the rival Airbus contract with Haiti-based has developed a strong reputation for
Ferjancek is still rostered to fly when he A320 family, Ferjancek was brutally Sunrise Airways. the service its provides to third party
can. “I have to admit that I always airlines. Its customer list boasts some
manage to be on the flight deck when very recognisable names including
one of our aircraft visits a new Norwegian, Czech Airlines, Travel
destination - I am in charge after all,” Service and, up until their demise,
he quipped. airberlin and Niki. “It is a shame that
both airberlin and Niki have now gone,
Steady Managed Growth they were good customers of ours,” the
The company has grown steadily over CEO remarked. “But all is not lost, as we
its first five years, and was awarded its are already speaking to Niki’s successor
IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Laudamotion regarding future
certificate in 2015, for which it is justifi- opportunities.
ably proud. “We currently have four air- “Last year [2017] was the busiest we
craft, consisting of two 737-400s and a have had to date. We also expanded
pair of -800s. This is a good balance for our horizons a little,” he ontinued. “We
us and the customers we serve, all four undertook a six-month wet lease with
Port-au-Prince, Haiti-based Sunrise Future Opportunities Go2Sky’s ACMI services used
Airways, which saw one of our 737- Go2Sky is always looking for new to fly on behalf of Austrian
carrier Niki, before it folded
“We are making a profit,
800s and its crews flying on the carrier’s opportunities to expand its activities.
at the end of last year, so we must be doing
South American network. This was a
very interesting exercise for us, operat-
However, one overriding issue still
exists, and it’s one that affects all
but all is not lost as it is
talking to Niki’s successor
something right!
ing an aircraft over 8,450km from our European ACMI operators - what to Laudamotion regarding Daniel Ferjancek, CEO of Go2Sky
future opportunities.
home base – providing maintenance, do with spare capacity over the winter
spare parts and crew logistics proved to months. The CEO said that most com- with. It is an interesting operation, but
be a step above anything we have expe- panies in this sector are looking for the I don’t think it is something we would
rienced before. But I think it pushed us magic solution. Some, such as Small consider, at least not in the short term.”
as a company and I am extremely proud Planet Airlines, the Lithuanian leisure More excitingly for Go2Sky this year
of all our people who were involved in carrier, has moved five of its A320s to is the possibility of working with a large
making it happen. We are talking to Cambodia for the winter. Ferjancek flag carrier within the Star Alliance
Sunrise Airways again about repeating considers that doing something simi- group, but first it must pass an in-depth
the ACMI for this summer. lar would be a very expensive venture audit before being granted approval to
“We are making a profit, so we must and a huge logistical undertaking not provide the carrier and its subsidiaries
be doing something right! However, just for the crews and aircraft, but also with ACMI cover. “This is another
the airline industry has so many exter- managing the different operations in crucial step in our development and
nal influences that can affect the thin that part of the world. “There would be Under the lights at Tenerife/ one that I believe will take us to the
Los Rodeos Airport is this
line between success and failure, so we a lot to learn, before taking on such a Travel Service 737-800 next level. We have successfully
mustn’t rest on our laurels – we must contract, and then there would be the that was wet-leased from passed a pre-audit, which threw up
plan our way forward carefully.” unusual weather patterns to contend Go2Sky for the busy 2017 one or two things for us to attend to –
summer holiday season. nothing too major – and we are now
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
JAVIER DE LA CRUZ awaiting the final audit, which we are
expecting to take place before the
summer peak period.”
Ferjancek concluded with a smile:
“Who would have thought it, when we
started flying in 2013 with a single 737-
Go2Sky hopes to win 400, that just five years later we would
approval from a major Star have a profitable concern, a fleet of
Alliance partner airline four aircraft and fifth one on its way,
this year to provide ACMI
cover for the carrier and its
be employing 180 people, and be on
subsidiaries – a potentially the cusp of flying on behalf of one of
exciting step forward for the the world’s leading airlines… what
Slovak company. a journey!”

W
hen Eric Trappier introduce the Falcon 6X. to light, which Trappier said then
announced the “This place is at the heart of the “brought even more uncertainty to
termination of the Falcon customer experience, which the programme”.
Falcon 5X programme is my absolute priority,” Trappier told “After getting more information,
on December 13, guests at the launch. “That is what our about the engine development status,
the Dassault Aviation CEO promised Dassault Aviation new model is all about; a Falcon that I had no choice but to stop the
a new model that would deliver the unveiled its new raises the bar in terms of comfort, Falcon 5X development and
same benefits as the axed aircraft and, Falcon 6X business jet availability and mission capability. look for the best possible
in some instances, build on them. A in Paris on February Put simply, giving customers more for alternative engine.”
28. It replaces the 5X
little over two months after the 5X which was cancelled their money.” On the Falcon 6X, the
was scrapped due to ongoing issues in December due to The decision to end the Falcon 5X troublesome Silvercrest
with its Snecma Silvercrest engines, ongoing issues with its programme came late last year, after powerplants have been
Trappier took to the stage in Dassault’s Silvercrest engines. a new issue with the Silvercrest’s replaced by Pratt & Whitney
ALL PHOTOS DASSAULT
sparkling hangar at Paris/Le Bourget to AVIATION UNLESS STATED high-pressure compressor came Canada’s PurePower PW812D
Dassault Aviation moved quickly to fill the void left by

its axed Falcon 5X programme, unveiling the bigger
and more capable 6X. Airliner World’s James Ronayne
reports from Paris.
Appeal
(D for Dassault), which be used as a classic flap for increased
the CEO described as lift or an aileron for roll control and has
the “closest match”. The been designed to improve handling
PurePower PW800 engine during approach, especially on steep
family first flew in April descents, increasing drag while
2013 and has amassed in maintaining a high-lift coefficient.
excess of 79,700 Because the PW812D is significantly
testing hours and more heavier than the Silvercrest, Dassault
than 585,000 in service has inserted a 20in (51cm) plug in
hours. The PW812D the fuselage, forward of the wings, to
variant is rated at 13,000- balance the weight gain.
14,000lbs thrust, exceed-
ing the 11,450lb of thrust On Board
the Silvercrest could produce. The increased fuselage length
As a result, the 6X has a higher provides the additional benefit of
maximum take-off weight (MTOW) increasing the available space inside.
of 35,135kg (77,460lb) compared with It has the largest cabin cross section
the 5X’s specified 31,570kg (69,600lb). of any purpose-built business jet,
The Falcon 6X is largely based on measuring 78in (1.98m) tall and 86in
its predecessor’s aerodynamic and (2.18m) wide. For comparison, the
systems features which have already Gulfstream G650 measures 77in
been validated during the latter’s brief (1.85m) tall and 84in (2.13m) wide.
flight test programme. This includes “The industry has been moving
Dassault’s new digital flight control towards ever wider and higher interi-
system (DFCS), which controls all ors, and customers told us what they
moving surfaces. Trappier says the wanted most in our new Falcons was
DFCS “ensures the best handling more space,” continued Trappier.
characteristics ever seen” and had “So, we designed the Falcon 6X from
“behaved perfectly” during testing. the cabin out, making it as passenger-
The new model retains the same centric as we could while still
wing aerodynamic shape, which delivering the high performance and
Trappier noted “proved very efficient” other flying qualities that customers
during the 5X’s flight testing. Dassault value in Falcons.”
claims the design also “minimises the It can accommodate up to 16
impact of turbulence”. The Falcon 6X passengers and be split into three
is the first business jet to feature a distinct zones. Customers can choose
flaperon, a high-speed deflection from multiple configurations including
control surface. Dassault says it can a large entry way/crew rest area and
a spacious rear lounge. Dassault says the 6X has
The Falcon 6X is the first business jet the largest cabin cross
section of any purpose-
to feature a galley skylight, helping built business jet.
to brighten an area that is usually dim.
Natural light flows into the cabin via
28 extra-large windows, 14 on each
side. The manufacturer says this is the
highest percentage of window area in Specifications
its class. Wingspan 85ft 1in (25.94m)
Olivier Villa, Executive Senior Vice Length 84ft 3in (25.68m)
President, Civil Aircraft, Dassault Height 24ft 6in (7.47m)
Aviation, explained: “We have used Cabin length 40ft 4in (12.30m)
the additional length in the rear Cabin width 102in (2.58m)
compartment to provide a very large Cabin height 78in (1.98m)
rear compartment and it fits well with Cabin volume 1,845ft3 (52.3m3)
the 14-window design.” Passengers Up to 16
Baggage volume 155cu ft (4.4m3)
Cabin altitude on the 6X will be
Max ramp weight 77,660lb (35,225kg)
3,900ft at FL410, and Dassault claims
Maximum take-off weight 77,460lb (35,135kg)
the air quality on board will be ten
Maximum landing weight 66,190lb (30,025kg)
times better than in an office building III all digital flight deck, powered by
Maximum zero-fuel weight 45,920lb (20,830kg)
to help passengers arrive at their Honeywell’s Primus Epic platform. It
Maximum fuel weight 33,790lb (15,325kg)
destination refreshed. The French Maximum Mach operating speed Mach.85
also incorporates the manufacturer’s
manufacturer said it will also be Maximum certified altitude 51,000ft (15,545m)
FalconSphere II electronic flight bag
“whisper quiet” on board, similar to the Balanced field length 5,480ft (1,670m) and its FalconEye Combined Vision
levels found on its flagship Falcon 8X. Landing distance 2,480ft (760m) System, the first head-up display to
Because of its width, passengers can combine enhanced and synthetic
sit opposite each other on the sofas RIGHT & BELOW RIGHT • equipped with a new in-flight vision capabilities. This works by
and there is still space for someone to The 6X’s all-new cockpit entertainment system enabling
includes the third
pass them. Even the toilet door has generation of Dassault’s high-definition audio and video
been given a makeover, benefiting EASy III digital flight deck content to be played throughout the
from a space saving folding design and FalconEye Combined cabin. Passengers can control the on-
enabling passengers to enter and Vision System. board functions using a mobile app or
exit without opening the door out the on-board interface.
into the cabin. Trappier noted: “It [the 6X] will be
A connectivity system is included on equipped with the most passenger-
the 6X, providing in-flight BELOW • Pratt & Whitney friendly interior on the market.”
communications and high-speed Canada’s PurePower The all-new cockpit features the
PW812D engine will
internet access. The jet is also power the aircraft. third generation of Dassault’s EASy

blending synthetic, database-driven giving them a clearer view outside of The PW812D is signifi- Singapore at long-range cruise speed –
terrain imaging and actual thermal the aircraft. cantly heavier than the while cruising at Mach 0.85 it can link
Silvercrest, leading
and lowlight camera images into a Dassault to insert a 20in New York to Moscow, Paris to Beijing
single view, which Dassault says Global Reach (51cm) plug in the fuse- or Los Angeles to London.
provides “an unprecedented level of The Falcon 6X will boast a 5,500 lage, forward of Like the rest of the Falcon portfolio,
situational awareness to flight crews in nautical mile range (10,186km), 300nm the wings, to balance the jet will be certified for operations
the weight gain.
challenging weather conditions and all (556km) further than the 5X or any at London City (LCY) as it is 5.5° steep
phases of flight”. other jet in its category. It will be able approach compliant as well as meeting
As well as increased headroom, pilots to connect Los Angeles to Geneva, the airport’s noise restrictions. It
benefit from 30% more window space Beijing to San Francisco or Moscow to will also be able to land at other
“The industry has

been moving towards
ever wider and higher
interiors, and customers
told us what they wanted
most in our new Falcons
was more space...”
Eric Trappier, Dassault Aviation CEO
The 6X can connect
major city pairs around
the world, such as Hong
Kong and Paris.
Silvercrest Problems
The straw that broke the camel’s “When we faced new difficulties
back for the 5X project was an last September… with the HP
issue with the high-pressure turbine, it suddenly became too
compressor, part of a jet engine much,” Trappier admitted.
that increases the pressure of air The Dassault CEO revealed in
before it reaches the combustor, February that the company was in
which came to light last discussions with Safran regarding
September. Safran, the firm which compensation: “We are at the
manufactures the powerplant, level of the claim. We are claiming
said it was unable to get the high- we need compensation...so right
pressure compressor to perform now we are discussing this
throughout Dassault’s required sensitive subject with Safran.”
flight envelope. When the termination of the 5X
The French airframer had programme was announced in
originally intended to deliver the December, a statement from
first customer aircraft in 2017 but Safran said Dassault did not share
a series of snags saw Dassault its view of the “status of the pro-
alter its delivery schedule for gramme”. The engine firm added
the 5X. In 2016 the engine that “contractual penalties appli-
manufacturer informed the cable to the engine development
company it had identified all the phase” had already been provi-
concerns with the powerplant and sioned in its accounts and reaf-
could meet Dassault’s revised tar- firmed its 2017 financial targets.
get of 2020 for entry into service. (Photo Safran)
TOP LEFT • Natural light

floods into the cabin,
courtesy of 14 large
windows on each side
of the fuselage.
ABOVE LEFT • The aircraft

accommodates up to 16
passengers and the cabin
can be split into three
distinct zones.
LEFT • Eric Trappier,

Dassault Aviation CEO,
said the 6X “raises the
bar in terms of comfort,
availability and mission
capability”.
challenging airports, such as Lugano, revealed most went on to purchase for early 2021 with certification and
St Tropez and Aspen. another member of the Falcon family, ABOVE RIGHT • The galley entry into service scheduled for 2022.
Dassault is also touting the 6X’s ‘short mainly 7X and 8X jets. Discussions are features a skylight, Trappier admitted this was a “challeng-
hop and go’ ability. It says the aircraft now under way with the remaining 5X which Dassault says is ing” schedule but is optimistic the firm
the first of its kind on a
can land with more fuel than compet- customers regarding the transfer of business jet. can deliver.
ing aircraft, making it easier for opera- their contracts to the new model. He explained: “We are still in negotia-
tors to make a ‘short hop’ to an interim Dassault had valued the 5X at around tions with most of our suppliers, so we
airfield to pick up passengers and then $45m in 2015 prices and Trappier are going to work hard to finalise the
continue on to a long-haul destination revealed the cost of the 6X will be programme. We feel very confident
without having to refuel. $47m in 2018 prices, “so almost the that in 2022 we will have the capability
As the uncertainty around the 5X same price”. to deliver a certain number of aircraft,
programme increased in recent years, “Those who were expecting a 5X will then ramp up to the level of two
several customers cancelled their get [a] better [aircraft] with the 6X,” he aircraft per month from 2023.
orders, including 12 in 2016 and a told journalists at the launch. Obviously, that depends on how the
further three last year. Trappier First flight of the Falcon 6X is planned market reacts [to the 6X].”

RE-PRINTS
Custom re-prints of features
available for use as:
• Press Pack Inserts
• Sales Promotions
• Company Reports and more...
Tailored to your specific needs, re-prints can showcase
your company, products or services in association
with the leading civil aviation magazine.
For further information call Andy Mason:
Tel: +44 (0) 1780 755131

E-mail: andy.mason@keypublishing.com
Gateway to the
Samba Capital
Recently privatised, Rio de Janeiro’s Tom Jobim International Airport has undergone an impressive
transformation, as Sebastian Schmitz discovers.
R
io de Janeiro – the Cidade holidays increased, Rio became one Ninety Years in the Making
Maravilhosa or Marvellous of the planet’s top destinations. To get Galeão began as a Brazilian Air Force
City is neither Brazil’s capital, there, most international visitors base in 1924 – which still uses it today
nor its largest metropolis. Yet, used, and still use, Rio’s Tom Jobim – and handed a limited number of
its title as the nation’s most International Airport (GIG/RJGG), commercial passenger flights until
beautiful is undisputed and its spectac- more commonly known by its original after World War Two. Located on Ilha
ular surroundings and the relaxed life- name Galeão. Located around 12 miles do Governador (Governor’s Island), the
style of its inhabitants, are unrivalled in (20km) from the city centre, it is one of largest in Guanabara Bay, the city of Rio
Brazil. As demand for exotic long-haul South America’s busiest facilities. de Janeiro borders most of its

GOL Transportes Aéreos
Boeing 737-8EH, PR-GXH
(c/n 39621) taxies
towards its gate at the
airport’s Terminal 2.
Together with LATAM
Airlines Brasil, the two
dominate the Brazilian
domestic market.
ALL IMAGES THE AUTHOR
UNLESS STATED
Landside view showing western shore. The airport’s first

the acres of concrete passenger facility was built close to
used in the airport’s con-
struction – the facility’s Praia do Galeão (Galleon Beach) hence
two terminals are of a it gained its popular name. This also
similar shape and size. explains why its IATA code is GIG, after
Galeão Ilha do Governador.
It officially became Rio’s international
gateway in 1945, but it was another
seven years before the first passenger
Sunrise over Copacabana terminal was opened – the building
Beach – Rio de Janeiro still exists and is used as offices. As the
claims to be one of the
world’s most beautiful number of passengers using the facility
cities. quickly grew, the terminal became
more crowded until finally in 1977, the international jet-set and until the 1980s, Infrastructure Growth The main check-in area of
Terminal 2 during a quiet
new semi-circular Terminal 1 opened Galeão continued to be the main gate- Terminal 1 underwent its first period. However, it can
for business. way to Brazil – and to the entire South significant renovation in the early get very crowded during
Compared with its predecessor it was American subcontinent. Airlines from 1990s and reopened in time for one peak hours.
huge, however its architecture left a lot North America and Europe flew their of the globe’s largest conferences, the
to be desired. Locals describe it as a Lockheed L1049 Super Constellations, United Nations Rio Earth Summit, in
ABOVE LEFT • The airport
fine example of what they call ‘Brazilian Douglas DC-6s and later their early 1992. At the same time, with further is at its busiest in the
Brutalism’ – a style of construction jetliners to Rio, often with multiple rapid growth anticipated, construction early evening when most
often found in government buildings stops en route. started on Terminal 2, a building of of the intercontinental
that uses lots of concrete and is seldom Even Concorde became a regular visitor almost identical size and shape. When flights depart.
attractive. in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with it was inaugurated in 1999, the two
By the second half of the 20th Air France operating flights from Paris terminals combined brought capacity
century, Rio de Janeiro had become via a technical stop in Dakar, Senegal in up to 15 million passengers per year.
one of the favourite destinations of the West Africa. This was significantly higher than the

sub-five million travellers it was between the two, a government decree One of the colourful infor- There are two other domestic carriers:
handling at the time and so provided in 2004 stipulated only services on the mation counters dotted Avianca Brasil flies to ten cities while
room for substantial future growth. air bridge to São Paulo/Congonhas and around Terminal 2 that Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras serves
assist with travellers’
One reason for the low traffic shorter regional links could operate questions. This example three (see tables).
numbers was the success of Rio’s other from SDU. All other services to cities is in the departures area. Tom Jobim International has three
airport, Santos Dumont (SDU) which such as Recife, Fortaleza and the capital Airbus A380-compatible parking stands
was handling five million passengers Brasília were moved across to Galeão, and was one of the first airports in
ABOVE LEFT • Opening of Latin America to be certified for the
per year, over three million more than which could easily accommodate the the South Pier has result-
its designed capacity. Santos Dumont additional passengers and movements. ed in passengers having type, joining Mexico City, Cancún and
is located right in Rio’s city centre, just a As a result, passenger figures jumped to walk longer distances Guarulhos. The first A380 to land here
short walk from the business district from 4.6 million to 8.6 million between to their gates. This is the on a commercial service was an Air
main concourse leading
and this, plus its small size, made it 2003 and 2005. Around that time to the departure gates France example, flying a charter during
hugely popular with travellers. To dis- several international airlines added new from the main part of the 2016 Summer Olympics, although
tribute passenger figures more evenly services while others increased Terminal 2. it was preceded by an A380 prototype
frequencies to GIG, such as LAN Chile
Airport Key Facts with flights from Santiago de Chile,
TAP Air Portugal from Porto and Delta
It is the domestic network
Name
IATA code
Rio de Janeiro/Tom Jobim International Airport
GIG Air Lines from Atlanta. And a new that accounts for 75% of
ICAO code RJGG Brazilian carrier, Webjet (later taken travellers using GIG,
Location 22°48’36’’S, 043°15’02’’ W over by GOL Transportes Aéreos) with two airlines
Elevation 28ft (9m)
10/28 13,123 x 148ft (4,000 x 45m)
made Galeão the base for its low-
cost operations. dominating the market:
Runways
15/33 10,433 x 154ft (3,180 x 47m) Another airport that had a strong GOL and LATAM.
Approach: 119.35 MHz influence on the development of Galeão
Frequencies Tower: 118.20 MHz was São Paulo’s Guarulhos. It is a landing here four years earlier as part of
Ground: 121.65 MHz relatively new facility, opening in 1985, a validation exercise. With the Brazilian
Website www.riogaleao.com but many international airlines quickly economic crisis still having an impact
moved their services from Rio as the on passenger numbers, no airlines are
city became Brazil’s largest and its currently planning to operate the super
primary economic powerhouse. Rio’s jumbo into GIG.
status as the nation’s natural and main The busiest day in its history, which
gateway was suddenly threatened and should not come as a complete surprise,
the more commercially attractive also occurred during the 2016 Olympic
destination of São Paulo made more Games. On August 22, 2016, the day
sense. Today, while GIG handles after the games ended, more than
around 16 million passengers per year, 85,000 people transited through the
36 million use Guarulhos. facility and in addition to fully-booked
Despite this, Galeão remains Brazil’s scheduled services, charter flights were
second busiest hub, and still has its fair organised to collect competitors and
selection of international carriers offer- spectators. As well as quantity there
ing links to destinations across the was variety, with many unusual
North and South American continents, carriers visiting here, including Korean
Europe and Africa. Many of these Air, All Nippon Airways, Aeroflot,
have served the airport for decades. Turkish Airlines and Qantas.
Meanwhile, the regional network from
Galeão has spare capacity given that Brazil’s Busiest Hub
Rio is still one of the largest cities on the In terms of size, GIG is one of the
LEFT • A pair of LATAM
South American subcontinent. Airlines Brasil Airbus largest in South America, covering a
However, it is the domestic network A320s parked at substantial proportion of Ilha do
that accounts for 75% of travellers using Terminal 2 await their Governador. It has two runways, both
GIG, with two airlines dominating the passengers. Both have their western thresholds close to
aircraft retain the livery
market: GOL and LATAM. Each car- worn prior to the carrier’s each other, which enclose the airport’s
rier serves almost 20 Brazilian destina- merger with LAN Airlines buildings in a triangular shape. To the
tions, often with multiple daily links. in June 2012. northeast is runway 10/28, while the
Taking less than two
Airside view of the shorter runway 15/33 is located to the years to construct, the two South American MRO centres here,
airport’s main infrastruc-
ture – Terminal 1 (left)
southeast. Both can handle jets right up South Pier opened in the second being at Porto Alegre, in
has been largely moth-
balled and Terminal 2
to the size of an A380.
At the eastern end of runway 10/28,
May 2016, in time for southern Brazil. The company's
hangar is one of the biggest in South
now handles most of the a group of classic jetliners have found the Olympic Games. America and can accommodate up to
airport’s traffic. their final resting place, however, none four widebody jets at a time.
of them are in a very good shape. They Douglas DC-10 and a single all-white The MRO provider manages services
include six 727s, of these two are 737-200. ranging from airframe, engine and
former VARIG aircraft plus one Also close to the eastern threshold component maintenance through to
operated by TAF Linhas Aéreas and of runway 10/28 is the main mainte- engineering and material support, it
another by Platinum Air Cargo , there nance provider, TAP Maintenance & also has a large aircraft painting facility
is also a Master Top Airlines Cargo Engineering, which operates one of its enabling it to cover most requirements.
This GOL Boeing 737-

8EH, PR-GTV (c/n 34270)
rotates from Galeão’s
Runway 33, behind is the
airport’s Terminal 2.
OPPOSITE • More evi-

dence of the ubiquitous
concrete used in the
airport’s construction
including the facility’s
air traffic control tower,
which is located along-
side Terminal 1.
OPPOSITE • TAP
Maintenance &
Engineering is one of the
leading MRO providers
in South America, with
operating stations in
Rio de Janeiro and Porto
Alegre. The company’s
hangar can house up to
four widebody aircraft
at a time.

International Flights Serving GIG
Two into One Does Go facilities around the world), the Airline Destination Frequency Type
With two almost identical terminals Brazilian construction company Air France Paris/Charles de Gaulle Daily 777
and the airport’s privatisation on the Odebrecht – which hold a majority Alitalia Rome/Fiumicino Daily A330
horizon, initial plans called for the stake of 51% between them – and Miami Daily 777
renovation and extension of both build- Infraero, the Brazilian government American Airlines New York/JFK Daily 777
ings. However, in 2014 the RIOgaleão corporation responsible for the smooth Dallas/Fort Worth (seasonal) Daily 777
consortium took over the management running of most of the country’s British Airways London/Heathrow Daily 787
of GIG on a 25-year concession and had airports, owning the remaining 49%. Atlanta Daily 767
Delta Air Lines
radically different ideas. The While initial plans called for continued New York/JFK Daily 767
Edelweiss Air Zürich Twice weekly A330
consortium consists of Changi Airports operation of both terminals alongside
Buenos Aires/Ezeiza - Dubai
International (operator of Singapore’s each other, RIOgaleão had instigated its Emirates
International
Daily 777
main gateway as well as 50 other own plans. Instead of spreading opera- Iberia Madrid Daily A330
tions over two buildings, all but a very KLM Amsterdam Daily 787/777
few exceptions - Avianca Brasil still Miami Daily 767
uses Terminal 1 to board and disembark LATAM Three times
Orlando 767
its passengers - are now concentrated weekly
in Terminal 2, where a South Pier has Lufthansa Frankfurt Daily 747-400/-8
been built and the apron extended to Three times
Royal Air Maroc Casablanca 767
weekly
handle the increased number of
TAAG Angolan
aircraft movements. Luanda - São Paulo/Guarulhos Five times weekly 777
Airlines
Taking less than two years to construct, Lisbon Twice daily A330
TAP Air Portugal
the South Pier, which boasts 26 Porto Twice weekly A330
airbridges, opened in May 2016, in time United Airlines Houston Daily 767
for the Olympic Games. Meanwhile,
Terminal 1, which underwent its own Domestic Flights Serving GIG
renovations just a couple Airline Destination
of years before the airport’s transfer to Brasília, Florianópolis, Fortaleza, Foz do Iguaçu, João Pessoa,
the new concession holder, remains Avianca Brasil Porto Alegre, Recife, Salvador da Bahia, São Paulo/Congonhas,
São Paulo/Guarulhos
largely empty today.
Azul Linhas Aéreas
For RIOgaleão, it made sense to Brasileiras
Belo Horizonte/Confins, Recife, São Paulo/Campinas
consolidate most operations in Aracaju, Belém, Belo Horizonte/Confins, Brasília, Campina Grande,
Terminal 2. No decision has been made Florianópolis, Fortaleza, Foz do Iguaçu, João Pessoa, Macapá,
about the future of Terminal 1 although GOL Transportes Aéreos Maceió, Manaus, Maringá, Natal, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rosario,
Salvador da Bahia, São Luis, São Paulo/Campinas, São Paulo/
some shops and restaurants and one of Congonhas, São Paulo/Guarulhos, Vitória
the airport’s two hotels remain open in Belo Horizonte/Confins, Boa Vista, Brasília, Curitiba, Florianópolis,
LATAM Brasil
the building. Foz do Iguaçu, João Pessoa, Maceió, Manaus, Natal
Regional Flights Serving GIG

Airline Destinations
Aerolíneas Argentinas Buenos Aires/Ezeiza, Buenos Aires/Aeroparque, Córdoba, Rosário
Aerolíneas Argentinas
Buenos Aires/Ezeiza
(op by Austral Líneas Aéreas)
Amaszonas Paraguay Asunción
Avianca Colombia Bogotá
Avianca Peru Lima
Copa Airlines Panama City/Tocumen
Buenos Aires/Ezeiza, Córdoba, Mendoza (seasonal),
GOL Transportes Aéreos
Montevideo, Rosario, Santiago de Chile
Asunción, Buenos Aires/Ezeiza, Lima, Montevideo, Santiago
LATAM Brasil
de Chile
LATAM Chile Santiago de Chile (seasonal)
LATAM Paraguay Asunción, Buenos Aires/Ezeiza
Sky Airline Santiago de Chile (seasonal)
Close-up of TAM Boeing invested heavily in digital platforms.
767-316ER, PT-MOG (c/n
29227), which is parked A smartphone app was launched –
on one of the facility’s Rio was the first in South America to
remote stands. From Rio offer this – to help users find their way
the aircraft type primar- around the facility, with suggested
ily serves Miami and
Orlando, Florida. routes and timings or various
destinations. The app also allows
travellers to see whether their flight is
on time, pay for parking and to get in
touch directly with the airport's
customer service department.
Complementing the mobile phone
app, self-service information kiosks are
posted around the terminal.
There are several bus lines con-
necting GIG to different areas of Rio
and surrounding cities, while taxis
and rental cars are readily available.
Unfortunately, the roads into the heart
of the city are often very congested and
American Airlines Boeing there is no train connection. Along
777-223(ER), N772AN (c/n with renovation and expansion to its
29580), basks under the
Brazilian sun before its infrastructure, the facility also received
return north. The carrier a new name. It is now officially called
serves three destinations RIOgaleão/Tom Jobim International
from Rio: New York, Airport, honouring Brazilian compos-
Miami and Dallas/
Fort Worth. er and singer Tom Jobim. He helped to
spread Brazilian styles of music, most
notably the bossa nova, around the
world and wrote the famous song ‘The
Girl from Ipanema’, among others.
Along with additional shops and
food options, the airport also opened a
Now having one of International flights now Fluctuating Fortunes
Welcome Centre in the arrivals area of use the airport’s South Since the new millennium,
Terminal 2, helping passengers find out the world’s leading Pier as demonstrated
by this TAP Air Portugal passenger traffic using GIG has
about transport options into the city as operators – Changi Airbus A330, Alitalia generally shown an upward trend. In
well as handling any other travel Airports – onboard and A330 and an Aerolíneas
Argentinas Boeing 737-
2003 it recorded 4.6 million travellers
questions they may have.
Together with the rejuvenated
with upgraded facilities 800, all of which are
regular visitors.
passing through its doors, this had
almost doubled over the next 24
terminal building, RIOgaleão has also in place, Tom Jobim months, when many flights were
International is primed
for the future.

Business aviation is moved to Galeão from Santos Dumont.
playing an increas-
ingly significant role at Two years later, it crossed the 10 million
Galeão. This Embraer passenger mark for the first time and
Phenom 300, PR-BJA (c/n continued to grow steadily until 2012,
50500178), belonging to
Brasil Jato Táxi Aéreo, a its best year to date when it handled
Rio-based air taxi com- 17,491,744 people. Passenger numbers
pany was present during have been falling subsequently (except
the author’s visit. for 2014 when they climbed above 17m
again) and last year the airport
recorded a through-put of 16,243,253.
The decline has been attributed to the
economic and political crisis Brazil has
been suffering with two consecutive
years of negative growth during
which the nation’s economy shrank by
almost 8%.
Now having one of the world’s leading
operators – Changi Airports – onboard
and with upgraded facilities in place,
Tom Jobim International is primed for
On short finals onto the future. It has the additional
Galeão’s Runway 28, capacity for growth, with Terminal 1
LATAM Airbus A321-231, ready to be re-activated when needed,
PT-MXE delivers more to become a true regional hub, a role
visitors to Rio de Janeiro.
it currently fills to a limited extent.
Despite longer distances for passengers
to walk to their gates in the South Pier,
the overall appearance of GIG and the
additional retail outlets and restaurants
has vastly improved the facility
compared with only a few years ago.
As Brazil starts to recover from the
worst recession in the country’s history
it will be interesting to follow the efforts
of the RIOgaleão consortium’s efforts to
attract new carriers and services to the
airport. However, it still has one major
advantage over its rivals – the Rio de
Janeiro effect – it is still one of the
world’s most beautiful cities.
2017 AIRSHOW DVD BUNDLE AIRLINER CLASSICS 8 SPECIAL
This great value DVD bundle deal Brought to you by the industry-renowned team
includes three of the best 2017 behind Airliner World, this 8th edition of the
Airshow DVDs! Taking you airside at highly popular Airliner Classics series turns the
these must-see events, this bundle clock back once again to bring you the very best
includes: from the classic years of commercial aviation.
Paris: The 52nd Paris Airshow was With superbly illustrated articles paying tribute to
another aerospace spectacular, which some of the most iconic aircraft and airlines of
included many display highlights, from yesteryear, this 100-page publication is a must-
Lockheed Martin’s F-35A and Airbus’ have for those wishing to re-live the glory days of
A350-1000 to Boeing’s 737 MAX 9! air travel. Softback, 100-pages.
Aero India: Billed as one of Asia’s
r your
premier air shows, Aero India features
dazzling displays from many rare and
call fo
interesting types.
ribers unt
LIMA: Witness one of Asia’s premier
airshows and its spectacular flying
Subsc £1 disco
displays in this LIMA 2017 DVD.
Code: Code:
DVD834 ONLY £19.99 ALCLASS8 ONLY £5.99
F28 Cockpit DVD Dubai Airshow 2017 DVD Commercial Airliner Displays DVD
The Dubai Airshow 2017 presented Witness history as the world’s newest
Ride in the cockpit to 5 exotic spectacular highlights with an airliners of their time soar into the skies to
destinations in Thailand including amazing opening fly-by followed by impress millions. Filmed on 5 continents
2 separate landings at Bangkok’s aerial displays by teams from UAE, and showcasing the Airbus and Boeing
now closed Don Muang Airport! Russia and China! Region-free fleets, see the most amazing commercial
If you enjoy being close to DVD, Running time 60 minutes. planes of its day, including many
the action and the thought of prototypes of the highest technological
flying into small challenging marvels of the day. Welcome to the
airfields you’ll love this Asian ‘World’s top airliner flying displays.
Adventure! Dual cameras catch Region free DVD, Running time 100
all the cockpit and cabin action. minutes.
Running time: 90 minutes.
REDUCED
CODE: DVD282 ONLY £9.99 CODE: DVD841 ONLY £9.99 CODE: DVD789 ONLY £9.99
Eastern Airlines DC-7B Kai Tak DVD Bundle Farnborough Past to Present
Blu-Ray DVD
Eastern Air Lines ended operating Kai Tak: The Final Days - Watch This spectacular DVD, featuring
in early 1991, about the time breathtaking action from over 20 exclusive never-before-seen footage
Just Planes was born... N836D locations around Kai Tak Airport from the Aviation Data Corp.
was rescued from almost certain during the final days before it archives, offers rare insight into the
scrapping in 2004 and went through was closed forever! Farnborough International Airshow
a 6 year restoration project that led to Kai Tak: The Final Year - Enjoy from its beginnings to the present
its return to the air on July 4th, 2010. the action at the greatest airport day. Enjoy an array of rare aircraft
In May 2011 the aircraft operated in aviation history: closed in from the ‘golden age’ of British
its 1st International flight and you 1998 but never forgotten as aviation. Region-free DVD, running
can now enjoy and be part of that documented by AirUtopia! time 70 minutes.
historic flight! Region-free Blu-Ray. Kai Tak 747 Special - Are you ready for some heavy metal, roof
Running time 170 minutes. skimming, tarmac pounding 747 action? Only AirUtopia can
REDUCED
combine the greatest airport of all time with one of the greatest
commercial aircraft to ever fly to create what might be the best
Kai Tak DVD of all time!
CODE: BR055 ONLY £10.00 CODE: DVD838 ONLY £19.99 CODE: DVD750 ONLY £9.99
Great Airports of the World Vol.3 Lukla Airport Nepal DVD Dreamliner Special
Special
Great Airports of the World vol.3 is a Voted as the world’s more Extreme This special edition from the team
100-page publication which examines Airport by the History Channel, behind Airliner World magazine
in detail the most influential, busiest, we welcome you into the cockpit details the revolutionary aircraft
largest and most impressive global alongside the amazing pilots of TARA from concept through to airline
air hubs. This special edition from the Air! Lukla Airport is perfectly situated service. It looks at how the aircraft
team behind Airports of the World to serve as the gateway to Mount was developed, the innovations that
magazine details ten airports from Everest and features the world’s most Boeing has incorporated into its
around the world – some of which extreme approach, winding through design as well as how airlines are
have won awards, those that have the mighty Himalayas! Interviews using the Dreamliner’s impressive
handled huge amounts of traffic, and with Tara Air’s Lukla-based manager, economics to drive down operating
others that are exciting or pleasant to Tara’s brave pilots and thrilled costs as well as opening up
use. 100 page, special magazine. passengers bring this experience to opportunities for new long-haul
life. Region-free DVD, Running routes.
Subscribers call for your
£1 discount
time 60 minutes.
REDUCED Special magazine, 100 pages.
CODE: SPECGA3 ONLY £5.99 CODE: DVD757 ONLY £9.99 CODE: SPEC787 ONLY £1.99
For more great gift ideas visit us at: www.keypublishing.com/shop

MAGAZINES >
DVDS >
CDS >
BOOKS >
SUBSCRIPTIONS >
MODELLING >
OFFERS
Indian Ocean Airports DVD Extreme Airports DVD Bundle BAE Systems Special
The Indian Ocean is home to some of This great value DVD bundle deal includes This 132-page British Aerospace
the world’s most spectacular airports. three of our top-selling DVDs! Taking and BAE SYSTEMS publication,
From the clear turquoise waters of the you airside at some of the world’s most written by renowned author Stephen
Maldives and the Seychelles, to the extreme airports, this bundle includes: Skinner, commemorates the 40th
rare airlines serving Bali and Phuket Volume 1 - Filmed across five continents, birthday of one of Britain’s most
– these airports are full of interesting this spectacular DVD features the dramatic important companies. In April
visitors. Region-free DVD, Running checkerboard approach at Hong Kong/ 1977, the UK’s airframe companies
time 90 minutes. Kai Tak, breathtaking Caribbean landings at St. Maarten and St. were merged to become British
Barts plus more. Volume 2 - Includes the dramatic approaches Aerospace (BAe). The newly-formed
of Tegucigalpa and Rio de Janeiro. We also visit Gibraltar, with a company inherited several military
highway intersecting the runway and head to Taipei’s crowded programmes; the Tornado, Jaguar,
downtown airport. Volume 3 - Includes the Caribbean island of Harrier and Hawk which assured
Saba, with the world’s shortest commercial runway at just 400m in
length! Running time 205 minutes, Region-free DVD
REDUCED work for this part of the organisation.
Softback, 132-pages.
CODE: DVD831 ONLY £9.99 CODE: DVD836 ONLY £19.99 CODE: SPECBAE40 ONLY £1.99
Middle East Airports Spectacular Top Gun Flying Display Teams Airliner World Binder
DVD DVD
Join us at some of the Middle East’s Only the best military aviators Keep your Airliner World collection
unseen, historic and diverse airports in the world can claim to be in pristine condition with these high-
in our newest ‘Middle East Airports part of the true Top Gun Flying quality binders.
Spectacular’! Included in this DVD display teams. These brave men
are the facilities in Doha, Bahrain, and and women take flying to the Each binder will hold up to
Amman, Jordan. Viewers will also extreme, flying wing tip-to-wing 12 editions of your favourite
experience additional bonus footage tip to display their countries’ aviation magazine.
including a dramatic spiral final approach true colours at air shows around
to Bagdad Iraq in 2001, Fujairah’s the world. Region-free DVD,
interesting graveyard of aircraft and the Running time 120 mins.
Superjumbo A380 at desert oasis Al Ain!
Region-free DVD, running time 60
minutes
CODE: DVD825 ONLY £9.99 CODE: DVD830 ONLY £9.99 CODE: AWBINDER ONLY £8.50
Postage and Packaging All prices correct at time of going to press. Terms and conditions apply, see www.keypublishing.com/shop for full details.
UK & BFPO Europe USA Rest of World

ORDER VALUE
2nd Class 1st Class Airmail Airmail Airmail
Up to £10 Free £3.99 £3.99 £4.99 £4.99

£10.01-£19.99 Free £3.99 £4.99 £5.99 £5.99
£20.00-£34.99 Free £3.99 £8.99 £9.99 £9.99
£35.00-£49.99 Free £4.99 £12.99 £13.99 £13.99
£50.00-£99.99 Free £4.99 £16.99 £17.99 £17.99
£100+ Free £4.99 £22.99 £23.99 £23.99
VISIT: www.keypublishing.com/shop COMPLETE THE FORM AND POST TO:

Key Direct
TELEPHONE: (UK) 01780 480404 COMPLETE/PHOTOCOPY THE FORM BELOW PO Box 300, Stamford
(OVERSEAS) +44 1780 480404 AND FAX TO: (UK) 01780 757812 Lincs, PE9 1NA
Monday to Friday 9.00am until 5.30pm (OVERSEAS) +44 1780 757812 United Kingdom 256/18
MAIL ORDER FORM Item code Quantity Price

PAYMENT METHODS
Payments are accepted by cheque, Postal Order, Credit Card and US Dollar
PAYER’S DETAILS check. Payments by credit or debit card will be shown on your statement as Key
Publishing Ltd and debited in UK Sterling. Use local currency as a guide as prices
Title ................... First name ......................................... are subject to currency exchange rate fluctuations.
Surname ......................................................................
I enclose a cheque/check for £ ........................ or US $........................... made
Address ........................................................................ payable to Key Publishing Ltd
.....................................................................................
Please debit my Mastercard  Visa 
Postcode ............................ Country ............................
Email address
..................................................................................... Expiry date Security number

Please complete to receive news updates and offers from us by email.
M M Y Y
DELIVERY DETAILS (IF DIFFERENT)
Title ................... First name .........................................
Surname ......................................................................
Sub Total Signature ............................................................... Today’s date ...........................
Address ........................................................................
P&P
..................................................................................... Key Publishing will hold your details to process and fulfil your order. Occasionally we
Grand Total £ may wish to contact you to notify you of special offers on products or events. If you
Postcode ............................ Country ............................ do not wish to receive this information please tick here  or mention when calling.
Airliner
Deliveries
The latest
commercial
aircraft
deliveries from
manufacturers
and lessors.
Boeing 737 MAX 8

C-FSES (c/n 61213)
joined the Air Canada
fleet on February 26.
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
DEREK MACPHERSON
Mack Air Perimeter Airlines [UW/PAG]
A2- C208B/EX 208B5422 ex N839HT, dd 03.18, lsd fr Tuareg Energy C-GAMI SA227-AC AC-587 ex N3115T, reg’d 21.03.18
A2- C208B/EX 208B5423 ex N842JT, dd 03.18, lsd fr Tuareg Energy Timber Wolf Air
A2- C208B/EX 208B5424 ex N840BT, dd 03.18, lsd fr Tuareg Energy C-FPCL PC-12/45 276 ex N276CN, reg’d 20.03.18
Qatar Airways [QR/QTR] Transwest Air
A7-ANA A350-1041 88 ex F-WZNR, dd 16.02.18 C-GIGK DHC-6 300 492 ex N300BC, reg’d 16.03.18
Air China [CA/CCA] Vancouver Island Air
B-1068 A320-271n 8000 ex B-000A, dd 01.02.18 C-FEYO DHC-3 16 ex CF-EYO, reg’d 28.03.18
B-1368 787-9 34318 dd 08.02.18, Charleston # 214 WestJet Encore [WR/WEN ‘Encore’]
B-5203 737-79L 34538 N348JS assigned 07.03.18 C-GWRE DHC-8 402 4576 dd 02.03.18, fleet # ‘449’
Chengdu Airlines [EU/UEA ‘United Eagle’] LATAM Cargo Chile [UC/LCO]
B-3377 ARJ21-700 109 reg’d 23.03.18 ex N68079, reg’d 13.03.18 to Chirihue Leasing
China Express Airlines [G5/HXA ‘China Express’] N536LA 767-316ERF 32573
Trust
B-3297 CRJ900LR 15442 ex C-GIAO, dd 20.03.18 Royal Air Maroc [AT/RAM]
B-3298 CRJ900LR 15445 dd 28.03.18 CN-ROW 767-343ER 30008 cnvrtd to 767-343ER(F)
China Southern Airlines [CZ/CSN] TAP Portugal [TP/TAP]
B-8367 A321-271n 7530 ex D-AVZT, dd 28.02.18, lsd fr AerCap F-HBAL A319-111 2870 lsd fr Aigle Azur, entered service 24.03.18
Hainan Airlines [HU/CHH] ex EI-DVF, dd 07.03.18, lsd fr Aigle Azur, entered
B-1213 737-800 44398 dd 28.02.18 F-HBIS A320-214 3136
service 25.03.18
B-5971 A330-343E 1614 ex F-WWKD, reg’d 13.03.18, lsd fr Avolon Condor [DE/CFG]
Lucky Air [8L/LKE] ferried Frankfurt – Leipzig 21.03.18, entered
D-ATCA A321-211 4334
B-1209 737-800 60174 ex N1786B, dd 28.02.18, lsd fr CDB Leasing service 22.03.18, op by Thomas Cook Aviation
SF Airlines [O3/CSS ‘Shun Feng’] LY-VEB A320-212 1571 ex G-OZBW, dd 27.03.18, wet-lsd fr Avion Express
cnvrtd to 757-2B7(F) at Chengdu, reg’n canx Eurowings [EW/EWG]
N940UW 757-2B7 27805
Key to Abbreviations 26.03.18, rr B- ex OE-LNC, dd 15.03.18, lsd fr Castlelake, op by
D-ABGP A319-112 3728
N942UW 757-2B7 27807 cnvrtd to 757-2B7(F) at Singapore XSP 03.18 LGW Walter?
a/c aircraft
als airlines Shandong Airlines [SC/CDG ‘Shandong’] Lufthansa [LH/DLH]
awys airways B-1359 737-800 63768 dd 02.02.18, lsd fr Standard Chartered Bank D-AIXH A350-941 184 ex F-WZGR, dd 13.02.18, named ‘Magdeburg’
bf bought from Spring Airlines [9S/CQH ‘Air Spring’] Small Planet Airlines [5P/LLX ‘Germanjet’]
b/u broken up/scrapped B-1023 A320-214 8060 ex D-AXAK, dd 28.02.18, lsd fr DAE Capital D-ASPE A320-232 2029 ex OE-IFS, dd 15.03.18, lsd fr GECAS
canx cancelled Tianjin Cargo Airlines YR-SEA A320-231 357 ex ER-AXO, dd 28.03.18, lsd fr Star East Airline
cls colours B-2501 737-44P(F) 29914 ex N1786B, reg’d 05.03.18 SunExpress Deutschland [XG/SXD ‘Sunrise’]
cn manufacturer’s B-2576 737-44P(F) 29915 ex N1786B, reg’d 05.03.18 ex TC-SUO, dd 06.03.18, lsd fr Aviation Capital
construction/serial D-ASXV 737-86Q 30272
B-2945 737-39K(F) 27362 reg’d 12.03.18 Group
number
Tibet Airlines [TV/TBA ‘Tibet’] Fiji Link [FJA ‘Fiji Link’]
cnvrtd converted
dbf destroyed by fire B-1008 A319-115 8029 ex B-000E, dd 12.02.18 DQ-FJR DHC-6 400 958 ex C-FOAD, dd 06.03.18
dbr damaged beyond Urumqi Airlines [UQ/CUH ‘Loulan’] Aeronova (Air Europa Express) [X5/OVA]
repair B-3131 E190LR 19000268 ex PT-TLI, reg’d 13.03.18 ATR 72-212A ex OY-YAF, dd 27.03.15 Billund – Madrid, lsd fr
EC-MHJ 982
dd delivery date Xiamen Airlines [MF/CXA] (500) Nordic Aviation Capital
ex previous reg'n B-1369 737-800 42954 dd 09.02.18 Air Europa [UX/AEA]
ff first flight B-1370 737-800 42955 dd 07.02.18 EC-MSZ 787-9 62171 dd 15.02.18, lsd fr Avolon, Charleston # 217
frtr freighter B-1371 737-800 63687 dd 05.02.18 Air Nostrum [YW/ANE ‘Nostru Air’]
lrf last revenue flight Air Hong Kong [LD/AHK] EC-MUG CRJ1000 19061 ex C-GIBN, dd 22.03.18
lsd fr leased from
ex D-AAEB, dd 22.03.18 Singapore – Hong Kong, Binter Canarias [NT/IBB]
lsd to leased to EI-HEB A330-322(F) 127
lsd fr/op by ASL Airlines Ireland ATR 72-212A
msn see cn EC-MVI 1483 ex F-WWEI, dd 02.03.18
ntu not taken up Hong Kong Airlines [HX/CRK ‘Bauhinia’] (600)
oo on order B-LGD A350-941 187 ex F-WWAW, dd 27.02.18, lsd fr AerCap Iberia [IB/IBE]
op operated Air Macau [NX/AMU] EC-MUF A320-214 3278 ex EI-GCX, dd 12.03.18, lsd fr SMBC Aviation Capital
pax passenger B-MCH A320-232 7497 ex B-8745, dd 21.03.18 Chengdu – Macau Thomas Cook Airlines Balearics [CTB ‘Sunnyheart’]
pwfu permanently Air Canada [AC/ACA] EC-MTJ A320-214 1954 ex G-TCAE, dd 28.03.18 Manchester – Hannover
withdrawn from use C-FSEQ 737-8 61211 ex N1787B, dd 27.02.18, fleet # ‘506’ EC-MVF A320-212 1381 ex OO-TCX,
reg’d registered C-FSES 737-8 61213 dd 26.02.18, fleet # ‘507’ Volotea [V7/VOE]
reg’n registration C-FVLU 787-9 38360 dd 02.02.18, fleet # ‘854’ EI-FML A319-111 2240 rr EI-MUT & ferried Rzeszow – Toulouse 24.03.18
ret fr returned from C-FVLX 787-9 38356 dd 16.02.18, fleet # ‘855’ lrf 04.03.18, ferried Nantes – Rzeszow 06.03.18, to
ret to returned to EI-FMY A319-111 2253
Air Canada rouge [RV/ROU ‘rouge’] be rr EC-MUU
rr re-registered
rts return to service C-FXCA 767-375ER 24574 reg’d 15.03.18, adds to last month’s section EC-MTL A319-111 2053 ferried Rzeszow – Nantes 29.03.18 for eis
sb sold by Air Transat [TS/TSC] EC-MTM A319-111 262 ferried Rzeszow – Nantes 31.03.18 for eis
scr scrapped/broken up C-GCKR A320-214 1416 ex D-AICK, reg’d 08.03.18, lsd fr Condor Vueling [VY/VLG]
st sold to C-GCKU A320-214 1437 ex D-AICL, reg’d 06.03.18, lsd fr Condor EC-MVD A320-232 8111 ex F-WWBN, dd 22.02.18
std stored C-GUBL A330-243 728 ex B-6121, reg’d 27.03.18, lsd fr DAE Capital EC-MVE A320-232 8130 ex F-WWIN, dd 27.02.18
tba to be advised Chartright Air Wamos Air [EB/PLM ‘Pullman’]
unk unknown C-GLLS Beech B200 BB-1601 rr C-FGGH 05.03.18 EC-MTT A330-223 454 ex EI-GFE, dd 03.18, lsd fr AerCap
wfu withdrawn from use EI-STP 737-4Q8(F) 26299 ex N134WF, dd 03.18, lsd fr Vallair
Pascan [P6/PSC]
w/o written off/destroyed
C-FYUT PC-12/45 254 ex N254PC, reg’d 13.03.18

CityJet [WX/BCY ‘City-Ireland’]
EI-FPW CRJ900LR 15443 reg’d 08.02.18
Avianca Ecuador [2K/GLG ‘Aerogal’]
HC-CTR A320-214 4599 ex N599AV, dd 08.03.18, lsd fr GECAS
Airliner
EI-FPX CRJ900LR 15444 ex C-GIAV, dd 06.03.18, SAS cls Avioandes Deliveries
Ryanair [FR/RYR] ex N454YV, dd 05.03.18, lsd fr Avmax Aircraft
HC-CSY DHC-8 202 454
EI-GDX 737-800 44817 dd 02.02.18 Leasing We welcome
EI-GDY 737-800 44818 ex N6055X, dd 27.02.18 LATAM Airlines Ecuador [XL/LNE ‘LAN Ecuador’]
EI-GDZ 737-800 44820 ex N1786B, dd 16.02.18 EC-MNY A330-243 261 ex G-GGEN, dd 10.03.18, wet-lsd fr Wamos Air any feedback
EI-GJA 737-800 44819 dd 20.02.18 Avianca [AV/AVA] on this listing.
EI-GJB 737-800 44822 dd 22.02.18 N805AV A321-231 6009 ex B-22608, reg’d 30.03.18
EI-GJC 737-800 44824 dd 26.02.18 N810AV A321-231 6294 ex B-22610, reg’d 26.03.18
EI-GJD 737-800 44821 dd 28.02.18 (The listing is alpha-
Servientrega betical with refer-
EI-GJE 737-800 44823 dd 28.02.18 HK-4607 727-259(F) 22476 ex N901RF
Scandinavian Airlines (Ireland) [SK/SZS ‘Spinnaker’] ence to the registra-
TAC – Transporte Aéreo de Colombia tion of the country
EI-SIE A320-251n 8058 ex D-AVVG, dd 01.02.18 Let
Stobart Air [RE/STK] HK-4293 861703 ex YV2362 of origin. Columns
410UVP-E
ATR 42-500 indicate the registra-
EI-GEV 1213 reg’d 09.02.18 Jeju Air [7C/JJA]
(600) HL8304 737-8JP 37186 reg’d 26.02.18,
tion, type,
Mars Avia [MRS ‘Mars Cargo’] Korean Air [KE/KAL]
construction num-
EK-74008 An-74T-100 36547095900 ex RA-74008, reg’d 06.11.17, lsd fr AerAsia Corp HL7200 CS300 55022 ex C-FOWU, dd 12.03.18
ber and notes.)
EK-74923 An-74-200 36547096923 ex EK-74043 HL7201 CS300 55024 ex C-FOYB, dd 28.03.18
Qeshm Air [QB/QSM] HL7202 777-300ER 60377 ex N5020K, dd 06.02.18
BAe Avro HL8093 CS300 55019 ex C-FOVP, dd 30.12.17
EP-FQZ E3332 ex M-NONA, dd 13.03.18 & seen Malta same day
RJ100 Thai AirAsia [FD/AIQ ‘Thai Asia’]
NyxAir HS-CDG A320-251n 8016 ex B-000C, dd 06.02.18, lsd fr AirAsia
ES-NSB Saab 340A 340A-112 ex SE-LJM Thai Airways International [TG/THA]
Regional Jet [EE/EST ‘Reval’] ex F-WWIW, dd 22.02.18, lsd fr ALAFCO, named
ATR 72-212A ex OY-JZD, dd 23.03.18, lsd fr Nordic Aviation HS-THL A350-941 185
ES-ATF 1131 ‘Skhoraphum’
(600) Capital flynas [XY/KNE]
Ethiopian Airlines [ET/ETH] LZ-FBC A320-214 2540 ex EC-JMB, dd 17.03.18, wet lsd fr Bulgaria Air
ET-AVB A350-941 180 ex F-WZFX, dd 06.02.18, named ‘Gelada Baboon’ Saudia – Saudi Arabian Airlines [SV/SVA]
Somon Air [SZ/SMR] ex D-AVVA, dd 08.02.18, lsd fr International
P4-BDL 787-8 37306 ex N887BA, dd 22.03.18 HZ-AS67 A320-214 8072
Airfinance Corp
Turkmenistan Airlines [T5/TUA] ex F-WWIY, dd 18.02.18, lsd fr International
EZ-A700 737-700BBJ 64802 ex N1786B, dd 16.02.18, op for government HZ-AS68 A320-214 8081
Airfinance Corp
JOON [JN/JON] Air Dolomiti [EN/DLA ‘Dolomiti’]
F-GLZP A340-313 260 reg’d 23.03.18 I-ADJV E195LR 19000308 ex D-AEME, dd 07.03.18, lsd fr Lufthansa
F-GTAJ A321-212 1476 ex D-AVZF, reg’d 23.03.18 Fuji Dream Airlines [JH/FDA]
F-GTAK A321-212 1658 ex D-AVZP, reg’d 19.03.18, lsd fr Menelaus V (AerCap?) JA12FJ E175STD 17000712 ex PR-EKC, dd 10.03.18
F-GTAM A321-212 1859 ex D-AVZY, reg’d 23.03.18 Japan Air Commuter [JC/JAC ‘Commuter’]
F-GTAS A321-212 3419 ex D-AVZE, reg’d 19.03.18, lsd fr AerCap ATR 42-500
Transavia France [TO/TVF ‘France Soleil’] JA04JC 1402 ex F-WWLB, dd 30.03.18
(600)
F-HTVH 737-800 62163 dd 27.02.18 Norwegian Air Shuttle [DY/NAX ‘Nor Shuttle’]
British Airways [BA/BAW ‘Speedbird’] ex (EI-GBD), dd 20.02.18, was last Norwegian 737-
ex 9V-SLN, dd 07.03.18, wet-lsd fr Titan Airways LN-NIJ 737-800 42094
G-POWK A320-233 4701 800 on order
until 30.09.18 Norwegian Long Haul [DY/NLH ‘Norstar’]
easyJet Airlines [U2/EZY ‘easy’] LN-LNR 787-9 38784 ex G-CKNA, dd 13.03.18
ex SE-RJE, dd 07.03.18, wet-lsd fr SmartLynx Aerolíneas Argentinas [AR/ARG]
ES-SAP A320-232 1183
Airlines ex N1786B, dd 23.02.18, lsd fr Aviation Capital
G-EZRS A320-214 8119 ex F-WWDN, dd 22.02.18 LV-HKV 737-8 44294
Group
Jet2.com [LS/EXS ‘Channex’] Flybondi [FO/FBD]
G-JZBI 737-800 63166 ex N1786B, dd 15.02.18 LV-HKR 737-83N 32614 ex OE-IGJ, dd 23.02.18, lsd fr GECAS
G-JZBJ 737-800 63165 ex N1795B, dd 27.02.18
LATAM Airlines Argentina [4M/DSM ‘Aero Dosmil’]
Norwegian Air UK [DI/NRS ‘Rednose’] LV-HQI A320-233 3319 ex CC-CQN, dd 08.03.18
ex N1002R, dd 05.02.18, lsd fr AerCap, named
G-CKOF 787-9 38786 GETJET Airlines [GJT]
‘Joan Miró – Spanish Artist’
LY-FOX A320-214 1087 ex LZ-BHF, dd 21.03.18
dd 07.02.18, named ‘Paco de Lucía – Spanish
G-CKOG 787-9 63314 Cargo Air [CGF ‘Clever’]
Guitarist’
Thomas Cook Airlines [MT/TCX] cnvrtd to 737-43Q(F) at Miami, reg’n canx 16.03.18,
N489VA 737-43Q 28489
rr LZ-CGX & ferried Miami – Leipzig 17.03.18
ex G-ZBAM, reg’d 09.03.18, lsd fr Aviation Capital
G-TCVC A321-231 6059 Allegiant Airlines [G4/AAY]
Group
ex G-ZBAO, reg’d 01.03.18, lsd fr Aviation Capital N261NV A320-214 4115 ex HZ-AS14, reg’d 29.03.18, lsd fr ALAFCO
G-TCVD A321-231 6126 N262NV A320-214 4122 ex HZ-AS15, reg’d 30.03.18, lsd fr ALAFCO
Group
LY-VEF A320-214 828 ex 9V-SLA, dd 25.03.18, wet-lsd fr Avion Express ex G-EZIK, ferried Stansted – Greensboro GSO
N316NV A319-111 2481
LY-VEN A320-233 1636 ex CC-COM, dd 25.03.18, wet-lsd fr Avion Express 24.03.18
Virgin Atlantic Airways [VS/VIR] ex G-EZIN, reg’d 22.03.18, ferried Stansted –
N319NV A319-111 2503
Greensboro GSO 28.03.18
G-VWND A330-223 476 ex D-ALPF, reg’d 23.03.15, named ‘Scarlett O’Hara’
Wizz Air UK American Airlines [AA/AAL]
N303RE 737-8 44447 ex N1786B, dd 20.02.18, fleet # ‘3RE’
G-WUKF A320-232 8210 ex D-AUBI, dd 26.03.18 Hamburg XFW – Budapest
N834AA 787-9 40653 dd 27.02.18, fleet # ‘8LR’
easyJet Switzerland [DS/EZS ‘Topswiss’]
Atlas Air [5Y/GTI ‘Giant’]
HB-JXJ A320-214 7772 ex G-EZRK, reg’d 27.03.18 to easyJet Airline
N485MC 747-45EF 30607 ex B-16481, reg’d 15.03.18 to UMB Bank trustee
Edelweiss Air [WK/EDW] ex VP-BFI, reg’d 02.03.18, bf AerCap, ferried Hahn
ex F-WWJP, dd 16.02.18, lsd fr Swiss, named N662GT 767-31AER 27619 – Marana 22.03.18 for temp storage prior to cargo
HB-JME A340-313X 559
‘Pilatus’ conversion
Swiss Global Air Lines [LX/SWU ‘Euroswiss’] cnvrtd to 767-306ER(BCF) at Taipei 03.18 & ferried
HB-JCH CS300 55021 ex C-FOWF, dd 02.03.18 N1427A 767-306ER 28098
Taipei TPE – Miami 28-29.03.18
HB-JCJ CS300 55025 ex C-FOWQ, dd 26.03.18 Coulson Aviation
Virgin Atlantic continues

to add aircraft to cover
for its grounded Boeing
787-9 Dreamliners.
Airbus A330-223
G-VWND (c/n 476) was
ferried from Gatwick
to Manchester on
March 25 prior to
entry into service.
ASHLEY FRENCH
Airliner
Deliveries
Brussels Airlines has

added two ex-Lufthansa
Airbus A340s, including
OO-SCW (c/n 335), which
it is operating for fellow
Lufthansa Group
subsidiary Eurowings.
The jets are being used
on long-haul flights
from Düsseldorf.
V1 IMAGES/MANUEL VALENTA
N608SW 737-3H4 27928 rr N138CG 23.03.18 Skybus Jet Cargo
Delta Air Lines [DL/DAL] N873SJ DC-8 73CF 46091 reg’n canx 22.03.18, rr OB-
N335DN A321-211 8036 ex F-WZMC, dd 01.02.18, fleet # ‘3035’ easyJet Europe [U2/EZY ‘easy’]
N336DX A321-211 8063 ex F-WZME, dd 20.02.18, fleet # ‘3036’ ex G-EZUD, reg’d 15.03.16 & ferried Ljubljana –
N337DN A321-211 8080 ex F-WZMF, dd 27.02.18, fleet # ‘3037’ OE-IJE A320-214 4636
Milan MXP
N338DN A321-211 8078 ex D-AVYU, dd 13.02.18, fleet # ‘3038’ OE-LKG A319-111 4313 ex G-EZFU, reg’d 12.03.18, ferried as above
N507DN A350-941 182 ex F-WZFW, dd 20.02.18, fleet # ‘3507’ OE-LKI A319-111 2829 ex G-EZAZ, reg’d 23.03.18, ferried as above
N890DN 737-900ER 62775 ex N1786B, dd 08.02.18, fleet # ‘3890’ OE-LQB A319-111 3799 ex G-EZFB, reg’d 19.03.18, ferried as above
N891DN 737-900ER 32001 ex N1786B, dd 23.02.18, fleet # ‘3891’ OE-LQC A319-111 3788 ex G-EZFA, reg’d 06.03.18, ferried as above
Everts Air Cargo [5V/VTS ‘Everts’] OE-LQD A319-111 3763 ex G-EZDY, reg’d 05.03.18, ferried as above
N305FA DC-9 83 49398 ex F-GMLU, bf Ascent Aviation Services 28.02.18 OE-LQE A319-111 4451 ex G-EZGD, reg’d 26.03.18, ferried as above
FedEx Express [FX/FDX ‘FedEx’] OE-LQF A319-111 3844 ex G-EZFF, reg’d 28.03.18, ferried as above
N155FE 767-300F 43631 dd 02.02.18 OE-LQL A319-111 3774 ex G-EZDZ, reg’d 08.03.18, ferried as above
N156FE 767-300F 63096 dd 23.02.18 OE-LQR A319-111 3854 ex G-EZFH, reg’d 21.03.18, ferried as above
Horizon Air [QX/QXE] OE-LQS A319-111 4040 ex G-EZFJ, reg’d 29.03.18, ferried as above
N631QX E175LR 17000713 ex PR-EKD, dd 22.02.18, Alaska Airlines cls OE-LQU A319-111 4087 ex G-EZFP, reg’d 13.03.18, ferried as above
Kalitta Air [K4/CKS ‘Connie’] Eurowings Europe [E2/EWE]
N710CK 747-4B5F 26406 ex HL7462, reg’d 01.03.18 OE-LYU A319-132 5535 ex D-AGWW, dd 25.03.18 Düsseldorf – Vienna
N713CK 747-4B5F 32808 ex HL7437, reg’d 29.03.18 OE-LYV A319-132 5043 ex D-AGWT, dd 23.03.18 Düsseldorf – Munich
OE-LYW A319-132 4998 ex D-AGWS, dd 24.03.18 Düsseldorf – Munich
Kalitta Charters II [K9/KFS ‘Kalitta’]
ex G-DOCF, bf Classic 400 Holdings 22.03.18, Laudamotion [OE/LDM ‘Expert’]
N407AU 737-436 25407 ferried Victorville – Miami 27.03.18 for cargo OE-LCG A321-211 1988 ex D-ABCG, dd 23.03.18, lsd fr Lufthansa
conversion OE-LOC A320-214 4161 ex D-ABFC, dd 23.03.18, lsd fr Lufthansa
Maverick Airlines/Helicopters OE-LOD A320-214 3908 ex D-ABHO, dd 23.03.18, lsd fr Lufthansa
N272MA C208B 208B2353 rr N196GC 21.03.18 OE-LOE A320-214 4269 ex D-ABFE, dd 23.03.18, lsd fr Lufthansa
N619MA C208B 208B2192 ex N20194 OE-LOG A320-214 4187 ex D-ABFD, dd 23.03.18, lsd fr Lufthansa
N690MA B1900D UE-161 ex N161YV Air Belgium
New England Airlines [EJ/NEA ‘New England’] OO-ABA A340-313E 835 ferried Lourdes – Brussels 02.03.18 prior to eis
Key to Abbreviations N906GD BN2B-6 3008 ex V3-HEZ, reg’d 22.03.18 OO-ABB A340-313E 844 ferried Lourdes – Brussels 01.03.18 prior to eis
a/c aircraft Piedmont Airlines (American Eagle) [PT/PDT] Brussels Airlines [SN/BEL ‘Beeline’]
als airlines N651AE ERJ 145LR 145422 ex PT-STT, dd 28.03.18, lsd fr American Airlines OO-SCW A340-313X 335 ex D-AIGY, reg’d 12.03.18, op for Eurowings
awys airways N906AE ERJ 145LR 14500894 ex PT-SYG, dd 20.03.18, lsd fr American Airlines OO-SCX A340-313X 354 ex D-AIGX, reg’d 29.03.18, op for Eurowings
bf bought from ferried Hong Kong – Brussels 11.03.18 in basic
PSA Airlines (American Eagle) [OH/JIA ‘Blue Streak’] OO-SFB A330-342 915 Cathay Pacific cls, to Rome FCO 16.03.18 for
b/u broken up/scrapped N530EA CRJ702ER 10308 dd 26.03.18, lsd fr American Airlines
canx cancelled painting
cls colours Redding Aero Enterprises [BXR ‘Boxer’] ex B-LAG, reg’d 15.03.18, lsd fr AerCap, ferried
N106VE C208B 208B0769 ex VH-TOV, reg’d 14.03.18 OO-SFC A330-342 895
cn manufacturer’s Hong Kong – Brussels 28-29.03.18
construction/serial SkyWest Airlines [OO/SKW] ex OE-IFU, reg’d 27.03.18, ferried Ostrava –
OO-SNL A320-214 1961
number N262SY E175LL 17000714 ex PR-LEW, dd 09.03.18, Delta Connection cls Brussels 26.03.18
cnvrtd converted N263SY E175LL 17000715 ex PR-EML, dd 09.03.18, Delta Connection cls TUI Airlines Belgium [TB/JAF ‘Beauty’]
dbf destroyed by fire N264SY E175LL 17000716 ex PR-EMP, dd 15.03.18, Delta Connection cls OO-LOE 787-8 36426 ex G-TUIG, reg’d 23.03.18
dbr damaged beyond Southern Air [9S/SOO] KLM Cityhopper [WA/KLC ‘City’]
repair N778LA 777-F16 41518 lsd fr Atlas Air PH-EXU E175STD 17000708 reg’d 21.02.18
dd delivery date
Southwest Airlines [WN/SWA] PH-EXV E190STD 19000750 reg’d 22.02.18
ex previous reg'n
N7867A 737-7Q8 30633 ferried Paine Field – Phoenix 07.03.18 for eis PH-EXW E175STD 17000710 ex PR-EIT, dd 14.03.18, fleet # ‘EXW-710’
ff first flight
frtr freighter N8562Z 737-800 64171 dd 12.02.18 PH-EXX E175STD 17000711 ex PR-EIU, dd 16.03.18, fleet # ‘EXX-711’
lrf last revenue flight N8563Z 737-800 64172 dd 13.01.18 PH-EXY E190STD 19000750 ex PR-EKB, dd 23.03.18, fleet # ‘EXY-750’
lsd fr leased from N8564Z 737-800 42545 dd 26.02.18 Susi Air [SQS ‘Sky Queen’]
lsd to leased to N8565Z 737-800 42533 ex N1796B, dd 21.02.18 Let 410UVP-
PK-VSP 3018 ex OK-JPR, reg’d 12.17
msn see cn Spirit Airlines [NK/NKS ‘Spirit Wing’] E20
ntu not taken up N683NK A321-231 8114 ex D-AVZK, dd 14.02.18 Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras [AD/AZU]
oo on order N684NK A321-231 8047 ex F-WZMD, dd 08.02.18 ATR 72-212A
op operated PR-AKI 1342 ex PH-ATC, (PH-ATC canx 12.02.18)
Sun Country Airlines [SY/SCX] (600)
pax passenger N824SY 737-85P 33976 ex EC-JHL, reg’d 01.03.18, lsd fr Castlelake ATR 72-212A
pwfu permanently PR-AKJ 1360 ex PH-ATD, (PH-ATD canx 22.02.18)
Swift Air [WQ/SWQ ‘Swiftfight’] (600)
withdrawn from use ATR72-212A ex PH-ATE, dd 05.03.18, lsd fr Nordic Aviation
reg’d registered N149XA 737-484 27149 ex N148AS, reg’d 08.03.18 PR-AKL 1367
N285XA 737-4Q8 26285 ex N606AS, reg’d 05.03.18 (600) Capital
reg’n registration PR-YRQ A320-251n 8105 ex F-WWIZ, dd 21.02.18, lsd fr GECAS
ret fr returned from N313XA 737-484 25313 ex N353AS, reg’d 09.03.18
N314XA 737-484 25314 ex N134AS, reg’d 05.03.18 Colt Transportes Aéreos [XCA]
ret to returned to
rr re-registered N430XA 737-484 25430 ex N304AS, reg’d 09.03.18 PR- 757-222 26690 ex N576UA, bf Strategic Air Finance 03.18
rts return to service N624XA 737-86J 32624 ex VP-BLD, reg’d 15.03.18 Aeroflot Russian Airlines [SU/AFL]
sb sold by N917XA 737-86J 32917 ex VP-BEN, reg’d 05.03.18 RA-89102 RRJ-95B 95141 ex ‘89102’, dd 16.03.18 & reg’d 01.03.18
scr scrapped/broken up N760AS 737-4Q8 25098 N807TJ reserved 27.02.18 RA-89105 RRJ-95B 95145 reg’d 16.01.18, named ‘V Zhukovsky’
st sold to N767AS 737-490 27081 N806TJ reserved 27.02.18 RA-89106 RRJ-95B 95146 reg’d 16.01.18
std stored N769AS 737-4Q8 25103 N808TJ reserved 27.02.18 RA-89108 RRJ-95B 95148 reg’d 16.01.18, named ‘V Aksyonov’
tba to be advised United Airlines [UA/UAL] VP-BFB 737-800 41219 dd 27.02.18, lsd fr Avia Capital Leasing
unk unknown N889UA A319-132 3342 ferried Salt Lake City – Newark 18.03.18 for eis ex D-AZAL, dd 28.02.18 to International Aviation
wfu withdrawn from use N24973 787-9 40941 dd 12.02.18, fleet # ‘0973’, Charleston # 218 VP-BKJ A321-211 8147 Investments Trading, st SkyCo Financial Leasing &
w/o written off/destroyed N24974 787-9 40942 dd 16.02.18, fleet # ‘0974’, Charleston # 219 lsd to Aeroflot, named ‘V Nabokov’
ex D-AYAR, dd 06.02.18 to International Aviation
UPS – United Parcel Service [5X/UPS]
VP-BTK A321-211 7934 Investments Trading, st SkyCo Financial Leasing &
Thanks to Dave ferried Goodyear – Singapore QPG 06-08.03.18 for lsd to Aeroflot, named ‘A Vertinsky’
N363UP 767-346ER 33494
cargo conversion
Richardson and Azimuth [A4]
World Atlantic Airlines [WL/WAL]
LAASI Aviation for RRJ-
N76201 DC-9 83 53291 reg’d to World Atlantic Leasing 16.03.18 RA-89093 95150 ex ‘89093’, dd 12.03.18, lsd fr GTLK
the above 95LR-100

Azur Air [ZF/KTK]
VQ-BAL 737-8Q8 28226 ex UR-UTP, dd 13.03.18, lsd fr AerCap
Sharp Aviation
VH-OYB SA227-DC DC-846B ex N452LA, reg’d 07.03.18, lsd fr Pearl Aviation
Airliner
Pobeda [DP/PBD] VietJet Air [VJ/VJC] Deliveries
VP-BPT 737-800 63405 ex N1786B, dd 15.02.18, lsd fr BOC Aviation VN-A649 A321-211 8153 ex D-AZAP, dd 26.02.18
Rossiya Russian Airlines [FV/SDM] Air India [AI/AIC] We welcome
VQ-BDR A320-214 1130 N235NV assigned 22.03.18 VT-CIH A320-251n 8030 ex F-WWTN, dd 31.01.18, lsd fr Avolon
EI-GET 777-31HER 32709 ex A6-EBL, dd 27.03.18 Dubai – Moscow VKO ex F-WWBX, dd 12.02.18, lsd fr ALAFCO, corrects/
any feedback
S7 Airlines [S7/SBI ‘Siberian Airlines’] VT-EXM A321-251n 8056 on this listing.
updates last month’s section
VQ-BYM E170SU 17000040 ex N819MD, dd 03.18, lsd fr GECAS IndiGo [6E/IGO ‘Ifly’]
Ural Airlines [U6/SVR ‘Sverdlovsk Air’] VT-IHL A320-232 2626 ex TC-JPB, dd 06.03.18, lsd fr Babcock & Brown (The listing is alpha-
ex F-WWIJ, dd 25.03.18 Ostrava – Yekaterinburg, ATR 72-212A
VP-BKX A320-214 3410 VT-IYE 1484 ex F-WWEJ, dd 15.03.18 betical with refer-
lsd fr SMBC Aviation Capital (600)
ATR 72-212A ence to the registra-
TUIfly Nordic [6B/BLX ‘Bluescan’] VT-IYF 1486 ex F-WWEL, dd 20.03.18
(600) tion of the country
SE-RNA 737-8 44589 ex N1787B, dd 26.02.18
Jet Airways [9W/JAI] of origin. Columns
Enter Air [E4/ENT ‘Enter’]
SP-ESD 737-8AS 29934 ex C-FYQO, dd 27.03.18, lsd fr Avolon VT-JTN 737-8KN 40236 ex EI-FED adds to last month’s section indicate the registra-
Vistara [UK/VTI] tion, type,
Ryanair Sun
SP-RSA 737-8AS 44686 ex EI-FEE, dd 29.03.18 VT-TNH A320-251n 7980 ex F-WWDE, dd 22.02.18, lsd fr BOC Aviation construction num-
AMC Airlines [AMV] Aeroméxico [AM/AMX] ber and notes.)
ex OK-TVE, dd 29.03.18, lsd fr Aviation Capital XA-MAG 737-8 43704 ex N1786B, dd 23.02.18
SU-BSA 737-86Q 30294
Group VivaAerobus [VB/VIV]
FlyEgypt [F/FEG] XA-VAY A320-232 8027 ex D-AXAO, dd 16.02.18
SU-TMK 737-82R 35702 ex TC-AAJ, dd 31.01.18, lsd fr Air Lease Corp Magnicharters [GMT ‘Grupomonterrery’]
Aegean Airlines [A3/AEE ‘Aegean’] XA-UZW 737-3H4 26574 ex N363SW, updates previous sections
SX-DNF A321-231 2553 ex G-ZBAI, dd 07.03.18, lsd fr Castlelake Airlink (SA Airlink) [4Z/LNK ‘Link’]
Ellinair [EL/ELB] ZS-ALP ERJ 135KL 145578 ex N376SK, reg’d 14.12.17
SX-EMJ A320-214 1637 ex G-OZBX, dd 22.03.18, lsd fr Apollo Aviation ZS-YBB E170LR 17000005 ex N305EC, reg’d 07.12.17
Lumiwings ZS-YBC E170LR 17000006 ex N760CP, reg’d 13.12.17
SX-LWA 737-332 25994 ex YR-SKE, dd 16.03.18, named ‘Zakynthos’ ZS- ERJ 135KL 145579 ex N377SK, dd 30.03.17
Olympus Airways [OLY ‘Oly Air’] ZS- E170LR 17000004 ex N274EC, dd 29.03.18
SX-ABY A321-231 983 ex G-MARA, dd 03.18, lsd fr Apollo Aviation CemAir [5Z/KEM]
Biman Bangladesh Airlines [BG/BBC] ZS-DHD DHC-8 402 4103 ex C-FWUC, reg’d 18.12.17
9M-FSM 777-31H 29063 ex 2-RLAT, dd 28.02.18, lsd fr FlyGlobal Charter Comair [MN/CAW ‘Commercial’]
Aero4M [H4/AEH ‘Aerocutter’] ex TC-JGJ, dd 09.03.18, lsd fr SMBC Aviation
ZS-ZWJ 737-8F2 34408
Jetstream Capital
S5-BMM 772 ex 2-LCXO, dd 11.17 Solenta Aviation [SET ‘Solavia’]
3102
Corendon Airlines [XC/CAI] ZS-TIN C208B 208B0261 ex C9-SAN, reg’d 12.12.17
ex TU-TSU, dd 20.03.18 Johannesburg – Antalya, El Al Israel Airlines [LY/ELY]
ZS-GAZ A320-231 81 ex N1003W, dd 21.02.18, lsd fr Aviation Capital
lsd fr Global Aviation Operations 4X-EDC 787-9 38086
Pegasus Airlines [PC/PGT ‘Sunturk’] Group
TC-NBP A320-251n 8113 ex D-AXAA, dd 22.02.18, named ‘Eylül Masal’ Aviation Resource Services
Air Iceland (Flugfélag Íslands) [NY/FXI ‘Faxi’] 5N-BVR CRJ200ER 7774 ex N495CA, dd 03.18, lsd fr Avmax Aircraft Leasing
TF-FXH DHC-8 202 450 ex N842HA, reg’d 15.03.18 Airworks Kenya
Bluebird NORDIC [BO/BBD ‘Blue Cargo’] 5Y-NUU C208B 208B0567 rr ZS-CNA to Megador 126 05.12.17
ex N792AS, dd 02.03.18, cnvrtd to 737-490(F) at Freedom Air Express Airlines
TF-BBL 737-490(F) 28887 5Y-FAV Emb-120ER 120314 ex N237SW
Kelowna 02.18
Icelandair [FI/ICE] Jambojet [JM/JMA ‘Chui’]
N687AA 757-223 25695 bf Jetran 01.03.18 ex N683WP, ferried Toronto – Heraklion 12-13.03.18
5Y-JXE DHC-8 402 4554
WOW Air [WW/WOW] en route to Kenya
ex D-AVZF, dd 07.02.18, st SKY Aviation Leasing & Silverstone Air Services [5Y/SLR]
TF-CAT A321-211 8104 5Y-IZO Fokker 50 20244 ex TF-JMS, dd 03.18, lsd fr Avmax Aircraft Leasing
lsd back to WOW Air
AO Sky Service Trans Guyana Airways
UP-CS102 C208B 208B2373 ex N2032T 8R- C208B 208B2238 ex N930HL, (N930HL canx 09.03.18)
UP-CS103 C208B 208B2417 ex N9541A AirAsia [AK/AXM ‘Red Cap’]
Alanna 9M-AGR A320-251n 8050 ex F-WWIG, dd 02.02.18
UR-CII A320-232 466 ex 2-SRCB, reg’d 12.03.18 9M-AGV A320-251n 8017 ex F-WWDM, dd 13.02.18
Cobham Aviation/National Jet Express [NJS/QJE] flyGlobal Charter [FS/FGG ‘Bluefinch’]
BAe.146- ex 2-RLAT, dd 02.18, lsd fr Apollo Aviation, lsd to
VH-NJI E3154 ex EC-MCL, reg’d 14.03.18 to National Jet Express 9M-FSM 777-31H 29063
300QT Biman Bangladesh Airlines
Jetstar Airways [JQ/JST] Malaysia Airlines [MH/MAS]
VH-XJE A320-232 2423 ex 9V-JSE, reg’d 22.03.18 to Qantas Airways 9M-MAD A350-941 183 ex F-WZGA, dd 12.02.18, lsd fr Air Lease Corp
Network Aviation (Qantas Link) [QF/NWK ‘Netlink’] 9M-MTV A330-223 822 ex EI-GFI, dd 23.03.18, lsd fr AerCap
ex F-WWIE, entered service 22.03.18, lsd fr Qantas, Nepal Airlines [RN/RNA]
VH-VQS A320-232 2515 9N-AKU Y-12E dd 13.02.18 ex-Dhaka
named ‘Kangaroo Paw’
Pacific Air Express [PE/PAQ ‘Solpac’] 9N-AKV Y-12E dd 13.02.18 ex-Dhaka
VH-PQA 757-225(F) 22611 ex N315ST, reg’d 20.03.18, bf Aerolease Fayaka Airways
Qantas Airways [QF/QFA] 9S-GFA 727-230(F) 21442 ex N727BM, unk dd, N727BM canx 14.03.18
VH-VZH 737-838 34202 ex ZK-ZQC, reg’d 08.03.18 Jetstar Asia Airways [3K/JSA ‘Jetstar Asia’]
VH-ZND 787-9 63390 ex N1006F, dd 26.02.18 9V-JSW A320-232 6136 ex VN-A561, dd 02.18, lsd fr DAE Capital
Singapore Airlines [SQ/SIA]
9V-SMU A350-941 186 ex F-WWTW, dd 09.02.18
Former Monarch Airlines

Airbus A320-214 G-OZBX
(c/n 1637) has found
a new lease of life
with Ellinair. The
aircraft joined the
Greek carrier on
March 22 and has been
reregistered SX-EMJ.
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
STUART LAWSON
MRO ATR Support for Mandarin Middle East
China Airlines subsidiary, Mandarin us to minimise our own stocks while
The latest
news from
Airlines and ATR have concluded a
global maintenance agreement (GMA)
maintaining an adequate level of pro-
tection. The delivery time for parts is Success
maintenance, for the Taiwanese carrier’s fleet of nine very short, which means easier budget Jordan’s flag carrier, Royal Jordanian,
repair and ATR 72-600 turboprops. This compre- control for us and enhanced efficiency.” has signed a component services
overhaul hensive support package covers the The agreement is part of a broader sup- contract with Spairliners, the joint
providers repair, overhaul and pooling services of port package being provided by ATR venture between Air France Industries
line replaceable units, with the manu- which includes a full range of technical KLM Engineering & Maintenance
facturer also transporting spares to the and engineering maintenance services, and Lufthansa Technik, covering the
airline’s facilities. This contract marks training solutions for the airline’s flight carrier’s E-Jet fleet (three E175s and
a key milestone for ATR which now has crew, mechanics and technicians. The two E190s). The contracted services
more than 300 in-service aircraft Franco/Italian manufacturer is also include streamlined supply chain
covered under GMAs. supporting China Airlines and its management, pool access, repair
Jenny Tsao, president Mandarin subsidiaries to establish in-house management and tailored logistics
Airlines, commented: “In terms of main- capabilities for ATR heavy maintenance, services for line replaceable units
tenance and repair, the ATR GMA allows up to C-checks. (Photo ATR) (LRUs) from its components pool and
logistics hub in Paris, France as well
as its central spare parts warehouse
in Munich, Germany.
Stefan Pichler, Royal Jordanian CEO,
remarked: “As an airline focusing on
process optimisation, cost improve-
ment and profitable growth, we are
pleased to have selected Spairliners
as our partner. They are ready to
offer us their customised product
services, attractive cost scheme and
their long-term experience in
supporting our E-Jet aircraft.
First Testing Technology

Lufthansa Technik Malta is trialling the structural damage of aircraft skins. In
ACJ319neo latest technology in aircraft maintenance
and overhauls – from drone-based
addition, it is examining a solution for
drone-based inspections of fuselages
Completion inspections of aircraft skins to mobile 3D
scanners to exoskeletons. The company
negating the need for platforms, while
for its engineers it is looking at several
for Fokker has established a standalone innovation

bay where it will focus on reviewing the
latest ideas with the objective of proving
different exoskeleton designs that can
relieve them of physically strenuous
work during production.
Techniek the technologies and integrating them
into the work process and then rolling
Marcus Motschenbacher, CEO of
Lufthansa Technik Malta, commented:
GKN Aerospace business unit, Fokker them out to all Lufthansa Technik base “Our aim is to improve our base
Techniek is set to carry out the world’s maintenance locations. maintenance processes. This enables
first VIP completion of an Airbus The German MRO provider is co- us to guarantee the same quality and
ACJ319neo after being selected by operating with start-up and established standards at the highest technological
long-term customer German charter technology companies. It is already level throughout the Lufthansa Technik
operator K5 Aviation. The work will trialling innovative mobile 3D scanners Group’s network.”
start in May 2019 once Airbus has for making detailed measurements of (Photo Lufthansa Technik)
completed the aircraft and it is
scheduled to be ready for delivery
in early 2020.
Luca Madone of K5 Aviation com-
mented: “Awarding Fokker Techniek
this prestigious project was a logical
continuation of the existing relation-
ship both companies have from
previous projects. We believe Fokker
will deliver again on time. It will have
a modern interior with the focus on
saving weight and will include the
latest in inflight entertainment and
communications technologies.”
K5 Aviation currently operates three
ACJ319s and two Bombardier Global
Express aircraft and has one more
ACJ319neo and a Global 7000 on
order for delivery in 2019.

AIRLINER CLASSICS 8
CELEBRATING THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL AVIATION
AN SPECIAL
Brought to you by the industry-
renowned team behind Airliner World,
this 8th edition of the highly popular
Airliner Classics series turns the clock
back once again to bring you the very
best from the classic years of commercial
aviation. With superbly illustrated
articles paying tribute to some of the
most iconic aircraft and airlines of
yesteryear, this 100-page publication is
a must-have for those wishing to re-live
the glory days of air travel.
Features include:
The Whispering Giant
65 Years of the Bristol Britannia
Alaska’s Old Timers
Classic Propliners Fly On
JUST CP Air
£5.99 Serving Canada
BKS Air Transport
A British Pioneer
Dassault Mercure
Ahead of its Time
And much more!
ORDER DIRECT
1194/17
PLUS FREE P&P* *Free 2nd class P&P on all

UK & BFPO orders. Overseas
charges apply.
Free P&P* when you order online at Call UK: 01780 480404
www.keypublishing.com/shop OR Overseas: +44 1780 480404
Monday to Friday 9am-5:30pm
S U B S C R I B E R S C A L L F O R Y O U R £ 1. 0 0 D I S C O U N T !
Aviation
Training
Aeros Expansion
Modular flight training school Aeros Nick Dunn, Managing Director at help us to further develop the high-
The latest Flight Training has opened a new base Aeros, commented: “The next few quality flight training we offer.”
training aids at Doncaster Sheffield Airport. The months are set to be really exciting The new facility opening coincides
available for South Yorkshire airport offers the full for Aeros as we look to continue the with recent consolidation of the
the aviation range of services required for expansion of our flight training company’s Midlands bases into a
professional commercial training, such as radar and operations. The new base at substantial new headquarters at
Instrument Landing System approach- Doncaster Sheffield Airport will play Coventry Airport. Aeros Wellesbourne
es, enabling Aeros to offer airline pilot an important role in strengthening our closed earlier this year due to the
tuition, from a private pilot’s licence to current position as the leading modular airfield’s uncertain future.
multi-engine instrument rating. flight training school in the UK and will (Photo Aeros)
Wayman Adds to Fleet

Wayman Aviation Academy has acquired Jet-A, and the reduction of scheduled “We need to do our part in the flight
two diesel-powered Cessna 172s. The maintenance operations, while the training industry to participate in its
South Florida-based flight training engine also emits less CO² than avgas. preservation.”
provider says it was keen to leverage the “South Florida is an environmentally Wayman Aviation Academy is an FAA
benefits of the aircraft, which run on Jet-A conscious place with miles of beautiful Part 141 flight training provider, with
fuel. It says fleet utilisation and availabil- beaches and the expansive Everglades,” operations at Hollywood North Perry
ity is enhanced by the proven reliability the company said in a statement Airport and Miami-Opa Locka Executive
of compression ignition engines burning announcing the new acquisitions. Airport in Florida.
EASA and CAAC Qualification

Pacific Sky Aviation’s Twin Otter Series Force was the first customer to receive
400 full flight simulator (FFS) has this training and the results were very
received Level D qualification from two positive. The realism of this simulator
aviation regulators around the world. training is quite impressive and will
European Aviation Safety Agency add to the safety margins of operations
(EASA) and Civil Aviation Administration in this type of challenging operating
of China (CAAC) certification, followed environment.”
Transport Canada accreditation which TRU Simulation+Training designed
was achieved in December. Pacific Sky and built the FFS, complete with
Aviation is now using the FFS to provide seaplane capabilities which, the
customised high-altitude training. company says, makes it the world’s
Michael Coughlin, CEO of Pacific Sky first true seaplane trainer.
Aviation, explained: “Instructors are able David Curtis, Viking President & CEO,
to provide customers with the exact said: “Use of the simulator will enhance
conditions from operating bases at pilot proficiency, eliminate the inherent
altitudes of over 3,000m in order to risk when using aircraft for training, and
evaluate the best approaches and increase the overall level of safety for
departures given the terrain and aircraft all Twin Otter Series 400 operators.”
performance. In 2017, the Peru Air (Photo Pacific Sky Aviation)

Training expertise Instructor & examiner courses
and efficiency. Crew resource management
Command assessment & upgrade
Built for airlines, our portfolio of exceptional
pilot, instructor, examiner and maintenance Operator conversion
training is designed to meet operational Type rating
requirements.
Multi-crew cooperation
Recurrent & refresher courses
Discover more
L3CTS.com @L3_CTS
/L3CTS /L3CTS
Departure
Gate Events
End of a Dream Enthusiast shows and events worldwide may be listed here
– FREE. Organisers are invited to send correspondence to
the editorial department (email: airlinerworld@keypublish-
ing.com). Alternatively, visit our website at
Following last month’s Airliner World craft is still providing valuable www.airlinerworld.com
story about the new museum being information. The Seattle Times news- Jun 3
built around the first Boeing 787 paper reports it is being used as a RAF Kenley Aerojumble, RAFA Club, Kenley Aerodrome,
Victor Beamish Avenue, Caterham, Surrey, CR3 5FX
Dreamliner prototype at Centrair teaching tool on how to recycle an Alistair White, 07860 762277,
International Airport, Nagoya, Japan, aircraft and, particularly, reusing its email: acebellaviation@aol.com
contributor Joe Walker informs us the carbon fibre components. Jun 30-Jul 1
fifth flight test aircraft ZA005, N787FT The first three prototypes have been Manchester Aviation and Transport Festival, Manchester
Airport www.tasmanchester.co.uk
(c/n 40694) is being scrapped. The sent to museums, while ZA004
aircraft, used in the certification of the continued to fly as part of the US Jul 9-15
Guild of Aviation Artists – Aviation Paintings of the Year,
GE Aviation GEnx powered Dreamliner, manufacturer’s EcoDemonstrator The Mall Galleries, London www.gava.org.uk
is in the process of being broken up at and Rolls-Royce’s Trent 1000 TEN Oct 21
Paine Field, Everett, where it had been engine testbed programmes. Its fate Midland Air Museum (Coventry) Aviation Enthusiasts Fair
parked since completing its test flying is unknown, and it hasn’t been seen at Carl McQuaide, 07903 848726,
email: speedbird707@aol.com
in October 2015. Boeing studied the Boeing Field for some time. The sixth www.speedbird707.wixsite.com/midlandaviationfair
potential of returning the aircraft to and final prototype was refurbished Jan 6, 2019
flying condition, but decided it was and continues to fly as a VIP aircraft for Croydon Airport Aviation Collectors Show
too costly. the Mexican Government. Aerodrome (Hallmark Hotel), A23 Purley Way, Croydon,
Surrey CR9 4LT
Even as it is being dismantled the air- (Words and picture Joe G Walker) Dave Sutton, 07973 885754,
email: davidsutton16@aol.com
Shows/Displays
May 29-31
European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition
(EBACE), Geneva, Switzerland www.ebace.aero
May 29-31
ap&m Europe, Olympia, London www.apmexpo.com
June 4-6
Aeromart Summit Clark, Philippines
Asean Convention Center, Claro M Recto Highway, Clark
Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines
www.philippines.bciaerospace.com
email: Ruiching Portier: rportier@advbe.com
Jun 7-8
Aerospace & MRO Summit Bangkok
BOI Thailand Head Office, 555 Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road,
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
A Bizarre Coincidence
Jul 16-22
Farnborough International Airshow, Farnborough,
Hampshire, UK www.farnborough.com
When Aylesbury resident Graham Ecob copy of my identification. I was a travel Jul 23-29
spotted a distinctive Bombardier Dash agent for 42 years and I’m delighted EAA AirVenture, Oshkosh, USA
www.eaa.org
8-Q400 with his own name reflected that this coincidence has led to such an
Sep 5-07
in its registration – G-ECOB – he was opportunity.” The Aviation Festival, Business Design Centre, London, UK
determined to fly on it. His dream came Roy Kinnear, Flybe Chief Commercial www.terrapinn.com
true on April 19 when Flybe arranged to Officer, commented: “We’re thrilled Sep 15-18
fly him from Heathrow to Edinburgh on Graham contacted us and we too World Routes, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
www.routesonline.com
board his namesake aeroplane. thought this a truly bizarre coincidence
Sep 19-23
Before the flight Graham said: “I did – that also makes our aircraft pretty Africa Aerospace and Defence, Centurion, City of Tshwane,
a double take when I first spotted the special. I imagine it’s not every day you South Africa www.aadexpo.co.za
registration and it made me laugh. So, discover you have a plane that has the Oct 2-4
I wrote to Flybe with a photo and a same name as yourself!” (Photo Flybe) Kuala Lumpur International Aerospace Business
Convention, Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition
Centre, Jalan Dutamas 2, Kompleks Kerajaan, 50480 Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia www.malaysia.bciaerospace.com
Oct 9-11
ERA General Assembly, Edinburgh, Scotland
www.eraa.org
Oct 16-18
NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, Orlando,
USA www.nbaa.org
Oct 16-18
MRO Europe, Amsterdam, Netherlands
www.mroeurope.aviationweek.com
Nov 6-11
China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition
(Airshow China), Zhuhai, China www.airshowm.com.cn
Nov 14-16
Bahrain International Airshow, Sakhir Air Base, Kingdom of
Bahrain www.bahraininternationalairshow.com
Nov 14-16
Japan International Aerospace Exhibition, Tokyo
International Exhibition Centre, Japan
www.japanaerospace.jp
Events are subject to change without Airliner World’s
knowledge. Please check details prior to travel.

Departure
Junkers Aircraft Factory Back in Business Gate

Nearly one hundred years after Hugo Civil Aviation, engineers and achieving the aircraft’s initial flight
Junkers designed and put into series technicians were able to gradually because there were no pilots with pre-
production the world’s first all-metal bring a piece of aviation history back vious F 13 experience. However, the
aeroplane, the Junkers F 13, (or rather to life. Seeking a reliable engine led to replica’s maiden flight on September
a historic replica) has again been a 450hp Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp 16, 2017 went smoothly, and everyone
certified for flight. Junior radial engine – still in use world- involved in the project was surprised
Dieter Morszeck, the F 13 project wide – being installed, and brakes and by the benign handling characteristics
founder and investor, said that long- hydraulic shock absorbers were added of the ‘new’ aircraft.
forgotten construction skills, such as to the landing gear in another example Morszeck revealed there are plans for
using corrugated aluminium, had to be of modern technology use. However, a small-scale production run of the F 13
relearned during the construction of such compromises were made in as in response to individual market
the replica. Under the careful supervi- few areas as possible, said Morszeck. demand, using all the experience
sion of the Swiss Federal Office for Another major challenge was gained in constructing the first aircraft.
Starliner Restoration Halted

Restoration of a Lockheed L-1649A will never fly again) from the fuselage, hauled and were ready to be installed
Super Constellation, also known with all the parts being boxed up and and flown.
as a Starliner, has been suspended shipped to Germany. By the end of last year, the Starliner
in the USA due to spiralling costs. Work on the aircraft, D-ALAN (c/n 1018), project was 85% complete. A
Campaigners are appealing to began at Auburn-Lewiston Airport in a campaign, including an online
Lufthansa to reverse its decision. purpose-built hangar in 2008 and the petition, has been launched to
The Maine-based newspaper, the Sun aircraft’s structure has since been com- encourage Lufthansa’s management to
Journal, reports that the project to pletely overhauled from the ground up. complete the project in Auburn.
return the aircraft to airworthy condi- Aircraft systems and components were For more information: www.change.
tion, which has already cost around inspected and repaired by FAA certified org/p/support-this-petition-to-lufthansa-
$200m, is to be stopped immediately.
The aircraft will have its wings removed Golden Anniversary
specialist workshops both in-house and
off site. Its engines, nacelles, propel-
ceo-carsten-spohr-convincing-him-to-
complete-the-restoration-of-the-luf-
(an act that will almost certainly mean it lers and landing gear had all been over- thansa-super-connie-in-auburn-maine.
Win
Caption
Comp
a year's subscription This month's
caption
competition.
to
FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN A
ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION
TO AIRLINER WORLD SIMPLY ESSEX POLICE
Thanks to everyone who
entered the February 2018
WRITE AN AMUSING CAPTION competition and congratu-
lations to Ted Edmunds
TO THIS PHOTOGRAPH who was selected as the
winner with:
Send your caption, name, address, phone
number and email address (if you have one)
to: Caption Competition, Airliner World, “Are you
February 2018, Key Publishing, PO Box 100,
Stamford, Lincolnshire.
absolutely
Send your caption, name, address, phone sure this is
the departure
number and email address (if you have one)
to: Caption Competition, Airliner World, June
2018, Key Publishing, PO Box 100, Stamford,
Lincolnshire PE9 1XQ.. Alternatively, you can
lounge?”
submit your entry via email, addressing it to
Highly commended:
barry.woods-turner@keypublishing.com with
‘June 2018 Caption Comp’ in the subject box.
“Won’t be the same
shire, PE9 1XQ. Alternatively, you can submit
around here once those
your entry via email, addressing it to
old Fokkers are gone.”
barry.woods-turner@keypublishing.com
LEN PRESKOW
with ‘February 2018 Caption Comp’ in the
subject box.
“George, are you QUITE
sure you put EASTBOURNE
Closing date for entries is August 17, 2018 at
into the satnav?”
15:00 GMT. The winner will be notified no
PETER GRANT
later than August 31, 2018
Air
Safety Engine Inspections Ordered After Fatality
Reports An Emergency Airworthiness Directive puncturing the fuselage. over the Gulf of Mexico in 2016 and
and details (AD) has been issued to owners and A Federal Aviation Administration was forced to make an emergency
of recent operators of CFM56-7B engines after (FAA) statement on April 20 reported: landing at Pensacola, Florida. That
incidents. a passenger was killed following an “Debris penetrated the fuselage incident prompted the FAA to order
engine failure during a flight over the causing loss of pressurisation and USIs of certain CFM56 engines.
USA. Southwest Airlines flight 1380 prompting an emergency descent. Southwest confirmed its existing
from New York/LaGuardia to Dallas/ Although the airplane landed safely, maintenance programme “meets or
Love Field, diverted to Philadelphia on there was one passenger fatality.” exceeds all the requirements speci-
April 17, after the crew reported issues All CFM56-7B operators are required fied” in the latest AD. It has pledged
with the number one engine and to “perform a one-time ultrasonic to accelerate its inspection programme
damage to the fuselage. Investigators inspection (USI) of all 24-fan blade which has resulted in a “minimal” num-
determined a fractured fan blade led to dovetail concave and convex sides ber of its 4,000 daily scheduled ser-
the engine inlet cowl disintegrating and to detect cracking”, within 20 days of vices being cancelled.
receiving the AD. Flight 1380 passenger Jennifer
The FAA added: “Fan blade failure Riordan, 42, died from blunt impact
due to cracking, if not addressed, trauma of the head, neck and torso,
could result in an engine in-flight a spokesman for the Philadelphia
shutdown (IFSD), uncontained release Department of Public Health said.
of debris, damage to the engine, The last recorded US passenger airline
damage to the airplane, and possible fatalities occurred in the 2009 crash of
airplane decompression.” a Colgan Air Bombardier Dash 8-Q400
Flight 1380 was being operated by near Buffalo, New York.
17-year-old Boeing 737-7H4 N772SW Southwest Airlines said in a statement:
(c/n 27880) and had 144 passengers “The entire Southwest Airlines Family
and five crew on board. is devastated and extends its deepest,
It was the second such incident in as heartfelt sympathy to the customers,
many years for Southwest. One of the employees, family members and loved
Texas-based low-cost carrier’s 737- ones affected by this tragic event."
700s suffered an uncontained failure (Photo Southwest Airlines)
CAASL Strips ETOPS Rating for SriLankan neos

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka The CAASL believes the incident was it must demonstrate it will not
(CAASL) has suspended the ETOPS “totally preventable” and revealed “do this type of loose, lackadaisical
approvals of SriLankan Airlines' Airbus that CFM had alerted the airline to the business again”.
A320neo and A321neo jets. The move, issue as far back as January 5. The He added: “There must be a thorough
reported by the Sunday Times, comes Sunday Times reported the regulator audit to ensure a sound and reliable
after an engine inflight shutdown has established the incident was “not system [is] in place.”
(IFSD) on January 22, which led to attributable to any manufacturing error, SriLankan insists the IFSD on January
A321-251 4R-ANE (c/n 7891) but due to very poor maintenance 21 was due to a manufacturing
making an emergency landing at practices of the operator” – a claim defect in the engine and not a
Bangkok/Suvarnabhumi while en route denied by SriLankan. maintenance oversight.
from Colombo to Hong Kong. H M C Nimalsiri, Director General “The initial investigations carried
Documents seen by the newspaper of Civil Aviation, said the incident out by the engine manufacturer
reveal engineers had released the “also raises significant alarms” as CFM International confirmed that
aircraft prior to the flight despite to the “competency, credibility and the in-flight shutdown on 4R-ANE
detecting debris in the oil monitoring professionalism of [the] SriLankan was due to an internal bearing failure,”
system of the CFM International LEAP- Maintenance Department as to the the airline told the Sunday Times.
1A32 engine, forcing CAASL to step in. compliance with the regulations “No serious lapses in procedures or
The regulator has ordered the airline and application of sound aircraft working practices of [the] maintenance
to operate its neos with a 60-minute maintenance practices for enhanced department have been identified.”
diversion range, extending flight times flight safety”. The aircraft involved has been
to destinations in southeast Asia and He added that for SriLankan to returned to regular service following
the Middle East. regain its ETOPS approval for the neos, the incident.
DATE REG'N C/N TYPE OWNER FATALITIES LOCATION NOTES

Mar-17 C-FDJA 7979 Canadair CRJ200ER Air Canada Express 0 Canada Hit by a vehicle and badly damaged while parked at Montreal
Mar-20 N716JP 527 DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 Bald Mountain Air Services 0 USA Struck a pedestrian on take-off from a remote airstrip in Alaska
Mar-25 F-GPYF 495 ATR 42-500 HOP! 0 France Landing gear door detached inflight and damaged wing root
Mar-28 D-ABLB 36115 Boeing 737-76J Germania 0 Israel Damaged in a ground collision with an El Al 767 at Tel Aviv
Mar-28 4X-EAK 27600 Boeing 767-3Q8ER El Al 0 Israel Damaged in a ground collision with a Germania 737 at Tel Aviv
Mar-29 CP-2459 DC-847B Swearingen SA-227DC Metro 23 Línea Aérea Amaszonas 0 Bolivia Runway excursion after aborted take-off from Riberalta
Mar-29 XA-UYY 1428 ATR 72-600 (72-212A) Aeromar 0 Mexico Broke loose during engine runs and struck another aircraft at Mexico City
Mar-29 XA-UAV 476 ATR 42-500 Aeromar 0 Mexico Struck by another aircraft while parked at Mexico City
Mar-29 N31TN U-49 Beech 99 Lake Clark Air 0 USA Impacted terrain on approach to Pilot Point Airport.
Apr-09 HL7725 29999 Boeing 737-9B5 Korean Air 0 Japan Tail strike on landing at Osaka/Kansai
Apr-11 N814GV 208B-0958 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan Hageland Aviation Services 0 USA Badly damaged when it impacted terrain near Atqasuk Airport
Apr-17 N772SW 27880 Boeing 737-7H4 Southwest Airlines 1 USA Uncontained engine failure with debris puncturing the fuselage
Apr-20 N807WA 53093 McDonnell Douglas MD-83 World Atlantic Airlines 0 USA Right landing gear collapsed on arrival at Alexandria

TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CONTACT: ANDY MASON
• Tel: 01780 755131 • Email: andrew.mason@keypublishing.com
JULY 2018... On-sale: Wednesday 13th June • Deadline: Tuesday 22nd May CLASSIFIED
CLOTHING
AVIATION ART WEB DIRECTORY
Phone 44 (0)1263 838150

Website www.sapiart.com
E-mail info@sapiart.com
WEB DIRECTORY
AF Aviation 3 x 2.indd 1 10/02/2016 16:40
SAPIART PUBLICATIONS
AIRLINER FINE ART PRINTS
DVDS
AIRLINE ROUTES
Aeroport de Lorient
Bretagne Sud
ENTHUSIASTS
--CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST--
AIR ROUTES DEVELOPMENT TO/FROM LORIENT
BRETAGNE SUD AIRPORT (FRANCE)
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Morbihan is looking for airlines interested in developing
routes to and from Lorient Bretagne Sud Airport. Companies are invited to consult website below:
https://www.morbihan.cci.fr/votre-cci/marches-et-appels-publics/appel-manifestations-d-interet-aeroport
In our case it’s trust. Because

Airliner World is independently
verified by ABC, our
advertisers know they are
getting the exposure they’ve
been promised.
Our circulation is 31,203 for the

TO PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT period January to December
2017.
PLEASE CONTACT... ABC. See it. Believe it. Trust it.
ANDY MASON To advertise, call Andrew Mason on

01780 755131 or email
andrew.mason@keypublishing.com
Tel: 01780 755131

Email: andrew.mason@keypublishing.com
People, Purpose a
W
ith a record annual as the originator of the classic low-cost Since its inception background to the model.
Southwest Airlines has
net income in 2017 business model, which enabled it to “When we started, we were totally
almost exclusively operated
of $3.5bn and a 166th offer low fares. And still it outperforms Boeing 737 aircraft (except focused on offering everyday low fares,
consecutive quarterly its competitors. But has the carrier for a few leased 727-200s) which require everyday low costs,”
dividend just paid to learned anything from others who have and today is the world's he begins. “We were also just laser-
largest operator of the type.
shareholders at the end of March, the added their own modifications to the AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
focused on great service. Back in those
milestone achievements of Southwest model? Chief operating officer (COO), ADRIAN JACK days, we used the word ‘love’ a lot. We
Airlines continue to grow, seemingly Mike van de Ven, considers the were at Love Field [its Dallas
inexorably. It is, of course, recognised question before providing some headquarters], LUV was our ticker

Southwest Airlines sets the gold
standard for low-fare carriers and
enjoys continuing growth and
healthy profit margins. Company
chief operating officer, Mike van de
Ven, tells Bernie Baldwin how a staff-
centred strategy is behind its success.
and Performance
symbol (stock exchange symbol), we no, the genius is in the ‘and’. We need A passenger pats the
Southwest Airlines’ heart
had advertising that said: ‘Someone the low fare AND the great service.
logo on the aircraft’s fuse-
else up there loves you’. As other air- We’ve stayed true to our roots over 47 lage as he boards the car-
lines have come through and tweaked years on that.” rier’s inaugural commercial
that model, I’m not sure that anyone He also believes there are still major service using its new Boeing
737 MAX 8.
has equalled us yet.” differentiating factors which separate ALL IMAGES SOUTHWEST
“We argue all the time if one is more Southwest and still makes it the bench- AIRLINES UNLESS STATED
important than the other [low fares and mark operation today. “I do feel that
service]. And we always conclude that, Southwest really is in a category by
The airline’s relaxed style
is reflected in the new flights which, I think, really makes us
uniforms that have been favourites of the communities.
designed by its own staff. Lastly, and maybe this is a kind of
wrap-around for all this, we really try
to go out and offer a product that we
call ‘Transfarency’. We don’t try to hide
fees, we don’t try to trick you out of your
money. We try not to nickel-and-dime.
We don’t have bag fees or change fees.
We’ve got a frequent flyer programme
we call Rapid Rewards that gives you
great ways to earn points and we offer
free seats with those points on every
flight, every day.
“When you put all those things
together, you get a carrier that people
feel is different. I meet people [outside
of work] a lot and when they find out I
work for Southwest, it’s not uncommon
for them to say, ‘Southwest Airlines? I
love them. They’re my favourite
carrier.’ I bet I hear that 90% of the time
when I get out [into gatherings]. I’m not
sure others can claim that,” he said.
Mike van de Ven,
Southwest’s chief operat- itself in the airline industry. First and is we have the largest all-Boeing fleet
ing officer, says the airline foremost are our people and our in the world. That gives us tremendous
is on a trajectory of slow, culture. We try to take care of our operating and cost advantages.”
steady growth that should people, so that they can take care of our This gives Southwest a unique and
avoid the financial peaks
and troughs experienced by customers. We find that if we do those special relationship with the US
other carriers. two things right, the economics for our manufacturer. But it is the airline’s
shareholders just seems to work out. employees who really make the
“We talk a lot around here about what difference, whether they are flying the
our purpose is. Our objective is con- aircraft, maintaining them or loading
necting people to what’s important in and unloading passengers. They’re
their lives with friendly and low-cost the experts.
travel. The focus there is connecting “The third thing that differenti-
people,” the COO emphasises. “[With ates us is that we are unique in terms
some] companies, a lot of the time of our point-to-point network. We
The airline is celebrating 39
years of service in Louisiana
they’re connecting equipment, and have a lot of mid-sized cities and we
and to commemorate the many lose sight of the people. I think have a lot of services to those. You
milestone it has repainted we are unique in the industry in being don’t have to fly through a hub if
Boeing 737-7H4, N946WN really focused on making sure our you live in New Orleans, Austin, San
(c/n 36918), in this attrac-
tive livery to match the product connects the people. The Antonio, Indianapolis, Albuquerque or
State flag. second thing I think makes us unique Pittsburgh. We offer a lot of non-stop

Investing in its Future That’s what is helping us drive those Boeing 737 MAX 8, N8714Q who deal with that system in one way
In May 2017, the company completed EBIT improvements. So, we’re on track (c/n 36934) moments from or another and one day you have an
a major infrastructure change when in 2018 to have $200 million of EBIT touch-down at Las Vegas/ old system and the next you’re operat-
McCarren Airport on a sunny
it implemented the Amadeus Altéa improvement, and we think that rate January day.
ing on a new system. Our people did a
Passenger Service System (PSS), will grow up to the $500 million mark AVIATION IMAGE NETWORK/ magnificent job, planning that, training
trumpeting that it would “generate by 2020.” SIMON GREGORY everybody, and then delivering it
approximately $500 million in While the economics speak for them- without a hitch.”
incremental annual earnings before selves, the COO revealed that Altéa has But he does not confine his plaudits
interest and taxes (EBIT) by 2020”. Van also added much needed functionality to his colleagues alone and has high
de Ven recalls: “Our old system served and new capabilities. It connects all praise for the Amadeus personnel. “To
us so well for many years, but it was Southwest Airlines’ systems – boosted find partners that can work through
really a stripped-down system. It by easier interfaces – allowing that with you and understand what that
basically took reservations for flights, it partnerships, interline agreements and means in terms of the support of that
had very rudimentary pricing codeshares with other airlines, and technology, is extremely important,” he
functions and was designed to be really can automatically re-accommodate stresses. “I joke a little bit about when
a standalone system. customers where necessary. The state-of-the-art flight you see a dog chasing a car, and you
deck of one of Southwest’s
“This Altéa system gives us a tremen- He is proud of the Southwest team’s wonder what the dog will do when it
new Boeing 737 MAX 8s.
dous amount of revenue management handling of the cut-over between AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/ catches the car – well sometimes people
capabilities that we didn’t have before. systems: “We have almost 10,000 people DIPANKAR BHAKTA chase us to be our vendor or supporter
and when they catch us, [their reaction
is], ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve caught something
really big and I’m not really sure if I’ve
got the infrastructure to handle that’.
That’s what’s been great about working
with Amadeus. They’ve made sure they
have the infrastructure to support our
volume of activity.”
To Upsize, That’s the

Question?
While many low-fare carriers have
looked towards larger single-aisle mod-
els for their fleet renewals, Southwest
has remained loyal to the 737 MAX 7
and MAX 8 (albeit the former has had
deliveries deferred). It begs the
question: will this strategy continue
or will either the MAX 9 or MAX 10 be
needed in the future?
“For as long as we’re planning out at
least the next decade or so, I don’t see
us moving off the MAX 7 or the MAX
8, with seating configuration between
143 and 175 seats,” van de Ven declares.
“What we focus on in our point-to-point
network is the right combination of
frequency and non-stop service in
those markets. We like to get our low
costs through aircraft utilisation. So, Southwest operates more complexity in terms of crew “I really like the interiors of our MAX
the less time on the ground, the more than 4,000 flights per day scheduling, aeroplane routings and so aeroplanes,” van de Ven enthuses. “It
during peak season and
time in the air, and the larger the jets here one of its 737-8H4s lifts
on. When I was thinking: ‘Oh, it’s the starts with the Boeing Sky Interior.
get, the more time they need to sit on off from Fort Lauderdale/ same fleet type, how hard can that be?’, When you walk on the aeroplane it’s
the ground to allow connections and to Hollywood International it was harder than I thought.” got the mood lighting and big over-
fill the aeroplanes.” Airport on another rotation. head bins. It just feels spacious. We
The scale of its operation is huge.
AVIATION IMAGE NETWORK/
BAILEY The MAX Offers More also have music on the MAXs, which
Southwest flies more than 4,000 flights On board its 737 MAX aircraft, we play during boarding and deplaning.
a day during peak travel seasons and Southwest will continue to differ from Again, it gives an atmosphere with a
last year its aircraft averaged 15.6 hours other low-fare carriers. While many use little bit of excitement and a little bit
per day with a utilisation (block hours) slim seats to reduce pitch and add extra of energy. The seats, which are the
of 12.25. rows, Southwest is maintaining its 32in Meridian model from Rockwell Collins
“We’d like to expand our network in all (81cm) pitch. [formerly B/E Aerospace] are about
of North America,” the COO
The carrier’s plans to fly to
continues. “We feel like we’ve got Hawaii are on track, but
opportunities with the MAX 7 and MAX whether services will begin
8 to add up to 50 more destinations over at the end of 2018 or in early
2019 is dependent on FAA
maybe a 20-year period. That may take approvals.
500 more aeroplanes. We believe we
have a long runway with both the
MAX 7 and the MAX 8, and we’ll just
keep inside a business model that will
be less complex than if we were to get
larger aeroplanes.”
Complexity, however, does not just
come from larger aircraft and longer
turnarounds, as van de Ven
remembers: “We brought in the 737-800
– same kind of type rating for the pilots,
very similar maintenance programme
– but the jet needed four flight
attendants instead of three used on the
small jets, this added significant

“Since we’re talking
about cabin experience,
we hire our people
as much for their
personality as anything
else...”
Mike van de Ven
Southwest Airlines COO
half an inch wider than our old seats, Another of Southwest’s

because with these new seat designs, attractively liveried aircraft,
this one is painted in colours
we were able to take them closer to the of the Tennessee State flag.
cabin wall. That adds about a half-inch AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
more to all six seats across [a row].” SIMON WILLSON
He notes that each seat has lumbar
support and an adjustable headrest, the
first time the airline has had that in its
aircraft. “Put all those things together
with the slimline seat and it feels like
one to two inches more of legroom
space. It is very, very comfortable to sit
in those seats. It really makes a differ-
ence in terms of the cabin experience.
“Since we’re talking about cabin
experience, we hire our people as much
for their personality as anything else,
and train them for the skills that they’ll
need. That really comes across in the
customer-facing positions – flight
attendants, call centre agents, our
customer service agents at the airport.
When you get on one of our aeroplanes,
it’s tangible how our cabin crews try to
connect with the customers. It can be
greeting them when they walk on, but
more so as they try to personalise their
safety messages. We’ve got a little bit of
a reputation because sometimes flight
attendants sing, sometimes they tell
jokes, which for me goes to show our
customers: ‘We’re just trying to
connect with you a little bit and have a The carrier painted five of
great cabin experience with you’.” its 737s in this Shamu livery
For years the idea of inflight entertain- supporting its partnership
with Sea World, Texas.
ment (IFE) and/or connectivity was However, the airline has
anathema to low-fare airlines. since severed its ties with
Nowadays, they are no longer the theme park and the last
considered “nice to have” facilities by aircraft wearing the scheme
was repainted in 2014.
passengers and Southwest plans to AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
continue its strategy of having Wi-Fi MATHIEU POULIOT
on 100% of its fleet. “We made the board and if you want to pick a movie, BELOW LEFT • Southwest isn’t others. Southwest remains steadfast
decision to connect to people’s they’re somewhere between $5 and averse to adding marketing in its decision not to unbundle such
messages to the fuselages
personal devices, so we don’t offer $8 each. So, I think we have a great service. “We don’t see any reason for
of its aircraft.
screens in the seatbacks. It adds weight onboard product, compared with some AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/EUROPIX charging these fees. We want to offer
to the aeroplane, it adds maintenance of the others out there.” you an everyday low fare for flying
costs and, invariably, there will be a seat While in-flight entertainment and On board the first com- thousands of miles away. It’s reasonable
that doesn’t work and that’s not going to connectivity (IFEC) fees represent one mercial service using that you’re likely to take a piece of
Southwest’s new 737 MAX
be a really good customer experience,” ancillary revenue stream, you won’t find 8 – note the cabin’s bright baggage, so we’d like you to check it in.
van de Ven points out. “Since our Wi-Fi baggage or change fees providing and airy design. We understand when you buy
is satellite-based, you can use it from
the moment you walk on the aeroplane
to the moment you walk off. You can
watch TV or movies as well as connect-
ing to the internet. All of that is, if not
industry-leading, close to it.”
Southwest’s biggest Wi-Fi challenge
is ensuring it works on the aircraft as
well as it does in an office or home.
“That’s a reasonable expectation which
is just about bandwidth,” says the COO.
“We’ve got two suppliers – Global Eagle
Entertainment and Panasonic – who
provide the systems. With both of
those, we’re trying to double the band-
width from where we were in 2017 to
allow for an improved experience.”
The Wi-Fi connection on Southwest
costs $8 while, he notes, some charge
as much as $25-$40: “The TV is free on

OPPOSITE • The latest cor-
porate livery of Southwest
Airlines is demonstrated
well by this 737-700 that
is taxiing to the departure
runway at Los Angeles
International Airport.
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
BASTIAN DING
Southwest’s COO believes

the airline could add
tickets two or three months ahead that contributed nearly $100m of additional another 50 or more destina-
you might have a change in your plans, revenue. That’s probably our biggest tions to its network over the
next 20 years which would
and we don’t want to charge a couple ancillary revenue item, but what we require 500 more aero-
of hundred dollars should this happen. really feel like is that our ‘no bag fees’ planes for its fleet.
We feel that package actually wins us and ‘no change fees’ are as big a
customers, and they fly with us revenue boost for us. We think we
exclusively because of that.” make more money doing that than if
Creating a choice for the customer we unbundled those things.”
is key to ancillary services offered by
the airline, designed to enhance their Evolving the Network
experience by buying a product from For network and traffic development,
Southwest. like many airlines, Southwest’s plan
“We’ve a Business Select product, involves a mix of increased frequencies
where customers pay to be among the and new destinations. It serves
first 15 people that board the aeroplane. approximately 100 destinations and,
It’s kind of a premium product that this year, the focus is on developing the
gives you a free drink on board, choice extended range capabilities needed to
of seat, more Rapid Rewards points,” fly to Hawaii. One of the carrier’s early
737 MAX 8s lines up on the
says van de Ven. “We’ve got an Early “We hope to launch services to the runway ready to depart,
Bird product where you get an earlier central Pacific archipelago before the with five other 737s in the
boarding position. In the fourth end of the year, but if not this year, background, four of which
still carry the airline’s previ-
quarter of last year [4Q17] both Business maybe next,” van de Ven confirms.
ous livery.
Select and Early Bird products “With Hawaii and other markets out
“We want to offer you

an everyday low fare
for flying thousands of
miles away.”
Mike van de Ven
Southwest Airlines’ leader-
ship team (left to right):
Mike van de Ven (COO), Gary
“We’ve had record
C Kelly (CEO, chairperson) profit-sharing
and Tom Nealon (president)
– together they steered the contributions to our
company to a record net
income of $3.5bn in 2017.
employees over the last
three to five years...”
Mike van de Ven
incremental growth, it just sucks up

capacity. I like that, because it gives us
a kind of slow, steady growth; we don’t
have the peaks and valleys that some-
times cause consternation. That’s been
our history over our 47 years – and it
also adds to our financial stability.”
All of this takes the story full circle to
van de Ven’s earlier point about caring
for Southwest’s hard-working people,
this time via profit-sharing, which last
“First and foremost are our year paid staff a total of $543m. “We’ve
people and our culture,”
had record profit-sharing contributions
van de Ven states. “We take
care of our people and they to our employees over the last three
there, we’ve probably got about 50 more 20 years. After that it’s the same play – take care of our customers. to five years,” he reports. “If you’re an
destinations that we think we can fly to. add frequencies to those dots,” van de We find that by getting these employee in those profit-sharing plans,
right, the economics for our
That’s a 50% increase from where we Ven explains. shareholders just seem to
and if you choose to, you can invest
are today.” As he noted earlier, all that The move to add Hawaii exemplifies work out. in Southwest Airlines stock. If you’ve
could take up to 20 years to achieve. this tactic. “We haven’t announced the AVIATION IMAGE NETWORK/ been an investor in that stock over the
“When we think about where we are city pairs yet, but we’re the number one SIMON GREGORY last five years as an employee, not only
growing in the future, we think about carrier in the intra-California markets, have we given you a lot of money from
a couple of different things. First of all, so we’re in all the big cities there. profit-sharing, but then – if you
in our existing network, are there more Hawaii is the one place we cur- invested in our stock – you’ve had
frequencies we need? And there’s a list rently don’t fly to and Californians a significant return on that
of priorities that we have with that. The wished we did. So, we have investment.”
next thing we think about are the dots several launch points [dots on Southwest Airlines continues to
in our existing network that aren’t c the network] that I think would be be in the vanguard of the low-cost
onnected with non-stop services, and compelling,” he elaborates. “When sector. Many others have tried to
we have priorities there too. Then you do something like that and add emulate its success…but few have
come those 50 new dots over the next 20-30 aeroplanes a year, say 20 in succeeded.

The World’s Favourite Flight Simulation Magazine
COMPUTER TO COCKPIT SPECIAL!
FEATURING:
COMPUTER TO COCKPIT
In this special feature, Mahmoud Fadli
describes how he has used flight simulation
to enhance his real-world flight training.
CHALLENGING AIRPORTS:
AOSTA, ITALY (LIMW)
For the first time in his Challenging Airports
series, Chris Frishmuth heads to Italy and the
scenic Aosta Valley in the heart of the Alps.
VIRTUAL AIRLINES: PILOTEDGE

In this issue, Jessica Bannister-Pearce takes
a look at PilotEdge which provides full and
professional air traffic control for flight simmers
– 15 hours a day, seven days a week.
AIRLINER SIMULATION:
PART 5 - THE TAKE-OFF
LY
In this edition, Air Traffic Control has cleared
our aircraft to taxi to Runway 27R and we
have been given the BPK7F departure out N
O 4.99
of Heathrow.
£
FLIGHT ADVENTURE
Flying the L-049 Super Constellation MAY/JUNE ISSUE AVAILABLE NOW
between Sydney, Australia and London. From and other leading newsagents
and much more! For latest subscription deals visit
314/18 www.pcpilot.net
*UK scheduled on-sale date.
AVAILABLE FROM Requirements for app:

registered iTunes account on
ALSO
Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod
Touch. Internet connection
required for initial download.
AVAILABLE TO Published by Key Publishing
SCAN
Ltd. The entire contents of these
DOWNLOAD titles are © copyright 2018.

All rights reserved. App prices
HERE
subject to change.
also available for
TO PURCHASE PC & MAC from
next
month
The JULY 2018
issue of Airliner World
includes:
EMBRAER E-JET
Free SUPPLEMENT
Shining the spotlight on the
Brazilian manufacturer’s
best-selling regional jet.
Building in Bavaria
German flag carrier Lufthansa has given its
Munich operations a significant boost with the
introduction of five Airbus A380s.
Boom!
The US start-up is aiming to bring supersonic
flights to the mainstream.
High Science
The Cranfield-based Atmospheric Research Aircraft
is at the cutting edge of airborne climate science.
plus
Airliner World’s comprehensive 20+ pages of
global NEWS.
(contents subject to change)
On sale June 13*

(*UK scheduled on sale date. Please note that the
overseas delivery dates are likely to be after this date.)
Acronyms and abbreviations have become an intrinsic part EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company LCD Liquid Crystal Display
of business speak. In the commercial aviation business EASA European Aviation Safety Agency LED Light-Emitting Diode
ERAA European Regions Airline Association localiser Steering guidance element of an ILS system
their usage has become unavoidable and in the following EROPS Extended-Range OPerationS LORAN Long Range Aid to Navigation
table we try to guide you through some of those most ETOPS Extended-range Twin-engine OPerationS MD Managing Director
commonly-used examples in the pages of Airliner World. FAA Federal Aviation Administration (US) MLS Microwave Landing System
FAI Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (France) MLW Maximum Landing Weight
This list will be regularly updated.
FAR Federal Aviation Regulations (US) MoD Ministry of Defence (UK)
FBO Fixed Base Operator MoU Memorandum of Understanding
FDR Flight Data Recorder MRO Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul
AAIB Air Accidents Investigation Branch (UK)
FL Flight Level (usually expressed in hundreds of feet) MTOW Maximum Take-Off Weight
ACAS Airborne Collision-Avoidance System
FOD Foreign Object Damage NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US)
ADR Accident Data Recorder
GA General Aviation NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization
ALPA Air Line Pilots Association (US)
GAPAN Guild of Air Pilots And Navigators (UK) NBAA National Business Aircraft Association (US)
ANS Airborne Navigation System
GDP Gross Domestic Product OFT Office of Fair Trading (UK)
APU Auxiliary Power Unit
GE General Electric PAPI Precision Approach Path Indicator
ATC Air Traffic Control
GECAS GE Capital Aviation Services PAR Precision Approach Radar
ATP Advanced Turbo-Prop (BAe)
GMT Greenwich Mean Time pax Passenger
ATS Air Traffic Service
GNS Global Navigation System P&W Pratt & Whitney
BAe British Aerospace (now renamed BAE Systems)
GPS Global Positioning System PPL Private Pilot’s Licence
CAA Civil Aviation Authority (UK)
GPU Ground Power Unit PR Public Relations
CDA Continuous Descent Approach
IACA International Air Carrier Association RFP Request for Proposals
CEO Chief Executive Officer
key
IAP International Airport RVR Runway Visual Range

CIS Commonwealth of Independent States
IATA International Air Transport Association SARS Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(formerly
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization SID Standard Instrument Departure
Soviet Union)
IFALPA International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations STAR Standard Terminal Arrival Route
c/n Construction number
IFR Instrument Flight Rules STOL Short Take-Off & Landing
combi Aircraft that routinely carry passengers and
ILFC International Lease Finance Corporation TCAS Traffic alert and Collision-Avoidance System
cargo on the main deck at the same time
ILS Instrument Landing System TWR Tower – airport control tower
CVR Cockpit Voice Recorder
IMC Instrument Meteorological Conditions VASI Visual Approach Slope Indicator
dB Decibel
INS Inertial Navigation System VFR Visual Flight Rules
DfT Department for Transport (UK)
JAA Joint Aviation Authorities (European) VMC Visual Meteorological Conditions
DME Distance-Measuring Equipment
LCC Low-Cost Carrier VOR VHF omni-directional range (radio beacons)

The Global MRO
Procurement Expo
30 – 31 May 2018
Olympia London, UK
Visitor
Competition
Win an iPhone X
on each day of the
exhibition!
www.apmexpo.com/comp
for more details
Why visit ap&m Europe?

Join 4,000 attendees across three days
of superb networking in London
Visit 200+ exhibitors with a wide range of

aftermarket sectors represented
The only MRO exhibition in London in

2018, your opportunity to connect with
the European market
Platinum Sponsor: Gold Sponsors:
Silver Sponsor: Bronze Sponsors: Official Publication: Media Partners:
Register to attend today: www.apmexpo.com/register

WHEELS
& BRAKES
IT’S THAT SIMPLE
TPAEROSPACE.COM

Airliner World - May 2018

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Airliner World - May 2018

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Airliner World - May 2018

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

EE

FPORSTER BOEING 737 MAX

Boeing 737 Six UK £4.95

28 Boeing’s Best Seller

42 Just One Hop

53 Finding its Niche

4 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018

Hi Fly Plans for A380

BA’s Neo Debut Loganair Extends its Reach

Jota Adds Freighters Austrian Revamp

Belgian Brussels-based start-up Air Belgium has successfully undertaken its

6 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018

Flybe is set to pass control of its London

SAS Goes All-Airbus (Photo Eastern Airways)

TAP Neo Breaks Cover Icelandic as its preferred partner as

Maltese charter operator Maleth-Aero has

LEFT • Lufthansa Technik won more than €13bn

8 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018

737-400. Another 1,543cu ft (43.7m2) of

10 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018

World’s first 737-800BCF

for Belavia acquire a further five Viking Twin Otter

12 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018

Qatar Lines Up Zimbabwean Start-up

MADAGASCAR-BASED in 2015 using two EMB120 Brasilias

Turboprops for fastjet

New Gulf Air Livery

14 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018

Etihad Celebrates Zimbabwe final Bombardier Dash 8-Q400,

American opts for Air Transat Takes First A321

The Big Brazilian carrier Gol Transportes Aéreos has

16 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018

CEO Ed Bastian has revealed Delta Air

Southwest Considers More MAXs

XTRA Airways plans to lay-off 164 staff

Family ther 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The

New Seats for AirAsia

Promoting the Alliance

18 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018

The Eastern Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan’s

New Trans-Tasman Routes

Airbus A321LR Proves its Credentials

First BBJ MAX 8 Airbus A330neo

20 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018

Huge Order accounts to fix the problem.

Boeing Horizon X, the business unit

22 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018

ANA Zenith Welcomes Third Learjet 75

24 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018

The Tupolev Tu-104, Tu-134, supersonic Tu-144, Tu-154

Order now at Two free DVDs with

26 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018

Zodiac Aerospace has

28 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018

work with the 747, took a pair of scis-

30 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018

32 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018

TOP • The 737-300/400/500

Boeing 737-2M2A D2-TBP