How China Eastern converted its A330-200 passenger jet into a freighter aircraft

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : China Eastern

China Eastern Airlines has urgently removed some seats for its passenger planes to accommodate cargo. The initial pair of passenger aircraft to undergo conversion are two A330-200 passenger planes. 

Approximately 160 Economy Class seats are being removed from the A332, and 42 seats are reserved to ensure that cargo transportation is securely bundled. After careful preparation, China Eastern Airlines Technology Co., Ltd. took 48 hours to disassemble 120 groups of 316 cabin seats and completed the "passenger jet change". 

According to the technical department of China Eastern Airlines, the engineers removed the wiring harnesses connecting the seats and the aircraft floor entertainment system in the shortest time. At the same time, the reserved wiring harnesses were bundled and arranged, and the remaining wires were taken off the plane to a designated area for storage. After the task of disassembling the seats, the project team carried out buffering and anti-vibration work on the remaining seats, cabin wall panels and aisles to further improve the safety and reliability of the cabin seats.

EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic grounded fleet, their staff to work at local square cabin hospitals

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : cx110

According to EasyJet, it has grounded its fleet of 344 jets for two months after completing 650 repatriation flights to the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, it has written letters to its 9000 staff to consider working at upcoming square cabin hospitals in the country to combat COVID-19 on a volunteer basis.

It is understood 4000 of 9000 EasyJet's staff have been trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) excercise.

Square cabin hospitals are makeshift hospitals that take only days to complete construction. The idea originates from Wuhan the first epicentre of the pandemic. 

Image : A view of Nightingale Square Cabin Hospital, under construction, at London ExCel Centre. Web Screenshot

The United Kingdom is building the Nightingale Square Cabin Hospital at London ExCel Centre. This hospital will have 500 beds for ventilators and oxygen generators. According to Prof Duncan Young of the Oxford University, each bed will be managed by 6 to 7 nurses. To cope with 500 covid patients, a square cabin hospital requires 500 to 1000 experienced nursing staff.

The other upcoming square cabin hospitals of the United Kingdom are located in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

EasyJet's staff  will be voluntarily trained to measure patients' temperature, conduct nucleic acid tests and manage the accommodation and treatment of covid patients in the square cabin hospitals.

Besides EasyJet, Virgin Atlantic has written 4000 letters to its staff to work the same at the United Kingdom's makeshift hospitals after grounding its flights. Their staff, for example, will be trained to change beds at the hospitals, offer intensive care to the patients and in other technical skills required to operate the ventilators and oxygen generators. 

The volunteers will be paid monthly wages by the airlines, depending on the duration of the pandemic.

Hainan Airlines resumes flights to Wuhan on 8 April 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Hainan Airlines resumes flights to Wuhan on 8 April 2020. The sectors that will re-open on that day include Haikou - Wuhan - Hohhot, Haikou - Wuhan - Qingdao and Sanya - Wuhan - Dongying routes.

The Haikou - Wuhan - Hohhot flights are operated three times a week. The Haikou - Wuhan - Qingdao flights are operational daily while Hainan Airlines' Sanya flight to Dongying via Wuhan is operated four times a week.

The above flights come after Hainan Airlines relaunches flights from Sanya to Tianjin via Xiangyang and to Hohhot via Shiyan on 2 April 2020.

Juneyao Air Dreamliner at 6.30 am

Air Guilin resumes flight to Xiangyang, Hubei on 29 March 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                / KUCINTA SETIA

Air Guilin resumes flight to Xiangyang, Hubei, on the routing Guilin - Xiangyang - Qingdao, with its B737-800 on 29 March 2020. It is one of the few HNA Group airlines that is allowed to resume commercial flights to Hubei.

The other HNA Group airlines that have resumed flights to Hubei cities excluding Wuhan include Fuzhou Airlines and Hainan Airlines.

On 29 March 2020, Fuzhou Airlines resumes its first commercial flight from Yichang, Hubei to Fuzhou under flight FU6779 while Hainan Airlines on 2 April 2020 resumes flights from Sanya to Tianjin via Xiangyang and to Hohhot via Shiyan, operating four flights and three flights a week respectively.

Wuhan re-opens to commercial air traffic on 8 April 2020.

Air New Zealand Dreamliner launches cargo flight to Pudong on 31 March 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : Air New Zealand

According to Air New Zealand, its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is the the world's first Dreamliner to conduct a cargo flight operation on 31 March 2020. It successfully arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport i the early morning of 31 March with loads of cargo, mainly honey and seafood from New Zealand. The cargo flight marks Air New Zealand's resumption flight to the Chinese market.

The Pudong cargo flight marks the official launch of Air New Zealand's "passenger-to-cargo" transportation model, which aims to provide transportation guarantee for the important import and export trade between China and New Zealand during the covid pandemic.

The 787-9 Dreamliner in charge has higher fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions than similar models. It can carry 11 pallets of cargo. Each pallet can hold a volume of 12 cubic meters containing goods weighing up to 4600 kg. Goods include medical supplies, anti-pandemic materials and food. 

The deployment of passenger aircraft on cargo operations ensures  the normal transportation on important international freight routes, thereby providing strong support for New Zealand's local economy.

The launch of Air New Zealand's cargo service immediately attracted global customers. At present, Air New Zealand's international route network has strong cargo demand at multiple stations in Shanghai, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sydney and Melbourne.

In addition to the "passenger-to-cargo" attempt, Air New Zealand has also taken a number of other innovative initiatives, including providing customers with charter services covering all Air New Zealand routes (except London), and also launching a "multi-party charter agreement", Importers and exporters facilitate the transportation of goods. Under this agreement, customers can order and use a single pallet space, or cooperate with freight forwarders to use the same pallet space to transport goods with other importers and exporters.

Good-bye to Flight OX8124

Pictures by : Gan Yung Chyan
                    / KUCINTA SETIA

Orient Thai Airlines ceased flight operations long time ago. Above are pictures of Orient Thai Airlines flight OX8124 on departure to Chiang Mai from Don Mueang in 2012.

Italian government plans to take over Alitalia

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

According to Reuters, union sources revealed that the Italian government plans to take over the loss-making Alitalia in about a month and set up a new airline with a much smaller fleet.

Sources said the Italian Ministry of Industry has informed the union that the new Alitalia will have 25-30 aircraft, about a quarter of the size of the fleet it operated before the outbreak of the new crown.

A source said: "The government says that 25-30 aircraft were only the size of the beginning, but we are concerned that the fleet will not expand after the state of emergency."

The Italian government did not elaborate on its plans for Alitalia's workforce, which currently has more than 11,000 employees.

The unions say they have asked the government to elaborate on Alitalia's business plan and said the government should "protect employment."

Affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Alitalia currently operates 100 flights a day, a quarter of its normal level.

Last week, the Italian government approved a decree allowing it to place Alitalia again under state control. 

The Italian government has allocated 500 million euros ($ 537 million) to bail out the Italian aviation industry but sources say most of the funds will be allocated to Alitalia, which is running out of funds.

Since May 2017, Alitalia has been operated by the government-designated bankruptcy administrator and has been looking for new investors.

Russia orders ban on regular scheduled and charter flights from 27 March 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA 

Image courtesy : Airbus

According to the Russia TASS News Agency, Russia has ordered a ban on regular scheduled flights and charter flights from 27 March 2020, except for evacuation flights back to Russia from abroad.

Between 14 March and 23 March 2020, Aeroflot has evacuated 43,555 Russian citizens from destinations served by the airline’s route network. The most passengers were repatriated from Berlin (3,260), Paris (3,152), Prague (3,031), Budapest (2,938), Amsterdam(2,175), Barcelona (1,833), Brussels (1,811) and Vienna (1,745).

Special evacuation flights are continuing to operate.

The Russia flight ban is likely to affect Aeroflot Russian Airlines' international growth plans this year.

Passengers holding tickets for travel on or before 27 March 2020 may rebook or request a refund of their tickets by calling the contact centre of Aeroflot.

Due to high call volumes to the contact centre, waiting times can be significantly longer than usual. Given the extended period for returns and refunds, Aeroflot asks passengers to refrain from calling about non-urgent matters whenever possible.

Aeroflot is working hard to increase contact centre capacity and reduce waiting times. The airline has asked passengers to have their 6-letter booking code or ticket number and passengers’ last names ready when contacting the call centre.

As of 25 March 2020, Russia has a record number of 658 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 29 patients who have recovered have discharged from hospitals.

New cargo routes of SF Airlines in March 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

As the pandemic rages throughout the world, the cargo industry does not appear to be affected by it. In Asia, the airline that has reported the fastest freight traffic growth is SF Airlines, the largest cargo airline in China.

In March 2020, SF Airlines has launched more than four international routes. Below is the list of routes launched during this month by the cargo airline:-

12 March 2020 - Shenzhen - Sanya and Shenzhen - Kansai routes. The route to Japan is operated by SF Airlines' Boeing B757-200 aircraft. The domestic route is a charter flight.

13 March 2020 - Changsha - Hong Kong route. The route is operated by SF Airlines' B737 freighter.

14 March 2020 - Shenzhen - Kuala Lumpur route is the second route on SF Airlines' Malaysia route network after its Zhengzhou - Kuala Lumpur route which was opened in September 2019.

Image courtesy : SF Airlines

17 March 2020 - Wuxi - Singapore route  is SF Airlines' second route after its Shenzhen - Singapore route which was launched in September 2018. This Wuxi cargo route, operated by B747-400F, is the airline's second international route from Wuxi after Wuxi - Hahn route which was launched in 2019.

24 March 2020 - SF Airlines launches Pudong - Narita route with its B757-200F.

25 March 2020 - SF Airlines B757-200 freighter launches flight to Suvarnabhumi from Hangzhou.

SF Airlines celebrates ten years of cargo flight operations on 31 December 2019. Formed on 10 November 2010 with its headquarters in Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, its fleet of 58 freighters fly to more than 65 destinations including 13 international routes. It plans to launch more new international routes in April and May 2020 to bolster growth of China's air cargo industry.

Image courtesy : SF Airlines

Virgin Atlantic suspends London Heathrow - Newark route. More route suspensions on the plan

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

According to foreign media reports, Virgin Atlantic is cutting its daily capacity by 80 per cent due to the ongoing epidemic. Starting from 26 March 2020, the airline will begin to prioritize routes according to customer needs and will change its operation mode.

Most importantly, Virgin Atlantic will permanently suspend flights between London Heathrow (LHR) and Newark (EWR) from now on. It is unclear what other routes Virgin Atlantic will suspend from 26 March.

In addition, the airline will stop 75 per cent of the aircraft operations in the fleet from 26 March 2020 and 85 per cent of the aircraft operations in April 2020.

According to Planespotters.net, Virgin Atlantic has 41 aircraft in its fleet, including the A330, A350, B747, and 787. At the height of the grounding, it will ground up to 35 aircraft.

Virgin Atlantic calls on employees to enjoy eight weeks of unpaid leave in the next three months to help the airline deal with the covid epidemic and reduce costs significantly without layoffs.

Earlier, Virgin Atlantic sent a letter to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in an attempt to seek a package of economic aid from the British government, total 7.5 billion pounds and requested the British government to extend the grounding time of major airlines, so as not to lose their rights to fly in and out of the airports.

At present, Virgin Atlantic has decided to reduce the salary of its CEO Shai Weiss for the period from April to July, and salaries of its executive team will be reduced by 15 per cent. Its proposal to increase the annual salary increase of all employees will be postponed from March to August.

Austrian Airlines completely stops scheduled flight operations on 20 March 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Austrian Airlines completely stops its scheduled flight operations on 20 March 2020. Its last scheduled flight arrives in Vienna from Chicago in the morning of 19 March 2020.

According to Austrian Airlines,  its outbound scheduled flights from Vienna will be halted gradually from 18 March 2020, owing to the spread of the covid pandemic in the world forcing numerous countries to close their borders. The flights will be cancelled until 28 March 2020, subject to changes in market demand.

In the coming days, Austrian Airlines will evacuate Austrians from other covid-affected countries and "rely upon the offering of the Lufthansa Group" for re-booking passengers.

Austrian Airlines stays positive about its relaunch after the pandemic is over. CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech explains, "This is not a 'goodbye'. The airline is taking a flexible approach towards restarting the business so that we can be ready to go as soon as possible once demand recovers."

Uzbekistan Airways suspends international flights from 16 March to 5 April 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Uzbekistan Airways is suspending international flights from 16 March 2020. The suspension will continue until 5 April 2020.

According to Uzbekistan Airways, the final international flights on 16 March 2020 are on the route to Taskhent from Delhi (flight HY426) and the Tashkent - Riga - Tashkent flights (HY103/HY104). Other international flights and regional flights to the CIS countries are suspended.

Uzbekistan Airways will perform charter flights to evacuate Uzbekistanis from foreign countries. Uzbekistanis arriving in Tashkent will be quarantined for 14 days.

The Uzbekistan government announced that all land transportation services and international flights to Tashkent will be cancelled on 16 March, with exception of the above flights of Uzbekistan Airways. Besides,  all schools in Uzbekistan are effectively closed for three weeks. Pupils and students will attend virtual lessons at homes. These online school lessons are conducted by the Uzbekistan Ministry of Education.

Uzbekistan's first covid case is recorded on 15 March 2020, a Uzbekistani returning from Paris on a Uzbekistan Airways flight. By 16 March 2020, there are four covid patients in the Central Asia country, including the Uzbekistani's son and daughter. To manage the pandemic, the Uzbekistan government has stopped exports of surgical face masks, and will increase face mask production by 10 times the volume of previous production to meet internal demand.

Web Refs: https://www.uzairways.com/en/press-center/news/uzbekistan-airways-suspends-all-international-flights; https://www.minhangshi.com/m/h5/detail/8027761

Wisdom Air, the defunct Chiang Mai airline

Pictures by : Gan Yung Chyan
                    / KUCINTA SETIA

Wisdom Air suspended flights from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son on 1 October 2019. Above and below are the pictures shot in Chiang Mai in January 2019.

Cambodia Airways' former livery

Pictures by : Gan Yung Chyan
                     / KUCINTA SETIA

LOT Polish Airlines suspends all international flights from 15 March 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

LOT Polish Airlines has heeded the Polish Government's call to suspend all international flights from Warsaw and other Polish cities, starting from 15 March 2020.

According to the Polish Government, Poland's 'lock down' procedures start from 14 March 2020, beginning with the closures of all shopping malls and hypermarts. From 15 March 2020, all commercial train and flight services including LOT's passenger flights will be suspended for 10 days. Cargo flights are not affected.

The commercial flight suspension may be prolonged depending on the situation of the covid pandemic in Poland.

All Polish people and foreigners with working permits in Poland that return to Poland must be quarantined for 14 days.

Besides, all foreigners without jobs in Poland are not allowed entry to Poland from 15 March 2020.

The Poland Government also announced that supermarkets, grocery shops and pharmacies are allowed to open during the pandemic to cater to daily essential needs.

Bamboo Airways postpones Prague flight launch

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bamboo Airways has postponed its Prague flight launch from 29 March 2020 to 26 April 2020.

Bamboo Airways also has plan to launch non-stop scheduled flight to Munich from Vietnam later this year.

Lao Airlines suspends flights to South Korea and Japan

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Due to the COVID-19 (covid, in short) epidemic in South Korea and Japan, Lao Airlines has suspended scheduled flights from Vientiane to Busan, Incheon and deferred its inaugural flight to Kumamoto, Japan from 18 March 2020 to an undisclosed date.

Lao Airlines has suspended flights to Busan and Incheon since 29 February 2020. It plans to resume flights to these cities from 1 April 2020.

The Lao national flag carrier says although Lao PDR does not have any covid case, its profits have shrinked by 50 per cent due to the earlier suspension of flights to China. It has resumed flights to Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Guangzhou, Changsha, Chengdu, Changzhou and Pudong following the relaxation of international flights from China.

To reduce further losses, 30 per cent of Lao Airlines' employees are now on no-pay leave. Lao Airlines has more than 1000 employees.

Aeroflot Group's fleet will reach 401 aircraft by 31 December 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : Airbus

According to Russian Aviation Insider, Aeroflot Group's fleet will reach 401 aircraft by 31 December 2020. 

As of 31 December 2019, Aeroflot Group has a total of 359 aircraft.

In 2020, Aeroflot Group will receive 10 other A350-900, 2 B777-30ER wide-body aircraft and the remainder, A320neo and Superjet 100 narrow-body aircraft. The first A350-900 has been received and transferred to Aeroflot Russian Airlines.

Aeroflot Group members include Aeroflot Russian Airlines, Rossiya Airlines, Pobeda Airlines and Aurora Airlines.

Himalaya Airlines takes delivery of its first A319 on 3 March 2020

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Image : Himalaya Airlines' first aircraft A320 in its former livery.

Himalaya Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A319 aircraft from the aircraft final assembly line of Airbus in Tianjin on 3 March 2020. 

The A319-115 was however received in the livery of Tibet Airlines. The aircraft will be eventually repainted in Kathmandu before deployment on its Kathmandu - China routes.

The A319 aircraft delivered to Himalaya Airlines is equipped with CFM-56 engines and 128 seats, including eight Business Class and 120 Economy Class seats.

Himalaya Airlines has a fleet of 4 Airbus aircraft to date, including its first A320 in its earliest livery.