Aeroflot Russian Airlines receives 4 new Airbus aircraft this week

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA / Image courtesy : Aircraft Spotting

Aeroflot Russian Airlines has received five new Airbus aircraft this week. The new aircraft includes one A320neo, one A321neo and two A350 jets.

The first A320neo jet of Aeroflot is registered A320-251N while the first A321neo of Aeroflot is registered A321-251NX. Both aircraft arrived in Moscow on 28 May 2021.

The two A350 jets are registered A350-941 VP-BXA and VQ-BFZ. With these aircraft, Aeroflot has three A350 jets in active service. The airline has an additional order of 13 more A350s which will complete delivery by 2023.

Aeroflot has an additional order of five more A320neo and 1 more A321neo jets.

Inflight Pictures Series II: GoAir in Phuket

 Pictures by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Inflight Pictures Series I and Poem: GoAir in Phuket

 Pictures and Poem by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

 

GoAir in Phuket 

Grand goose goes grandeur

Over ocean from the sky

A tiger on tarmac, endure 

In the wind calm wings

Rise from baked manna

GoAir changed its name to Go First

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

According to GoAir Facebook, the Indian airline has adopted the name Go First as its new corporate name identity. The change takes effect from 13 May 2021 but the fleet will continue to retain the existing identity due to the pandemic until the fleet is completely repainted.

GoAir states it aims to put passengers first in service quality despite ultra-low fares, hence the new name Go First.

However the change in name has not stopped many Indian netizens from complaining about GoAir's flight delays and cancellations. In March 2020, GoAir suddenly withdrew its scheduled flights to Bengaluru and Delhi from Singapore due to slot restrictions, without notice to the public.

GoAir retains its international flights to Phuket and Suvarnabhumi and domestic flights during the pandemic.

Singapore Airlines retires 45 aircraft early

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

As part of the fleet adjustment plan, Singapore Airlines has retired 45 aircraft ahead of schedule, including 7 Airbus A380s, 4 777-200ERs, 4 777-300ERs, and 8 737-800s.

A few days ago, Singapore Airlines announced its results. For the fiscal year ending March 2021, Singapore Airlines had a cumulative loss of approximately S$4.3 billion (S$1 equals RMB 5). Singapore Airlines explained that although the strong performance of cargo operations has eased the impact of the sharp drop in passenger traffic, the 97.9% drop in passenger numbers due to global restrictions on international travel still caused heavy losses. The group's revenue fell 76.1% to S$3.816 billion in the previous fiscal year, and cargo operations revenue increased by 38.8% to S$2.709 billion. Singapore Airlines proposes to issue additional mandatory convertible bonds to raise about S$6.2 billion in funds to strengthen the group's liquidity situation.

In addition, according to Reuters, Singapore Airlines’ CFO said on Thursday that the company has reduced its monthly cash expenditure from S$350 million last year to S$100-150 million due to a sharp decline in travel demand.

 

Donghai Airlines' second-generation livery

 Images courtesy : Donghai Airlines

Vistara launches scheduled flight to Haneda on 16 June 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA 

According to TATA SIA Airlines Limited, the parent company that owns Vistara, the Indian commercial airline is launching its first Dreamliner flight from Delhi to Haneda Airport, Tokyo, on 16 June 2021. The Dreamliner returns to Delhi from Haneda on 17 June 2021.

According to schedules, Vistara flight UK83 departs from Delhi for Haneda at 3 am local time and touches down in Haneda at 2.50 pm on 16 June 2021. It taxis in Haneda for one night before leaving Haneda for Delhi at 5.50 pm and arriving in Delhi at 11.35 pm under flight UK84 on 17 June 2021.

Vistara flies to Haneda on Wednesdays and lands in Delhi on Thursdays under India's travel bubble arrangement with Japan.

India has formal travel bubble arrangements with 13 other countries including the US, UK, Germany, France, Canada, the Maldives, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Nigeria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Japan. Hence, Vistara has continued its direct flights to Male and Sharjah which it commences on 21 January and 3 March 2021. 

If India's travel bubble arrangements with these 13 countries were not scrapped, the number of B.1.617 infections in these countries will continue to surge and the likelihood of covi spillover to other countries like Singapore and Malaysia is higher.

Bamboo Airways launches scheduled flights to San Francisco and Los Angeles from 1 September 2021

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA / Image courtesy : Bamboo Airways Facebook

In the afternoon of 7 May 2021, Bamboo Airways announces that it has been granted a regular direct take off and landing slot from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco and Los Angeles. Its scheduled flights to these cities begin from 1 September 2021 while its charter flights to the US cities plan to take off from July 2021. 

According to VnExpress, Bamboo Airways' 787-9 Dreamliner will land in San Francisco at 10 am local time and turn around at 1 pm while it will land in Los Angeles at 9.30 am and turn around at 12.30 pm.

Bamboo Airways did not reveal the departure flight details from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco and Los Angeles. The airline has three 787-9 Dreamliners in active service and an order for 11 more 787-9 Dreamliners.

Bamboo Airways is the first airline of Vietnam to be granted a regular direct flight slot to the US. Accordingly, the flight time to the US from Vietnam will be shortened to about 15-16 hours instead of more than 20 hours due to not having to transit via other countries.

Bamboo Airways is rushing to complete the final steps in the process of building a human resources system, including pilot training, flight crews, thorough and comprehensive training of requirements and regulations related to safety and safety. security, ... ready for all conditions of direct flight operations to the US.

In addition to the direct routes to San Francisco and Los Angeles, the Ministry of Transport is in the process of implementing procedures related to the designation of Bamboo Airways as an airline to operate charter flights between Vietnam and the US. according to the recommendations of the Aviation Administration at the end of April.

When completed, this process will allow Bamboo Airways to organize passenger flights (passengers can be experts, foreign investors, Vietnamese citizens), goods from Vietnam to the US, and goods from the US to Vietnam when approved by the Vietnamese Prime Minister, relevant ministries and branches.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, the appointment of Bamboo Airways to operate charter flights in the first phase is in accordance with the provisions of the Vietnam - US Air Transport Agreement. At the same time, it also facilitates the effective deployment of commercial flights under a special license issued by the US Department of Transportation, serving as the basis for routine preparations to fly to the country under bilateral approval.

Bamboo Airways Chairman Trinh Van Quyet said that the airline plans to operate charter flights to the US from July 2021.

Meanwhile, the airline revealed that it plans to open flight route to Singapore and will announce it soon on its web-site and fanpage. Other new destinations to be served by Bamboo Airways in the future include London Heathrow, Narita, Kansai, Melbourne and Sydney.

Air Canada plans to receive 15 A220 jets in 2022

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

By the end of 2022, Air Canada will receive another 15 A220 series. Interestingly, Air Canada also revealed its interest in the Airbus A321LR long-range model.

Air Canada announced on its first-quarter earnings conference call that despite current industry challenges, it is still committed to modernizing its short-haul fleet.

According to data from Planespotters.net, Air Canada currently has 19 137-seat S220-300 aircraft, 17 of which are in use. Four of them were received in the first quarter of 2021.

AeroMexico launches cargo flight to Wuhan via Incheon on 7 May 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

According to AeroMexico, it has launched its first Dreamliner freighter flight from Mexico City to Wuhan via Incheon on 7 May 2021. 

The AeroMexico inbound flight, AM9006, leaves Incheon at 3.01 am (original timing at 11.15 pm on 7 May) and arrives in Wuhan on 8 May 2021 at 5 am (original timing at 3 am). Outbound flight AM9007 leaves Wuhan for Mexico City via Incheon at 9.10 am on the same day.

AeroMexico flies twice a week to Wuhan via Incheon.

Air Tanzania launches flight to Guangzhou on 8 May 2021

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Air Tanzania is pleased to announce to all customers that from 8 May 2021 the Tanzanian national airline will officially launch direct scheduled flight between Dar Es Salaam and Guangzhou every Saturday and return to Dar Es Salaam on Sundays with its 787 Dreamliner. A one-way flight lasts about 11 hours and it will be conducted once in a fortnight.

According to the conditions set by the relevant authorities, those who will be able to travel from Dar es Salaam are Chinese citizens and people with special travel permits like Tanzanians and other nationals.

Air Tanzania states on its Facebook, "This is an opportunity for all Tanzanians to be able to transport goods between Dar es Salaam and Guangzhou at a very affordable price. For more information contact us through 0800110045."

The air tickets for the Dar Es Salaam - Guangzhou route are not available for sale online. The flight details have not been disclosed.

Updates, 23/11/2021

Image courtesy: Boeing

Boeing and Air Tanzania have announced an order for a 787-8 Dreamliner, a 767-300 Freighter and two 737 MAX jets at the 2021 Dubai Airshow. Air Tanzania will use the aircraft to expand service from the country to new markets across Africa, Asia and Europe.

The order, valued at more than $726 million at list prices, was previously unidentified on the Boeing Orders and Deliveries website.

Based in Dar Es Salaam, Air Tanzania will expand its current fleet of 787s, leverage the new 737s for its regional network and the 767 Freighter to capitalize on Africa's burgeoning cargo demand.