by Devesh Agarwal US Airframer Boeing announced that it will adjust the production rate for the 747-8 program from two airplanes to 1.75 airplanes per month because of lower market demand for large passenger and freighter airplanes. Boeing expects long-term average growth in the air cargo market to resume in 2014, and forecasts a demand for 790 large airplanes (such …

by Devesh Agarwal German air freight operator Air Cargo Germany announced a “temporary” but indefinite suspension of all of its operations as of Thursday, April 18. ACG Boeing 747-400 freighter at Mumbai. Photo copyright Devesh Agarwal The carrier, with an IATA code of 6U and based out of Frankfurt Hahn airport, has a fleet of four Boeing 747-400 freighters that …

Superjumbo replaces existing Boeing 737 service by Devesh Agarwal National carrier Malaysia Airlines will upgrade its twice daily Boeing 737-800 operated Kuala Lumpur Hong Kong route to an Airbus A380 effective May 1, 2013. Hong Kong will be the third A380 destination for the carrier after London and Paris. The new schedule is: MH72 departs Kuala Lumpur 09:15 arrives Hong …

Based on a report in The Economic Times we have prepared this infographic showing the airlines’ market share of international passenger traffic to and from India during fiscal 2011~2012. The chart throws up some surprises. SriLankan Airlines and Oman Air feature on this list, but Singapore Airlines does not. Hard to accept? and where is AirAsia? Share your thoughts via …

British Airways has commenced a new route to Colombo and enhanced its existing Hyderabad service to six a week. The airline yesterday announced the start of a three days a week service from London Gatwick to Colombo, Sri Lanka, via Male, Maldives. To Hyderabad, British Airways appears to be trying to fill the vacancy created by Lufthansa’s withdrawal of service. …

The global airline body, The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents about 240 airlines, announced an organizational restructuring of its main divisions and regional operations which will take effect from 1 July 2013. A key guiding principle of the restructuring is the concept of ‘Global Development, Regional Delivery’. Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO said “IATA is changing …

by Devesh Agarwal Qatar Airways’ commenced its thrice-weekly passenger services between Doha and Chiacgo, The Windy City. Chicago will become the 126th destination for the middle east carrier, and its fourth US gateway after New York JFK, Washington Dulles, and Houston George Bush Intercontinental. The Doha Chicago route is being operated with a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a two-class configuration …

by Vinay Bhaskara Honolulu, Hawaii based full service carrier Hawaiian Airlines has announced new service to Beijing, China, with thrice weekly flights commencing in April 2014 utilizing 294 seat Airbus A330-200 aircraft configured as (18P/276Y).  The new service will be made possible because the existing 3 weekly flights to Manila in the Philippines will be cancelled from July 31st, 2013. …

Jet’s international passengers to transfer direct to domestic flights through international terminal security hold area. International Jet Airways’ passengers landing at Mumbai’s CSI Airport, and connecting on to domestic flights will now have the option of being able to transferred to the domestic terminal to board their flights directly. This facility is available to passengers of Jet Airways flights arriving …

Dear Readers, I lost my father, who passed away in his sleep, last Saturday. I am busy attending to his final rites. My colleague and co-editor of Bangalore Aviation is filling in for me. Thanks for your understanding and patience. – Devesh Agarwal

by Vinay Bhaskara Abu Dhabi based full service carrier Etihad Airways reported record results for the first quarter of 2013. Revenues grew a whopping 18.7% year over year to $900 million, up from $758 million in Q1 of 2012. In its 10th year of operations, Etihad also saw cargo revenues grow 17% to $193 million. Passenger figures also reached a …

by Vinay Bhaskara The first fully painted Airbus A380 for British Airways was rolled out of Airbus’ paint shop in Hamburg this past weekend. The first of 12 A380s for British Airways is scheduled to be delivered in July, and is outfitted with 469 seats. British Airways will introduce the aircraft on shorter training flights before introducing it on long …

by Devesh Agarwal India and Singapore signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral air services arrangement in the presence of Civil Aviation Minister, Shri Ajit Singh and Minister of Transport of Singapore, Mr Lui Tuck Yew on April 2 in Singapore. It rationalizes the capacity entitlements of both countries in terms of seats per week in each direction …

At the start of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition, a Malaysia Airlines Airbus A380 9M-MNE flanked by four Royal Malaysian Air Force Su-30MKM performed a fly past. A fifth Su-30MKM acted as spotter and coordinator. A video of the fly past is embedded below. Langkawi is a popular island getaway in the Andaman sea off the North-West …

US air-framer Boeing reported its deliveries for the first calendar quarter for the year 2013. The impact of the 787 Dreamliner grounding is noticeable in the figures.

Boeing has opened its new expanded Everett Delivery Center (EDC), from which, deliveries of the 747-8, 767, 777 and 787 will be effected. The 180,000 sq. ft. facility triples the amount of office, conference and delivery operations space as the old EDC and is designed to increase operational efficiencies. The building features three floors dedicated to customers and the delivery …

This fortnight’s edition of news on special liveries from Karsten Heiligtag. *cs = colour scheme by Devesh Agarwal A300B4-622R(F) 734 TC-MCC MNG Airlines Cargo in service since 26/02/13 now in nearly full latest cs after paint (titles on white fuselage (blue tail cs do not swing into the rear fuselage as usually) but has the latest revised larger tail logo), …

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), an airline industry association which represents some 240 airlines comprising 84% of global air traffic, announced global passenger traffic results for February showing that demand growth is accelerating on the back of stronger business confidence, particularly in emerging regions. Passenger demand rose 3.7% compared to February 2012. October 2012 appears to have been a …

AirAsia India will be hiring cabin crew for its flight operations in India which is planned to be based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The airline is inviting aspiring flight attendants to attend its walk-in interviews to be held on Saturday 13 April 2013 at Chinmaya Heritage Centre, 2, 13th Avenue, Harrington Road, Chetpet in Chennai, from 9am to 3pm. Successful …

by Devesh Agarwal Qantas A380 welcomed with a water cannon salute Dubai based Emirates and Australian carrier Qantas have officially started their partnership. The first Qantas flights departed from Sydney and Melbourne to London via Dubai on March 31. In the partnership the two carriers will collaborate to deliver network, lounges, frequent flyer benefits and travel experiences over 98 flights …