Airliner World May.2023

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How does easyJet achieve
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EARLY DAYS OF FLIGHT AIRCRAFT AT WAR THE DAWN OF THE JET
199/23
W
ith the final 747 having issues with the tailfin, documentation CEO Dave Calhoun struck a defiant
been handed over woes relating to suppliers and tone, telling Reuters that demand for
in February and the questions around quality control for the type is “the biggest I've ever seen.” Craig West
777X yet to enter new-build examples. Such was the If this resurgence continues into the Editor, Commercial
serial production, the Federal Aviation Administration’s airshow season, 2023 could just turn Aviation
787 is carrying the mantle of flagship concern, it withdrew the US giant’s out to be the year of the Dreamliner.
of Boeing’s commercial fleet for the ability to self-certify each 787 on Turning to matters slightly closer Gordon Smith
time being. Yet for all the platform can completion. to home, it gives me great pleasure Editor-at-large,
be considered mature – the base -8 It has proven to be a colossal to introduce Dominic Ward as our Commercial Aviation
version has been in service for well headache for Boeing, but what better new Assistant Editor. A life-long
over a decade – the Dreamliner has way to shift a Dreamliner-shaped aviation buff with a strong journalistic Dominic Ward
been in the news for all the wrong hangover than with a raft of orders. background and a whole heap of Assistant Editor
reasons over the past two years. The manufacturer has certainly exciting ideas, Dom is a great addition
Tracey Croft
Assembly rates have slowed and come out swinging. United Airlines, to the team and I’m sure he’ll play
Lee Howson
deliveries of the widebody suspended already an established 787 operator, a key role in helping us to further
Molly Eastwood
on three separate occasions amid reaffirmed its commitment to the develop the Airliner World brand.
Andy O’Neill
concerns over production flaws type just before Christmas with a Finally, as always, our proverbial Designers
and inspection processes, including multibillion dollar order for up to 200 door remains open if you have any
improperly filled gaps between panels examples. Any notion that the US feedback concerning the magazine, Andy Mason
of the carbon-composite fuselage, major was throwing Boeing a bone would like to propose an idea for an Advertising Manager
was quickly dispelled by follow up article or want to share your views on
deals from Air India (up to 40) and a burning topic. Just drop us a line at Rebecca Antoniades
a bumper commitment from Saudi airlinerworld@keypublishing.com Ad Production/Design
Arabia – reportedly the aerospace
giant’s fifth biggest commercial deal Craig West
ever by value – for up to 121 examples Editor, Commercial Aviation
to be split between Saudia and new
carrier Riyadh Air (see Africa/Middle
East News, p11). Even excluding COVER IMAGE • Airbus
purchase options, firm orders A320-232 G-GATP
alone have collectively grown the (c/n 1804) is one of
Dreamliner’s production backlog by ten aircraft operated
by British Airways
almost 250 aircraft over the last year offshoot BA Euroflyer
to approximately 800, around twice AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
that of the rival Airbus A350 SIMONE C
The weeks-long delivery pause in THIS IMAGE • Boeing
late February and March due to what has secured around
Boeing described as a data analysis 250 firm orders for
error relating to the aircraft’s forward the 787 in the last
year BOEING
pressure bulkhead show that the 787’s
problems are not entirely resolved, but
www.key.aero 3
FEATURES
22 Record-breaking Avalon
The Australian International Airshow made its
highly anticipated post-pandemic return in late
February. Victor Pody brings us the highlights
24 Fast yet finessed

Martyn Cartledge travels to easyJet’s Milan/
Malpensa hub to find out the low-cost carrier
achieves its rapid turnarounds
34 Vickers’ turbine revolution

It’s 70 years since the Vickers Viscount
operated its inaugural service. Bob O’Brien
profiles one of the most popular first-
22
generation turboprops in service with leading
operator British European Airways
42 The capital’s comeback king?

Few UK airports had as rough a ride during
the pandemic as Gatwick. Martyn Cartledge
assesses recent events at the London gateway
and considers what the future may hold
53 Malta makes its mark

Tom Batchelor speaks to key players from
the blossoming Maltese civil aviation scene to
discover the secrets behind its recent success
58 Sunset for the SpaceJet

With prototypes flying and firm orders in
place, why did Mitsubishi axe its regional jet
programme? Mark Broadbent investigates
62 Centred on growth
Bombardier Aviation has rapidly expanded its
business jet service centre network around the
world. Ian Harbison highlights the key global
developments for the company
66 Supersizing in Scotland
Emirates is bolstering capacity north of the
border by reintroducing its Airbus A380 on
services to Glasgow. We get the lowdown from
divisional vice president UK, Richard Jewsbury
68 The Islanders serving the Islanders

Chris Smith speaks with Troyd Bowles, chief
pilot at the Falkland Islands Government Air
Service (FIGAS), to learn about the operation of
one of the world’s most unusual airlines
34 58
75 Saudia branches out
Saudia is the latest airline to delve into the high-
profile world of sports sponsorship. We speak to
the carrier to find out why
90 Britain’s newest airline

It isn’t everyday that a new British airline
launches, and it’s even rarer to get a glimpse
into its formation. Sam Pritchard, programme
director at BA Euroflyer, gives us an exclusive
insight into how the new venture took flight
4 AIRLINER WORLD MAY 2023

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80 MRO News
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insights and announcements
82 Departure Gate
Readers’ letters and lighter stories
84 UK Visitors
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86 Aviation Training
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www.key.aero 5
Industry to fight
Schiphol ruling
THE KLM Group, Delta Air Lines, the ultimate goal of reducing flight levels and CO2 emissions, investing approach creates left no choice but to
easyJet and TUI are among those movements to 440,000 by 2024, is billions in fleet renewal and SAF challenge them in court.”
taking legal action against the Dutch “incomprehensible”. In a rare joint procurement that will ultimately The airport is operated by the
government’s decision to reduce the statement, the carriers – many of supersede these targets while Royal Schiphol Group (RSG), which is
number of flights operating at Schiphol whom are usually in fierce competition maintaining our network that serves majority owned by the Dutch state.
Airport. The carriers are challenging with each other – say the Dutch 170 destinations worldwide. As the For its part, RSG says it considers a
flight movement restrictions at the government’s justification “hinges government appears not to hear our reduction in the number of aircraft
Amsterdam hub, insisting that noise on operational restrictions with no call, unfortunately we find ourselves movements as “a necessary interim
levels and CO2 emissions can consideration of alternative workable compelled to take legal action.” step” ahead of the creation of a new
be controlled in other ways. solutions to effect noise reduction.” Meanwhile, the International airport traffic decree: “Schiphol
The airlines collectively The airlines suggest that, along with Air Transport Association (IATA) willingly reaches out to all parties in
argue that the violating legislation, the decision is is launching its own challenge to order to accelerate further progress
Dutch government’s “unnecessary, damaging and lacks the ruling. Willie Walsh, the trade towards a new balance, with certainty
“unilateral and sudden proper substantiation.” body’s director general, said: “The and perspective for all. While it is clear
decision” to Leading the charge is the Netherlands is handicapping its to us that people love to travel, we
reduce the KLM Group, which accounts economy by destroying connectivity. are also mindful that sustainability,
airport’s capacity for almost 60% of traffic at The job-destroying hostile approach health and wellbeing are rightly seen
from 500,000 the complex. KLM’s chief to aviation that the Dutch government as increasingly important. The world
to 460,000 executive Marjan Rintel has chosen is a totally disproportionate is changing, and aviation needs to
annual flight said: “We are embracing the response to managing noise. The change with it.”
movements, with targets set for reducing noise dangerous precedent that this illegal (Photo Amsterdam Airport Schiphol)
Icelandair ramps up route network

IN THE latest signal that the aviation October, the Icelandic flag carrier weekly flights between Reykjavik and throughout the network for the
industry is recovering at pace, will serve 36 scheduled destinations, Boston and 21 to New York/JFK. winter 23/24 season. As a result,
Icelandair has announced the most representing network capacity growth Tomas Ingason, Icelandair’s chief I’m delighted that we have been
extensive winter schedule in the of 17% compared to 2019. revenue officer, said: “Due to strong able to increase Icelandair’s
company’s history. Rome, Barcelona, Alongside the new year-round customer demand, we are now capacity by 20-25% compared to
Raleigh-Durham, Baltimore and routes, frequencies to several existing introducing our most extensive winter winter 2022/2023.”
Vancouver have all been upgraded destinations are also being increased. schedule to date. We have been Within its international network,
to year-round services, having For the first-time, daytime flights to able to extend previously seasonal Icelandair operates Boeing 757-200s
previously only been served during New York and Boston are included in routes to year-round services and and -300s; 767-300ERs, as well as
the peak summer months. From the winter schedule, totalling up to 11 increase frequencies on other routes 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 examples.

News Review • Europe
Emerald anniversary for Irish carriers

AER LINGUS and Emerald Airlines
are celebrating one year of their
partnership. The milestone comes
12 months after the inaugural
international flight under the new
Aer Lingus Regional franchise from
Dublin to Isle of Man, in March 2022.
Since then, Aer Lingus Regional
services, operated exclusively by
Emerald Airlines, have carried more
than one million customers aboard
more than 22,000 flights. According
to the franchisee, by mid-summer,
it will be operating up to 800 flights
per week across 30 routes, serving
20 destinations in Ireland, the United
Kingdom and France.
Complementing mainline services, the
regional feeder carries one in every eight
onward transatlantic passengers for
the IAG-owned airline. Lynne Embleton,
Aer Lingus’s chief executive (pictured
with Conor McCarthy, Emerald Airlines’
executive chairman), said: “Through
Emerald Airlines, the Aer Lingus Regional
brand is able to serve important smaller
UK markets. Providing customers Airlines’ team means they have a deep From a fleet perspective, Emerald Emerald for their ongoing support
onto our long-haul services is a critical understanding of our brand and strategy is continuing to expand its turboprop and commitment over the past 12
element of this partnership and in its to continue growing Dublin Airport as a roster. Three new ATR 72-600s are months, our partners at Aer Lingus and
first year it has been very successful hub. I’m looking forward to more growth, due for delivery before the start of our loyal customers for continuously
in driving that traffic onto the Aer more customers, more routes and more the summer peak. Conor McCarthy choosing to fly with us – without you,
Lingus transatlantic network. Our close to come from Emerald Airlines and Aer added: “What a year it has been! I’d this milestone would not have been
working relationship with the Emerald Lingus Regional.” like to thank our great team here at possible.” (Photo Aer Lingus)
US focus for Lufthansa A380s With 509 seats, Lufthansa’s A380

has almost 80% more capacity
than the -600 quadjet. The German
carrier configures its largest aircraft
with four passenger classes,
comprising eight seats in first class,
78 in business, 52 in premium
economy and 371 in economy.
Lufthansa has cited a “significant
increase in demand for airline
tickets” and “the delayed delivery
of ordered aircraft” as being
behind the decision to reactivate
the super jumbo. It says that, by
the end of the 2023, four examples
will be part of its Munich-based
fleet, indicating that additional
A380 frequencies and/or
destinations will be announced in
the coming months.
The German firm is not alone in
bringing the A380 out of retirement.
Carriers including Qantas, British
Airways, Korean Air and Qatar
Airways are all flying the double-
AFTER MONTHS of speculation, its Munich-based fleet, but did not Just over a month later, Lufthansa decker once again as demand
Lufthansa has finally confirmed specify when or where exactly it will add a second super-jumbo for air travel soars. However,
which cities will be the first to would be flying. destination. From July 4, LH410/1 others such as China Southern, Air
see the return of the iconic Airbus It has now been revealed that, from between Munich and New York/JFK France and Malaysia Airlines have
A380. Last year, the German flag June 1, daily links from the Bavarian will be operated by the Toulouse grounded their A380s permanently,
carrier said it was planning to capital to Boston will be served by the titan, representing a major upgrade citing high maintenance costs and
reintroduce the double-decker to A380, operating as flights LH424/5. from the current A340-600. fuel bills. (Photo Lufthansa)
www.key.aero 7
challenges caused by COVID-19 and
A320s added to airBaltic fleet the war in Ukraine [are] still being
felt, the aviation industry is gradually
stabilising. As a result, passenger
demand for air travel is increasing.
At the same time, the industry as a
whole continues to face technical
parts supply chain issues, which
means we need additional capacity to
carry all passengers, avoiding flight
cancellations. Therefore, this summer,
airBaltic will be co-operating with
Avion Express, whose aircraft offer
even more seats, allowing us to carry
a greater number of passengers.”
The airframes selected are all
Maltese-registered: 9H-AMI (c/n
3409), 9H-AMK (c/n 3562), 9H-MLY
(c/n 3943) and 9H-MLX (c/n 4888).
The jets were previously operated
by Wizz Air or IndiGo and all were
manufactured between 2008
and 2011. Prior to the partnership
agreement, airBaltic says it
conducted a full technical and quality
inspection of all the aircraft to ensure
they are up to standard.
LATVIAN FLAG carrier airBaltic has meet increasing passenger demand Two of the aircraft will operate out of The wet-leased narrowbodies are
announced it will wet lease four and ensure completion of planned Riga between March 26 to October expected to be available in two
Airbus A320s during the summer flights throughout the peak months. 28, while one will fly from Vilnius and configurations and the onboard
season this year. The airline – which The Riga-based firm has selected another from Tallinn, from May 1 to ambiance will feature airBaltic-
is famous for operating a 39-strong Lithuanian narrowbody ACMI and October 28. branded white headrest covers, Baltic
fleet exclusively comprising A220s charter operator Avion Express to Martin Gauss, president and CEO Outlook inflight magazine and the
– says the move will enable it to provide the quartet of 180-seat jets. of airBaltic, said: “Although the airline’s safety cards. (Photo airBaltic)
Nightmare for Virgin’s ‘Dream Girl’

A VIRGIN Atlantic Boeing 787
Dreamliner was forced to divert
to Barcelona after suffering an
engine malfunction, but this was
just the start of a very long journey
for the passengers onboard. In
an unfortunate turn of events,
the replacement aircraft sent to
rescue them – an Airbus A330 –
also experienced a technical fault
and was unable to depart from the
Spanish airport, leaving customers
stranded for more than 30 hours.
Flight VS450 – operated by 787-9
G-VAHH (c/n 37967) ‘Dream Girl’
– was flying a service between
Johannesburg/OR Tambo in South
Africa and London/Heathrow when
the incident occurred. Around nine
hours after departure, as the jet
approached the southern coast
of France at 38,000ft, it began a
descent and turned left towards aircraft had also suffered a technical safety and security of our customers G-VAHH is powered by a pair of
Barcelona/El Prat. The widebody problem and were instructed to and crew always remains our highest Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.
landed safely on Runway 02 at the deplane and return to the terminal. priority and wasn’t compromised at any The eight-year-old widebody is
Spanish airport just after 0500hrs According to data from Flightradar24, point. Unfortunately, our recovery flight configured to seat 264 passengers
local time on March 8. the recovery flight was eventually to London/Heathrow has been delayed in a three-class layout. Meanwhile,
Once on the ground, Virgin Atlantic operated by the original 787, with a and is now due to depart Barcelona the 12-year-old A330 – named
arranged a replacement aircraft to revised departure time of 1650hrs. later [on March 9]. The majority of our ‘Champagne Belle’ – is set
get the passengers to Heathrow. The A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson customers have been provided with up to seat the same number
A330-300, G-VINE (c/n 1231), arrived said: “As a precautionary measure, overnight hotel accommodation ahead of travellers in a triple class
at the Spanish hub around 15 hours VS450 from Johannesburg to London/ of their onward journey. We’d like to layout and has two Rolls-Royce
later, at 2000hrs. After boarding the Heathrow diverted to Barcelona [on sincerely apologise for the delay and Trent 700s powerplants. (Photo
jet, passengers were told the new March 8] due to a technical issue. The any inconvenience caused.” AirTeamImages.com/Steve Flint)

Hamburg handover in brief

Eastern Airways is launching a
trio of services linking UK regional
for VIP A350 cities to Paris. In co-operation with

Air France, the new daily flights
will link East Midlands, Cardiff and
Southampton airports to Paris/Orly.
The East Midlands and Southampton
routes are due to start on April 14,
with Cardiff following a week later.
The ATR 72-operated links will be
offered year-round, with Air France
initially selling seats via an interline
agreement. This is due to develop
into a full codeshare with Eastern
Airways by the end of the year.
Hi Fly has added another Airbus

A330-200 to its widebody fleet.
Registered 9H-HFG (c/n 925) the
aircraft carries 268 passengers in a
three-class configuration, comprising
18 business class seats, 36 premium
economy (extra leg room) and 214
in standard economy. The jet first
entered service with KLM in April
A SPECIAL heavily modified ‘Kurt Schumacher’ (10+03) and Aircraft Services segment to install 2013 as PH-AON, but was placed
government version of the Airbus ‘Konrad Adenauer’ (10+01) – it is the VIP interior. LHT describes the storage at the start of the pandemic
A350 has been handed over to the only the second A350 to have the upgraded cabin as “meeting the and did not return to regular service
German Armed Forces. full government cabin installed. highest standards of functionality, with the Dutch flag carrier. The wet-
In mid-March, Lufthansa Technik According to LHT, “for reasons connectivity, comfort and privacy lease specialist has AOCs in both
(LHT) delivered the widebody, which of early availability”, 10+03 only for travelling dignitaries” and Portugal and Malta and operates an
has been christened ‘Theodor Heuss’ received an interim cabin in 2020. includes an adjoining section for any all-Airbus fleet. (Photo Hi Fly)
in honour of the first president of the As such, the jet has since returned accompanying delegations.
Federal Republic of Germany. to Hamburg, where it is now being Michael von Puttkamer, VP
Following acceptance formalities installed with the full government of Special Aircraft Services at
at the MRO’s Hamburg base, the product. This work is due to be Lufthansa Technik, said: "The largest
aircraft was ferried to Cologne Bonn completed by next year and will modernisation programme in the
Airport where it will enter political- represent the conclusion of the history of the German government
parliamentary flight service. delivery stage of the German Air fleet remains fully on schedule and
Although the latest delivery Force's A350 project. on budget, and for this achievement
(registration ‘10+02’) is the third This latest milestone follows I would like to express my sincere
aircraft of this type to be handed 10+02’s factory-fresh transfer to thanks to our enormously competent Icelandic ACMI leasing and cargo
over by Lufthansa Technik to the Lufthansa Technik in October 2021, and highly motivated employees." airline Bluebird Nordic has acquired
German authorities – following to allow the company's Special (Photo Lufthansa Technik) a fifth Boeing 737-800SF, TF-BBU
(c/n 1424). Including this latest
addition – which was delivered new
Finnair begins to SAS as SE-DYT in 2003 – the firm

now operates one 737-300, six 737-
400 and five 737-800 full freighters.
centenary campaign
Pictured landing on Runway 25L at Brussels Airport on March 21 is Finnair Airbus
CEO Audrone Keinyte said: “These
new aircraft have already proven
to be excellent assets, providing
reliable and efficient operations
A320, OH-LXK (c/n 2065). The jet is one of the first in the fleet to sport special with impressive range and payload
branding to mark the carrier’s 100th birthday. The centennial message reads capabilities for an aircraft of this
“Bringing us together since 1923”. At the time of going to press, there are two
A320s and one A350 example which carry the campaign, along with a further size. We trust that by extending
two A350s which sport a new ‘Moomin, Finnair 100’ design. BART LEKEU the fleet we will be able to further
strengthen our position in the cargo
market, especially in the [737] Next
Generation segment.”
Brussels Airport Company and

Changi Airport Group have signed
a memorandum of understanding
to bolster co-operation in the air
cargo market. The airports aim to
“jointly drive initiatives to enhance
capabilities in pharmaceutical
logistics, undertake studies and
trials in the fields of digitalisation
and sustainability and exchange
information and best practices”.
www.key.aero 9
News Review • CIS
Aeroflot gets creative Russia

AEROFLOT CAN now develop its
own modifications and undertake
laden airliner fleet. Other measures
include the re-registering of
ramp up production of indigenous
types such as the Irkut MC-21 and issues
non-standard repairs on aircraft
and components after receiving
previously foreign aircraft operating
on lease with domestic carriers
the SSJ-NEW, an updated variant
of the Superjet 100 featuring all- China
warning
additional approvals from Russia’s (see ‘Russia issues China warning’), domestic components and systems).
aviation authorities. while last year the government Work is also ongoing to salvage
The FAP-21J aviation equipment sanctioned the cannibalisation of and refurbish around a dozen
developer certificate was awarded Western-built types as a means of airliners and cargo transporters RUSSIA’S TRANSPORT ministry has
by the Federal Air Transport addressing the current embargo on that had been placed in extended warned air services to China could
Agency, Rosaviatsia, on March 9 the import of spare parts. Domestic storage (See Airliner World, February fall by up to 70% over pre-pandemic
and enables the national airline to manufacturers have also pledged to 2023). (Photo A-Technics) levels as the nation’s airlines
“ensure the full cycle of maintaining continue to battle international
the airworthiness of the aircraft sanctions. The two countries have
fleet – from the development and strengthened diplomatic ties in
certification of the necessary repair recent months and had expressed a
and modification solutions to the desire to expand flight connections
performance of maintenance and as airlines in Russia redirect excess
repair work”. This includes non- capacity brought about by their ban
standard structural repairs and from European airports.
modifications to cabins, systems, However, a letter sent from Russian
powerplants and components. Deputy Transport Minister Valentin
The expanded approval is the latest Ivanov to the Opora Rossii business
in a string of concessions made association in late February and
by Russia’s aviation authorities published in business daily RBK
to sustain the country’s sanction- cautioned links between the two
may fail due to persistent issues
Turkmen freighter debut

relating to the dual registration of
aircraft and their use overseas.
Many airliners in service with
TURKMENISTAN AIRLINES has entered service on the Ashgabat- sanctioned by the Turkmenistan Russian carriers were originally
introduced its first of two Airbus A330 Frankfurt route a week later. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, acquired from Western lessors
freighters into service. The Rolls- The freighters – the first of their type and is part of a national effort and are now subject to sanctions
Royce Trent 700-powered former in Central Asia – will significantly to bolster Turkmenistan’s civil imposed in March 2022 in response
Air China example, EZ-F429 (c/n increase the airline’s cargo carrying aviation sector. This will include to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
810), underwent conversion from capacity, which was previously the purchase of other, unspecified Measures included the suspension
passenger to cargo configuration limited to three Ilyushin Il-76TD heavy aircraft, development of material of airworthiness certificates for all
in Dresden and was then repainted transports and belly freight in its and technical bases and creation internationally registered aircraft
in Shannon before being ferried to regular passenger fleet. of new domestic airports that meet based in Russia, including those from
Turkmenbashi on March 15, via a short The acquisition of the A330s international standards. (Photo Bermuda which cited its inability
stay in Tarbes-Lourdes. It officially from Airbus Financial Services was Turkmenistan Airlines) to sustain safety oversight of such
aircraft. Without this authorisation,
these airframes are not permitted
to fly internationally. The ministry
of transport has now issued local
registrations for almost all the
affected aircraft, but many countries
continue to refuse entry where these
are dual registered (ie are also still
listed on a foreign aircraft registry);
at the time of writing, just 182 of the
1,367 foreign-built airframes are
able to operate beyond Russia
without restriction.
For its part, Beijing has
reemphasised its desire for new
Soldiering on routes across the border, but it is

also yet to provide guarantees it
will permit dual-registered aircraft
to enter China or that it will not
impound such airliners at the request
of third countries. Air services
between the two are, however,
being boosted by Chinese carriers,
with China Eastern Airlines, Sichuan
Airlines and Beijing Capital Airlines
all resuming links to Moscow/
Sheremetyevo during the last week
of February. These build on existing
Budapest recently welcomed one of the last remaining airworthy examples of the venerable Tupolev Tu-154 when it
hosted Kyrgyzstan government example EX-00001 (c/n 92A945), which flew President Sadyr Japarov in for talks with
routes offered by Hainan Airlines, Air
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The Soviet-era tri-jet is seen departing to Bishkek on February 14 TAMÁS MARTÉNYI China, and China Southern Airlines.

Complete
support from
nose to tail.
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News Review • Africa/Middle East
Riyadh Air launches with major order
NEW SAUDI Arabian operator indirect jobs – and establish the nation we continue to shape the new airline support Riyadh Air’s commitment to
Riyadh Air has placed what it dubs as a global aviation hub. to become one of the leading carriers deliver a world-class travel experience,
an “unprecedented order for a new The deal also includes up to 49 around the world.” while supporting American aerospace
carrier” after agreeing a multi-billion- 787-9s and -10s for fellow national Stan Deal, president and CEO of manufacturing jobs at Boeing and
dollar commitment for up to 72 carrier Saudia (39 firm and ten Boeing Commercial Airplanes added: across our supply chain.”
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The deal, options), bolstering a widebody fleet “This is a significant order that will (Photo Riyadh Air)
announced on March 14, consists of 39 that already contains more than 50
firm orders and options on a further 33 Boeing widebodies including 777-
examples, with deliveries scheduled to 300ERs and Dreamliners.
start in early 2025. Reflecting on its 787 order, Riyadh
The bumper Boeing deal came just Air’s chairman and governor of the
days after Riyadh Air’s official launch. PIF, His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan
The “digitally led, full-service airline” said: “Our stated commitment is to
is owned by Saudi’s Public Investment create a world-class airline and this
Fund (PIF) and is a key element of partnership with Boeing in building the
Vision 2030, the oil-rich nation’s fleet is the next step in achieving the
strategic plan to diversify its local aspirations of Saudi Arabia as a global
economy – the carrier is expected to transportation hub. We look forward to
add $20bn to non-oil GDP growth and fostering strong strategic relationships
create more than 200,000 direct and within the wider aviation ecosystem as
London switch for

Air Mauritius
AIR MAURITIUS has announced to announce daily operations to
it will be moving its London London Gatwick as from October
operations from Heathrow to 29 this year. This strategic
Gatwick in a bid to increase its move allows Air Mauritius to
capacity to the city. meet increasing demand on this
Starting from Sunday October 29, historical route while using its
2023, the Mauritian national carrier most environmentally friendly
will boost its frequency from five types of aircraft.”
weekly flights to a daily service The CEO continued: “We
to London/Gatwick, which will are confident that this new
be operated by its fleet of Airbus
A350-941s and A330-941neos.
service will further strengthen
our relationship with valued Emirates unveils
The leg from Sir Seewoosagur
Ramgoolam International Airport
to London will operate as MK042,
departing at 2305hrs and arriving
customers from the UK and the
connecting markets.”
Stephanie Wear, vice-president
airline relations at Gatwick,
refreshed livery
EMIRATES HAS officially unveiled livery is Airbus A380-861 A6-EOE
into the UK at 0700hrs the next added: “Air Mauritius’ arrival a new scheme to adorn its fleet, (c/n 169), which made its first
day. The return leg departs at London Gatwick is fantastic marking the third iteration of the passenger-carrying service in the
Gatwick as MK053 at 1555hrs and news for passengers, providing carrier’s livery since 1985. new scheme as EK51 to Munich on
arrives into Mauritius at 0715hrs more competition and flights to The refreshed markings include a March 17.
the following morning. a wonderful holiday destination, change to the UAE flag on the tail, Emirates said it plans to roll
Krešimir Kučko, CEO of Air known for its tropical year-round with a more dynamic and flowing out the new livery to 24 aircraft,
Mauritius said: “London has climate and gorgeous beaches. 3D effect. Wingtips have also including 17 Boeing 777s, by the
always been a high-priority “Air Mauritius is the latest in received an update, now painted end of 2023, with the entire fleet
destination for us and as part a number of airlines looking to red with the Emirates signature gradually receiving the scheme. All
of the commemoration of Air operate long-haul routes from Arabic calligraphy logo in white. new deliveries will also feature the
Mauritius’ 50 years of operations Gatwick, which further highlights Passengers with a view over the new scheme, including Emirates’
to the United Kingdom in the strong demand for slots at our wing will also note the UAE flag first A350, due in August next year.
November 2023, we are proud airport.” (Photo Airbus) has been painted on the inboard The new livery came just days
portion of the wingtips. after the announcement that the
All aircraft will maintain the red Middle Eastern giant is enhancing
billboard company branding on the services to 18 destinations –
underside while also benefitting including Entebbe, Brisbane,
from a change to the carrier’s Tokyo and Bologna – while
iconic gold lettering, which is now bringing a second daily service to
bolder and 32.5% larger. London/Stansted.
Sir Tim Clark, president of New A380 deployments will see
Emirates Airline, said: “We’re the iconic double-deck widebody
refreshing our livery to keep it returning to Birmingham this
modern, without losing the key summer, in addition to Glasgow
elements of our identity such as which was upgraded in March.
the UAE flag on our tailfin and You can read more about the
the Arabic calligraphy.” The first latter on page 66/67.
aircraft to receive the refreshed (Photo Emirates)

News Review • Africa/Middle East
Qatar Airways expands in Africa in brief

Freetown International Airport
QATAR AIRWAYS has revealed plans anniversary of its routes to Kano and Following this, at the ITB Berlin has opened the doors to its new
to expand its offering in the African Port Harcourt in Nigeria. 2023 exhibition, Qatar Airline’s ‘green’ terminal building. Unveiled
continent through new routes while Flights to Windhoek resumed in June group chief executive, His Excellency by Sierra Leonean President Julius
increasing frequencies on others. 2022, and Maputo, Mozambique, Akbar Al Baker announced seven Maada Bio, the airport reported
The Middle Eastern operator received an increase in frequency too. new routes for 2023, including that the terminal is powered by a
launched a new daily service to Hendrik du Preez, Qatar’s vice- Juba, Kinshasa and Trabzon. Also 1.5 megawatt solar farm, making
Accra on March 25, and is increasing president for Africa, said: “We announced was the resumption it “the first fully green one” in
capacity with double-daily flights were the only carrier to continue of 11 other services, including to West Africa. The terminal was
to Cape Town, up from ten a week. operating to Africa throughout Casablanca, Marrakesh and Ras built at cost of $270m by Turkish
The Doha-based carrier has the COVID-19 pandemic and its Al-Khaimah. construction company Summa,
also added more flights on its immediate aftermath. This has put Qatar Airlines confirmed these and is three times the size of the
Doha-Lusaka, Zambia-Harare, us in a favourable position to grow new routes and resumptions are airport’s existing terminal; able
Zimbabwe route, with these now our services across the continent as scheduled to commence this year. to accommodate up to 90,000
becoming daily. economies begin to expand again and (Photo Qatar Airways) passengers per month with
The increase in African services more people start travelling.” eight widebody jets on stand
marks a further commitment to simultaneously. President Bio said
the continent from Qatar Airways, it was “the first time [in Sierra
which is celebrating the first Leone’s history] that a completely
new international airport terminal
has been constructed [with] the
latest technology.”
(Photo Office of the Presidential
Infrastructure and Initiative)
Ethiopian bolsters Pakistan links

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES is starting direct air connectivity to the growing week using its Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Royal Jordanian (RJ) has launched
flights from Addis Ababa to Karachi, number of Pakistani investors in fleet, as well as the announcement
twice-weekly services from
Pakistan, from May 1. Africa as well as tourists.” Ethiopian will be resuming its direct
Amman to Algiers, Algeria. The
The flights will run four times a This follows a resumption of the flights between Abidjan and New flights, which operate on Mondays
week, and mark a return to the city airlines services in March to Kuala York’s John F Kennedy airport at the and Thursdays, will be flown by
after an almost 20-year absence. Lumpur via Singapore four times a end of May. (Photo Airbus) RJ’s fleet of Airbus A320-232s.
The carrier previously ran services Reflecting on the new link, the
to Karachi between July 1966 and carrier’s vice-chairman and CEO,
December 1971, before a resumption Samer Majali, said: “The company’s
in June 1993 until July 2004. route expansion is in line with its
Speaking of the announcement, strategic plan for the coming five
Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines years, which includes revisiting
Group CEO, said: “As the only flight the operation feasibility of routes,
connecting Pakistan with Africa, reaching new destinations and
the planned service to Karachi will promising markets, and boosting
have significant contribution in connectivity among its pillars.”
strengthening the diplomatic and
economic relations between the two Etihad has launched reciprocal
regions. It will also offer convenient interline agreements with three
new partners, while re-establishing
links with three more. Philippine
Saudia swells capacity

For the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage, Saudia has again leased additional aircraft, including Airbus A330-
Airlines, Austrian Airlines and
Airlink South Africa will benefit from
improved connectivity with the
343 EC-NTY (c/n 1600) from Wamos Air. Seen here at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, the aircraft Abu Dhabi-based carrier, which will
still wears the basic colours or former operator Air Asia X, together with Saudia titles JAVIER RODRÍGUEZ also resume its interline tie-up with
Biman Bangladesh and codeshares
with Air Seychelles and ITA Airways.
Arik De, Etihad’s chief revenue
officer, said: “Broadening our
network reach and allowing more
guests to come visit Abu Dhabi has
always guided our purpose. These
six interline/code agreements
make life easier for guests of all
the airlines involved.” No timeline
has been confirmed, though Etihad
confirmed the partnerships will be
rolled out “progressively”.
www.key.aero 13
News Review • Americas
JetBlue and Shell Aviation partner on SAF

JETBLUE AND Shell Aviation have 10,000,000 gallons of blended SAF Jan Toschka, president of Shell sustainability and ESG at Jet Blue,
announced a new collaboration over the next two years, with an option Aviation, said: “LAX is a critical added: “We envision a future of
to bring additional supplies of to purchase up to a further 5,000,000 North American airport hub and a robust, regular and diversified
sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Los gallons in the third year either at Los we’re delighted to be able to supply of SAF delivered all around
Angeles International Airport, with Angeles or elsewhere in its network. provide JetBlue and corporations our network, incrementally replacing
deliveries expected to start in the Petrochemical producer Shell on its Sustainable Travel Partners conventional fuels and driving down
first half of 2023. outlined its desire to have 10% of its programme access to SAF, allowing emissions in our operation. We’ve
The carrier said that under the aviation jet fuel sales as SAF by 2030, them to lower their emissions while publicly committed to cutting our
terms of the agreement, which and to meet this target it is building jointly contributing to investments per-seat emissions in half by 2035,
builds on JetBlue’s previous SAF supply chain capabilities to blend, in SAF.” Sara Bogdan, director of and a viable SAF market at scale is
commitment at nearby San Francisco, handle and distribute SAF to give more a key component to meet this goal.
it is expected to take delivery of customers access. Working with Shell will not only
help grow the availability of SAF
in the long-term, but also ensure
this transition is sustainable from a
business perspective, by building
the connections and infrastructure to
help keep the cost of SAF competitive
with traditional fuel.”
JetBlue and Shell will also be
working to offer corporate customers
additional ways to simultaneously
reduce emissions associated with
their flying while helping ensure
transparency and accountability by
giving organisations the ability to
purchase certificated JetBlue-issued
SAF. (Photo JetBlue)
Air Canada and United Airlines join forces

AIR CANADA and United Airlines to hubs for both carriers, with what 11 daily flights between Vancouver provide business travellers with the
have announced more than 260 daily they said is a “co-ordinated schedule” and San Francisco. convenience of an hourly service and
transborder flights, with two new to offer shuttle-style hourly services Speaking at the official the additional comfort of a business
routes coming this summer. throughout the day. Twenty-nine daily announcement, Mark Galardo, senior cabin on all flights between Toronto
Through their enhanced transborder flights with “complementary timings” vice president of network planning and and New York and Chicago, as well as
joint business arrangement, Air Canada will run between Toronto and New revenue management at Air Canada, Vancouver and San Francisco.”
and United Airlines said the new offers York Newark/Chicago, along with said: “Our co-ordinated schedules will Patrick Quayle, senior vice president
will launch from June 1, 2023, when Air of global network planning and
Canada will begin a non-stop service alliances at United Airlines, added:
from Vancouver to Washington Dulles; “With schedules designed to give
United’s new route between Calgary customers more flexibility with timing
and Washington Dulles it planned to and more convenient connection
open the following day. Both services options, as well as the ability to enjoy
will be operated under codeshares, the benefits of both airlines' loyalty
offering passengers the option to programmes, our agreement with Air
accumulate and redeem Aeroplan or Canada makes United the premier US
MileagePlus miles. airline for travel to Canada.”
Air Canada’s service to Vancouver Following this news for North
will run on alternate days, and will be America, Air Canada has also unveiled
flown using a Boeing 737 MAX 8, while plans to launch direct connections
United’s service to Calgary will fly daily between Montreal and Amsterdam/
operated by an Airbus A319. Schiphol this summer. These rotations
Announced at the same time were will operate between June 2 and
changes to a number of key routes October 15. (Photo Air Canada)
Alaska Airlines teams up with Hawaiian artist

ALASKA AIRLINES is partnering Polynesian heritage. She has also local artist to honour our connection Alaska said the artwork will reflect
with Hawaii-based illustrator Shar worked with companies such as to theHawaiian islands. Hawaii's Pledge To Our Keiki and
Tuiʻasoa of Punky Aloha Studio to Amazon, Disney and Sephora, to “We love Shar's work, and we is due to be revealed later this
design a second special livery to name but a few. share many of the same values and year. Of her artwork, Shar said:
celebrate more than 15 years of Daniel Chun, Alaska Airlines' commitment to Hawaii. It's our goal “I'm honoured to draw inspiration
service to the Aloha State. director of sales, community and to not just paint an airplane, but from our keiki (children), who
Tuiʻasoa is an acclaimed illustrator public relation s for Hawaii, saidd: to carry the message about being have pledged their commitment
and author known for her bold, “With the recent retirement of our a mindful traveller and invite our to mālama 'āina (care for the land)
colourful and strikingly modern first Hawaii-themed livery, we are guests to join us in caring for Hawaii and hope that the end result will
graphic style that showcases thrilled to be working with another and the many places we live and fly.” motivate others to do the same.”

News Review • Americas
LATAM operates first SAF flight in brief
LATAM CARGO Chile has operated Leisure airline Canada Jetlines
its first international flight using operated its first scheduled flight
sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The on March 3. The service to Cancun,
service from Zaragoza in Spain to Mexico from Toronto, was flown
North America is a step forward in the by Airbus A320-214 C-GCJL (c/n
operator’s commitment to achieving 4175). Duncan Bureau, Canada
carbon neutrality by 2050. It was Jetlines’ chief commercial officer,
powered by 30,000 litres of SAF commented: “Canada Jetlines
produced by Air BP from cooking oil continues to expand on the strong
mixed with traditional jet fuel. relationships with the travel agency
“This flight represents one of the community and tourism boards in
most concrete advances in the both Canada and Mexico. We are
group's agenda regarding the use of looking forward to offering our
SAF,” commented Andrés Bianchi, world class product to those that
CEO of LATAM Cargo. “At LATAM, are traveling between the province
we are committed to contributing achievement, because the use of continue looking for alternatives of Ontario and the state of Quintana
to the protection and care of the SAF requires the co-operation of that allow us to make a contribution Roo. Jetlines is looking forward to
environment and the use of this multiple players and the success of to the environment and to the adding more markets and partners
type of fuel is a key tool in this this operation reflects that these communities where we operate.” across North America, Mexico and
effort. We are very happy with this collaborations are possible. We will (Photo LATAM Group) the Caribbean.”
(Photo Canada Jetlines)
Flair Airlines files lawsuit
Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier

Volaris has reported a strong
increase in demand, with passenger
traffic rising by 21.2% year-on-
year. Capacity has also increased
by 20.4%, while the average
load factor is up year-on-year
to 83.2%. Enrique Beltranena,
Volaris’ president and CEO, said:
CANADIAN BUDGET carrier Flair first weekend of many of our customers’ rebooking hundreds of travellers “In line with what was stated in
Airlines has filed a lawsuit against school breaks. This is profiteering on flights with Flair Airlines, or our last earnings call in February
Airborne Capital with the Ontario on the backs of Canadians and was another airline, at no additional 22, we are seeing healthy traffic
Superior Court of Justice. entirely unexpected and unwarranted. cost. Additionally, customers can growth and solid booking curves
The action, reported by CBC in “Airborne Capital’s actions have rebook their own travel and receive a for the upcoming spring season.
Canada to be for around CAD$50m, caused enormous disruption to the reimbursement within seven days.” In February, consumer demand
follows what Flair claims was the customers Flair serves. We have Edmonton, Alberta-based Flair remained robust across all of our
unlawful seizure of four of its aircraft, implemented every recovery measure reiterated its commitment to flying markets, with particular strength
alleged in response to the non-payment possible to help our customers. We its schedule, and said it has brought observed in international regions.
of lease fees. In a statement published have deployed a dedicated team four additional aircraft into service. Jet fuel prices were slightly more
on its website, Flair said: “Airborne who have taken steps to ensure The carrier operates a fleet of three favourable than the prior guidance
Capital’s unlawful and immeasurably affected passengers can conclude Boeing 737-800s and 19 737 MAX 8s. provided to the market.”
destructive actions were taken on the their journeys with minimal disruption, (Photo Flair Airlines)
Equair has applied for
permission to operate scheduled
international flights to Colombia
First Boeing 737-800 and the Dominican Republic. The
Quito-based airline commenced
for Surinam Airways operations in January 2022

and has to date been operating
domestic services within Ecuador
using two former KLM Boeing
737-700s, HC-CXB and CXC (c/n
38125 and 38126), together with
an ex-TUIfly example HC-CXS
(c/n 35277). Equair has operated
charter flights beyond Ecuador,
including to Punta Cana in the
Dominican Republic, but should
its request be approved it would
Surinam Airways has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737-8Q8, PZ-TCV (c/n 30730). The former Caribbean Airlines mark the first routine international
example is currently the only narrowbody jet on strength with the Paramaribo-based carrier JAVIER RODRÍGUEZ
services for the fledgling carrier.
www.key.aero 15
News Review • Asia/Pacific
Boost for Asian legacy carriers

MANY LARGE network airlines in 2022/23 financial year. Its mainline services from Singapore to Tokyo/ eased travel restrictions. Korean Air
the Asia-Pacific region continue to and Scoot divisions carried 7.4 million Narita and Perth. SIA will resume ramped up capacity from just 13 to
post positive results and rebuild their passengers, up 17% from the previous its Busan, South Korea link and add a whopping 84 weekly flights at the
networks. SIA Group, Singapore quarter and at 80% of pre-pandemic frequencies to Barcelona, Frankfurt end of March 2023 and is expected
Airlines’ parent company, reported levels, the group said. and Rome in time for the 2023 to reach 99 each week by May. For
its highest-ever quarterly operating Korean Air posted KRW 3.6 trillion European summer peak. context, the Seoul-based operator will
profit ($628 million) for Q3 of the ($2.8 billion) in revenue for Q4 2022, For its part, Cathay Pacific says it will serve 43% of pre-pandemic levels on
resulting in a KRW 520 billion ($410 operate approximately 50% of its pre- services to/from China by June.
million) operating profit. Even Cathay pandemic schedule over the coming In other Korean Air news, the
Pacific, a carrier which has been months. It is increasing its London/ UK Competition and Markets
dogged by the sluggish lifting of Hong Heathrow frequencies to five times Authority has cleared its proposed
Kong’s pandemic restrictions, carried daily from April 2023, and upping merger with Asiana, which the flag
1.1 million passengers in February flights to Japan from 73 to 120 each carrier said “is evidence that the
2023 (a 3.4% year-on-year increase) week, while serving 15 Chinese cities proposed remedies submitted by the
and 103,392 tonnes of cargo, nearly with 110 return sorties per week. The airline have resolved competition
60% more than 12 months earlier. airline’s award-winning first class restriction concerns.” Despite the
Buoyed by the results, some of the product is also back on selected flights UK breakthrough, clearance from
biggest players in the Asia Pacific to and from Los Angeles. regulators in the United States,
region are poised to increase capacity Across the board, carriers are European Union and Japan had yet
across key markets. SIA Group says boosting inbound connections to to be received at the time of writing.
it will boost Scoot frequencies on mainland China after the country (Photo Singapore Airlines)
Auckland overhaul gathers pace

THE BIGGEST redevelopment in “We have worked with major $3.9bn construction programme passenger processing areas,
Auckland Airport’s 57-year history airlines for over a decade on this. to take place over the next five to improved bathroom facilities and
is underway, with work starting We’ve considered all feedback, six years. The terminal integration faster baggage systems, as well
on the construction of a new including potential alternative programme – a significant part as better connections between
domestic terminal. locations and even further delays of the airport’s wider ten-year domestic and international travel
New Zealand’s largest air hub to infrastructure development. All capital programme – is due to bring and via public transport and the
has been consulting with major of this has been carefully thought domestic and international travel city. In short, renovations just
airline customers since May through and we have made changes together under the same roof for the won’t cut it anymore.”
2011 on a replacement for the where appropriate, but now we need first time since 1977. With the new combined terminal
ageing domestic complex and to get on with it,” said Auckland “This is all about building the scheduled to open between 2028
its plans to build an integrated Airport chairman Patrick Strange. gateway that Auckland and and 2029, the facility will serve
facility. Over that time, 21 concept In 2019, the Auckland Airport board New Zealand need,” said Carrie the larger and more efficient
designs have been developed reaffirmed its commitment to the Hurihanganui, Auckland Airport’s domestic jet aircraft flying to and
by the airport and discussed integration, giving approval for the chief executive. “[Customers are] from Auckland to New Zealand’s
with partners as part of the project to move into the final stages asking for a domestic facility that other main centres, alongside
consultation process. of design as part of an approximately offers modern spaces, efficient international operations.

News Review • Asia/Pacific
in brief
Starlux prepares Air New Zealand is extending
its temporary service between
for long-haul debut Gisborne and Napier to June 9.

The move comes as major works
continue following severe damage
to roads between the two regions
caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. A
journey which once took around
three hours can take more than 11
hours due to the lengthy diversion
involved. The flights are scheduled
to take 30 minutes and typically be
operated by De Havilland Canada
Dash 8-Q300 turboprops.
Cebu Pacific is aiming to exceed

its pre-pandemic network in June
2023 by raising to 28 the number
of domestic and international
routes it operates from Mactan-
Cebu International Airport in the
STARLUX AIRLINES will begin flying classes (four in first, 26 business, 36 luxury airline expanding in a world of Philippines. It will start a daily flight
transpacific services from April 26 premium-economy and 240 economy). no-frills carriers.” to Taipei and increase frequencies on
when it launches its much-anticipated First and business flyers have full- The carrier said the new US flights its domestic and regional network.
Taipei-Los Angeles route. The Taiwan- flat seats and sliding doors, while “will provide exquisite dining, The carrier resumed flights from
based carrier will initially operate the premium economy passengers have a including Taiwanese signature dishes Cebu to Hong Kong on March 26
link five-times weekly, before going roomy 40in width. and amenities prepared for all-class and it will also be restarting a Tokyo/
daily in June. The service is Starlux’s The airline explained that its passengers.” Ahead of the launch, Narita connection from May 1.
first scheduled service to the United philosophy is to make luxury “readily Starlux has signed a major partnership (Photo Airbus/Bengt Lange)
States and marks its maiden foray into available to everyone.” It said: “While with the LA Clippers, which will see
the long-haul, intercontinental market. the last few years have seen a plethora various in-flight branding, digital and
The carrier’s Airbus A350-900s are of budget airlines come onto the in-person activations featuring the
configured with 306 seats in four scene, Starlux is bucking the trend – a basketball team. (Photo Starlux)
China reasserts air dominance

NEW DATA supplied by industry 730,000 international seats in closure of Russian airspace,
analysts OAG indicates that China’s March. Airline capacity has been previously a vital overflight route for
Qantas has comprehensively
airline market is rebounding added across most destinations, with many European airlines. Grant said:
revamped its inflight catering
strongly after Beijing scrapped Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand “The combination of additional
in all its travel classes in what it
most COVID-19 travel restrictions. seeing the greatest recovery in sector lengths, increased operating
claims is its biggest investment
The firm said Air China, China percentage terms this month. costs and alternate opportunities
in onboard and lounge dining in
Eastern and China Southern “have International capacity is now at 25% for European airlines, and the wider
a decade. Markus Svensson, the
all now recovered, operating more of March 2019 levels, but we expect political issues facing US-based
firm’s chief customer officer, said:
domestic seat capacity compared this to continue to see increases airlines point to a wide-open door
“Premium food and wine is one of
to March 2019 levels.” month on month.” for China’s airlines to become
the top three reasons our customers
China Southern is now operating Grant said that the dominant capacity
choose to fly with Qantas, so this
24% more flights than pre- rebuilding capacity to suppliers.” (Photo
significant boost means we will be
pandemic, with China Eastern China for global carriers Airbus/Hervé Goussé)
able further our efforts to deliver a
flying 19% more and Air China 34% will be “one which requires
world-class experience in the sky.”
more as of March 2023, the agency careful consideration.” He
The new options were launched on
said. Spring Airlines, the country’s explained that China’s border
international services from March 29
biggest low-cost carrier, now closure meant many international
to coincide with start of the Southern
offers 42% more services than in airlines “de-risked their exposure to
Hemisphere’s autumn.
March 2019 and Juneyao Airlines is China and the broader Asia market”,
operating 32% more. making it challenging to grow into the
India’s civil aviation minister
The figures mark a rapid change region again. A further complication
has confirmed the country plans
in fortunes for the Chinese market. since March 2020 has been the
to invest billions of dollars in the
In a recent release, John Grant,
sector. Jyotiraditya Scindia told
partner at consultancy MIDAS
the CAPA India Aviation Summit in
Aviation, wrote: “In 2022, China
New Delhi: “We need to put in place
had slipped to 51st spot in the
the civil aviation infrastructure and
global rankings with just 7.4 million
capabilities that by 2047 would
international seats – just ahead of
be able to support a $20 trillion
Ethiopia, but behind Cyprus – by
economy within India. I think it’s
any measurement a staggering
about time that our carriers looked at
collapse of position.”
the international market with greater
However, the March 2023
focus. That’s what we are pushing
OAG analysis noted: “[Chinese]
the airlines to do, and that process
carriers added more than
has already started.”
www.key.aero 17
News Review • International
Airbus ramps up testing
AIRBUS’ A321neo test fleet remains of contrails. It was the first occasion In separate developments, F-WWAB for Iqaluit in northern Canada. Later
busy. One aircraft, D-AVZO (c/n 7877), an Airbus single-aisle jet has run (c/n 11080, the third A321XLR testbed in 2023 there will be a seven-hour
recently conducted a 100% sustainable entirely on sustainable fuel in both that first flew in October 2022) is mission involving Airbus employees
aviation fuel (SAF) flight and another, engines, with the widebody A350 and testing adaptations to bolster cabin to gauge passenger perceptions on
F-WWAB (c/n 11080) is testing the A330MRTT having done so earlier. comfort, ventilation and sound for the cabin comfort, including temperature
cabin for the new A321XLR variant. The flight was part of the ongoing new longer-range variant. and noise.
The 100% SAF sortie from Toulouse ‘VOLCAN’ (VOL avec Carburants Following earlier efforts, which Airbus highlighted that such tests are
saw D-AVZO, closely followed by the Alternatifs Nouveaux, French for ‘Flight focused on cabin temperature important because “for the XLR’s long
DLR German Aerospace Centre’s with new alternative fuels’) project, control and acoustics, flight test range missions there are now higher
Falcon 20E aircraft, collecting data on which is researching emissions from instrumentation has been installed for thermal and acoustic requirements for
non-CO2 emissions and the creation unblended SAF. cold temperature campaigns planned the cabin”. (Photo DLR)
Airbus delivered the following aircraft in February

Knocking on A220 3 Air France (2); Delta Air Lines
Aegean Airlines; Alafco (Volaris); Avolon (Vistara)(2); Azul; CALC (Air Cairo,
heaven’s door A320neo 13 Volaris)(2); CDB Leasing (Avianca); flynas; Lufthansa (Eurowings); NAS Aviation
Services (Air Cairo); SAS Scandinavian Airlines; Spring Airlines;
AerCap (Egyptair); Air Lease Corporation (Vistara)(2); Air New Zealand;
EIRTRADE AVIATION in Knock, overhaul, the disassembly of the American Airlines; Cathay Pacific (2); Delta Air Lines (4); Frontier Airlines;
Ireland is preparing the first aircraft is timely, by putting used A321neo 26
Gulf Air; ICBN (Shenzhen Airlines); Indigo; JetBlue Airlines; Juneyao Airlines;
Korean Air; NAS Aviation Services (Xiamen Airlines); Qantas Airways (Jetstar
Boeing 787-8s to be retired from serviceable material (USM) into the Airways); SMBC (Turkish Airlines); Spring Airlines; TAP Air Portugal; Turkish
commercial service. Despite the supply chain. Airlines; Viva Aerobus; Wizz Air
type only entering service in “As no 787s have been retired A330-900 1 CIT Leasing (Condor);
2011, the Dreamliners are being from commercial service to date, A350-900 2 China Eastern Airlines; Turkish Airlines
disassembled simultaneously, with there is almost no USM market at Total 45
the first spares recovered from the the moment. We are entering into a Annual total to date 65
aircraft expected to be available specialist area and hope to become
this spring. a market leader in the provision
Ken Fitzgibbon, EirTrade Aviation of USM for the platform which will
chief executive, said that with the enable the reduction of the cost of
eldest 787s in service approaching maintenance events for 787 aircraft
their first 12-year maintenance owners,” explained Fitzgibbon.
Boeing delivered the following aircraft in February

777 Partners (Bonza Airline); Air Lease Corporation (Scat Airlines); Alaska
737 MAX 24 Airlines (2); flydubai (2); Iraqi Airways; Oman Air; Pembroke Capital (Akasa Egyptair's first Airbus A321-251NX, SU-GFR (c/n 11164), has entered service after
Air)(2); Ryanair (4); Southwest Airlines (5); United Airlines (5) joining the Cairo-based flag carrier in late February. It is seen at Adolfo Suárez
747-8 1 Atlas Air Madrid–Barajas Airport just days after delivery. JAVIER RODRÍGUEZ
777F 1 Air China Cargo
787-10
Total
Annual total to date
1
27
63
United Airlines
Fragile forecast
for air freight
THERE HAS been a soft start to the air a rise in belly capacity in passenger
cargo market in 2023, according to airline markets. According to the
new data. Global demand, measured International Air Transport Association,
in cargo tonne-kilometres, fell 14.9% the global goods trade decreased by
compared to a year earlier, and 16.2% 3%, with the war in Ukraine, inflation
for international operations. and labour shortages all having an
However, it wasn’t all bad news. effect. The trade body said higher
Iraqi Airways has taken delivery of the first of 16 Boeing 737 MAX 8s it has on order. Capacity (measured in available yields and stabilising production in
Its maiden example, YI-ASL (c/n 65405), arrived at the airline's Baghdad base on cargo tonne-kilometres) was up 3.9% China could provide room for “some
February 26 following a two-day layover in Reykjavik. V1IMAGES.COM/NICK SHEEDER compared to January 2022, reflecting cautious optimism”.
News Review • International
Breaking
with
convention
VERMONT-BASED electric aircraft
developer BETA Technologies is
developing a conventional take-
off and landing aircraft named the
CX300. The company is one of
many start-ups working on electric
vertical take-off and landing
(eVTOL) platforms, with its ALIA-
250 attracting interest from firms
including Bristow Group and Blade
Air Mobility.
However, BETA recently disclosed
it has been working on an electric
‘CTOL’ variant of the five-seat ALIA-
250 for the past year, with Air New Nod for converted
freighter ETOPS
Zealand ordering three examples.
Designed for all-electric airport-
to-airport passenger and cargo
transport, the CX300 is due to have
a pusher propeller configuration, AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERS Inc extended operations over water and AEI’s 737-400SF can carry multiple
though in all other respects (such (AEI), a Miami-based passenger-to- remote regions. unit load devices including ten 88 x
as airframe, engine and systems) freighter conversions specialist, has Robert T Convey, senior vice president 125in ULDs (or ten 88 x 108in ULDs),
will be the same as the ALIA-250. received ETOPS 120 approval for of sales and marketing at AEI, said the plus a pallet. The US firm said in
BETA confirmed development of its Boeing 737-400 /-300SFs. The approval “opens up additional markets January 2023 that its 2022 deliveries
its eVTOL portfolio is continuing in green light for extended twin-engine for our leasing and cargo airline included the –400SF, and it expects
parallel with this latest CTOL project. operations permits AEI-converted customers and provides them with to hand over four more this year.
737-400/-300SFs to fly 120-minute additional operational flexibility”. (Photo AEI)
Global air safety stats released

THERE WERE fewer fatal commercial also seven. The fatal accident rate take off and land safely, regardless of to the five-year average
aviation accidents in 2022 compared improved to 0.16 per million sectors region or aircraft type.” “We need to make some special
to the previous year and the five-year for 2022, from 0.27 per million sectors Turboprops accounted for four of the efforts on turboprop operations
average. The finding comes from in 2021, and ahead of the five-year five fatal accidents in 2022, although in Africa and Latin America.
the latest International Air Transport fatal accident rate of 0.20. For context, the total number of accidents involving Introduction and adherence to
Association (IATA) safety report for this means that on average, a person these aircraft fell from 2021 and there global standards are key to reversing
global aviation. would need to take a flight every day was either an improvement or no this trend. The priority for Africa
In total, there were five fatal for 25,214 years to experience a 100% deterioration in the turboprop hull continues to be implementation
accidents involving loss of life to fatal accident. loss rate compared to the five-year of the International Civil Aviation
passengers and crew, down from Willie Walsh, IATA director-general average. Latin America/Caribbean and Organisation’s safety-related
seven in 2021 and the five-year said: “Safety is aviation’s highest sub-Saharan Africa were the only two standards and recommended
average (2018-2022) which was priority; our goal is to have every flight regions to see more losses compared practices,” added Walsh.
Fresh look for ATR
This ATR 42-600S, F-WWLY (c/n 811) is pictured in Toulouse wearing a revised ATR corporate scheme. This aircraft is undertaking flight and certification testing
work for the new short take-off and landing (STOL) version of the ATR 42-200. The variant is designed to operate from runways as short as 800m with 30-50 seats,
while offering up to 450nm range. Deliveries are expected from 2024 with Air Tahiti announced as the model’s launch customer. EUROSPOT
www.key.aero 19
News Review • Business Aviation BY NIGEL PITTAWAY
Jetfly bolsters PC-24 portfolio

JETFLY, EUROPE’S largest operator seen more and more customers
of the Pilatus PC-24 business jet, has wanting to fly with this amazingly
taken delivery of its tenth aircraft. spacious versatile jet. It’s the perfect
The example, resplendent in a colour aircraft for us; our passengers
scheme designed by French industrial appreciate and love it.”
designer Philippe Starck, was handed In other news, Pilatus has reported
over to the Luxembourg-based one of its most successful years ever,
fractional ownership operator at the recording total sales for the 2022
manufacturer’s facility in financial year of 1.3 billion Swiss
Stans, Switzerland. Francs. The Swiss manufacturer
Jetfly was launched in 1999 and chalked up deliveries of 40 PC-24s
operates throughout western Europe. business jets and 80 PC-12 NGX
The company is due to have a fleet turboprops. Highlights included a
of 60 aircraft, including 48 Pilatus purchase agreement signed with
PC-12s and 12 Pilatus PC-24 jets when Tradewind Aviation in the United
deliveries are completed. States for more than 20 PC-12 NGXs. very well. Our PC-12 NGXs and PC-24s in the 2023 financial year and is
At the handover of the tenth Commenting on the 2022 figures, were, and are, absolute bestsellers. set to begin construction of a new
aircraft, Cédric Lescop, CEO of Jetfly, Hansueli Loosli, Pilatus chairman, said: Our order books are full.” maintenance hangar at Buochs in
commented: “Since adding the first “I’m very happy with the year-end The OEM predicts the delivery of central Switzerland in mid-2023.
PC-24 to our fleet in 2018, we have results and the Pilatus team performed its 2,000th PC-1 and 200th PC-24 (Photo Pilatus)
Milestone for Phenom 300

Gulfstream G600 still flying high
EMBRAER’S PHENOM 300 has said: “It’s no coincidence that the
become the best-selling aircraft in Phenom 300 is once again the best-
the light jet category for the 11th selling light jet in the industry. For 11
consecutive year. consecutive years, it has continued its
The accolade was recognised by strong momentum in the market and
the General Aviation Manufacturers outperformed for our loyal customers
Association (GAMA) after the Brazilian – whether through best-in-class
company recorded the delivery of 59 range and speed, or by offering the
Phenom 300s during 2022. In total, highest residual value of any aircraft
Embraer reports sales of more than in the market. This distinction is a
700 examples to date. true testament to Embraer’s ability to
Reacting to the news, Michael deliver the ultimate experience to its
Amalfitano, president and chief customers through truly innovative
executive of Embraer Executive Jets aircraft.” (Photo Embraer)
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE has Commenting on the milestone, Mark

confirmed the delivery of the 100th Burns, Gulfstream president, said:
G600 business jet. The example “The G600 continues to redefine
was finalised at the company’s excellence. Thanks to its highly
completions centre in Dallas, Texas, customisable cabin, fuel-efficient
and delivered to an undisclosed design and exceptional performance
customer based in North America. capabilities, we are seeing
The landmark follows the 100th unwavering customer demand. The
delivery of a G500, a sister product of 100th G600 customer delivery is a
the G600, in the second half of 2022. testament to that excellence and
The first G600 was handed over in surging popularity.”
August 2019. (Photo Gulfstream)
KlasJet offers VIP 737-300

KLASJET HAS announced it is basing Lukas Petrauskas, chief commercial sports competitions and more. The KlasJet, which is a subsidiary of
a newly-refurbished Boeing 737-300 officer of KlasJet, explained: “The comfort aspect has been upped with Avia Solutions Group, currently
corporate jet in London. The aircraft, increased capacity allows for more extra cushioned seats and comfort operates a fleet of five aircraft and
LY-CHF (c/n 29057), is fitted with passengers on a single flight, which headrests, while the more ergonomic has recently acquired a 737 Boeing
68 seats which, according to the is particularly useful for large groups construction offers spacious seat Business Jet (BBJ), which is due
company, is four more than most travelling to various events – from recline, relaxing footrest and a to begin operating in the northern
luxury conversions of the type. business meetings and expos to convenient folding table.” summer of 2023.

European Airlines Books
K
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Junkers Light Aircraft-K 16 to A 50 Junior
This book is about all the smaller Junkers types that were
designed and built during the same period as the more
well-known F 13, G 24 and W 33/W 34. The A 20 and A
35/K 53 were produced in great numbers and served in
countries all over the world. The majority were of the
military version, but the A 20 was also used for pioneering
night airmail services.
The two-seat H 21 and the single-seat S 22 fighter were
built for the Soviet Union. The K 47 two-seat fighter was
sold to China and was used in dive-bombing experiments
and the A 50 Junior was intended for the emerging private
aircraft owner market. Junkers built substantial numbers
of the Junior and they and found buyers in all corners of
the world. It became world famous especially for daring
long-distance flights made by illustrious aviators, including
female pilots.
Author: Lennart Andersson
Format: 248 pages, 325 photographs, 21 drawings, A4,
£ 30 * hardcover, English language.
This book (written in Norwegian) describes the colors OON

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COMING S
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profiles and plan drawings that together with over 140
photographs show how the aircraft were painted and
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The book contains information on, among other things:
Nationality markings, Registration codes, Squadron
and unit markings, Camouflage colors and other color
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Format: 352 pages, 225x245mm, 140 photographs, 140
colour profiles, hardcover, Norwegian language.
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European Airlines Rob Mulder, Norway
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012/22
Lying near Geelong on the outskirts of Melbourne, Avalon Shortstop Jet Charter’s striking Douglas
hosts limited commercial services in its own right, notably by C-47B-30-DK, VH-OVM (c/n 33102), provided
Jetstar, which continued to operate flights during the show stark contrast to the cutting-edge tech on
display. Carrying ‘Melbourne’s Gooney Bird’
markings, it made the short hop to Avalon
from its base at Essendon Fields Airport
The Australian International Honeywell’s Boeing 757 testbed, N757HW (c/n 22194), conducted several demonstration
flights to showcase the latest aerospace and defence technologies. The 40-year-old jet is
Airshow made its highly no stranger to UK shores, having previously flown for Airtours and MyTravel Airways
anticipated post-pandemic return
in late February, with the first
instalment since 2019 attracting
almost 50,000 trade visitors
and nearly 800 participating
companies during its first three
days, marking an all-time high.
Victor Pody brings us some of
the highlights from Avalon
Avalon Airport once
Record-breaking again played host

to the Australian
International Airshow,
which ran across
AVALON
three trade days and
three public days from
February 28 to March 5
ALL PHOTOS VICTOR PODY

The flying display at Avalon was dominated by the Australian Defence Force Showcase, which demonstrated
some of the latest military technology in use Down Under. This included a flypast featuring the Royal Australian
Air Force Boeing P-8A Poseidon, a modified maritime patrol variant of the 737-800 airliner
Embraer looked to capitalise on a raft of recent sales in the Asia/Pacific region by showcasing
its latest generation E195-E2, PR-ZIQ (c/n 19020041), at the event. The aircraft is wearing the
striking ‘Tech Lion’ rendition of the Brazilian manufacturer’s Profit Hunter livery
A mixed formation of a
Qantas Airbus A330 and
a pair of Boeing F/A-18F
Super Hornets, dubbed
the ‘Skippy Combine’ and
operated by all-female
crews, was a highlight
of the flying display
Above and below: The immaculate Ansett Airways-livered Douglas

DC-3-232A, VH-ABR (c/n 2029), taxies past a Jetstar A320. Built in
1938, ‘Kanana’ was returned to airworthy status in 2017 by Paul Little’s
Melbourne Jet Base and the RM Ansett Historical Aircraft Society
www.key.aero 23
L
ow-cost carriers have While it can feel far removed from the Airliner World joined travelling by air. The help required
transformed the landscape hive of airside activity, it is a vital part the easyJet team can vary from simply needing a little
at Milan/Malpensa
of commercial aviation as we of the turnaround process. Security to find out how an guiding up the aircraft steps to being
once knew it. Gone are the questions will be asked of passengers, efficient aircraft boarded via a special ‘ambulift’.
days when aircraft on short or and bags will be weighed with any turnaround works
medium-haul routes were scheduled excess being charged accordingly. Staff ALL IMAGES AUTHOR
Finalising the figures
to be on the ground for at least an working on the frontline must get all Check-in closes one hour before
hour if not longer. This simply isn’t passengers checked-in and their bags departure, and it is just after this point
efficient enough for budget airlines, to the respective area an hour before that the ramp agent or dispatcher
with aircraft needing to be turned scheduled departure time (STD). allocated to the flight will receive
around in a much shorter timescale to The team will also be calling the final passenger and baggage
help balance the books. But how do for any assistance that might be figures. This enables them to start to
they do it, and what is involved? required for passengers with reduced produce what is called a load sheet.
It could be said that an efficient mobility – known as ‘PRMs’ in the This document is a legal requirement
turnaround starts with the passenger. business. These travellers with and crucial to the safe operation of
Most, if not all travellers choose additional needs can have a massive the flight. It helps ensure the aircraft is
to check-in online. In the case of impact on the turnaround time of an loaded in such a way that the specified
easyJet, this is usually available from aircraft. Depending on the number maximum allowable weights are
30 days before departure. Importantly, of PRM guests and their respective not exceeded and that the centre of
this reduces the queues of people at requirements, it is not uncommon for gravity (C of G) as loaded will be within
airport check-in desks on the day of aircraft to depart late as it can take the permitted flight envelope – not
the flight, especially as some will be longer than usual for everyone to only on departure but throughout
travelling without large luggage. Even board the aircraft. Of course, the same the flight. An aircraft that encounters
if there are hold bags to be checked- is true upon arrival, with consideration a C of G outside of the aircraft’s
in, the advent of self-bag drop kiosks needing to be given to any PRMs design limits can have significant or
allow for more passengers to be requiring assistance to disembark. even deadly consequences. The load
processed with less manpower. While this can slow down the super- sheet will also detail if there are any
That said, even the most efficient slick turnaround of a low-cost carrier, dangerous goods loaded in the hold.
and tech-savvy budget airline will still it should be remembered that in the Ramp agents need to be on the
have check-in agents at the airport. UK and many other countries, it is a ball and have a strong personality.
At easyJet, check-in usually opens legal requirement for assistance to be They will often be in competition
around three hours before departure. offered free of charge for PRMs when for potentially scarce resources,
“While foreign object debris (FOD) might

look like ordinary pieces of litter, if these are
ingested into an aircraft engine the outcome
can be very costly and will certainly impact
the turnaround time...”

Fast yet
THE ART OF THE TURNAROUND
FINESSED Waiting to board a flight, have you ever wondered

what’s going on behind the scenes to help ensure
an on-time departure? Martyn Cartledge visited
easyJet’s Milan/Malpensa base to find out what
happens during an aircraft turnaround
www.key.aero 25
particularly at peak times. Among
their top priorities is ensuring that
the various different ground handling
staff are ready to do what is required
of them when the inbound aircraft
arrives at the gate. This typically
includes unloading the bags, refuelling
the aircraft, and catering.
At just 50 minutes before STD the
gate agents arrive. With the inbound
aircraft close to landing, they log onto
the computer at the gate and pull up
the outbound details. The flight should
be showing on the gate screens by
now, either automatically via the
airport system or manually through
the agent. The cabin bag sizing frame
will be brought into position and
two separate lanes created – one
for speedy boarding and another for
regular passengers.
Around 45 minutes before STD, if the
inbound aircraft is on time, it should
just have landed and be taxiing to
the gate. At this point the ramp agent
will perform a check of the stand to differing levels of parking assistance The soaring being a prime example – seldom
confirm everything is in order and it is for use by the flight crew to get the popularity of online use airbridges. Aside from the costs
check-in has reduced
safe for the aircraft to park there. This aircraft to stop exactly where needed. bottlenecks at the involved, it can also be argued
typically includes ensuring vehicles Some are completely automated and traditional airport that using in-built aircraft stairs or
and any ground equipment are in their therefore the ramp agent simply needs counters efficiently manoeuvred mobile stairs
correct place, and checking for ‘FOD’. to ensure it is operating properly, while is quicker.
While foreign object debris might look others require the flight number or ABOVE RIGHT:
like ordinary pieces of litter, if these aircraft type to be manually inputted Although time is Pole position
are ingested into an aircraft engine the by the ramp agent. However if these short, there is never Once the aircraft stops, the flight
outcome can be very costly and will high-tech systems aren’t available, a compromise on crew turn off the anti-collision light
safety and security
certainly impact the turnaround time. then a marshall is required to manually considerations to indicate to ground staff that the
The ramp agent is responsible for guide the aircraft into its parking aircraft is safe to approach. With
the coordination of the various position, with the ramp agent ensuring just 40 minutes until the outbound
tasks and all third-party this person is present. departure, it is from this point that the
involvement associated with Whatever method is used, the pressure really starts to build.
the aircraft turnaround. As aircraft needs to stop in exactly the Ground staff will place chocks under
such, the exact nature of right place so that equipment can be Airport ground the wheels and connect ground power
the job will vary slightly properly deployed. When an airbridge transportation can either from a mains system or via a
be required to take
depending on is being attached to an aircraft, correct generator. As passengers disembark
passengers and/or
the location. positioning is critical to avoid delay. crew to more from the left side, the power, along
Airports have Many budget airlines – Ryanair remote stands with any associated equipment and

Many low-cost carriers,
including easyJet, use the
rear door of the aircraft
to help reduce the time it
takes for passengers to
board and disembark
personnel will be situated to the right

of the aircraft. Assessments will be
Before any passengers can depart, made at the gate if any
the ramp agent must ensure that they checked-in passengers
don’t stray where they shouldn’t. This have not presented
themselves for boarding
is done using, believe it or not, ‘PIGS’.
The full title is ‘passenger integrated
guidance system’ and uses trolleys
with tape rolls to produce a barrier to
guide passengers away from the wings
and engines.
First to the aircraft door will again be
the ramp agent who meets the cabin
manager. They’ll re-confirm where
the aircraft has come from, how many
passengers are on board and how
many require special assistance
to disembark.
If required at the gate, the agent
will check that buses are on their
way, if they’ve not already arrived.
All elements of the turnaround are
important but passenger transport
is arguably one of the most critical.
These vehicles are usually operated
by the airport and could be in great
demand by multiple flights. Airfield
controllers – people who determine
where aircraft park – will have made
a plan as to who needs what sort
of vehicles and when, however
plans can go awry quickly causing
an unwelcome domino effect with
inbound passengers held on the plane.
Assuming any onward vehicle
arrangements are progressing to
plan, the agent will meet the flight
deck crew to discuss the outbound
load and to update the load sheet
with the amount of fuel required. The
time to departure is now 35 minutes.
By this stage, the aircraft’s hold will
be open with bags being offloaded.
The luggage for the outbound
sector should also be nearby, ready
for a speedy turnaround. There will There can be as little as eight
also be a separate baggage trolley minutes between the last
containing any ‘rush bags’ that have, inbound travellers leaving the
aircraft and new outbound
at some point, been separated from passengers boarding
their owners and are travelling to
www.key.aero 27
catch them up. This must be carefully of them. Protocols vary from airline to ABOVE: There’s still separate any water from the fuel, while
controlled as bags without passengers airline and airport to airport, however strong demand for filtering and measuring the amount
checked in luggage,
are, under normal circumstances, not good practice is to refuel without particularly on before it flows down a second hose
allowed on board. It is around this passengers on board. holiday routes connected to the aircraft, which on
time that passengers are disembarking Historically, fuel bowsers were the most commercial jets is located under
with a target of just ten minutes to get most popular way to fill an aircraft’s the wing. The precise amount will be
ABOVE RIGHT: The
everyone off the aircraft and heading tanks and, in some places, it still decided by the captain once he or she
turnaround is a
towards the terminal building. happens to this day. Many major chance for the has reviewed the load sheet and the
airports now have what are known as pilots to run through information it contains.
Eye of the storm fuel farms. These are generally located their plans for the
upcoming departure
Meanwhile, the cabin manager will
When all the inbound passengers close to the airport and feed into a and review essential
be checking the levels in the waste
have safely left the airliner, you’d be hydrant system which runs through documentation and clean water tanks and decide
forgiven for thinking that it’s peace the parking stands. if any emptying and/or refilling is
and quiet until the next guests It might sound simple, but this BELOW: The captain needed. Their verdict considers the
embark. In reality, there are a series isn’t as straightforward as filling up will review the next time it will take to complete these
flight plan and
of important tasks that are about to your car. A vehicle which links the determine how much tasks and also the potential negatives
begin, with refuelling very often one hydrant to the aircraft is required to fuel to take on board of not doing so. Alongside additional

weight – and by definition fuel ABOVE: A loading
burn – consequences, in extreme form and certificate
provides the captain
circumstances an aircraft may have to with the final vital
divert if the onboard toilets become statistics they need
inoperative due to the waste tank to operate the
flight safely
being full.
RIGHT: Airports
Final countdown and airlines must
At 30 minutes before departure, consider their
the gate officially closes and a obligations to serve
passengers with
boarding call will be made to ensure reduced mobility.
passengers are in the correct line One option is an
ready to go through final checks ambulift, which
takes the guest up
before boarding. With 25 minutes to
to the right-hand
departure, all arriving passengers are aircraft door
off the aircraft and the cabin crew
have just eight minutes before the
first of their next round of passengers RIGHT: One of
the flight crew
is due to board. Each member of will complete a
the cabin crew will be attending to walkaround visual
their allocated section of the cabin, inspection of the
aircraft while it is on
checking for lost property, clearing
the apron
up any rubbish that was missed and
ensuring that safety cards are available
and displayed correctly as well as the
ubiquitous crossing of the seatbelts
– the universal symbol of readiness
of an aircraft seat! Alongside the
seats and the areas near them, the
toilets require checking, as does the
emergency equipment. All of this is in
stark contrast to the more traditional
routine at long-haul legacy airlines.
After an international service on larger
aircraft, there is likely to be a squad
of cleaners who board the aircraft to
prepare it for the next flight.
Finally, if it has not already been
completed – or if the catering has
been brought from base for the return
sector – food and beverages will be
loaded onto the aircraft. Any final
rubbish will also be handed over to
airport ground personnel at this point
for appropriate disposal.
As soon as the last inbound
passenger leaves the aircraft, there
will be a call for the passports and
www.key.aero 29
boarding passes of the new load of
travellers to be processed. As many
readers will know from personal
experience, this doesn’t mean
boarding the aircraft, rather it usually
entails waiting on an airbridge, steps
leading down to the apron, or even
the apron itself. This again will shave
off a few precious minutes off the
overall boarding process, although it
often isn’t very pleasant for passengers
– especially those with young families.
This procedure is known as ‘pre-
boarding’, and the travellers are now
the responsibility of the ramp agent.
It is at this stage that decisions will
be made by gate staff about offloading
passengers who have checked in
but not arrived at the gate. Different
airlines will have their own criteria
as to how long they wait and will be
informed by a multitude of variables,
most notably if the passenger(s) in
question have any bags in the hold as
these will need finding and removing.
This isn’t a simple decision as despite
knowing roughly where it is located
in the hold, the luggage will still take
time to find. The gate staff will also call
the ramp agent at this point to confirm
the passenger total and how many, if
any, bags have been taken at the gate
to be placed in the hold.
On the topic of luggage, the ramp
agent may also have to deal with
queries from the baggage handlers
that arise during the loading process.
An example of which occurred during
the author’s visit when one bag was
vibrating. This required the owner to
be found to help establish that there
was no threat.
Safety first
During these all-important eight
minutes, a member of the flight crew
will conduct an external walkaround
of the aircraft to check for any visible
defects. This ranges from the tyres
through to the engines and right up to
the rudder. Areas of possible concern
could include physical damage to
external sensors such as pitot tubes,
or unexpected fluid leaks. While these
checks are taking place, the other

RIGHT: Thumbs up
crew member will be programming for blue skies and
the flight computers for the next flight. another on-time
If the pilots are operating the aircraft departure
for the first time that day, then the
tech log must also be checked for LEFT: Even after the
any maintenance issues. When doors are closed,
the ramp agent can
both flight crew are on board, each communicate with
confirms that they have the same the flight deck
flight plan and complete the pre-
departure processes. TOP FAR LEFT: The
Back inside the terminal, the gate paperwork is signed,
crew – if not searching for any missing with one copy
remaining at the
passengers – are closing the flight departure airport and
on the computer. Simultaneously, another travelling on
the ramp agent will be completing the flight
paperwork which details the
passenger breakdown including any
empty seats as well as the number of
bags in the hold. This documentation
will be handed over to the aircraft’s FAR LEFT: The form
cabin manager. is one of the final
tasks before the
Time to board doors can be closed
and the aircraft is
Very shortly afterwards, the flight there are many different varieties, is
It is now the end of the eight-minute able to push back crew will ask for the doors to be armed disconnected the ramp agent will take
window and there should be around 17 by the cabin crew. Meanwhile, the the pin out of the nose gear which
minutes until the scheduled departure ramp agent will have put a headset enabled the tug to steer the aircraft.
time. If there are any PRMs then it is on which is connected to the aircraft This pin will be shown to the flight
at this point that these passengers will enabling two-way conversation with crew to indicate they have control over
board, be that by airbridge, aircraft the flight deck. Once the ramp agent the steering and are therefore able to
stairs or ambulift. After this, the ramp has informed the captain that the taxi. If they haven’t already, the flight
agent will call for the remainder of aircraft is ready for departure, air traffic crew will then request taxi instructions
the passengers waiting to board control will be contacted to request towards the runway for what everyone
the aircraft. engine start, push (if required) and the hopes will be an on-time departure.
Once boarding is complete, again anti-collision lights will be turned on Aircraft turnarounds are a hugely
with a target time of just ten minutes to warn that the aircraft is now ‘live’. intricate dance between many
(leaving just seven minutes to LEFT: To maximise The time to departure can now be different organisations, many of whom
safety, this form must
departure) the ramp agent will hand be completed by measured in seconds. are being pulled in different directions
the fully completed load sheet to the the cabin manager Once permission is received, it will for various flights around the airfield.
captain to check for errors. They’ll before the aircraft be relayed to the ramp agent who In the process detailed above, around
sign copies for both parties with one steps are removed will initiate the pushback, hopefully 300 passengers will have been
staying on board while the other is bang on time. This ‘off blocks’ time processed, the aircraft will have been
held by the handling agent at the is the scheduled departure for the emptied of various sorts of waste and
FAR LEFT: While many
departure point. legacy carriers flight. The pushback procedure means refilled with anything from catering to
Before the ramp agent leaves the use airbridges, it is yet another person is involved and thousands of pounds of aviation fuel.
aircraft, the cabin manager will sign common for budget operating a resource that is likely in To top it off, this will happen come
operators to use
a permit to remove the steps and/ mobile steps or stairs
great demand. As a result, it is critical rain or shine and all in the space of
or airbridge. This simply means they built into the aircraft that this is ordered by the ramp agent around 40 minutes. What makes it so
have authorised their withdrawal at the correct time. Too soon and it incredible is that this isn’t a one-off
to ensure maximum safety when As the Airbus heads may be called away to push another exercise. The many men and women
closing the door(s) in preparation for for the runway, the waiting aircraft meaning you may involved in this process will soon
departure. By this stage, most of the attention of the miss your slot; too late could bring the move over to their next flight and do it
airport team soon all over again – they really are unsung
ground equipment should be a safe same end result.
turns to the next
distance from the aircraft. inbound aircraft Once the pushback vehicle, of which heroes of our industry.
www.key.aero 31
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201/23
VICKERS’ TURBINE REVOLUTION
It’s 70 years since the Vickers Viscount operated its inaugural service. In the first of
a three-part series, Bob O’Brien profiles one of the most popular first-generation
turboprop airliners in service with leading operator British European Airways
A prototype Viscount seen leaving

Northolt for Paris/Le Bourget on
July 29, 1950, during pre-delivery
trials with BEA. This is widely
regarded as the first turbine-
powered commercial air service
EDWARD G MALINDINE/TOPICAL PRESS
AGENCY/GETTY IMAGES

ith the end of World white paper that called for full
W War Two in 1945, the

British government
turned its attention
to rebuilding the
country’s peacetime economy. For
many of those in power, at least part
of the answer lay in expanding the
nationalisation of Britain’s airlines
and the creation of three separation
corporations: BOAC, British South
American Airways (BSAA) for routes
across the South Atlantic and British
European Airways (BEA) for the
European and home market. The last
role of commercial aviation, which of these was officially established
had all but stalled during the war. on August 1, 1946, and split in two
The pioneering Imperial Airways had – a continental division based at
played a crucial role during the pre- London’s Northolt airport and a
war years in building and maintaining domestic arm out of Liverpool/Speke.
a vast international network to feed Initially, the new carrier’s fleet
the British Empire, but had yielded consisted of a mismatch of propliners,
little influence beyond this and lagged including Douglas DC-3s, Vickers
behind its European competitors. Vikings, de Havilland DH-89 Dragon
Recognising this, moves had already Rapides and even Junkers Ju-
been made to rationalise the industry, 52/3M trimotors inherited
including the creation of the first from Railway Air Services.
iteration of British Airways in 1935 to Though not exactly cutting
serve the short-haul and domestic edge, they were sufficient
market, and the subsequent to get BEA off the ground.
merger of it and Imperial into the However, the fledgling
new British Overseas Airways carrier was keen to embrace
Corporation (BOAC) in 1939. more modern technology,
Plans for a more rigorous so in September 1948
overhaul came in a 1945 it placed a £3 million
A 1950s-vintage BEA advert extolling

the virtues of the new Viscount 800
BOB O'BRIEN COLLECTION
www.key.aero 35
A striking air-to-air study of
Viscount 802 G-AOJA (c/n 150),
likely taken in 1957, shortly
before delivery to BEA
MUSEUM OF FLIGHT/CORBIS/CORBIS
VIA GETTY IMAGES
order – a British record at the seven, including two medium-sized,

time – with the Airspeed Company short-to-medium haul airliners to
for 20 AS.57 Ambassadors. replace the DC-3, one powered by
Known in BEA service as the conventional piston engines (Type
Elizabethan, the new arrival proved IIA – for which the Ambassador
popular with passengers due to was selected) and the other by gas
its luxurious 47-seat, two-by-two turbines (Type IIB). Vickers Armstrong
layout. More importantly, its high won out on the latter, its VC-2
cruising speed gave the airline a Viceroy project seeing off Armstrong
competitive edge over its rivals and, Whitworth’s AW-55 Apollo.
by 1955, each of its Ambassadors The V.609 Viscount, as the winning
were flying 2,230 hours per year, design was renamed, was configured
the highest of BEA’s fleet. to carry 32 passengers – four more
than the original concept – and was
The Viscount era able to fly up to 1,200nm at 20,000ft.
Britain’s post-war push for commercial Its chosen powerplant also changed
aviation also extended to aircraft, from the Armstrong Siddeley Mamba
with Lord Brabazon tasked in 1942 to to the lighter Rolls-Royce Dart.
establish a committee to consider the The prototype, G-AHRF (c/n 001),
future needs of the nation’s airlines. successfully completed its 20-minute
It’s interim report, published a year maiden flight from Wisley under the
later, recommended adapting for civil command of Joe ‘Mutt’ Summers
use four military types already in or on July 16, 1948. Full certification
near production, and the design of five followed on July 27, 1950, paving
new models specifically for civil use. the way for pre-delivery trials with
The final report came in 1945 BEA. The flight between Northolt
and expanded the new models to and Paris/Le Bourget two days later
ABOVE: BOB O'BRIEN

COLLECTION
RIGHT: G-ALWE (c/n

004) is watched by
the press at the 1951
Farnborough Air
Show. This aircraft
was written off five
years later after
suffering a flap
failure on approach
to Manchester
GREAVES/ DAILY HERALD/
MIRRORPIX VIA GETTY
IMAGES
LEFT: Holidaymakers
queue at Elmdon in
July 1961 to board
a BEA flight to
sunny Guernsey
COVENTRY TELEGRAPH
ARCHIVE/MIRRORPIX VIA
GETTY IMAGES

is widely considered to be the
world’s first scheduled commercial
turbine-powered service.
Into Service
With its large cabin windows, fast
cruising speed and a smooth,
vibration-free ride, the Viscount
proved to be an instant hit with crew
and passengers alike. However, it
was considered to be too small for
BEA’s needs, so the carrier placed
an order for 20 of the stretched
700 series, later increased to 26.
ABOVE: The
The type officially entered service on Viscounts ended up
April 2, 1953, with Dart 505-powered wearing an array of
G-AMOG (c/n 007) substituting for different markings
BEA’s regular DC-3 freighter on the during their time
with the carrier,
multi-sector route from Northolt including BEA
to Nicosia via Rome and Athens. Scottish Airways,
Within three months, Viscounts one of ten divisions
created in 1971
were also in use on flights to Zurich,
BOB O'BRIEN
Copenhagen and Stockholm. COLLECTION
The turboprop had an immediate
impact, spearheading a revolution RIGHT: During the
that saw load factors on BEA’s Viscount's final
days with BEA
Viscount-operated services rise
and then British
almost universally as passengers Airways, the
switched from the piston-powered type was largely
types flown by rival airlines. It was consigned to
secondary routes
warmly welcomed by domestic or farmed out
customers when it started appearing to associates
on the London-Glasgow route on such as Cardiff-
an ad-hoc basis from July 1953, the headquartered
Cambrian Airways
carrier upgrading this to the all-first- BOB O'BRIEN
class Clansman service that October, COLLECTION
swiftly followed by the aptly named
Chieftain and Ulster Flyer services to RIGHT: Four
Edinburgh and Belfast respectively. Viscounts bask
in the sunshine
Such was the success of BEA’s at London Airport
Viscount operation, the airline awaiting their next
was soon in discussion with the departures
BOB O'BRIEN
manufacturer for a larger version, the
COLLECTION
series 800, which could carry 66
www.key.aero 37
passengers in a standard layout. This and Cambridge, before being
could be increased to 86 in an all-
‘With its large cabin sold off to other airlines,
economy configuration, deemed ideal windows, fast cruising including VASP of Brazil,
for the carrier’s high-density trunk Cambrian Airways and
routes to Europe and into Scotland speed and a smooth, Channel Airways of
and Northern Ireland. An order for 12 Southend. The last
aircraft, designated the V.802, came
vibration-free ride, the of these leased its
in February 1954, with a follow-up Viscount proved to be new acquisitions to
for an additional ten in May 1955. a variety of high-
an instant hit with crew profile operators,
Bigger and better and passengers alike...’ such as British Eagle
The British carrier achieved a major and Bahamas Airways
milestone on January 18, 1956, to facilitate speedier turnarounds. in the Caribbean.
when it carried its one millionth This revised configuration later Back at BEA, six of its V.806s
Viscount passenger, cementing found its way onto UK regional and were next in line for an upgrade,
the aircraft as the workhorse of domestic services, including many gaining new interiors and uprated
the fleet. This prompted an order of those to the Channel Islands. Dart 510s. However, the Viscount was
for 19 V.806s with a two-class no longer cutting edge and with the
cabin and a galley in the rear. End of an era first jet-powered Hawker Siddeley
The first of the 800 series, G-AOJA With an increasing number of 121 Tridents coming on strength,
(c/n 150) RMA Sir Samuel White Baker, Viscount 800s in its fleet, BEA started the turboprop was demoted to
arrived at BEA’s London Airport base making plans for the withdrawal of its secondary routes and 14 examples
in early 1957, enabling the carrier to original 701s, though their retirement were farmed out to British Air Services
start modifying some of its original was ultimately put on hold due to (BAS), established by BEA as the holding
700 series examples (known in BEA delivery delays with the new Vickers company for its subsidiaries Cambrian
service as the 701) for use on the Vanguard. They eventually bowed Airways and BKS Air Transport (later
West Berlin-based Internal German out in early 1962, the final example renamed Northeast Airlines). Meanwhile,
Air Services (IGAS). Changes included leaving the fleet on March 31, by the remaining V.701s were parted out
an upgraded flight deck enabling which time the type had transported to support the airworthy examples.
two-crew operation – the radio officer more than six million passengers.
position had already been removed Fortunately, it wasn’t quite the end of All change
on the 800 series – together with the line for BEA’s venerable Viscount On April 1, 1971, BEA underwent a
reconfigured 60-63 seat cabins, 701s. With plenty of life left in the significant reorganisation under the
a new galley and the addition of well-maintained fleet, they were direction of chairman Henry Marking.
airstairs on the forward portside door initially placed into storage in London This saw the airline divided up into
ABOVE: Originally delivered in 1958, V.806 G-AOYM (c/n 262) is seen in the final livery worn by the then British Airways Viscount fleet. Gone were
the Discovery Class names, but in their place the iconic Speedbird logo inherited from BOAC during its merger with BEA BOB O'BRIEN COLLECTION

RIGHT: As the
flagship of Racing pedigree
the BEA fleet,
the Viscount Arguably one of the most famous
featured trips undertaken by the Viscount
prominently in was the participation of 700 series
promotional prototype G-AMAV (c/n 003) in the 1953
artwork. It is
London to Christchurch Air Race.
seen here on
a ticket wallet The aircraft embarked on its epic voyage
alongside in October 1953, resplendent in BEA’s
an Airspeed silver and red livery and proudly carrying
Ambassador the name RMA Endeavour on its nose and
BOB O'BRIEN
the racing number 23 on its tailfin. It was
COLLECTION
flown by a mainline crew and averaged
LEFT: Branded 320mph across the arduous 12,500-mile
by the airline as journey, including refuelling stops in Bahrain,
the Discovery Ceylon, Cocos Islands and Melbourne.
Class, BEA's
The Viscount crossed the finishing line
early Viscounts
all carried the with an elapsed time of 40hrs 45mins,
names of famous ten divisions – each a profit centre in Airways and the Channel Islands some nine hours ahead of its closest
explorers such as its own right – to help stem losses. division lasted for another two years rival, a KLM DC-6A, though the latter won
‘James Cook’, worn the category by virtue of its handicap.
here by G-AMNZ
The Viscounts were split across two until April 1,1976, when the original
of these new groups: the Glasgow- constituent partners ceased to exist Nevertheless, the race generated much
(c/n 020)
SSPL VIA GETTY IMAGES headquartered Scottish Airways and were rolled into the newly formed publicity for the aircraft, which enjoyed
a slightly more leisurely return to the UK
division and the Channel Islands British Airways Regional division.
(incorporating several demonstration flights)
Airways offshoot based between Notably, each of these offshoots
via Australia, Singapore, India and Cyprus.
Birmingham and Jersey. One aircraft was originally envisioned to have its
LEFT: The distinctive from the latter was also rotated out own colours, but ultimately only the
Viscount planform to Gibraltar Airways, with a second yellow and orange of Northeast and within Scotland, but sadly this too
is instantly
providing maintenance cover. Cambrian ever saw the light of day. came to a close on May 8, 1982,
recognisable on
this BEA artwork This changed again in March 1974, Initially, this reshuffle did little to when G-AOYM (c/n 262) operated
BOB O'BRIEN with the creation of British Airways impact the Viscount fleet, the aircraft flight BA5721 from Sumburgh to
COLLECTION through the merger of BEA and soldiering on as before, but now Glasgow via Kirkwall and Inverness.
BELOW: A busy
BOAC. The Vickers turboprops were operated by crews working under far The Viscount’s retirement was the
scene at London given a new lease of life and smart superior British Airways contracts. end of an era. During almost 30
Airport as V.802 new livery, still carrying the names of This came to an end when the new years of service, BEA, its offshoots
G-AORD (c/n 171) their respective regional divisions in flag carrier announced a number of and its successor operated 79
‘RMA Arthur Phillip’
is readied for its small letters by the front passenger cost-cutting measures, including the examples of different variants,
next departure doors and with large titles of their withdrawal of most of its V.802s at the cementing it’s place as one of the
BOB O'BRIEN new operator on the upper fuselage. end of March 1980. This left a small most successful first-generation
COLLECTION number of V.806s plying their trade
Cambrian, Northeast, Scottish post-war transports.
www.key.aero 39
GLOBAL AIRPORT
Expert
analysis
from
Cirium
CAPACITY IN FOCUS
A
In our latest s we move through the
first quarter of 2023
their scheduled services to
the hub. German aviation
check-in with and continue to see

increased confidence
behemoth Lufthansa
Group will also be 27%
in international travel, smaller this quarter,
aviation data published flight schedules show some in terms of scheduled
notable capacity trends emerging. seats, than it was
analytics firm For example, London/Heathrow, pre-pandemic.
Europe’s busiest airport before the It isn’t all
Cirium, we pandemic, is edging closer to full downhill
recovery in terms of flight activity, with though.
examine the Q1 seat counts showing a decline of
around 5% compared to the same
The largest
Western
uneven return period in 2019, roughly in line with
the shortfall at Stansted and Luton. In
European
airport market
of airports to contrast, Gatwick’s Q1 seat capacity
is still down 17% when compared
that’s busier
now than in
pre-pandemic to Q1 2019, indicating that the West

Sussex gateway still has some way
2019 is Lisbon,
with scheduled
capacity levels to go to recover lost ground. seats up 12% in the

first quarter. Other
Continental context notable airports with
In general, Western Europe’s major an increase include
Munich has been slower
to return to pre-pandemic hub airports are still quieter than they Dublin, Paris/Orly, Athens
capacity compared to were four years ago. Paris/Charles and Malaga. However,
some of its rivals de Gaulle’s seats are down 13% and these are exceptions and
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
MARKUS MAINKA
Amsterdam 17%, but leading the data shows that the majority
decline is Frankfurt which has seen of Europe’s top airports
a steep capacity decline of nearly a have yet to recover to their
quarter (23%). This is in part due to pre-Covid capacity levels.
several leading low-cost carriers, If we compare the situation
including Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz in Western Europe to what
Air, leaving the city’s main airport and is happening in Istanbul,
Air China and Aeroflot (not surprisingly Turkey’s aviation sector is
given the war in Ukraine) dropping enjoying positive growth,

with the city’s relatively new main this quarter is down 41% when and New Zealand, which together
airport up 11% in seat capacity compared to Q1 2019. This is partly are down 16% in seats and 8% in
this quarter versus Q1 2019. influenced by China, which is flights, due in part to high service
Seats at Istanbul/Sabiha Gökçen, suddenly reopening and likely to see levels to Asian markets which have
the city’s secondary air gateway, are significant schedule enhancements typically been slower to recover.
also up 2%, with the site benefitting as demand returns, especially for Interestingly, the dynamic Middle Expert
from the growth of Turkish Airlines long-haul flights. Indeed, Q1 2023 Eastern airline market has not quite analysis
and Pegasus. Turkey’s large tourist schedules for China show outbound recovered from the crisis, with from
sector and advantages linked to and inbound capacity have both more seats in the region still down by Cirium
increased economic ties with than doubled when compared to around 4%. That is largely because
Russia are also factors. Q1 2022, albeit both are still around of double-digit contraction at
82% below pre-pandemic levels. leading Gulf carriers Emirates, Qatar
Further afield Japan also follows this trajectory Airways and Etihad – all impacted by
Meanwhile, across the with long-haul flights still down exposure to Asian hubs such as Hong
Atlantic, the opening quarter sharply (29%) when compared to Kong and Shanghai. On the other
of 2023 saw a drop in pre-crisis figures. We see a similar hand, local and foreign low-cost
regional flying, with US picture across the wider region, carriers are growing aggressively
airlines scheduled with the decline for South Korea throughout the Middle East, led
to fly 3% more at 14% and Singapore at 9%. by flydubai, Saudia’s subsidiary
domestic seats India’s airline market is also seeing flyadeal, Wizz Air and IndiGo.
than they did positive uplift and is roughly back Taking a broader view of the world’s
in Q1 2019, but to where it was four years ago, with 100 busiest airports by seats in Q1 of
operating 10% fewer Q1 seats up 1%, while the number 2023, it is Austin in Texas that is the
flights. This largely of flights is down a mere 1%. The growth leader relative to the same
reflects a dramatic domestic market seat count is up period in 2019, with seat counts up a
reduction in regional 5%, with IndiGo Airways – which staggering 49%. This is partly attributable
flying, highlighted by a dominates intra-India aviation – to Virgin Atlantic’s recent entry into
17% drop for flights on accounting for more than half of all the market, following the launch of
routes of less than 600 seats and projected to grow capacity British Airways to the city ten years
miles, perhaps because by 31% above its 2019 levels this ago. In terms of growth, Austin is
sustainability continues to quarter. By contrast, rivals such as Air followed by airports in Cancun, Cairo,
sit at the top of the agenda. India and SpiceJet remain significantly Bogota, Denver and Las Vegas.
There is further evidence down in capacity. Also influencing On the other end of the scale, Hong
of a shift to more reliance on the data is the disappearance of Kong remains at the bottom, with
mainline flying when looking Jet Airways, which was a major scheduled seats down a massive 63%
at the average number of seats player as recently as 2019. from the pre-pandemic era. Outside of
per departure. In Q1 2019, the Moving across to the southern Asia, Munich has the steepest decline
average number of seats sat at 167, hemisphere, Latin America is showing (down 30%) among the world’s top
compared to 177 in Q1 of 2023. strong recovery with Q1 seats up 100 airports. How this picture will
On the other hand, East Asia has 7% from 2019, but on 4% fewer develop over 2023 remains to be seen,
seen a significant loss of long-haul flights. Meanwhile, in Africa flight but the landscape is dynamic, with
flying and, looking at routes longer levels are up 3% compared to pre- multiple factors affecting seat capacity
than 3,000 miles, the number of pandemic, with seats also up 2%. The and market growth.
flights from the region’s airports situation is less upbeat in Australia For more insight visit cirium.com
www.key.aero 41
British Airways' mainline
division provides long-
haul services to leisure
destinations
ALL IMAGES LONDON
GATWICK AIRPORT
UNLESS STATED

THE CAPITAL’S COMEBACK
KING
Few airports in the UK
had as rough a ride
during the pandemic as
Gatwick. Martyn Cartledge
assesses recent events
at the London gateway
before considering what
the future may hold
D
escribing a situation
as unprecedented has
become a cliché, but few
would argue that it’s a
fitting description for the
events of early 2020. Within a few days,
airport terminals around the world
emptied while the ramps outside filled
up with aircraft with nowhere to go.
London/Gatwick was certainly no
exception to this. The airport slashed
its opening hours – except for
emergency landings – with the few
remaining passengers being funnelled
through a single terminal. Airport staff
were laid off or furloughed, with a
similar situation at many airlines and
other partner organisations. Speaking
at the time, Stewart Wingate, the
chief executive of the airport, said:
“Significantly reduced passenger
numbers are likely to be sustained, at
least in the short to medium term, and
I need to prepare people for the news
that other serious measures are likely.”
The outbreak took the wind out the
sails of Gatwick. Pre-crisis passenger
numbers were at a record high of
46 million per year – a figure that is
all the more impressive when one
www.key.aero 43
considers that all departures and
arrivals used a single runway, albeit
one that had been extended a number
of times since the reopening of the
airport in 1958 by Queen Elizabeth II.
A two-and-a-half year construction
project transformed the site from a
wartime RAF night-fighter base into
a world-class commercial airport
befitting the upcoming jet age.
Pandemic perseverance
Passenger numbers during the height
of the COVID-19 crisis were 80%
down, with the airport reporting an
eyewatering loss of £465.5m in the
year ending December 31, 2020.
That said, Gatwick management
were always confident that the
gateway would make it through.
To this end, the strategy to
navigate the pandemic was started
quickly, but not without some pain.
A major restructuring saw the loss
of nearly 25% of positions across
the business. Moreover, the airport
owners took on further debt in
the form of a £300m bank loan, in
addition to a further £250m from
the Bank of England’s COVID-19
corporate financing facility. Gatwick
received no government grants.
Unsurprisingly given the wholesale
collapse in air traffic, there was
only justification for the use of one
terminal. Initially, scheduled flights
were limited to between 1400hrs
and 2200hrs and operated solely
“This was quite an achievement as the airport
from the South Terminal from April went from approximately 300 flights a day to
1, 2020. There wasn’t much traffic
to talk about, as the vast majority of operating around 570 services – the equivalent
airlines stopped operating during a
particularly dark period at the start of
of opening a medium-sized airport overnight...”
the outbreak. Ryanair was one of the
few carriers to continue to operate
flights, with lifeline connections to
Dublin maintained throughout.
A switch was made to operate solely
from the North Terminal from June
15, 2020, when easyJet resumed a
skeleton operation. As the airport’s
biggest operator by some margin, it
made sense to have activities based
around their core infrastructure.
Despite a lowly trickle of passengers,
Gatwick management attempted to
keep vital networks and infrastructure
active by charging a minimum
ABOVE: How the South Terminal's once busy check-in hall looked during the shutdown HALOVUE
service fee. The theory was that this RIGHT: This aerial view shows the huge number of aircraft parked at Gatwick during the height
would help the complex to bounce of the pandemic HALOVUE
back quickly when (rather than if) BELOW: An overview of the Gatwick site
COPYRIGHT 2023 JEPPESEN/ NAVIGRAPH CHARTS.
passenger numbers picked up again.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NOT FOR OPERATIONAL USE
The downtime was not wasted. Many
of the airport’s concession partners,
including shops, cafes and bars, spent
months refurbishing, cleaning and
updating facilities and equipment
ahead of a revival in air traffic. While
many investment projects were put
on hold, some major schemes – such
as the redevelopment of the airport’s
mainline railway station – actually
benefited from the pandemic because
the reduced passenger footfall
kept disruption to a minimum.

With an increase in traffic and
passenger numbers exceeding
one million, the end of 2021 was
an encouraging one for Gatwick.
Despite reporting an annual loss
of £370.6 million, the decision was
made to reopen the South Terminal
from March 27, 2022. This was quite
an achievement as the airport went
from approximately 300 flights
a day to operating around 570
services – the equivalent of opening
a medium-sized airport overnight.
Technological legacy
All around the airport, new
processes and technology were
ABOVE: EasyJet is
easily the airport's being implemented, something
largest airline that would have been much more
customer by difficult with pre-crisis traffic loads.
departures and
While devastating for the airport’s
passengers carried
HALOVUE traffic figures, the pandemic was
a catalyst that saw new plans
LEFT: Gatwick's developed which have delivered
air bridge allows
taxiing aircraft
novel and sustainable solutions.
to safely pass One of these was in direct response
underneath to the virus, but there’s no doubt it will
have a positive lasting effect. Gatwick
became the first airport in the United
Kingdom to install UV treatment
RIGHT: Major efforts of security trays. As the containers
have been made
in recent years pass through a covered tunnel
to upgrade the fixed underneath the hand luggage
passenger-facing screening system, each is subjected to
spaces within
enough UV light energy to guarantee
the terminals
a 99.9% microbe disinfection rate. This
helps to reduce the spread of viruses
and other infections in one of the
airport’s high-touch surface areas.
Adrian Witherow, chief operating
officer at Gatwick, reported at
the time that the new system has
“proven itself to be extremely reliable
and provides a really high degree
of reassurance, as every single
passenger and staff member using
the system will have a tray that
has only just been disinfected.”
Meanwhile, out on the ramp,
sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
was introduced for the first time
at Gatwick in October 2021. This
was made possible through a
collaboration between the airport
and its partners, Q8 Aviation, easyJet
and Neste. A percentage of SAF
blend will be used by easyJet on
its flights out of the West Sussex
site following the installation of an
electric hydrant dispenser provided
by World Fuel Services – a UK first.
Other hi-tech innovations include a
new handheld digital platform aimed
at transforming aircraft turnarounds.
It allows ground handlers to update
air traffic controllers direct from the
apron in real-time about the status of
baggage loading, refuelling or other
critical aircraft preparations. The
goal is to provide ground controllers
and apron control with a more
accurate departure or ‘target off-
block time’ (TOBT) to feed into the
airport’s overall flying programme
When optimised, the end result
www.key.aero 45
Norse Atlantic is
ramping up its
schedule from
Gatwick for 2023
with new routes
to Los Angeles,
San Francisco and
Washington DC
is a reduction in both delays and

unnecessary fuel burn on the ground.
Further improvements to the airport
infrastructure came in late 2022, with
the resurfacing of the main runway, a
project delayed from 2020. This saw
a break from traditional methods, by
resurfacing only the most ‘trafficked’
parts of its main runway, where aircraft
typically land and exit. The remainder
was shown to still have between
seven and ten years of expected life.
In addition, a resurfacing technique
was developed that moved away
from the normal process of replacing
sections of the runway. Instead of
two layers laid over two nights, both
layers were able to be applied in ABOVE: An overview of how a dual-runway operation is expected to work
a single night. This not only saved RIGHT: Gatwick is one of the busiest single-runway airports anywhere in the world JEFFREY MILSTEIN
BELOW: Emirates is the only scheduled Airbus A380 operator at the hub
time but also money. The approach
saw 40,000 tonnes of asphalt laid –
100,000 tonnes less than normally
used when resurfacing the main
runway. This meant the project could
be completed in just six months for
half the normal time and cost.
Reflecting on the technique,
Alasdair Scobie, Gatwick’s capital
delivery director, said: “The pandemic
gave us the time and reason to
rethink our original design. We
think we have achieved the best
balance possible between cost,
operational constraints and durability,
while reducing the environmental
impact of construction.”
Runway revolution?
One of the biggest projects planned
– and one certainly with a view to
growth – is the Northern Runway
project. Technically speaking, Gatwick
has always had two runways, although
the northerly strip 26R/08L is not
in routine use and is too close to its

southerly counterpart to be used
simultaneously. As such, it is only
in operation as a taxiway or when
the main runway is out of action.
The plan is for this to change.
The existing southerly runway 26L/08R
will still be used for all arrivals and heavy
departures, however the proposal is to
move the centreline of the northern
strip by 12 metres. The result will be
JetBlue use
that the airfield meets global safety
narrowbody Airbus
A321LRs to serve standards for dual-runway departures.
transatlantic destinations However, it won’t be a free for all – the
from Gatwick JETBLUE ‘new’ runway will only be used for
aircraft up to the Boeing 737 and Airbus
A320 in size, with anything larger still
needing to use the current set-up.
This new strategy will considerably
increase the volume of traffic
available, although simultaneous
operations would not be possible. For
maximum efficiency while maintaining
safety, it’s proposed that an aircraft
lines up on the northern runway
and be cleared for take-off once the
arriving aircraft has landed on the
southern strip. The next departure can
The North and South
Terminals are connected be lined up while the landing aircraft
by a passenger shuttle is cleared into the terminal area ready
for the process to start over again.
The plans also include the
development of supporting
infrastructure and facilities. In the
pipeline are road improvements, a
new pier of aircraft stands, additional
parking and hotels, and upgrades
to the existing terminal buildings.
In terms of raw numbers, the
proposed dual-runway operation is
forecast to increase passenger traffic
to 75 million by 2038, with new global
connections expected and airfield
resilience improved. Airport bosses
also predict that cargo volume will
more than double from 150,000
tonnes in 2019/2020 to 350,000
tonnes by 2047, driven primarily
by expected growth in long-haul
services. Asia and the Middle East
are seen as providing a significant
chunk of this freight expansion. It’s
said that all of this will be possible
without the need for any major
investment in ground infrastructure
as Gatwick’s existing cargo facility
of approximately ten hectares,
including 250,000sq ft of freight
sheds, is expected to be sufficient
to accommodate any increase.
Despite the impressive numbers
and slick marketing materials, not
everyone is happy with the plans.
As one campaigner against the
project told BBC News: "This is a
second runway by the back door
and it comes with no compensation.
It comes with nothing to appease
the huge increase in flights.”
An agreement signed by BAA (the
former operators of Gatwick) in 1979
to not build a second runway expired
in 2019, opening the door to possible
expansion. With the pandemic firmly
in the rearview mirror, the next step
is for the application to be submitted
www.key.aero 47
to the Planning Inspectorate, which
is expected to happen in spring 2023.
Even with the expiration of the 1979
agreement, this is far from a done deal
and there are likely more challenges to
be overcome and unexpected twists
before the project comes to fruition.
Laying new routes

The airport is still growing, even
with just the one operational
runway. Before the pandemic, the
ability to obtain slots at congested
airports in and around London was,
at best, difficult. However, with
airlines failing and others modifying
their schedules, there have been
opportunities for crafty carriers to
stake a claim for permanent slots. Norwegian) Asia has also been a focus. For its part, British Airways will ABOVE: Air India
The vast majority of the airlines In April 2022, Singapore Airlines’ low- operate new routes to Vancouver, is gearing up for
previously operating at Gatwick have cost subsidiary Scoot started a service Georgetown and Las Vegas this major expansion
returned, with some such as Wizz Air to Bangkok, with onward connection summer, complementing its existing at Gatwick over
the coming months
having increased their net total with to the Lion City, using Boeing 787s. long-haul services. The company’s MARTYN CARTLEDGE
18 new routes. Elsewhere, Vueling will However this was relatively shortlived, short-haul brand – BA Euroflyer
operate 12 (up five) routes to Europe being suspended later that year. – has already started operations
this summer, while easyJet – easily There was better news from (see page 90 for a full report).
Gatwick’s biggest airline – has also Vietnam, as in October 2022 Bamboo When combined, these new
taken up more slots and is planning its Airways increased its footprint at and returning services will bring
busiest ever schedule from the airport. Gatwick with the addition of a 787-9 Gatwick to almost 90% of the
And it isn’t just established players service to the Vietnamese capital, destinations served pre-pandemic.
reintroducing former routes. New Hanoi. A route to Ho Chi Minh City The return in demand for air services
York’s self-proclaimed ‘hometown was added two months later as the at much higher levels than predicted by
carrier’ JetBlue launched flights budget operator shifted its London the likes of IATA/ICAO has created well-
with A321LRs from Gatwick (in operations from Heathrow. documented problems at many airports,
addition to Heathrow) to the Big While Gatwick’s direct Chinese links including Heathrow and Amsterdam.
Apple in September 2021, with have yet to return, industry analysts At Gatwick, they made early decisions
Boston following suit last August. suggest this is more to do with the to limit the impact by implementing a
The former is due to go double-daily Asian country’s slow reopening to the flight cap throughout July and August.
in the final quarter of the year. world rather than a specific problem This was, in the main, fairly successful,
Just over a week after JetBlue’s in West Sussex. With the recent lifting although due to resourcing issues
inaugural flight, Norse Atlantic Airways of travel restrictions from mainland there were queues at peak times.
started their own service to JFK. In China, it is possible that Chinese Although the recovery is by no
February, the low-cost, long-haul operators will be back before the end means complete, giant strides have
operator announced a wave of new of the year, if not for summer 2024. been made. In 2022, Gatwick served
transatlantic links for 2023, including Other route highlights for this year 32.8 million passengers, representing
San Francisco, Washington DC and include a newly galvanised Air India 71% of 2019 numbers. This marks a BELOW: If the plans
Los Angeles. It was earlier reported with services to Goa, Ahmedabad, huge improvement on the 6.3 million are approved,
that Norse could base up to eight of Amritsar and Kochi, again utilising the who passed through the doors in the distance
separating the
its Boeing 787 Dreamliners at Gatwick Boeing 787. Delta also returned to the 2021. While the skies above Gatwick existing runways
should the routes perform well. airport with a daily flight to New York might not be completely blue, the will be increased
In addition to the restoration of links (the airport’s fourth), while Lufthansa forecast is that the worst of the storm to comply with
to North America (including, but not makes its return with a new double- has passed and that things are international
safety regulations
limited to, those previously served by daily Frankfurt link. definitely brightening up.

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RYAN PATTERSON

www.key.aero 51
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121/23
MALTA
MAKES ITS MARK
Tom Batchelor speaks to key players from the blossoming Maltese civil aviation scene to
discover some of the secrets behind its recent success
D
espite being a relatively a true aviation powerhouse with Malta Air, not to be and for good reason,” Transport
small nation in the a string of well-known European confused with Air Minister Aaron Farrugia told Airliner
Malta, was launched
Mediterranean, Malta has firms establishing subsidiaries on in 2019 and has been
World. “The aviation industry has
long been associated with the island. To support them is a growing rapidly in the been growing steadily with a solid
global transportation. growing ecosystem of aircraft, crew, post-pandemic era legal foundation.
Initially, these were lifeline sea-based maintenance and insurance (ACMI) AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/ “Malta’s benefits to the aviation
ALEX PEAKE
links to ensure steady access to providers, MROs and other services. industry are mainly geographical,
international markets for its people The arrival of Ryanair, Wizz Air and reputational and financial.”
and products. The country’s shipping Eurowings has propelled Malta up
register growth over the last five the leaderboard, ensuring it punches Ryanair registration
decades has made Malta one of the well above its weight when it comes The vast majority of aircraft under
major maritime players, and replicating to its position within the international Malta's aircraft registration country
this within the aviation sector seemed aviation industry. Although in terms code ‘9H’ are operated by subsidiaries
to many like a natural step to follow. of seat capacity, Malta is only the of foreign airlines. Ryanair announced
Air transport has played a continent's 28th biggest market, in 2019 that it was acquiring Malta
fundamental role in allowing the according to CAPA – Centre for Air, a Maltese startup airline, and
country to connect with the rest of Aviation – it is number one when moving aircraft from France, Italy and
Europe and beyond, yet it is more it comes to seats per head of the Germany on to the new Maltese air
than just its geographical location population. Malta has 115.8 fleet seats operator's certificate (AOC).
that has put Malta at the centre of the per 1,000 of population, compared The Irish low-cost carrier said the
continent’s aviation map. Tax rules, with a European average of just 1.3. transfer would enable it to grow its
European Union membership and The island country is also Europe's “already sizable presence in Malta” and
lower registration costs tell some, eighth biggest market by fleet size. more easily access non-EU markets
but not all of the story. Recent years “Malta is being regarded by industry including North Africa under the
have seen Malta transformed into experts as a powerhouse in the sector, Ryanair brand. Lauda Europe, which
www.key.aero 53
“We are expecting this airline will register a substantial
amount of aircraft in our country, further increasing the
number of our already strong 9H fleet...”
also operates on behalf of parent improved connectivity across Europe,” ABOVE: Wizz Air also had an A380 in its fleet before it
company Ryanair, received a Maltese Carlo Micallef, CEO of the Malta Malta is one of the was retired during the pandemic.
newest entrants to
AOC in 2020. Tourism Authority, added: “Following the nation's roster of
Elsewhere, Corendon Airlines Europe
Ryanair has continued to expand its a successful 2022, which saw tourism local operators. The – a subsidiary of the Turkish leisure
presence and plans its biggest ever recover to 2.3 million arrivals in a subsidiary launched airline – was established in 2017
Malta schedule for the summer of year which had commenced facing its first flight last year and flies 14 Boeing 737-800 aircraft
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
2023. Between them, Ryanair and the challenges and restrictions of 4X6ZK-MONI SHAFIR under the Maltese flag. Fellow Turkish
Malta Air will operate more than 470 the Omicron variant, we are looking carrier Freebird Airlines inaugurated
weekly flights to and from the country forward to an even stronger recovery its Maltese subsidiary, Freebird Airlines
(26% growth compared with summer during 2023, which should get us Europe, in 2019 with an Airbus
2022), with six aircraft physically based very close to 2019 record results. This A320 aircraft in order to gain better
BELOW: Lufthansa
on the island (four of which are Boeing positive attitude is underpinned by Technik Malta access to the European market. The
737-8200 ‘Gamechanger’ aircraft – strong airline capacity increases both launched in 2003 as carrier now operates three of the
otherwise known as the 737 MAX). in terms of numbers of routes and in a Lufthansa Technik narrowbodies on charter services
The carrier's 66 routes to and from terms of frequencies.” (92%) and Air Malta to European and North
(8%) joint venture
Malta include new connections LUFTHANSA TECHNIK African destinations
to Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden, East Widebody appeal MALTA from German cities
Midlands, Memmingen and Stockholm. Portuguese charter airline Hi Fly
Malta Air CEO David O’Brien said: “The applied for an AOC in 2013, making it
introduction of new routes further the first widebody operator in Malta.
demonstrates Ryanair’s commitment The fleet includes a dozen aircraft
to support inbound tourism from including Airbus A330s and A340s,
key markets and offers the Maltese as well as an A319. Hi Fly Malta

including Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and ABOVE: Enthusiasts Europe and reduce complexity, our staff based at the various bases
Cologne. In 2021, cargo operator are often treated to the flight operations of Eurowings in Europe”, adding that “Malta's
visits by rare and
Air Atlanta Icelandic established a Europe are being transferred to a new economic and regulatory framework
unusual aircraft,
local passenger-focused subsidiary, many of which are Eurowings Europe company based will enable us to enter new markets
Air Atlanta Europe, to enhance its making technical in Malta. At the time of writing, the as an attractive value airline and to
position in the ACMI (aircraft, crew, stops or on the island carrier’s crews and aircraft are due to compete successfully in our highly
for MRO work
maintenance and insurance) market. MARIO CARUANA/ be moved over to the new Maltese competitive environment.”
Its fleet of Boeing 747-400s are MAVIO NEWS entity by April 2023. Charles Pace, director general of
currently leased to Saudia. Eurowings Europe flies as an the island’s Civil Aviation Directorate,
TOP: The local
The international arrivals were joined aviation scene has operating carrier under Eurowings added: “Eurowings Europe will join a
last year by Hungary-based Wizz Air, come a long way flight numbers, and the only difference long list of companies that decided
which announced its own plans to since this picture was visible to passengers is the airline code that Malta is the ideal place for their
taken in September
establish a Maltese subsidiary. The first 1968. It shows
‘E6’ instead of the former ‘E2’. principal place of business and we
flight with its Malta-registered aircraft Vickers Viscount The airline currently operates 17 look forward with enthusiasm for
took to the skies in September 2022 G-AOHO (c/n 164) on aircraft and employs more than 700 the future.”
from Rome/Fiumicino. Aircraft and the apron at Malta people – by the end of March 2023, The latest entrant to the increasingly
International Airport
crews from Albania, Austria, Italy, and AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/ three more aircraft were due to have packed Maltese market is Valletta
Romania were transferred from Wizz THE SAMBA COLLECTION been transferred to the new entity. Airlines, which received its AOC in
Air Hungary to the new subsidiary, Further growth beyond the 20 aircraft February 2023 along with its first
and although crew members will be BELOW: While this is to follow, though a precise timetable aircraft, 9H-NZL (c/n 2388), an
might look like a
employed by Wizz Air Malta, they regular Ryanair for this has not yet been decided. 18-year-old Airbus A320-200,
continue to operate from their current aircraft, the clue is Commenting on the arrangement, which was transferred from
bases. Transport Minister Farrugia in the registration. Stefan Beveridge, managing director Heston Airlines, a Lithuanian
Pictured is Boeing
commented: “We are expecting of Eurowings' Maltese subsidiary, charter provider. Local
737 MAX 8-200,
this airline will register a substantial 9H-VUJ (c/n 62300) said it would “reduce complexity for reports suggest Valletta
amount of aircraft in our country, taxiing at Manchester
further increasing the number of our in November 2022
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
already strong 9H fleet.” STUART LAWSON
Added to the rapidly expanding list
of Maltese subsidiaries is Eurowings
Europe, which received its AOC
and Air Operator Licence from the
Malta Civil Aviation Directorate last
October. Eurowings consists of two
flight operations: Eurowings Germany,
which offers flights from German
gateways, and Eurowings Europe,
which mainly serves pan-European
routes. The latter operates from
bases in Salzburg, Palma de Mallorca,
Prague, Stockholm and, as of May
2023, also from Graz. However,
to continue its growth throughout
www.key.aero 55
Airlines also has its sights set on the
widebody market with the possible
addition of two A330-200s to its fleet.
Other charter airlines to have opted
for a Malta AOC include Air Horizont,
which has a pair of 737-400s,
SmartLynx, with its mixed Airbus-
Boeing fleet leased to carriers such as
Air Transat, AnadoluJet and Air Peace,
and Avion Express Malta, with A320
and A321 airframes leased to Flynas
and Sky Cana.
Why Malta?
There are myriad reasons that explain
why Malta is an appealing place
for airlines to register their fleets.
The country’s favourable tax rules,
substantial double-tax treaty network,
access to the EU single market and
strong aviation safety record under
the European Aviation Safety Agency
umbrella are all certainly elements
which work in its favour.
Transport Minister Farrugia said: “The
presence of an established aircraft
maintenance hub in Southern Europe,
a growing private jet community and
an easily accessible aviation authority resulting from existing double ABOVE: A favourable Engineering focus
are all factors which make our taxation agreements within Europe. climate, strategic The wider ecosystem that supports
geographical
jurisdiction appealing.” It is primarily about simplifying tax position, and pool this community of airlines and lessors
There is no duty on importing civil accounting processes for employees of local aviation is also crucial to Malta’s thriving
aircraft to Malta, and examples are and the company, what our crews specialists makes aviation sector. Maintenance, repair
not subject to stamp duty, according explicitly ask for. Malta a popular and overhaul (MRO) companies such
location for MROs
to Air CM Global, a Malta-based AOC “As a result of the relocation of LUFTHANSA TECHNIK as Lufthansa Technik Malta play an
management company. the company headquarters, our MALTA important role, and Ryanair now has
The flexibility of the Maltese register employees' taxes will henceforth be its own hangar facility at the island’s
also means airframes can be based paid in full in the country of residence BELOW: The fifth international airport.
and operated from anywhere in and employment of the respective Airbus A320neo for Commenting on the Ryanair hangar
Air Malta, 9H-NEE
the world. employee. All our crews remain (c/n 11366) operated announcement last summer, Maltese
“Malta is a good place to operate stationed at their previous bases – its first commercial Prime Minister Robert Abela said: “By
from because of its economic and their employment and social status flight on March 26, setting up a heavy maintenance and
2023. The aircraft
regulatory framework, that gives us as remains unaffected by the transition to repairs operation in Malta, a significant
flew in from Toulouse
an airline the flexibility and opportunity the new AOC,” added Krüggeler. the day before,
for our pan-European growth,” For its part, a Hi Fly spokesperson piloted by Captain
Raquel Krüggeler, a spokesperson told Airliner World: “When looking Patrick Calleja and
First Officer Mark
for Eurowings, told Airliner World. for a country to create a second Attard. This was
“With the decision of transferring AOC, Malta with the English language Calleja's last flight
Eurowings Europe GmbH from facilitates communications, and before retiring after
Austria to Eurowings Europe Ltd in authorities there are efficient and almost 33 years with
the flag carrier
Malta, we reduce the disadvantages responsive. We are happy and MARIO CARUANA/
and complications for employees well-established.” MAVIO NEWS

pillar in the aviation industry, Ryanair, An Airbus A320, Interests in Mobile Equipment (a regulator” to manage the growth in
will now turn its Maltese operations 9H-MSA (c/n 4349) treaty designed to simplify financing AOCs registered in Malta, and seeks
operated by Malta
into a full-service hub.” Med Air, is pictured and leasing of aviation equipment to address the global problem of skills
Lufthansa Technik has a joint venture on departure from and reduce costs) and the Aircraft shortages with a focus on training.
with Air Malta to provide line and base Malta's Runway 31 Protocol had played a fundamental Notably, it also highlights the potential
maintenance services for short-haul on its way to Tripoli role in establishing Malta’s position for “developing a leading regional
MARIO CARUANA/
and long-haul aircraft in the A320/ MAVIO NEWS in the aircraft registration segment: air hub”. The document states:
A330/A340 and A350, as well as the “One must praise the role played “Considering Malta’s strategic location
737 series families. Its ‘Innovation Bay’ by the Civil Aviation Authority in in the middle of the Mediterranean
project is focused on developing new promoting a business-minded and Sea, and the airport’s vicinity to both
technologies for aircraft overhauls, proactive attitude towards the sector, the freeport and cruise port, this policy
such as drone-based inspections welcoming applicants and operators in aims to explore Malta’s potential to
of the aircraft skin and mobile 3D a fast, efficient and seamless manner,” become a leading regional hub for
scanners. There are also smaller MRO he told Airliner World. “The Maltese air–sea traffic between Europe, Africa
providers such as Aviation Cosmetics, This Airbus A330- register now boasts over 600 aircraft and the Middle East.”
MCM, and Medavia, among others. 243MRTT visited and 40 AOCs with numbers increasing The country is also seeking to boost
local firm Aviation
Stephan Piazza, KPMG’s associate Cosmetics Malta year after year and embracing more the presence of aircraft lessors. As
director on the firm’s transport team where it was painted segments of the aviation industry." KPMG’s Piazza explained: “We want to
in Malta, said the revamp of the before joining the In an industry as fast-paced as establish ourselves as a reputable
Royal Netherlands
country’s regulatory framework in commercial aviation, Malta appears player within the leasing environment,
Air Force
2010 and the ratification of the Cape MARIO CARUANA/ keen to leverage that momentum which is a huge challenge considering
Town Convention on International MAVIO NEWS to expand the sector further. The the competition of jurisdictions such as
transport ministry launched its first Ireland and Singapore. We have what it
aviation policy in February 2023, takes from a legal and tax perspective,
which lays out a plan “geared towards but much depends on being able to
reaping the best possible share of the attract the first big names which would
global forecasted aviation growth”. act – similarly to what happened in the
The blueprint emphasises the AOC front – as gate openers to
importance of a “well-resourced other competitors.”
www.key.aero 57
SUNSET FOR THE
SPACEJET With prototypes flying and firm orders in place, why did Mitsubishi axe its regional
jet programme? Mark Broadbent details the turbulent times which led to the
cancellation of the SpaceJet project
n what was not so much a case began a research and development wings – resulted in the MRJ design TOP RIGHT: An
I of rising sun as setting sun, project studying a regional aircraft not being finessed until mid-2010. overview of
operations in MHI’s
Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation’s concept 20 years ago. The result was Assembly of the first flight-test Nagoya hangar
parent company, Mitsubishi the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), aircraft JA21MJ (c/n 10001) began in during happier times
Heavy Industries (MHI), formally which was revealed at the 2007 Paris 2011, however the actual start of test for the platform
ALL IMAGES MITSUBISHI
announced the cancellation of the Air Show and launched officially as a flying was subsequently delayed by
AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
SpaceJet programme as part of its development programme in March six months to the second quarter of UNLESS STATED
financial results released in February. 2008, when All Nippon Airways 2012, with deliveries to follow from
The Japanese manufacturer said ordered 15 examples plus ten options. early 2014.
it had “failed to confirm sufficient Two versions of the aircraft were
business viability for resuming planned: the baseline MRJ90 with 86 Delay after delay
development” of the type. to 96 seats and the smaller MRJ70 Further setbacks followed. In 2012, RIGHT: Remembered
The decision to discontinue the with capacity for between 70 and 80 flight testing was delayed to 2013 as a momentous day
ailing project came as no surprise, passengers. The airliner would use and service entry to 2015. This for Mitsubishi and its
partners, November
with MHI pausing SpaceJet the new Pratt & Whitney PurePower was compounded by a further 11, 2015 saw the first
development activities in 2020 as PW1100 geared turbofan engines; postponement, with a revised first prototype MRJ make
the pandemic took hold. Richard with Mitsubishi the first manufacturer flight date in 2015, and service entry its maiden flight
Aboulafia, managing director at to select the powerplant. within the second quarter of 2017.
consultancy firm AeroDynamic At this stage, the MRJ’s first flight JA21MJ was finally able to complete
Advisory, told Airliner World: “This was pencilled in for 2011 and service its maiden flight from Nagoya on
really is one of those cases where entry for 2013. Mitsubishi built a November 11, 2015. This was four
the obituary is appearing several new factory at Komaki Airport in the years later than originally planned
years after the body was buried in central Japanese city of Nagoya to and only five weeks after Mitsubishi MAIN IMAGE: Mitsubishi
SpaceJet M90,
the ground.” produce the aircraft on the site where announced yet another service-entry JA23MJ (c/n 10003)
it built the A6M Zero fighter during delay, this time to mid-2018. The pictured in the skies
Initial development World War Two. aircraft’s testing programme was above Le Bourget
So what went so horribly wrong? A Several design changes – including revised following a review carried during the 2019
Paris Air Show
little context is helpful to understand the decision to use aluminium rather out with the Seattle Engineering AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
why things went so awry. Mitsubishi than carbon fibre composites for the Centre, which the Japanese firm PHILIPPE NORET

had established in conjunction with
AeroTEC, a Seattle-based flight test
planning support specialist.
Mitsubishi built the Moses Lake Test
Centre at Grant County International
Airport in Washington to host MRJ
activities, complementing ground
testing on two static rigs in Nagoya.
Four more MRJ examples followed –
including JA25MJ (c/n 10005) painted
in launch customer ANA’s livery –
however the schedule slipped even
further at this point.
A two-year delay due to design
changes from relocating avionics
and wiring, announced early in 2017,
meant the MRJ would not arrive
in service until 2020, more than a further budget reduction to 20 billion
decade after its initial launch. In yen (£121m) and paused SpaceJet
2017, news agency Reuters reported activities other than work on type
development costs had spiralled to certification documentation.
350 billion yen (£2.1bn). Fast-forward to February 2023’s
financial results presentation and the
Time for a relaunch news was delivered. MHI confirmed
At the 2019 Paris Airshow, MHI said the SpaceJet is “not feasible in
announced a new identity for the the market environment” and as a
MRJ: the SpaceJet. It wasn’t just a result the programme was cancelled.
rebrand – the company confirmed
major changes to the platform itself. Scope clauses
The former MRJ90 became the The company highlighted several
Mitsubishi MRJ (SpaceJet) orders as of January 2017
SpaceJet M90 with an amended seat factors in its decision to end
Company Firm Orders Options/Purchase rights Letter of Intent
configuration, so instead of 86-96 the project. These included a All Nippon Airways 15 10
seats in the MRJ90, the M90 would protracted development timeline, Trans States Holdings 50 50
now carry 81 to 88 passengers. difficulty in obtaining what it called SkyWest 100 100
During the Le Bourget gathering, “understanding and necessary co- Air Mandalay 6 4
Mitsubishi also said it had abandoned operation from global partners”, Eastern Air Lines 20 20
the smaller MRJ70 variant, but that and the challenge of allocating the Japan Airlines 32
it intended to develop a new smaller significant funding required to take Aerolease Aviation 10 10
version with 76 seats called the the aircraft through the remainder of Rockton 10 (10)
SpaceJet 100. its testing and into type certification. Total 233 194 10 (10)
Just as tentative steps were taken “Making the leap from major
to shore up the project, a global subcontractor to commercial prime
pandemic hit. In May 2020, Mitsubishi proved a lot more difficult than
cut the programme budget and expected, and of course there was a
moved flight testing from Moses weak market; further weakened by
Lake to Nagoya. Five months later, in the pandemic,” said AeroDynamic
October 2020, the OEM revealed a Advisory’s Richard Aboulafia.
www.key.aero 59
But the decisive factor was the scope ABOVE: The first
clauses – the conditions included three MRJ flight test
aircraft together in
in agreements between airlines and Mitsubishi’s final
unions that govern regional airline assembly hangar
operations in the United States. in Japan
They specify the size of aircraft
which carriers are able to operate,
and thereby dictate to regional
manufacturers the key specifications
on performance (especially weight)
and seat numbers. On this topic MHI
said: “Little progress on scope clause LEFT: In its
presentation,
relaxation resulted in [the] M90 not MHI emphasised
meeting North American regional jet the impressive
market needs.” achievements
accomplished by the
Put simply, the SpaceJet was the SpaceJet team and
wrong size and orders success vowed that there
proved rather elusive. Aside from the will be a positive
aforementioned ANA launch contract legacy from the now-
cancelled project
for up to 25 examples, there were AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
orders from SkyWest Airlines (100 MATTHIEU DOUHAIRE
Mitsubishi Regional Jet/SpaceJet timeline: plus 100 options), Japan Airlines (32),
October 2007 MRJ offered to customers the lessor Rockton (ten LoI plus ten
March 2008 Official launch of MRJ programme, first order from ANA, set to enter service in 2013 options) and Mesa Airlines (50 plus
September 2009 Final design frozen, first flight delayed to Q2 2012 and deliveries to Q1 2014 50 options).
September 2010 First metal cut A long-standing order for up to 100
April 2012 Second delay announced – first flight to Q3 2013 and deliveries to late 2015/Q1 2016 aircraft from Trans State Holdings was
August 2013 Third delay takes first flight to Q2 2015 and deliveries to Q2 2017 reportedly cancelled because the M90
May 2014 First aircraft for static tests completed did not meet scope clauses, while
October 2014 Roll out of first test aircraft
other deals with Eastern Air Lines
November 2015 First test flight
Group, Inc and Air Mandalay were
December 2015 Fourth delay announced, first deliveries to start Q2 2018 RIGHT: This rare
cancelled when the companies
May 2016 First flight of second MRJ example image shows the first
ceased operations. flight test aircraft on
September 2016 MRJ test aircraft arrives at Moses Lake for new phase of the programme
March 2017 Further two-year delay announced
Analyst Scott Hamilton, writing the final approach
for Leeham News in February 2023, to Grand County
June 2019 Rebranding to 'SpaceJet' and revision of platform at Paris Air Show International Airport
May 2020 Project budget slashed as COVID-19 crisis takes hold suggested that the M100 would
at Moses Lake where
June 2020 MHI acquires CRJ platform from Bombardier have “the same fundamental design it was initially based
October 2020 SpaceJet activities paused other than work on type certification shortcomings as the larger MRJ90”. for development
Adding that “it was also designed to flying and type
October 2021 MHI management state no immediate plans to restart project
certification work
February 2023 Formal cancellation of the SpaceJet progamme carry too few passengers, which made

it uncompetitive with the Embraer
E175-E2 and the legacy E175-E1.”
Looking ahead
While it was unequivocally bad
news, to its credit, Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries looked for the positives
in its results presentation. The
company said it had “developed an
organisational structure to design,
manufacture and certify aircraft which
could obtain type certification” and
“achieved over 3,900 hours of flight
tests with no safety issues”.
It had “completed [the] commercial
aircraft type certification process in
Japan”, signed bilateral aviation safety
agreements with the US Federal
Aviation Administration and European Technical specifications of the proposed MRJ programme
Union Aviation Safety Agency, and MRJ90 MRJ70
“acquired technical data for [the] Single-class: 88/92 economy Single-class: 76/80 economy
Seating:
digitalisation of aircraft development”, Two-class: nine business class/72 economy Two-class: nine business class/60 economy
the company added. Length: 117ft 5in (35.8m) 109ft 8in (33.4m)
MHI said that it had achieved various Wingspan: 95ft 10in (29.2m) 95ft 10in (29.2m)
technical feats – designing a mount Overall height: 34ft 2in (10.4m) 34ft 2in (10.4m)
Cruising speed: Mach 0.78 Mach 0.78
for the PW1100G engines and an
MRJ90STD: 87,303lb (39,600kg) MRJ70STD: 81,240lb (36,850kg)
aerodynamically-optimised aircraft
Maximum take-off weight: MRJ90ER: 90,378lb (40,995kg) MRJ70ER: 85,969lb (38,995kg)
among them. It also certified materials
MRJ90LR: 94,358lb (42,800kg) MRJ70LR: 88,626lb (40,200kg)
produced with a new technique
MRJ90STD: 1,150nm (2,120km) MRJ70STD: 1,020nm (1,880km)
called vacuum-assisted resin transfer
Range: MRJ90ER: 1,550nm (2,870km) MRJ70ER: 1,670nm (3,090km)
moulding, developing test rigs, and MRJ90LR: 2,040nm (3,770km) MRJ70LR: 2,020nm (3,740km)
gained flight test experience. Engines (x2): Pratt & Whitney PW1217G: 17,000lb/thrust Pratt & Whitney PW1215G: 15,000lb/thrust
The OEM confirmed it would
ABOVE: The Mitsubishi
continue manufacturing and well as new-build CRJ700s and World: “This will not have much of an Regional Jet, later
supporting the CRJ regional jet -900s. The company also intends to impact on Japan’s aerospace industry. the SpaceJet, was
programme – which it acquired use facilities built for the SpaceJet in They will continue to enjoy growing the first new airliner
from Bombardier in 2020 – Japan for its forthcoming F-X fighter. domestic military revenue, even if developed by Japan
since the NAMC
and “consider next-generation MHI concluded that it would use the exports continue to prove elusive, YS-11 turboprop of
technologies with [an] eye towards knowledge and experience acquired and they will be the world’s most the early 1960s
aircraft development programmes”. “to continue contributing to [the] important risk-sharing partner for [the]
So could it be back to the future Japanese aviation industry, which United States and other primes.
for Mitsubishi? MHI said in 2021 it aspires to return aircraft manufacture “This has been the situation since the
would consider restarting production to the country”. 1950s and SpaceJet’s death clearly
of the CRJ-550, a 50-seat variant For his part, Aboulafia believes the shows it will continue to be the
of the CRJ700 configured for US SpaceJet’s demise will have a limited situation for decades to come,”
carriers to meet scope clauses, as long-term effect, telling Airliner he concluded.
www.key.aero 61
Centred on
GROWTH
O
Bombardier Aviation has rapidly ver the course of just sales and Bombardier Defense), said
six months last year, three primary factors are at play.
expanded its business jet service Bombardier Aviation Firstly, the business aviation sector
centre network around the world. opened four new service is in one of its boom periods at
centres and broke the moment. Many passengers
Ian Harbison gives us a run-through ground on a fifth. This remarkable who normally travelled at the front
of the key global developments over expansion is designed to support the of scheduled aircraft before the
an industrious few months growing list of Learjet, Challenger and pandemic tried private charters
Global aircraft operators and will more during the crisis as a ‘safer’ alternative.
than double the company’s aftermarket Hooked, significant numbers either
footprint to close to 1,000,000sq ft. continued to charter or even acquired
At the official opening of the their own jets – Bombardier has a
London Biggin Hill Service Centre last $1.2bn order backlog for the next two
November, Jean-Christophe Gallagher, years. Even the number of aircraft for
then speaking as executive vice sale is around 3% of the fleet, instead
president, services and support and of the usual 12%, while flying hours are
corporate strategy (now EVP of aircraft 20% up on pre-crisis levels.

“While it will replace the current site in Fort
Lauderdale, the net result is a quadrupling
of Bombardier’s previous maintenance
footprint in the Sunshine State...”
LEFT: The complex at Secondly, the company launched It is expected to support more than plus the conversion of orders (not
Miami-Opa Locka a successful campaign called ‘Bring 2,000 business jet visits annually, aircraft) for eight Global 7500s to the
Executive Airport
serves clients in Your Jet Home’. With the catchline including the Global 8000 after it new model.
the US and Latin ‘We built your jet, we know it best, enters into service in 2025. At that The facility in the Lion City has
American markets and our expertise is at your fingertips’, point, a modification should be expanded its portfolio of services and
ALL IMAGES the project was aimed at persuading available that will allow Global 7500 now includes new customer facilities
BOMBARDIER AVIATION
UNLESS STATED customers to bring their aircraft to an operators to convert their aircraft for business jet operators, ground
OEM maintenance facility rather than to the new standard. With software handling, and FBO provided by Jetex.
one of the approved third-party centres changes to the GE Passport engines Other notable elements include
ABOVE: The (the number of these recognised sites and the installation of additional key functions, such as: engineering,
Singapore Service
has dropped from 70 to around 15 at fuel tanks, the modified aircraft will sales and customer support; new
Centre meets local
Green Mark Gold the most recent count). be capable of matching the Global heavy structural and composite
and the US Green The third main development was 8000’s Mach 0.94 cruise speed and repair capabilities; advanced interior
Building Council certified pre-owned aircraft. These impressive 8,000nm range. finishing capabilities; and a full-
(USGBC) Silver LEED
Green Building are typically examples acquired on Naturally, the work will be service, environmentally controlled
certifications the open market and refurbished by undertaken by the OEM’s service paint facility. In addition, there is
Bombardier within its own facilities. centre network. The Global 8000 was an integrated parts depot that will
This can include upgrades to the launched in November last year with serve the site and the region, adding
interior, cabin management systems, an order for four aircraft from NetJets, more than $15m in additional parts
connectivity, and avionics, all of which
is covered by a one-year warranty.
After completion, Gallagher said
these aircraft have been shown to
spend 50% less time on the market
before being purchased compared
to the competition. Put simply, all
three factors have generated a need
for more aircraft to visit maintenance
hangars, hence the aforementioned
headline investment.
Eastern expansion
This latest spurt of growth started
RIGHT: Bombardier in June 2022, with the inauguration
has reported strong of the Singapore Service Centre
post-pandemic
at the Seletar Aerospace Park. The
demand for its
products and 290,000sq ft facility, the largest in
services within the region, replaced a 70,000sq ft
the US complex which opened in 2014.
www.key.aero 63
ABOVE: Most Learjet,
Greener growth Challenger and

Global aircraft can be
The Singapore Service Centre meets handled at the new
local Green Mark Gold and the US Green service centres
Building Council (USGBC) Silver LEED
Green Building certifications. This includes
building management systems, insulation,
LED lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures and
automated water reticulation for improved
water conservation and enhanced energy LEFT: The hotel-style
efficiency. Elsewhere, solar panels have interiors of the new
been installed on the facility’s roof as well centre at London
Biggin Hill
as its carpark structures to reduce energy
consumption, which translates to 15% of the
site’s annual electricity demand. For its part,
the London Biggin Hill Service Centre is also
to have solar panels installed, alongside
charging stations for electric vehicles.
From an operational perspective,
Bombardier and Signature Aviation started
inventory. There is also an option for Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport
a multi-year agreement in January for the
Global aircraft customers to lease BR710 in Florida, where a new 300,000sq ft purchase of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
engines from Rolls-Royce. These are complex opened to serve customers for the company’s flight operations. Of
stored on site, significantly reducing in the US and Latin American markets. course, one of the major disadvantages of
downtime and costs. Located close to Miami’s flourishing SAF at present is limited availability. While
The Singapore base currently business district, it’s forecast that the Shell Aviation is offering SAF in Singapore,
employs more than 200 staff, centre will eventually employ 300 most of Bombardier’s operating sites do
including 160+ licensed engineers people, including more than 225 not have similar infrastructure nearby.
and technicians and is in the process technicians. While it will replace the Even Signature notes that, while it has
of adding more than 50 additional current site in Fort Lauderdale, the net grown its SAF supply points to 17 global
personnel. Keen to keep an eye result is a quadrupling of Bombardier’s airports over the last two years, this is only
on the future, an apprenticeship previous maintenance footprint in the around 10% of its total network of private
scheme has also recently been Sunshine State. aviation terminals.
launched to ensure a supply of skilled The new facility is fully equipped A temporary workaround comes in the
maintenance staff. to perform extensive and complete form of Signature’s ‘Book & Claim’ system.
Under the scheme, a user located near a
full-service scheduled and
SAF production site uses SAF in their flights.
Beyond Asia unscheduled heavy maintenance,
The emission reductions associated with
After Singapore, the next phase paint enhancement services, aircraft
this use are claimed, in exchange for the
was the 50,000sq ft Melbourne modifications, avionics installations, additional cost of SAF, by another user
Service Centre, which opened in and AOG work. For context, the located at a site where the eco-friendlier
September. This delivered a variety of expanded hangar is capable of fuel is not available.
service options, including scheduled holding 18 Bombardier Global 7500 Bombardier calculates it can reduce
and unscheduled maintenance, aircraft simultaneously. annual emissions from fuel use in its flight
modifications, and avionics operations by approximately 25%. This
installations. The facility also boasts a London calling is a major annual gain in the near term,
4,000sq ft parts depot and added 65 Although the London Biggin Hill supporting the company’s previously
aerospace jobs, including almost Service Centre was officially opened announced target of a 25% reduction
50 technicians. on November 30, it has been in from all its operations by 25% by 2025,
In October, the action shifted to operation since late September. compared to 2019 levels.

ABOVE: A ceremony The formal opening ceremony was
marked the formal delayed due to the death of Queen
breaking of ground
on a new site on the
Elizabeth II. Located in the southeast
fringes of Abu Dhabi corner of the airport and covering
International Airport almost 250,000sq ft, the facility is
primed to serve the needs of the
RIGHT: The facility growing UK market.
in Singapore is the
largest of its type in
The Biggin Hill centre consists of
the region a central spine with 11 service bays services are provided by Jetex. We are committed to evolving, looking
on each side. It can handle Learjet, Bombardier originally moved to to the future and delivering future-
Challenger and Global aircraft, Biggin Hill from Amsterdam in 2017 proofed jobs for Bromley.”
although the bigger wingspan of the and is now the largest tenant at the Last but by no means least, in
Global 7500, and the Global 8000 airport. With employees expected to November the official ground
when it enters into service in 2025, grow to more than 100 by the end breaking took place for a new Abu
limits maximum capacity to 14 of of 2023 and eventually to around Dhabi Service Centre located at Abu
these larger types. Available services 350 personnel, the OEM is reaching Dhabi International Airport. Close
include wheel and battery shops, a out to local educational facilities to 100,000sq ft, the MRO facility
component paint shop and engine to attract young people into the aims to provide quick and efficient
storage. Technical offices and stores aerospace sector. Even in its relatively maintenance, repair, and overhaul
are also in the spine, reducing the early days, 17 apprentices are already capabilities for all Bombardier
distance to the aircraft to obtain under training, supervised by the business aircraft.
material or management assistance. Marshall Skills Academy. After their When the facility opens in 2025 and
On the top floor, there is an interiors first year, they will move to Marshall is fully operational, it will feature a
shop, which is run by F/LIST, an Aerospace in Cambridge to complete large hangar, comprehensive parts
Austrian aircraft interiors specialist a 36-month study programme. depot and a complete suite of
based in Thomasberg, south of Vienna. David Winstanley, CEO at London maintenance services including
Equipment removed from the jets can Biggin Hill Airport said at the scheduled and unscheduled heavy
be transferred directly from the hangar Bombardier launch: “We believe that maintenance, aircraft modifications,
floor by a heavy duty goods lift. The when our business prospers so too paint modification and AOG
Austrian firm also has a showroom should our local community. That’s capabilities, as well as aircraft parking
BELOW: The Singapore to display its latest cabin innovations why, in uncertain economic times, services. It is also expected to add
Service Centre is
located at Seletar which can be fitted to Bombardier we’re seeing through our plan to more than 100 aerospace jobs to the
Aerospace Park aircraft. As with Singapore, FBO create an extra 2,300 jobs by 2030. local community.
www.key.aero 65
SUPERSIZING
in Scotland
Ronald Leitch, Glasgow Airport’s
operations director, commented:
“Emirates’ Glasgow-Dubai route
continues to be a tremendous success
story for Scotland and the return of the
airline’s flagship aircraft is a huge vote
Emirates is reintroducing its famous Airbus A380 on of confidence for Glasgow and the
services to Glasgow. Airliner World caught up with wider region. Watching the iconic A380
LEFT: The double- touch down once again is a special
Richard Jewsbury, the company’s divisional vice decker was
experience, not only for everyone who
welcomed by
president UK, to learn more Scottish bagpipe works at the airport, but also the huge
players as it taxied to number of aviation enthusiasts and
stand on March 26 members of the public who gathered
ALL IMAGES EMIRATES
today to capture the moment.”
BELOW: The honour On the carrier’s post-pandemic
of operating the first recovery, Jewsbury struck a buoyant
upgraded service fell
to Airbus A380-861 tone saying it’s “going very well”,
A6-EOU (c/n 205) while also revealing Emirates is now
at 85% capacity compared to pre-
COVID levels. In the coming months,
the airline expects to continue its
expansion in the UK. “We’ve got a
second London/Stansted flight starting
on May 1 and then we’ve got another
A380 upgrade in Birmingham on July 1,
so by the time we’ve got all of those
flights upgraded and the extra flight
going into Stansted, we will probably
be about 92-93% of the way back.”
Jewsbury revealed that beyond these
capacity increases, there’s not too
E
mirates has brought the route was resumed in August 2021. much to be done to get back to 100%.
Airbus A380 back to Glasgow “The flights have done consistently “We’ve got a second Glasgow flight
for the first time since 2019, well since then, so being able to to come at some point,” the airline
marking another milestone in upgrade the current daily 777 to an executive explained. “Edinburgh, we
the carrier’s post-pandemic A380 is just a natural evolution – we’re haven’t really started with yet, but
recovery in the UK. very pleased,” Richard Jewsbury, that will come at some point in the
The arrival of A6-EOU (c/n 205) in divisional vice president UK at future I’m sure… It’s all driven by
Scotland on March 26 was warmly Emirates, explained in an exclusive aircraft capacity so there is no
welcomed with a bagpipe serenade interview with Airliner World. “We’ve timeline at the moment, but
as the carrier officially upgauged the had great support from the Scottish we’re working hard to bring
Boeing 777 that has been rostered on community and it’s nice to bring the our aircraft back into service.”
services from its Dubai base since the aircraft back.”

ubiquitous across the network as we long-term storage – but Emirates’
get the work done,” said the UK chief. relationship with the superjumbo
remains is as strong as ever. And
A positive outlook the world’s leading operator of the
The airline industry is not immune from type has not hidden its appetite
the current economic and geopolitical for an updated variant, despite
instability and Emirates is no different, Airbus having ceased production
but Jewsbury was upbeat about the of its former flagship.
future. “We’re seeing demand hold up; “I think there’s a need for large
I think people are making economies aircraft,” Jewsbury indicated. “Firstly,
A premium offering? ABOVE: The inbound
and being more cost sensitive because customers love it; I can say that the
Emirates’ fleet is currently undergoing flight EK27 departs
of the cost of living pressures,” he Emirates A380 customers go out
a major $2 billion cabin retrofit, which Dubai at 0750hrs explained. “Passengers are trying to their way to fly on it… there’s more
includes the addition of a premium and arrives in protect travel and certainly they will rapid growth in demand for air travel
economy class on its A380s and Glasgow at 1245hrs, still travel. Perhaps they may go for than there is for new airports or new
local time. It departs
777s. At the time of writing, around 11 again as EK28 at a slightly shorter duration… but all runways throughout the world, so
superjumbos have been completed – 1435hrs and arrives indications I’m seeing is that demand I think there is a natural need for
these are plying an increasing number in the UAE early the is running hot; people want to travel large aircraft such as the A380, and
following morning I’d personally like to see the next
of routes from Dubai including and they’re going to protect that and
London/Heathrow, Paris/Charles de TOP RIGHT: Local certainly, not having been able to travel generation come through. I know
Gaulle, Sydney, and New York/JFK. dignitaries join during the pandemic, that’s something that’s not planned at the moment, but
Jewsbury confirmed the quad- Emirates and they’re not prepared to give up.” customers want it, and the demand
Glasgow Airport
class setup is unlikely to appear supports it so why not?”
representatives
at any of the carrier’s six other UK to celebrate the Supersized jets He concluded: “The A380 for us has
destinations – Birmingham, London/ A380’s return The A380 may have fallen victim to got many years of life left in it and
Gatwick, London/Stansted, Glasgow, post-pandemic restructuring with we’ll be flying them well into the next
Manchester and Newcastle – until at many carriers – Air France and China decade, so I guess there’s time to see
least the “back end of this year but Southern Airlines have both axed what Airbus and Boeing come up with
more likely next year. As the aircraft their fleets, while others remain in in due course.”
become available it will become more
www.key.aero 67
The
Islanders
serving the
islanders Chris Smith speaks with Troyd Bowles, chief pilot at
the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS),
to learn more about the operation of one of the
world’s most unusual airlines

Historical context
T
here are few places where The Britten-Norman current fleet of five Britten-Norman
aircraft are just as essential Islanders have been BN-2 Islanders are based at the much Although the Falklands are not
described as the
as the automobile, but the glue that keeps the smaller airfield next to Stanley. technically part of the United
Falkland Islands is certainly Islands together At this capital gateway, a paved Kingdom, the British monarch is
one of them. FALKLANDS ISLANDS runway stretching almost 1,200m still head of state and is locally
GOVERNMENT
This tiny archipelago is strewn over in length dates back to May 1, 1979, represented by a governor. In the late
an area spanning only 160 miles when the airfield was officially opened. 1930s, Governor Sir Herbert Henniker-
by 90 miles, with most of its 778 During the brief, yet intense conflict Heaton came to the conclusion that
islands remaining uninhabited. As a with Argentina in 1982, the site’s fate some kind of aerial connectivity was
British Overseas Territory – which took many twists and turns. required within the islands. Paved
makes them quintessentially British Its predecessor had been a short roads were unheard of then and
– there is also a freedom of self- runway made of aluminium sheeting navigating around the two main
governance, which is enacted by the that stretched to only 800m, which islands was not for the faint-hearted,
local legislative assembly. Situated was constructed in 1972 at nearby let alone trying to connect with any of
roughly 300 miles east from the Hookers Point. the outlying islands.
South American coastline, the climate This acted as the only air-entry to In 1948, with the turmoil of World
can be punishing. Unrelenting winds the islands until inclement weather War Two beginning to fade, Governor
can churn up layers of thick cloud, rendered the facility unusable in 1978. Sir Miles Clifford concluded that a
engulfing the relatively flat and mostly Nowadays, RAF Mount Pleasant and surplus of military pilots and aircraft
barren landscape. Stanley Airport are the islands’ only could present the opportune moment
Falkland Islanders are extremely airfields with paved runways and to finally launch a local air service. One
proud of their homeland's beauty and instrument approaches. theory is that Clifford's inspiration
tranquillity, where the rugged terrain is
home to a wealth of wildlife that vastly A de Havilland
outnumbers human counterparts, who Canada DHC-2
Beaver floatplane at
total fewer than than 5,000. Despite
Goose Green, in what
such remoteness, residents enjoy a is thought to be
relatively high standard of living, with a the 1960s
lucrative fishing industry generating at BOB PITTOCK
COLLECTION, JANE
least half of the islands’ GDP. CAMERON NATIONAL
ARCHIVES
Essential connections
The two largest islands are West
and East Falkland – Stanley, the
capital, is located on the latter. It
was awarded city status in 2022 to
mark the jubilee of the late Queen
Elizabeth II and is home to roughly
half of the overall population. Locals
tend to refer to rural areas as simply
the ‘camp’ and with inter-island ferry
services being infrequent, air travel
is the beating heart that sustains
daily life, particularly in these more
remote settlements. A Beaver floatplane
Preserving these vital links is the as pictured at Fox
Falkland Islands Government Air Bay in or around
Service (FIGAS), which plies a web of the 1970s
FIC COLLECTION,
routes that link smaller communities. JANE CAMERON
FIGAS may be modest in size, but NATIONAL ARCHIVES
its impact on daily island life is
truly immense.
All new arrivals to the Falkland
Islands by air usually land at RAF
Mount Pleasant, which hosts a regular
link to RAF Brize Norton, operated by
UK operator AirTanker. FIGAS and its
www.key.aero 69
Christmas Eve. Sandra Short, a
six-year-old girl from the remote
settlement of Lion Creek on East
Falkland, became seriously ill,
prompting a call for help. Her
father, Archie, carried his daughter
on horseback for four hours to the
settlement of North Arm, located
roughly 70 miles from Stanley.
Despite terrible weather at the
time, Spencer offered to fly her to
the capital for medical treatment. He
instructed the locals at North Arm to
mark a landing strip with sheepskins.
The smoke from a nearby fire allowed
him to assess the wind direction for
landing. Sandra Short was airlifted to
Stanley and eventually recovered.
Governor Clifford personally wrote
to Spencer to acknowledge the
selfless act of flying in inclement
weather, as well as landing at a
location that was totally unfamiliar to
the pilot. The story was reported in
The Times and was also recounted
in a BBC radio play called The Good
arose after reading an article in accompanied this valuable freight. Stanley Airport Tidings. Spencer was only 23 years old
Reader's Digest about the Royal Flying In the weeks that followed, the two is home and hub at the time, making this achievement
for the expansive
Doctor Service in Australia, during his airframes were pieced together and FIGAS operation all the more remarkable. It was a
sea voyage to the Falklands. eventually placed on the Falkland AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/ feat that underscored the crucial
In November of 1948, the British Islands’ aircraft register as VP-FAA and DANIEL NICHOLSON importance of air connectivity within
Antarctic Survey's supply and research VP-FAB respectively. On December 19, the islands, and FIGAS was born.
ship, the RRS John Biscoe, arrived in a successful test flight from Stanley
the Falkland Islands. Two ex-British racecourse was flown. Steady progress
Army Taylorcraft Auster taildraggers At the time, local residents were In the years that followed, flights
(G-AJCH and G-AJCI) were reportedly said to be somewhat sceptical of used the racecourse at Stanley as an
purchased for £700 and were among the viability of maintaining a local air The Falklands airfield. In 1950, an additional Auster
its cargo. They were dismantled and service, especially one operating in airline operates was acquired, plus a Canadian-built
in highly variable
packed into crates for shipping. such an isolated environment. Noorduyn Norseman 5. A landing
weather across very
Vic Spencer, a former Fleet Air Arm Any lingering scepticism quickly challenging terrain incident with one of the Austers
pilot and engineer Maurice Smith evaporated a few days later on TROYD BOWLES highlighted the risk of landing at

unprepared strips that were often FIGAS is Britten- its robustness and proven reliability. twin-engined Islander delivered
saturated with rainwater. Spencer Norman’s southern- The first was delivered in August 1953 propulsion redundancy in the event
most operator and
reached the conclusion that a has employed the and, like its predecessors, the Beaver of an engine failure.
seaplane service would be safer type since the 1970s was configured as a floatplane.
and could reach more of the local FALKLANDS ISLANDS
GOVERNMENT
With a second aircraft added in A new home
population living closer to the 1955, the three Austers and the sole With FIGAS transitioning from a sea-
coast. Operations moved from the Norseman were gradually withdrawn based to a land-based operator, a
racecourse to a jetty close to the from use; the final example was new dedicated airfield at Stanley was
harbour in Stanley and the fledgling phased out in 1956. opened in May 1979. The first Islander,
fleet was reconfigured with floats. By 1977, attention turned to VP-FAY (c/n 872), arrived later that
Spencer left FIGAS in January 1952, a possible replacement for the year after a mammoth delivery flight
much to the chagrin of Governor Beaver. Regular exposure to the sea from the UK.
Clifford and many residents. His tenure developed corrosion concerns and In the run up to the debut of the new
was unblemished, albeit with the the focus centred on operating from type, an employee from Scottish carrier
exception of a minor incident in which hard surface runways. The Britten- Loganair – a long-established Britten
no one was injured. Such ingenuity Norman BN-2 Islander emerged as Norman operator – travelled to the
and dedication left a lasting legacy – the victor in the search for a new Falklands to assist in surveying at least
even more so given the unforgiving Map of the Falkland type. Its ability to operate from 40 potential landing sites. To this day,
operational environment. Islands ERIC GABA/ rugged unprepared strips, proved remote landing strips are unlicensed
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
The local legislative assembly to be highly appealing. This was airfields, which is somewhat of an
realised in the following year that compounded by competitive running anomaly for public-transport flights.
it was finally time to replace the Troyd Bowles, a costs that eclipsed any existing ‘Camp’ landing strips are maintained by
stalwart Auster and Norseman native of the Falkland seaplane alternative. the local inhabitants, who bear
Islands, is the chief
airframes. The de Havilland Canada pilot for the airline Furthermore, while previous models the responsibility for the upkeep of
DHC-2 Beaver sparked interest due to TROYD BOWLES were all single-engined, the new the aerodrome.
61° 60° 59° 58°

51° Ja 51°
son
Steeple Isl
an
Jason I.
Grand
Flat
ds Sedge SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN
Jason I. Island
Jason I.
Elephant
Jason I.
Cape Dolphin
South Jason I. Carcass Ke
pp Pebble Island
Island Saunders el North Concordia
Island So Falkland Cape Bougainville
Carcass un Bay
d Sound
Keppel Pebble Foul
Westpoint
Westpoint Saunders Bay Macbride Head
Island By
ron Cape Carysfort
So Salvador
West Falkland un
d
Hill
Blackburn R. Port San
Carlos
Douglas Foam
Creek Johnson
Cove Port Harbour
d
51°30' R. 51°30'
Warrah San Louis
un
Volunteer
San Carlos R.
Mount Carlos
Adam Point
So
Roy Cove 700 Port Green Berke

Teal ley So
Passage King Howard Inlet Patch und
Islands George Malo R. Port
nd
Muffler Jack
Bay Mountain Grantham Mount Mount Kent
Murrell R. William
la
Sound Usborne
705 458 Cape
No Man's
lk
New Chartres Hornby Mount Pembroke

Island Mountains Land Challenger Airport
Fa
Char 627
Dunnose
Stanley
New Haven Ferry Terminal
tres 554 Wickham Heigh Bluff
Head R.
Swan ts
New Island Cove
Islands Mount Pleasant Fitzroy
Queen Darwin air base
Port
s Fitzroy
Beaver Charlotte nd Goose Green
473
Island Beaver Bay sla
nI
sse
Weddell Airfield
Ty
Weddell Island Fox Bay Fox Bay

Lafonia Choiseul Soun
d
East Falkland
West East Great
Island Walker
Creek
52° 52°
Ad
Mount Young 375 ve Lively
340 nt Island
ur
Port Stephens North e
Arm
So
361 un
d
Port Albermarle Speedwell
Ea
Speedwell Bleaker
gle
Island Bay of Island

Cape Meredith
P
Harbours
ass
800 m
ag
700 m George
e
Island Bull Point

600 m
500 m
Barren
Island
400 m CHILE
ARGENTINA
300 m Sea Lion Islands ATLANTIC
200 m
52°30' OCEAN
100 m 52°30'
50 m
0
50 m
200 m
500 m
750 m
Falkland Islands ANTARCTIC
1 000 m Administered by : UNITED KINGDOM

Claimed by : ARGENTINA city, settlement
road or track
0 10 20 30 40 50 km peak
ferry crossing
0 10 20 30 40 50 mi UTM projection (WGS84 datum)
Beauchene Island
61° 60° 59° 58°
www.key.aero 71
In a sombre twist to events, VP-FAY Operations today
was destroyed while on the ground FIGAS currently employs 36 people
at Stanley during the conflict in 1982. with Bowles rattling off a list of staff
For many months, FIGAS was unable positions, from the obvious such as
to operate safely but two factory-fresh pilots to the more obscure – a flight
Islanders were dispatched to their new information services officer (FISO).
home in the southern hemisphere in Stanley is too small to warrant an
1983 to restore connectivity. air traffic control service, and while
The last Beaver finally bowed out the FISO has the authority to give
two years later. movement instructions to aircraft and
During 1986, the local government vehicles on the ground, they are only
developed a fishing conservation zone permitted to provide information,
that stretches 150 miles out from rather than instructions. As such,
shore. Fishing rights are distributed aircraft landing at Stanley are told to
through the award of licences. This “land at your discretion”, rather than
in turn created the need for an aerial being “cleared to land”.
reconnaissance platform to monitor Bowles said utilisation of the five
fishing activity and led to a dedicated aircraft varies throughout the year,
maritime surveillance aircraft being which is due to the busier tourist
delivered in 1989. season buttressing demand in the
In an exclusive interview with Airliner summer. He noted that the newest
World, Chief Pilot Troyd Bowles shared example, VP-FMC (c/n 2316), has
more about how FIGAS is operated clocked up an average of 750 flying
today. He confirmed that the majority hours per year since its delivery in
of the runways in its network are late 2020.
grass, with four clay/rock surfaces Incidentally, this aircraft is named Sir
and one sand beach strip, which is Miles Clifford, with the last two letters
used seasonally. of the registration being a nod to the
On the topic of the surveillance former governor. The delivery flight
aircraft, Bowles said: “VP-FBO is from Lee-on-the-Solent to Stanley FIGAS is literally a lifeline carrier, with crews trained to
transport those needing medical care REBECCA EDWARDS
equipped with extra fuel tanks and a took place in November 2020, which
weather radar and has the capability saw 'Mike Charlie' snake its way anti- FIGAS: current fleet
of staying airborne for many hours, clockwise around the Atlantic rim. Type Registration c/n Entered service Configuration
VP-FBD 2160 January 1986 Passenger
although we limit our fishery patrol As luck would have it, the author
VP-FBN 2216 July 1990 Passenger
flights to six hours.” overflew 'Mike Charlie' during its Britten-Norman
VP-FBO 2218 July 1990 Maritime patrol
Like all passenger services, these delivery, close to the southern tip of BN-2B Islander
VP-FBR 2252 March 1992 Passenger
special sorties are flown with a single Greenland. With the Islander being
VP-FMC 2316 November 2020 Passenger
pilot, plus an additional observer on unpressurised and unable to fly at
Source: Falkland Islands Government
board to record vessel movements. high altitude (which will assure radio
'Bravo Oscar' also has the capability signal coverage) the author relayed
of carrying equipment to calibrate a message from the pilot of ‘Mike
ground-based radio navigation aids to Charlie’ to air traffic control.
monitor accuracy.
The service has evolved from air ambulance,

mail service and carriage of officials to
passengers, freight, fishery patrol and
scenic flights FALKLANDS ISLANDS GOVERNMENT

For the team at FIGAS, there is no
typical day – largely due to there
being no fixed schedule. This is just
one of many aspects that makes the
operation utterly unique. As Bowles
explained: "Operations staff will plan
the flights for the following day, once
bookings close at 1000hrs.” The
team then begin to piece together
a schedule, a task he described as
being, “massive with endless possible
combinations”.
This is not surprising given that the
route ‘network’ covers 35 landing
strips. Those choreographing the
schedule have a juggling act to
perform, catering to as many requests A contract was
as possible, but also taking care awarded to Britten-
to give priority to those who have Norman by FIGAS in
more pressing reasons to travel. March 2017 under
competitive tender
“For example, some may need to be for fleet upgrades
in Stanley by midday for a medical TROYD BOWLES
appointment, whilst others may
request an early departure, as they are RIGHT: An insight into
the flight deck of
going to a tourist destination for one VP-FBR (c/n VP-FBR)
night only,” said Bowles. as pictured at
It’s not just regular human Bleaker Island in
passengers who are transported via the Falkland Islands
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
FIGAS, either. After flying a variety of DANIEL NICHOLSON
animals over the years to and from the
veterinary clinic in Stanley, the chief BELOW: FIGAS has
been a vital part of
pilot revealed that piglets can emit the life on the islands
most pungent odour! since 1948. The
In addition to resolving the logistical operator’s first
puzzle of getting people (and even Islander, destroyed
during the Falklands
war, entered
service in
October
1979
CHRIS LOCKE
“Those choreographing the schedule have

a juggling act to perform, catering to as
many requests as possible but also taking
care to give priority to those who have
more pressing reasons to travel...”
www.key.aero 73
sometimes animals) to their respective
destinations, the same choreography
is used for freight and mail. A further
unique feature is that once the
schedule is finalised, it is broadcast
on local radio. Before the age of the
internet, tuning in was the main way
of knowing if you would be flying the
next day.
Fare is fair
Two pricing structures are utilised: one
is known as a 'capped resident fare'
and the other is simply known as a
'standard fare,' which typically applies
to visitors. Despite the limited confines
of the Islander's baggage hold – which
is directly behind the passenger seats
– a generous baggage allowance
is offered.
Passengers on the standard fare are
offered a 20kg allowance and those
on resident tickets have a slightly
smaller 14kg limit. Freight rates vary
depending on the nature of the cargo,
but they can be as low as one pound for a medevac flight within 25 minutes FIGAS’ flight Bowles and his colleagues' dedication
per kilo for fresh produce flown from of receiving the call.” operations are and underlining the outlook that FIGAS
supported by the
the ‘camp’ to Stanley. In addition to evacuating sick residents will continue to be a critical linchpin
organisation's
Despite the pandemic stifling from more remote communities, maintenance section, for supporting daily life on the Falkland
international tourism, the local Bowles explained that transfers from which is responsible Islands for many years to come.
government subsidised domestic Stanley to Mount Pleasant can also for servicing the The chief pilot is a native of the
aircraft at
travel for residents, allowing FIGAS to be performed for critically ill patients Stanley Airport Falklands and admitted that he never
mitigate the lack of overseas visitors. who require onward transfer to Chile CHRIS LOCKE considered a career in aviation until he
The operator aspires to carry more for more specialised treatment: “All heard an advert on the local radio for
than 10,000 passengers in 2023, our pilots are IFR [instrument flight prospective trainees. Reflecting on his
representing a 40% increase from a rules] current and we also do training career, Bowles said the most enjoyable
decade ago. exercises to ensure night currency aspect is providing an essential service
When asked how FIGAS assists during the winter season. The only to fellow Falklanders: “The biggest
locals in need of immediate medical lit runways are Stanley and Mount The aircraft can challenge is the weather and the
operate in some of
attention, Bowles added that any of Pleasant, so we are unable to land at any the world’s harshest changing airstrip conditions
the organisation’s passenger aircraft of the other airstrips after dark.” environments, throughout the year. However, these
can be quickly reconfigured with a In the face of constantly changing including all-terrain challenges are also what makes the
operations from
stretcher, allowing one accompanying local weather, FIGAS only has a flying so enjoyable. You are constantly
unprepared surfaces
medical professional to be carried: few days a year when it can't fly. A as short as 350m learning, meeting the challenges, and
“We can typically have an aircraft ready testament, if any was needed, to TROYD BOWLES improving as a pilot.”

SAUDIA
BRANCHES OUT
Saudia is the latest airline to delve into the high-profile
world of sports sponsorship. Airliner World speaks to
the carrier’s corporate marketing and communications
advisor Ibrahim Binaquil to find out why
Airliner World: What is Vision

2030 and how does Saudia Airlines
fit into this?
Ibrahim Binaquil: Vision 2030 is a
unique transformative economic and
social reform blueprint that is opening excited to discover new
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia up to the collaborations that bring people
world. The Vision 2030 initiative was together through the love of sport
launched to expand and diversify the and travel.
ABOVE: Saudia has
country’s economy and provides the previously sponsored
backbone to Saudia’s ethos. AW: What direct benefits does Vision elite boxing events as
As the national airline carrier, we are 2030 bring to the airline? well as Formula E
proud to be part of the journey for IB: An increase in passenger traffic and is now looking
for potential
international visitors exploring the is one of the most powerful benefits opportunities outside
beauty of Saudi Arabia – we are the that the Vision 2030 blueprint brings of its home market
wings of Vision 2030. to Saudia. We’re a rapidly growing SAUDIA
airline and passengers can fly directly
AW: Given the array of sports with us to more than 100 destinations
sponsorship available, why did Saudia across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle
W
atch any major lend its support to Formula E? East and North America. One of the
sporting event from IB: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is elements we are most proud of is
Premier League a growing destination for attracting being able to connect our guests
LEFT: The carrier's
football to golf and high-profile sports events in order to with a destination they have not latest sponsorship
it’s increasingly likely promote tourism in the nation and experienced before. We take immense deal covers reigning
you’ll spot the name of a major airline encourage economic development. pride in being able to transport Formula E champion
on team kits and uniforms or on Sports Tourism is a hugely popular travellers to the Kingdom. Stoffel Vandoorne,
who is a brand
surrounding advertising hoardings. sector and a driving force for visitation ambassador
For carriers keen to expand their to the Kingdom. AW: Looking forward, can we expect SAUDIA
global footprints, it’s a surefire way of With this in mind, we have engaged to see Saudia’s sponsorship efforts
reaching an audience of thousands with key sporting events such as develop from the domestic into the
if not millions, and unsurprisingly it’s Formula E to reach new global international market? If so, in which
big business – a 2021 GlobalData audiences and to open their minds key sports/regional areas are we
report revealed there were 85 airlines to travel in the Kingdom through a likely to see this?
engaged in such arrangements, with shared love of sports and innovation. IB: Perhaps! We’re always open to BELOW: Corporate
around 275 deals worth an estimated exploring new collaborations with marketing and
communications
$737 million. AW: Saudi Arabia is now regularly exciting like-minded brands and in advisor, Ibrahim
For Saudia, a recent tie-up with hosting high-profile sporting events new and exciting regions. Watch Binaquil
the all-electric street racing series, including elite boxing and Formula 1. this space! SAUDIA
Formula E and Championship winner Can we expect to see Saudia
Stoffel Vandoorne is new ground, but sponsoring such events and related
with its oil-rich home nation looking personalities?
for ways to transform and diversify its IB: We have a clear sponsorship
economy, it’s likely the flag carrier will strategy, which is focused on
feature more prominently at home venturing into the most relevant areas
and abroad in the months to come. for Saudia. Our clear and scientific
Hot on the heels of its Formula E assessment method and our team
sponsorship, Saudia’s corporate responsible for partnerships drive
marketing and communications our decisions to directly align with
advisor Ibrahim Binaquil revealed achieving our expansion goals. We
more about the deal and the have already sponsored elite boxing
carrier’s wider plans. and the Formula E, and we’re always
www.key.aero 75
The latest
commercial
aircraft
deliveries from
manufacturers
and lessors
ITA Airways'
expansion continues
at pace, with the
Italian flag carrier
having recently
introduced its first
Airbus A320neos
into service. This
includes EI-INC (c/n
11288), the third
example to join the
fleet since the turn
of the year
V1IMAGES.COM/
MARTIN KONECNY
flydubai [FZ/FDB ‘Sky Dubai’] Pivot Airlines [GGN ‘Great North’]

A6-FKH 737-8 61005 ex N4025Q, N4022T, dd 05.01.23, lsd fr GGAM C-FWRL CRJ200LR 7618 ex N418AW, dd 14.02.23
A6-FKJ 737-8 61007 ex N4022L, N4022T, dd 31.01.23 Porter Airlines [PD/POE ‘Porter’]
OK-TSO 737-8GQ 35793 ex N191CR, dd 17.11.22, lsd fr/op by SmartWings C-GKQQ E190-400 19020080 ex PR-EDE, dd 17-18.02.23, fleet # ‘908’
OK-TST 737-86N 37884 ex EI-FHG, dd 20.11.22, lsd fr/op by SmartWings Sunwing Airlines [WG/SWG]
OK-TVX 737-8Z9 33833 ex OE-LNR, dd 18.12.22, lsd fr/op by SmartWings OK-TSU 737-8FZ 31717 ex B-5526, dd 20.12.22, lsd fr/op by SmartWings
Qatar Airways [QR/QTR ‘Qatari’] OK-TVS 737-86N 39404 ex C-GPVS, dd 03.02.23, lsd fr/op by SmartWings
A7-BHI 787-9 64220 ex N1024A, dd 26.01.23 Superior Airways
DHL Aviation [ES/DHX ‘Dilmun’] C-GABM C208 20800308 ex N12712
A9C-DHAA 767-323ER(BCF) 33083 ex HP-3410DAE Transwest Air [9T/ABS ‘Transwest’]
Air China [CA/CCA ‘Air China’] C-GRYI ATR 42-500 625 ex N805HC, dd 10.02.23
B-32A2 A321-251nx 10821 dd 01.03.23, was std Hamburg XFW since 21.07.22 WestJet [WS/WJA ‘Westjet’]
China Eastern Airlines [MU/CES ‘China Eastern’] C-FGQQ 737-8 65426 ex N4022T, dd 19.01.23 fleet # ‘325’
Key to Abbreviations
B-32AC A320-251n 10820 dd 24.02.23, was std Toulouse & Châteauroux C-GIWJ 737-8 65425 ex N4025T, N4022T, dd 18.01.23 fleet # ‘323’
a/c aircraft
als airlines since 20.04.22 Eurowings [EW/EWG ‘Eurowings’]
awys airways LJ Air (Longjiang Airlines) [LT/SNG ‘Snow Eagle’] D-AIDU A321-231 5186 ex D-AVZL, dd 13.02.23 trf fr Lufthansa
bf bought from
b/u broken up/scrapped B-32CV A320-214 7404 ex XU-996, dd 10.02.23 Lufthansa [LH/DLH ‘Lufthansa’]
canx cancelled
cls colours Ruili Airlines [DR/RLH ‘Sendii’] D-ABPC 787-9 62733 ex N8527A, N1005S, dd 18.01.23, named ‘Kiel’
cn manufacturer’s B-223E 737-8Q8 30733 ex N30733, dd 02.02.23, lsd fr AerCap D-AIZR A320-214 5525 ex D-AXAP, dd 01.23, lsd fr SMBC
construction/serial
number SF Airlines [O3/CSS ‘Shun Feng’] Aviation Capital
cnvrtd converted
dbf destroyed by fire B-223D 767-33AER(BCF) 33421 ex N109DP, dd 02.02.23 Lufthansa CityLine [CL/CLH ‘Hansa Line’]
dbr damaged beyond
repair Tibet Airlines [TV/TBA ‘Tibet’] D-AIJH A320-271n 11150 ex F-WWDH, dd 19.01.23
dd delivery date B-32AK A319-153n 11072 ex B-000C, dd 19.01.23 Gestair [GP/GES ‘Gestair’]
ex previous reg'n
ff first flight B-329H A319-153n 10607 ex D-AVWP, dd 17.01.23 EC-NYR ERJ135BJ 14501145 reg’d 05.01.23
frtr freighter
lrf last revenue flight Starlux Airlines [JX/SJX ‘Starwalker’] Vueling [VY/VLG]
lsd fr leased from B-58502 A350-941 557 ex F-WZNI, dd 06.01.23, lsd fr Air Lease Corp EC-NYC A321-271nx 11135 ex D-AVWS, dd 30.01.23
lsd to leased to
msn see cn Air Canada [AC/ACA ‘Air Canada’] Wamos Air [EB/PLM ‘Pullman’]
ntu not taken up
oo on order C-GWUS A220-300 55190 dd 08.01.23 EC-NYJ A330-303 1360 ex EI-HIO, dd 15.02.23, lsd fr AerCap
op operated C-GWUT A220-300 55205 dd 13.01.23, fleet # ‘133’ ASL Airlines Ireland [AG/ABR ‘Contract’]
pax passenger
pwfu permanently Air Transat [TS/TSC ‘Transat’] OE-IXK 737-86N 28612 ex ZS-ZWP, std Kaunas
withdrawn from use
reg’d registered 9H-CHI 737-8 60459 ex 2-MSFL, dd 13.02.23, lsd fr/op by Emerald Airlines [EA/EAI ‘Gemstone’]
reg’n registration
ret fr returned from SmartLynx Malta OE-IHG ATR 72-600 1297 ex PR-PDO, lsd fr AerCap
ret to returned to 9H-ETA 737-8 60458 ex 2-POWR, dd 22.01.23, lsd fr/op by Ryanair [FR/RYR ‘Ryanair’]
rr re-registered
rts return to service SmartLynx Malta EI-EVX 737-8AS 40317 dd 08.02.23, lsd fr SMBC Aviation Capital
sb sold by
scr scrapped/broken up Exact Air EI-IFW 737-8200 62344 dd 11.01.23
st sold to C-FEUP C208 20800370 ex N675MS, reg’d 20.02.23 EI-IFX 737-8200 62349 ex N4022T, N4022H, dd 11.01.23
std stored
tba to be advised Perimeter Aviation [PAG ‘Perimeter’] EI-IFY 737-8200 67070 dd 24.01.23
unk unknown
wfu withdrawn from use C-FGRY Dash 8-102 212 reg’d 15.02.23 Yazd Air
w/o written off/destroyed C-GONW Dash 8-102 112 reg’d 15.02.23 EP-MOM BAe 146-300 E3165 ex UR-CJJ, dd 02.23

Jet2.com [LS/EXS ‘Channex’]
G-JZBU 737-85P 35706 ex LN-RRE, reg’d 24.02.23
Norse Atlantic UK [Z0/UBT ‘Longboat’]
G-CKWN 787-9 63317 ex LN-FNI, lsd fr BOC Aviation
Ryanair UK [RK/RUK ‘Blue Max’]
G-RUKJ 737-8AS 36576 ex EI-DYN, reg’d 21.02.23 We welcome
G-RUKK 737-8AS 37526 ex EI-EBH, reg’d 15.02.23 any feedback
TUI Airways [BY/TOM ‘Tomjet’] on this listing
G-TUMX 737-8 44657 ex N4022H, N4022T, dd 26.01.23 named
(The listing is alphabetical
‘Kuusamo’, lsd ft GGAM
with reference to the
Virgin Atlantic Airways [VS/VIR ‘Virgin’] registration of the country
G-VLDY A330-941 2025 ex F-WWCT, dd 09.01.23 lsd fr Air Lease Corp, of origin. Columns indicate
the registration, type,
named ‘Eliza Doolittle’ construction number and
Edelweiss Air [WK/EDW ‘Edelweiss’] notes.)
HB-JLR A320-214 5037 ex F-WWDF, dd 08.02.23

Avianca – Avervias del Continente Americano [AV/AVA ‘Avianca’]
HK-5422 A320-214 6991 ex N691AG, dd 09.02.23 lsd fr Aviation Capital
Group
HK-5425 A320-214 7392 ex N792AG, dd 25.02.23, lsd fr Aviation Capital
Group
N206FR A320-214 4272 ex F-WWBX, dd 13.02.23, lsd fr Avolon Aerospace
Korean Air [KE/KAL ‘Korean’]
HL8506 A321-272nx 11094 ex D-AVYR, dd 10.01.23
T’Way Air [TW/TWB ‘Teeway’]
HL8514 737-8 62913 ex N4022L, N4022T, dd 27.01.23
Copa Airlines [CM/CMP ‘Copa’]
HP- 737-9 44171 ex N40220, N4022T, dd 31.01.23
9921CMP
LANHSA
HR- Jetstream 4101 41081 ex N564HK
flynas [YX/KNE ‘Nas Express’]
9H-MLB A320-232 4491 ex OE-LDL, dd 26.02.23, lsd fr/op by Avion Express
Malta
ITA Airways [AZ/ITY ‘Itarrow’]
EI-INB A320-272n 11261 ex OE-IDK, EIS 20.02.23
EI-INC A320-272n 11288 ex OE-IDL, EIS 26.02.23
SmartLynx Airlines Estonia [MYX ‘Tallinn Cat’] Neos [NO/NOS ‘Moonflower’]
ES-SAW A320-232 1663 ret fr Air Peace lease 03.02.23 EI-HIL 737-800 60180 ex VP-BSZ, dd 03.02.23, lsd fr CDB Aviation
Aero Nomad [KA/ANK ‘Aero Nomad’] Peach [MM/APJ ‘Air Peach’]
EX-32010 A320-232 3618 ex VP-COG, dd 11.02.23 JA903P A321-251nx 10908 ex D-AVXK, dd 03.01.23, lsd fr Air Lease Corp
Transavia France [TO/TVF ‘French Soleil’] Aerolineas Argentinas [AR/ARG ‘Argentina’]
F-HUYR 737-8K5 35137 ex EI-GYP, dd 09.02.23, lsd fr SMBC Aviation Capital LV-CTC 737-86J(F) 30570 ex N570MQ, dd 02.23, lsd fr Macquarie AirFinance
Cargo Air [CGF ‘Clever’]
BA Euroflyer [A0/EFW] LZ-CGD 737-8K5(F) 30883 ex N883AR, dd 09.02.23
G-GATM A320-232 1892 ex HA-LPE, lsd fr AerCap Compass Cargo Airlines [ADZ ‘Migrator’]
G-GATU A320-232 3089 ex OE-IES, lsd fr AerCap LZ-CXD 737-85R(F) 34800 ex N462AC, dd 02.23, lsd fr Aircastle
DHL Air [D0/DHK ‘World Express’] Alaska Airlines [AS/ASA ‘Alaska’]
G-DHLJ 767-3JHF 37809 ex N643GT, ret fr lease to DHL (US) 09.02.23 N955AK 737-9 63810 ex N4022T, dd 06.01.23
G-DHLK 767-3JHF 37810 ex N644GT, ret fr lease to DHL (US) 16.02.23 N956AK 737-9 43360 ex N4022T, dd 12.01.23, lsd fr Air Lease Corp
Emerald Airlines UK [EAG ‘Greenstone’] American Airlines [AA/AAL ‘American’]
G-CMJL ATR 72-600 1326 ex EI-FSK, lsd fr Nordic Aviation Capital N468AN A321-253nx 11193 ex F-WZMC, dd 27.01.23 fleet # ‘468’
Having already
undertaken four
separate long-
term leases since
joining Smartwings
in 2016, Boeing
737-8GQ OK-TSO
(c/n 35793) is on the
move once again,
this time leaving
its Czech owner for
the sunnier climes
of the UAE and
flydubai, with which
it will operate on a
three-month-long
wet lease V1IMAGES.
COM/MARTIN KONECNY
www.key.aero 77
Berry Aviation [BYA ‘Berry’] Spirit Airlines [NK/NKS ‘Spirit Wing’]
N492BA Dash 8-202 492 ex VH-LCL N974NK A320-271n 11270 ex F-WWDA, dd 31.01.23, lsd fr SMBC Aviation
Envoy Air (American Eagle) [MQ/ENY ‘Envoy’] Capital fleet # ‘4974’
N633RW E170-100SE 17000054 ex PT-SUZ, dd 08.02.23, lsd fr American Airlines N975NK A320-271n 11295 ex F-WWBJ, dd 23.01.23, lsd fr SMBC Aviation
Everts Air [5V/VTS ‘Everts’] Capital fleet # ‘4975’
The latest N979DL MD-88 53266 reg’d 17.02.23, adds to last months section United Airlines [UA/UAL ‘United’]
commercial N997DL MD-88 53364 reg’d 24.02.23, std Fairbanks N17294 737-8 67551 dd 20.01.23 fleet # ‘7294’, lsd fr ORIX Aviation
aircraft FedEx Feeder N27292 737-8 67553 ex N1784B, N40220, N4022T, dd 24.01.23 fleet
deliveries from N714FX C408 408-0005 reg’d 13.02.23 # ‘7292’
manufacturers Freight Runners Express [FRG ‘Freight Runners’] N37295 737-8 67550 ex N40220, N4022T, dd 27.01.23 fleet # ‘7295’, lsd
and lessors N559FR Saab 2000 2000-059 ex S5-AFE, dd 25/1/23 fr ORIX Aviation
Frontier Airlines [F9/FFT ‘Frontier Flight’] N47293 737-8 67552 ex N4022S, N4022T, dd 23.01.23 fleet # ‘7293’
N609FR A321-271nx 11149 ex D-AZXC, dd 30.01.23, lsd fr CAL, named ‘Hamber Brussels Airlines [SN/BEL ‘Beeline’]
The California Condor’ OO-SSY A319-112 2494 ex OE-LDE, dd 01.02.23 in special ‘Star Alliance’
N610FR A321-271nx 11180 ex D-AZXB, dd 30.01.23, lsd fr Aviation Capital colours
Group named ‘Ozzy the Orca’ KLM Royal Dutch Airlines [KL/KLM ‘Klm’]
iAero Airways (Swift Air) [WQ/SWQ ‘Swiftflight’] PH-BKK 787-10 42500 ex N9672M, dd 06.01.23 named ‘Lily of the valley /
OK-TSR 737-82R 40875 ex TC-AAZ, dd 26.01.23, lsd fr/op by SmartWings Meiklokje’, fleet # ‘KK-057’
OK-TVJ 737-8Q8 29351 ex C-FFVJ, dd 26.01.23, lsd fr/op by SmartWings Transavia [HV/TRA ‘Transavia)
OK-TVV 737-86N 38027 ex C-GKVV, dd 30.12.22, lsd fr/op by SmartWings PH-HBJ 737-82R 40696 ex YR-BMJ, dd 18.02.23, lsd fr Air Lease Corp
IBC Airways [II/CHQ ‘Chasqui’] Indonesia AirAsia [QZ/AWQ ‘Wagon Air’]
N9CJ Saab 340B(F) 340B-224 rr N971BC 13.02.23 PK-AZS A320-216 3610 ex 9M-AJW, dd 03.02.23, lsd fr Castlelake
Kamaka Air [KMK ‘Kamaka’] Lion Air [JT/LNI ‘Lion Inter’]
N408KA C408 408-0009 dd 01.02.23 to Kam Air Leasing Co LLC PK-LSZ 737-96NER 36539 ex EI-HGD, dd 10.02.23, lsd fr AerCap
Mesa Airlines [YV/ASH ‘Air Shuttle’] Super Air Jet [IU/SJV ‘Prosper’]
N326FL 737-883(F) 28326 ex LN-RRT, dd 13.02.23, lsd fr/op for DHL PK-SAS A320-232 3414 ex OE-IDJ, dd 14.02.23, lsd fr Avolon Aerospace
Piedmont Airlines (American Eagle) [PT/PDT ‘Piedmont’] PK-SJI A320-232 4818 ex OE-LCH, dd 15.02.23, lsd fr Avolon Aerospace
N664MS ERJ145LR 145779 ex PT-SMI, dd 21.01.23, lsd fr American Airlines Angara Airlines [2G/AGU ‘Sarma’]
N670AE ERJ145LR 145790 ex PT-SMR, dd 21.02.23, lsd fr American Airlines RA-46492 An-24RV 27308205 ex UP-AN403, reg’d 30.11.22
N679AE ERJ145LR 14500814 ex PT-SNQ, dd 04.01.23 RA-46611 An-24RV 37308608 ex UP-AN402, reg’d 31.11.22
Sierra West Airlines [PKW ‘Platinum West’] Norwegian Air Sweden AOC [D8/NSZ ‘Rednose’]
N923TR 737-524 28923 ex LY-KLJ SE-RTD 737-8 63564 ex N5573X, N5573B, N4022T, dd 23.01.23, lsd fr
Southwest Airlines [WN/SWA ‘Southwest’] Air Lease Corp
N1811U 737-8 60219 ex N1800B, N5002K, N1786B, dd 03.01.23 Air Cairo [SM/MSC]
N8774Q 737-8 67512 ex N4022T, dd 31.01.23 SU-BVF ATR 72-600 1171 ex OY-JZG, dd 16.02.23, lsd fr Nordic Aviation Capital
N8828L 737-8 67474 ex N4022S, N4022T, dd 30.12.22 US-Bangla Airlines [BS/UBG ‘Banglastar’]
New Mexican
carrier Awesome N8830Q 737-8 67750 ex N4025H, N4022T, dd 06.01.23 S2-AKM ATR 72-600 1229 ex OY-YDL, dd 30.01.23, lsd fr Nordic Aviation Capital
Cargo is poised N8831L 737-8 67482 ex N4022L, N4022T, dd 12.01.23 Pegasus Airlines [PC/PGT ‘Sunturk’]
to launch services N8832H 737-8 67751 ex N4022T, dd 10.01.23 TC-RDD A321-251nx 11166 ex D-AZXO, dd 26.01.23, named ‘Avşin’
after taking delivery
N8834L 737-8 67752 ex N4022T, dd 05.01.23 Southwind Airlines [2S/STW ‘Moon Star’]
of its maiden
aircraft, Airbus N8835Q 737-8 67489 ex N4025T, N4022T, dd 04.01.23 TC-GRE A321-253nx 11039 ex D-AVYM, dd 16.01.23, lsd fr Air Lease Corp
A330-202 P2F N8836Q 737-8 67483 ex N4022T, dd 20.01.23 Icelandair [FI/ICE ‘Iceair’]
EI-EJI (c/n 1218). N8837Q 737-8 67485 ex N4022T, dd 16.01.23 OE-LMQ 737-8 64992 ex SE-RYH, dd 23.02.23, lsd fr SKY Leasing
The jet still wears
N8838Q 737-8 67484 ex N4022T, dd 23.01.23 Alliance Airlines [QQ/UTY ‘Unity’]
the remnants of
the pearl and white N8839Q 737-8 67489 ex N4022T, dd 27.01.23 VH-XVU E190-100AR 19000078 ex N947UW, dd 10-12.02.23
livery of previous N8840Q 737-8 67493 ex N4022T, N4022S, dd 31.01.23 Hinterland Aviation
operator Alitalia N8842L 737-8 67793 ex N4022T, dd 30.01.23 VH-TQV C208B/EX 208B5067 ex XY-AJL, lsd fr JNP Enterprises
V1IMAGES.COM/
FABRIZIO SPICUGLIA
Key to Abbreviations
a/c aircraft
als airlines
awys airways
bf bought from
b/u broken up/scrapped
canx cancelled
cls colours
cn manufacturer’s
construction/serial
number
cnvrtd converted
dbf destroyed by fire
dbr damaged beyond
repair
dd delivery date
ex previous reg'n
ff first flight
frtr freighter
lrf last revenue flight
lsd fr leased from
lsd to leased to
msn see cn
ntu not taken up
oo on order
op operated
pax passenger
pwfu permanently
withdrawn from use
reg’d registered
reg’n registration
ret fr returned from
ret to returned to
rr re-registered
rts return to service
sb sold by
scr scrapped/broken up
st sold to
std stored
tba to be advised
unk unknown
wfu withdrawn from use
w/o written off/destroyed

We welcome
any feedback
on this listing
(The listing is alphabetical
with reference to the
registration of the country
of origin. Columns indicate
the registration, type,
construction number and
notes.)
Indian carrier Go
First's latest Airbus
A320-271n, VT-WDD
(c/n 11160), is shown
undergoing pre-
delivery tests with
the manufacturer.
It was handed
over on January
20 and arrived at
the airline's Delhi/
Indira Ghandi
International base a
week later
V1IMAGES.COM/
DIRK GROTHE
Virgin Australia Airlines [VA/VOZ ‘Velocity’] Air New Zealand [NZ/ANZ ‘New Zealand’]
VH-NQI 737-7K2 38635 ex 2-HBGX, adds to last months section EC-NCK A330-243 840 ex OE-IBQ, dd 11.11.22, lsd fr/op by Wamos Air
Vietjet Air [VJ/VJC ‘Vietjetair’] Africa Charter Airline [FSK ‘African Sky’]
VN-A815 A330-343E 1670 ex 2-MXBA, dd 20.02.23, lsd fr BOC Aviation ZS-MPZ 737-36E 26322 ex N104RA, reg’d 01.11.22
Air India Express [IX/AXB ‘Express India’] Fly Safair [FA/SFR’]
VT-TGH 737-8AL 39066 ex M-ABLX, dd 02.02.23, lsd fr Alafco ZS-FGX 737-8HO 37933 ex VP-BEF, dd 28.02.23, lsd fr Aero Capital Solutions
Akasa Air [QP/AKJ ‘Akasa Air’] Berniq Airways [NB/BNL ‘Manara’]
VT-YAO 737-8 44867 ex N5573B, N5515R, N412MP, N1786B, dd 19.01.23, 5A-BRE A320-214 4414 ex M-ABNU, dd 11.02.23
lsd fr AerCap Air Peace [P4/APK ‘Peace Bird’]
VT-YAP 737-8 44872 ex N420PK, dd 20.01.23, lsd fr AerCap ES-SAY A320-232 2689 ex OE-IET, dd 17.02.23, lsd fr/op by SmartLynx Estonia
Go First [G8/GOW ‘Goair’] Mauritania Airlines [L6/MAI]
VT-WDD A320-271n 11160 ex D-AVVN, dd 20.01.23 LZ-MDL A321-211 1503 ex OE-IIY, dd 18.02.23, lsd fr/op by Fly2Sky
IndiGo [6E/IGO ‘Ifly’] Liz Aviation
VT-IKN A320-271n 6819 ex TF-GOJ, dd 01.02.23, lsd fr Goshawk Aviation 5V-TTE ATR 72-600 1260 ex 2-FBXA, dd 02.23, lsd fr Aviation PLC
VT-IPP A320-251n 11287 ex F-WWBM, dd 25.01.23 Eurowings Europe Malta [EWL ‘Black Pearl’]
SpiceJet [SG/SEJ ‘Spicejet’] 9H-EUT A320-214 4329 ex D-AEUH, dd 28.02.23
9H-TJC 737-86N 38012 ex OE-IIF, dd 15.02.23, lsd fr/op by Corendon 9H-EWA A320-214 6953 ex OE-IEU, dd 01.02.23
Airlines Europe 9H-EWB A320-214 6992 ex OE-IQA, dd 14.02.23
Westair Aviation [WV/WAA ‘Westair Wings’] 9H-EWD A320-214 7019 ex OE-IQC, dd 28.02.23
V5-WWA Beech 1900D UE-361 ex VT-ASH, dd 01.23 9H-EXQ A319-132 4256 ex OE-LYY, dd 15.02.23
Aeroméxico [AM/AMX ‘Aeromexico’] HiFly Malta [HFM ‘Moonraker’]
N837AM 737-9 65190 ex N4022T, dd 27.01.23, lsd fr Air Lease Corp 9H-HFG A330-203 925 ex OE-LDV, dd 24.02.23, lsd fr Air Lease Corp
Aeronaves TSM [VTM ‘Aeronaves TSM’) SmartLynx Airlines Malta [2M/LYX ‘Malta Cat’]
XA- 737-46N(F) 28723 ex N923NZ, dd 08.02.23 9H-SLG A321-231 1946 ret fr Air Transat lease 19.02.23
XA- CRJ200(PF) 7599 ex N975EV, dd 08.02.23 9H-SMI A330-343 791 ret fr Sky Cana lease 26.02.23
Aerus (Aerotransportes Rafiher) [ZV/RFD ‘Rafhiher’] Malta Air [AL/MAY ‘Blue Med’]
XA- C208B/EX 208B5712 ex N572GH, dd 08.02.22 9H-VVG 737-8200 62343 ex N40235, N4022T, dd 04.01.23
XA- C208B/EX 208B5713 ex N573GH, dd 08.02.22 9H-VVH 737-8200 62342 ex N4022T, dd 04.01.23
XA- C208B/EX 208B5714 ex N574GH, dd 08.02.23 Valletta Airlines [HOT ‘Sunny Sky’]
Awesome Cargo 9H-NZL A320-214 2388 ex LY-NZL, dd 31.01.23, lsd fr Genesis Aircraft
XA- A330-202 1218 ex EI-EJI, dd 06.02.23, lsd fr Air Lease Corp Services
Volaris [Y4/VOI ‘Volaris’] Wizz Air Malta [W4/WMT ‘Wizzairmalta’]
XA-VSC A321-271nx 10789 ex F-WXAY, dd 18.02.23 9H-WAU A320-232 8097 ex HA-LSB, dd 02.02.23
Lanmei Airlines [MQ/MKR ‘Air Lanme’] 9H-WBM A321-271nx 10753 ex HA-LZG, dd 24.02.23, lsd fr Bleriot Aviation
XU-901 A320-232 3743 ret fr Jazeera Airways lease Funding
Iraqi Airways [IA/IAW ‘Iraqi’] 9H-WBN A321-271nx 10894 ex HA-LGK,dd 24.02.23, lsd fr Bleriot Aviation
YI-ARI A220-300 55201 ex C-FOWQ, dd 23.01.23 Funding
Fly Lili [LIL ‘Lilies’] 9H-WBP A320-232 8183 ex HA-LYX, dd 15.02.23, lsd fr DVB Bank
YR-LIB A320-232 2422 ex EI-HJA, dd 06.02.23, lsd fr Carlyle Aviation Partners, 9H-WBQ A320-232 8355 ex HA-LYZ, dd 10.02.23, lsd fr Pembroke Capital
Estelar [ES/ETR ‘Estel’] 9H-WBT A320-232 6093 ex HA-LYB, dd 04.02.23, lsd fr Infinity Trading
JY-JAX 737-322 23955 ex N323UA, dd 21.02.23, lsd fr/op by Jordan Avn 9H-WBV A320-232 6098 ex HA-LYC, dd 08.02.23, lsd fr Infinity Trading
www.key.aero 79
FAI Technik opens Berlin base
FAI TECHNIK, a subsidiary of German
The latest general aviation operator FAI Rent-a-
news from Jet, has opened a new maintenance
maintenance, facility at Berlin’s Willy Brandt Airport.
repair and The facility offers line and base
overhaul maintenance services for Beechcraft
King Air, the Premier 1/1A and Hawker
providers
125 series, as well as line checks up to
1C for a range of Gulfstream models,
By including the F500, G550 and G650ER.
Nigel Pittaway In addition, an AOG team will support
FAI Rent-a-Jet’s fleets of Learjet 60,
Bombardier Challenger 604 and BD700
Global Express jets. The Berlin base
adds to FAI’s existing capabilities offered
from its headquarters at Nuremberg’s
Albrecht Dürer Airport. The German firm
said it will absorb more than 90% of the
workforce of Beechcraft Berlin Aviation
(BBA), which filed for insolvency in 2022.
The Brandenburg facility is located in
the airport’s General Aviation Terminal
precinct and offers over 36,600sq ft of capital airport, which will nicely to the growth and prosperity of FAI’s
hangar floor space and 14,000sq ft of complement our existing MRO facility maintenance division.”
workshops, stores and offices. at Nuremberg. We are also pleased FAI Rent-a-Jet has already based a
FAI Group chairman Siegfried to have been able to retain more BD700 and CL604 at the airport and
Axtmann commented: “We are than 30 highly qualified ex-BBA staff is planning to expand its management
delighted to be able to announce FAI members, who will continue to support services for Berlin-based aircraft.
Technik's presence at Germany’s BBA’s clients, as well as contributing (Photo FAI Technik)
SAEI and LTME to collaborate

SAUDIA AEROSPACE Engineering
Industries (SAEI) and Lufthansa
Technik Middle East (LTME) have
announced the signing of an
agreement to co-operate closely to
provide aircraft component services
in the region.
Over the next decade, the deal
will see Lufthansa Technik providing
its Total Component Support (TCS)
service for Saudia’s fleet of Boeing
777 and 787 aircraft, comprising 39
777s (35 777-300ERs and four 777F
freighters), 13 787-9s and five
787-10 airliners. Overall, the Saudi
Arabian carrier operates a fleet of
57 777/787 examples. As well as
strengthening technical operations, Technik will create a regional aircraft first time Emirates has outsourced
the two companies said that maintenance powerhouse that is truly A380 heavy maintenance to an
Lufthansa Technik will also support commensurate with our strategic external service provider. The first
SAEI in the enhancement of its ambitions in this sector.” aircraft due to be overhauled arrived
in-house component repair and In other related regional news, in the Philippine capital city in
overhaul capabilities. Lufthansa Technik has confirmed that January 2023.
SAEI and LTME see the new it has signed two major contracts for Kai-Stefan Roepke, vice president
arrangement as forming the basis of MRO services to support Emirates’ of corporate sales Europe, Middle
an MRO ‘community of excellence’, Airbus A380 fleet. One of the two East and Africa for Lufthansa Technik,
as discussed at the Future of agreements will see the German firm said: “With most airlines now having
Aviation Forum in Riyadh last year, overhauling the main landing gear left the COVID-19 crisis behind and
and hope to attract further regional assemblies of the A380s over the next air travel demand skyrocketing,
organisations to shape the future 13 years. The work will be undertaken passenger capacity is needed more
sustainable growth of the sector. at Lufthansa Technik Landing Gear than ever, and this positively affects
Fahd H Cynndy, SAEI’s chief Services’ facility in the UK and is due to MRO demand for the A380. Having
executive officer, commented: begin in August 2023. won the trust of Emirates, both
“Combining our unique position The second deal will provide extra the type's largest operator and
in one of the fastest growing capacity for base maintenance checks themselves a renowned authority
aviation markets globally with the on the aircraft up to ‘C’ check level in the field of A380 MRO, makes
experience and expertise of an at Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) us extra proud.”
MRO leader such as Lufthansa facility in Manila and represents the (Image SAEI)

EFW partners Haite Safran signs
for P2F conversions nacelle The latest
SICHUAN HAITE Hi-tech (Haite) EFW chief executive Jordi Boto said: MRO deal news from
maintenance,
and Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) are “We are pleased to gain a renowned SAFRAN NACELLES and Air France repair and
to collaborate on Airbus A321P2F partner in China through our latest Industries KLM Engineering and overhaul
(passenger to freighter) conversion collaboration with Haite, which is well Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) have providers
work. Under a recently signed letter experienced in freighter conversions. inked an agreement which will
of intent (LOI), Haite will perform This new partnership will greatly see the latter licensed to provide
conversions for EFW’s A321P2F support our strategy to expand the nacelle MRO services for the CFMI
By
programme at its facility in Tianjin, global network for our narrowbody LEAP-1A engines. The powerplants Nigel Pittaway
China, representing the first third- P2F programme. It will also further are currently in service on Airbus
party conversion capability. strengthen our presence in China, A320neo aircraft worldwide.
EFW has three existing A321PF which is one of the largest and fastest The breakthrough means AFI
conversion facilities in Texas, growing aviation markets in the world.” KLM E&M will gain access to the
Singapore and Guangzhou. The Haite Pictured on the left is EFW COO original equipment manufacturer’s
plant will start with a single conversion Chin Wah Chan, while on the right is specialised tooling and rotable
line and is expected to induct its first Ivan Chin, general manager of Tianjin asset pool, as well as harnessing its
aircraft in the third quarter of 2023. Haite Aircraft Engineering. own internal capabilities.
Commenting on the agreement, (Photo EFW) Benjamin Moreau, senior vice
president of strategy and business
development at AFI KLM E&M, said:
“Following the signature of the
CFM Branded Service Agreement
(CBSA), the LEAP-1A nacelles
licence contributes to [our] strategy
to develop full capability on the
LEAP engine based on its dual
expertise of an airline-MRO. We
are extremely proud to increase
our range of services for next-
generation nacelles based on
our ability to design and deliver
adapted and high-performance
services. Via this licence, we will
be able to further strengthen our
capabilities to the benefit of our
customers around the world.”
Aerolineas Argentinas MRO boost

AIR FRANCE Industries KLM Diego Georgiadis, technical
Engineering and Maintenance (AFI director at the Argentinian flag
KLM E&M) and Aerolineas Argentinas carrier, said: “Our airline has a rich
have confirmed the extension of a history with AFI KLM E&M, a partner
maintenance agreement between the that has always been on-hand and
two parties. The new deal follows the receptive to our needs, coming up
conclusion of two dedicated support with custom-designed and efficient
contracts for the carrier’s CFMI service packages. The expertise,
CFM56-7B and GE CF6-80E1 engines responsiveness and availability of
and will cover the carrier’s fleet of 37 their teams, along with their ability
CFM56-powered aircraft (totalling to appreciate the challenges we face
74 engines) and eight CF6-powered as an airline, provide major peace of
airliners (16 engines). The work mind and the guarantee of optimal
undertaken will include shop visits and support from both an operational and
engine repair services. financial point of view.” (Photo Airbus)
Chinese joint venture confirmed

SINGAPORE-BASED ST Engineering The JV will establish a green-field which is the largest airframe MRO
and Chinese cargo airline SF Airlines MRO complex at Ezhou Huahu Airport, provider in the world, with over 45
are to form an airframe MRO joint which is designed as an international years of experience in the industry,
venture (JV) in China’s Hubei province. logistics hub for Hubei Province. ST will make up for our airframe
Under the agreement, the two Engineering will take a 60% stake in the maintenance capability. Given the
companies will establish a facility in the venture, with SF Airlines holding the huge aircraft maintenance market
city of Ezhou. The partners estimate remainder. The new facility is expected in Ezhou, sincere co-operation with
that maintenance, repair and overhaul to be open for business in 2025. ST Engineering and strong support
demand in the China and Asia-Pacific Li Sheng, chairman of SF Airlines, from the government, I have full
region will grow by between 3% and explained: “The establishment of the confidence in the development of
7% annually over the next decade. MRO joint venture with ST Engineering, the joint venture.”
www.key.aero 81
Letters to the Editor
Information Dear Editor,
for the As an avid reader of Airliner World
traveller since the very first issue – which,
incidentally, I still have – the recent
article on the Shorts 330/360 bought
back memories. My first trip was on
a 360 of Aer Lingus from Leeds-
Bradford to Dublin – uneventful as
a flight itself, but the memory of the
sliding door between the cockpit and
the cabin remains. A flight in a 330
came some years later, from Athens
to the island of Skyros. The aircraft
belonged to the holiday company I can’t be alone in thinking it would single-aisle airliner using the same
Manos and it was their way of getting be a rather good idea? composite airframe technology as the
their clientele to the island. As I recall, Joshua Woods, Leicestershire 787, with sufficient thrust-to-weight
the aircraft flew over the Parthenon, Ed: Do you agree that a new low-cost ratio for charter flights for which the 757
which was a most memorable sight! carrier is needed to jump-start the UK has heretofore been eminently suited.
These older prop airliners along with aviation scene? Is the Boeing 737 MAX Alex Kovnat, Michigan, USA
others must bring back memories to the right aircraft to do it? Get in touch
many readers. My first was in a Vickers and join the debate – our full contact Dear Editor,
Viking of Tradair and was later to details are listed opposite. I am writing to say how much I
include aircraft such as the Viscount, enjoyed Keith Otto’s 757: Journey of
DC-3, DC-4 and, ultimately, a Junkers Dear Editor, a Lifetime article in the March edition.
Ju 52/3m from Lufthansa. I was working for British Airways from My first encounter with a Boeing
This brings me back onto Airliner 1976 to 1988 as an apprentice aircraft 757 was the demonstrator N505EA.
World, where in a recent issue we engineer, then later as a qualified After its visit to Farnborough in
were promised a feature on the Bloch aircraft engineer. I saw both the great September 1982, it flew to Heathrow
MB.220. An interesting airliner and an times and some very sad ones. I was on September 14. The purpose of the
article about which I am sure many of there for some of the first services trip was to let British Airways staff and
your readers were eagerly anticipating. of Concorde and was lucky to have guests have a tour of the aircraft prior
When can we expect to read about travelled on the first service of the to its delivery to the airline early in
this airliner? Boeing 757 from Belfast/International 1983, and I was lucky enough to get
Clive Hawkins to London/Heathrow. an invite. This would be the start of a
Ed: Thanks for the letter, Clive, and I was also working for British Airways love affair with the aircraft.
your astute observation regarding when the mid-air collision of the I had my first flight on a 757 in
the Bloch MB.220. Rest assured this Trident occurred, not to mention March 1983, on G-BIKC – the same
feature is still planned, however we are the BA Airtours 737 accident at aircraft that a young Keith Otto had
waiting on some very rare imagery to Manchester. It really hurts when you seen at Edinburgh in February that
help illustrate the article (not always lose working colleagues. year. I went on to have 96 flights
easy when writing about such an old I later moved from engineering to on the 757, visiting Belfast, Lisbon,
aircraft type). We hope you’ll agree flying, managing to finish as a training Jersey, Brussels, Amsterdam and
that it’s worth the wait. captain (not with BA) on the A320. Let's Paris. My last flight on the type was
hope that accidents get fewer and fewer. aboard G-BMRC in 1998.
Dear Editor, Thank you very much for Airliner Thanks for a great magazine,
Reading your recent editions, there World magazine – I have been an avid Clifford Holmes, Newtownabbey
seems to be an explosion in the reader of your publication since the
number of new low-cost carriers in first issue was produced. Dear Editor,
many major countries and markets Simon Rochester I read with excitement the article
around the world. Bonza in Australia, about TAP Air Portugal in your
Avelo in the USA, Akasa in India, Dear Editor, February 2023 issue. However, the
Flybondi in Argentina... the list goes I have just finished reading 757: A feature about TAP mainly related to
on. It makes me wonder if we need Journey of a Lifetime in the March the current circumstances of the
a well-financed and professionally 2023 issue. I have long considered airline and unfortunately said nothing
run start-up carrier here in the UK to it a disappointment that the 757 was about the past, reaching back to the
shake things up. Looking at fares for discontinued, given it has proven 1970s and 1980s. Perhaps you could
this coming summer, even the likes irreplaceable for a variety of purposes be so kind as to provide some more
of Ryanair and easyJet are wanting – notably on charter flights (which historic information about TAP Air
hundreds for short hops to Spain and often require take-offs and landings at Portugal in an upcoming issue?
France – and don’t get me started on airports with less-than-ideal runway Henry Gatzweiler
the prices British Airways and other lengths) and long-haul flights carrying Ed: Given the special behind-the-
flag carriers try to charge! too few passengers to justify a scenes access we were granted to
I feel like a new all-Boeing 737 widebody aircraft. TAP’s headquarters in Lisbon, we felt
MAX operator with the right slots Like many aviation buffs I have it was most relevant to have the focus
and business plan could shock the long advocated and wondered when of that particular feature be on current
increasingly complacent incumbents Boeing would begin development of and future operations. That said, we
into action and return some dynamism a ‘middle of the market’ aircraft, to agree the carrier has a fascinating
to the British low-cost market, much replace ageing 757s still used by Delta, history and we’ll take this into
like the late 1990s and early 2000s. United, DHL and other airlines. consideration when planning our next
Where’s our modern day Stelios? I believe Boeing should develop a batch of retrospective articles.

Shows & events
Shows and events worldwide may be listed
here for free. Send correspondence to
As observed in Oslo...
Dear Editor, of Oslo. It turns out that the city’s
airlinerworld@keypublishing.com
One of my favourite airlines since Gardermoen Airport receives daily
April 16 Information
I became an aviation enthusiast arrivals of the mighty Boeing 777
Heathrow Aircraft Enthusiasts Fair, for the
is Emirates. I have been dreaming from Emirates. I knew that I couldn’t
Kempton Park Racecourse,
Sunbury on Thames TW16 5AQ about catching every aircraft in the miss the opportunity to catch the traveller
www.aircraftenthusiastfair.co.uk or call colours of that particular airline. plane of my dreams.
+447903848726 Unfortunately, it was not possible Eventually, my spotting days turned
May 7 to realise my dream in my home out to be successful, with a brand-
Gatwick Aviation Enthusiasts Fair, country of Ukraine, as Emirates had new airline added to my list. I have
K2 Crawley, Pease Pottage Hill RH11 9BQ no rotation there before the war. attached my photograph of Emirates
facebook.com/gatwickaviationfair Considering the recent events, I EK160, a Boeing 777-300ER,
June 19-25 had to move away and the lottery registration A6-EPD.
Paris Air Show, offered me the Norwegian capital Mykhailo Golovach, Oslo
Paris Le Bourget Exhibition Centre, France
www.siae.fr/en/
June 21-24
Airliners International 2023 DFW,
Hyatt Regency DFW International Airport,
Dallas, Texas, USA
www.airlinersinternational.org
September 16-17
Amsterdam Aviation Collectors Fair,
Van Zantenhal, IJweg Nr. 1415, 2152 NB
Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands
www.aviationfair.com
Events are subject to late change without
Airliner World’s knowledge. Please check
details prior to travel and adhere to any local
COVID-19 regulations.
GET IN TOUCH WITH AIRLINER WORLD

Do you have a historical tale, burning question, or comment about the magazine to share with our global audience? Get in
touch via airlinerworld@keypublishing.com with the subject ‘Letters to the Editor’, or drop us a message on Facebook.com/
AirlinerWorld, on Twitter @_AirlinerWorld or join the debate on our Key.Aero forum. As we return to the editorial office, we are
also able to welcome letters once again – the postal address is: Airliner World, PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1XQ
one of five copies of
WIN PLANE starring Gerard Butler

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(Butler) saves his passengers from a lightning strike by making a
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and fill in the competition entry form closing date 19 July 2023
www.key.aero 83
UK Visitors
We present a selection of images of visiting aircraft from airports around the UK. For the most part, they’re
commercial jets, but almost all of them are unusual types, wearing new or unique liveries, or first visits by an
airline or airliner to a particular airport. If you see something out of the ordinary while on your travels, please
Top tier football
matches can often send in your pictures. Photos can be emailed to airlinerworld@keypublishing.com Please ensure you
attract an array
of interesting provide full details with the images, particularly the date, location, airline name and aircraft identity
visitors and so it
was at Liverpool Liverpool
on February 20/21
when Real Madrid
was in town for a
UEFA Champions
League tie. Notable
movements
included IberoJet
Airbus A330-941
CS-TKH (c/n 1963),
which brought
fans in from the
Spanish capital
NIK FRENCH
Gulfstream G550
Bristol PS-PJM (c/n 5334) was
an early contender
for movement of the
year at Bristol. It was
not immediately clear
why the jet, which is
registered to Brazilian
real estate enterprise
Lucon - Administração
De Bens, was in the
UK but it spent three
days at Centreline
Aero before departing
home to Sáo Paulo on
March 19
GARY MORRIS
It’s not very often a

military installation RAF Waddington
features in Airliner
World, but RAF
Waddington welcomed
an unusual visitor on
March 14 in the shape
of SmartLynx Airbus
A320-214 YL-LDM
(c/n 2975). The aircraft,
a UK regular having
spent last summer
on lease to easyJet,
arrived from Kuopio in
support of the Finnish
Air Force detachment
temporarily based
at the Lincolnshire
airfield as part of the
multinational Exercise
Cobra Warrior
KARL SKERSTINS
With an Airbourne
Exeter Colours sprayshop
on site, it’s not
uncommon for
aircraft to arrive
at Exeter in one
livery and depart
in another. This
was the case with
former Aer Lingus
Regional/Stobart
Air ATR 72-600
EI-FAX (c/n 1129),
which swapped
the green colours
of its previous
operator for the
iconic rings of
Olympic Air in
late February. It
is expected to
become SX-OBR
IAN SIMPSON

Exeter
Turkmenistan
Airlines visited
Exeter once again
on February 28,
this time with
Boeing 737-82K
EZ-A020 (c/n
61575). The carrier
is a semi-frequent
user of the Devon
airport, flying
students from
Ashgabat to the
local university
IAN SIMPSON
The Liverpool – Liverpool

Real Madrid UEFA
Champions League
match attracted an
array of business
jet traffic, including
Embraer EMB-
135BJ Legacy
650 UP-EM018
(c/n 14501176)
of Kazakhstan’s
Euro-Asia Air. The
aircraft arrived
from Larnaca on
February 20 and
departed two days
later to St Moritz
JOHN SPENCER
Air Explore Boeing

Gatwick 737-8BK OM-IEX
(c/n 33016) has
graced our shores
in a variety of
liveries over the
years and is now
flying in the colours
of Sudanese carrier
Badr Airlines
for whom it was
operating a new
service between
Khartoum and
London/Gatwick.
The inbound leg
routes via Istanbul,
while outbound
flights are direct
with an optional
technical stop
in Cairo
CHRIS DOGGETT
Another football Manchester

charter, this time
KlasJet Boeing
737-31S LY-CHF
(c/n 29057) which
carried the RB
Leipzig team for
its Champions
League clash
with Manchester
City. The one-time
Thomson Airways
example, which
entered service
with the Lithuanian
private jet operator
last December, is
seen positioning
out to London/
Stansted on
March 13
ROSS HARWOOD
www.key.aero 85
Fleet upgrade in Florida
WAYMAN AVIATION Academy has David Copeland, Tecnam’s US Together with Wayman, we are proud
accepted its first delivery of a Tecnam director of sales said: “This first to be innovating the flight training
The latest P2006T. The Florida-based training P2006T is just a first step for a paradigm in Florida.”
training aids school selected the modern twin- long-term partnership with Wayman The aircraft acceptance ceremony
available for engine as part of its ongoing fleet Aviation Academy. Tecnam is not took place in Sebring in central Florida
the aviation modernisation programme to increase selling aircraft but offering modern, and was assisted by Flightline Group,
professional multi-engine aircraft reliability. smart and green solutions to flight the authorised Tecnam dealer in the
The Tecnam P2006T MkII is four- schools across the US and Canada. Sunshine State. (Photo Tecnam)
seat aircraft with fully retractable
landing gear. It is equipped with
a modern Garmin avionics suite,
integrating all primary flight, navigation,
communication and terrain data on
two high-definition LCD screens.
According to the OEM, its Rotax
engines will cut fuel burn and the
carbon footprint of training by two-
thirds. The transition from single-engine
trainers to the P2006T is also due to
offer Wayman’s students a platform that
contributes to a more seamless move to
earn multi-engine ratings.
French partnership for BAA Training

BAA TRAINING has teamed up with French school, as we are soon opening at Airways Aviation, added: “This
France’s Airways Aviation Academy a world-class training facility with six agreement brings together two of the
(ESMA). The partnership comes ahead of simulator bays near Paris/Orly Airport.” leading companies when it comes to
a soon-to-open simulator centre near The new training centre, where ab initio and type rating pilot training.
Paris/Orly Airport. Airways Aviation is the Airways Aviation will send its students We will be offering our pilot graduates
largest privately owned multidisciplinary to complete the last training stages, is the chance to get type ratings and
academy based in the country and BAA due to start operations in the second guaranteed positions as first officers
Training France will assist its pilots with quarter of this year. The facility will through this agreement with BAA
MCC courses and Airbus A320 and house the full-flight simulator types Training. Guaranteed job placement is
Boeing 737 type rating training. including for the Boeing 737NG, something all pilots look for, and we
Marijus Ravoitis, CEO of BAA Training, A320neo and widebody aircraft. intend to have different options with
said: “It is a significant achievement Alexandre Alves, global chief great partners, such as BAA Training,
for us to co-operate with a leading operating and commercial officer to cater to our students’ needs.”
Skyborne scholarship boost

SKYBORNE AIRLINE Academy is training provider of choice will allow assessment and selection process,
partnering with Wings for Warriors, a us to supply highly-skilled pilots to the Wings for Warriors was able to provide
UK-based charity, to offer an annual aviation industry while supporting a financial support in conjunction
scholarship worth £15,000. The award worthy charity. We wish James all the with Skyborne. To think that one
will be issued to ex-military personnel best in completing his ATPL Ground day, through Skyborne’s airline
to help with the cost of aviation School training and taking his piloting partnerships, I could be the captain of
training. Wings for Warriors provides career to the next level,” said Lee an airliner is amazing. For any veterans
injured, wounded or sick servicemen Woodward, chief executive at Skyborne. out there that don’t know what step
and women the opportunity to James Taylor (pictured) added: “As to take next, get in touch with Wings
undergo pilot training to bolster their I entered remission, I was so pleased for Warriors for support and advice.”
career prospects upon leaving the to hear that after a successful (Photo Skyborne Airline Academy)
armed services.
Through the partnership, ex-
serviceman James Taylor is currently
completing the ATPL Ground School
with Cheltenham-based Skyborne
and is likely to be awarded the full
scholarship towards his training.
James was diagnosed with Ewing
sarcoma in 2020, a rare type of cancer
which led to his discharge from the
Royal Marines.
“Our partnership gives talented
individuals who have served in the
military the opportunity to continue
pursuing a professional career. Being
named as Wings For Warrior’s flight

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www.Key.Aero 87
Loss of separation in Sydney skies
Reports
and details
of recent
incidents
The British Airways

aircraft involved
in the incident
was a Boeing
787-9, G-ZBKF
(c/n 38622).
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
STEVE FLINT
A
British Airways Boeing location,” Macleod added. climbed to the same altitude.
787 and Qantas Airbus Instead, the Qantas widebody The separation between the jets
A330 suffered a loss of reached 6,000ft as it passed DEENA, reduced to 2.4nm laterally and 600ft
separation while departing and began its turn about 12 miles vertically. This is below the required
Sydney/Kingsford Smith (20km) from the airport. Meanwhile, limits of either 4nm laterally (for
Airport last year, a report by the the heavier 787 reached 6,000ft ‘heavy’ aircraft) or 1,000ft vertically.
Australian Transport Safety Bureau sometime after passing DEENA, and The ATSB report states: “As QF926 was
(ATSB) has found. began its own turn about 15 miles turning, the controller detected that
On the afternoon of September 28, (25km) from the hub. This meant the aircraft had climbed faster than
2022, the 787-9 Dreamliner G-ZBKF the A330 had to turn inside the they had anticipated and instructed
(c/n 38622), took off from Runway path of the Dreamliner as they QF926 to stop their climb at 9,000ft,
16R for a scheduled passenger service
to Singapore. Approximately three
minutes later, the A330-200 VH-EBK
(c/n 945), departed the same runway
for a flight to Cairns in northern
Queensland. Both widebodies were
instructed by air traffic control
(ATC) to follow the same standard
instrument departure (SID), known
as the DEENA 7, for their respective
climbs to 28,000ft.
Climb considerations
The SID required the aircraft to meet
two separate conditions before
a turn to the northwest could be
commenced: they had to pass the
DEENA waypoint, and had to climb to
at least 6,000ft. “Because aircraft have
to satisfy two separate conditions
prior to turning, there is no way to
ensure aircraft will turn at the same
location when conducting the DEENA
7 SID,” Stuart Macleod, ATSB director
transport safety explained.
The trailing A330 – being used on
a domestic flight – had a lower fuel
load and better climb performance
than it would have had for an
international service. “The departure
Qantas QF926 is
depicted in orange
controller did not expect this, and
and BA16 in green instead expected the A330 to have a
within this graphic similar climb performance to the
from the report. 787 it was following, thus remain
ATSB/GOOGLE EARTH/
FLIGHTRADAR24 behind it and turn at about the same

Reports
and
details
of recent
incidents
cleared on a SID, where a following

aircraft has climbed faster than the
preceding aircraft. Of these, six were
at Sydney, and five involved the
DEENA 7 SID. As a result of this latest
incident, Airservices Australia – the
government-owned air navigation
service provider – has redesigned
flight crews remain vigilant, maintain the DEENA 7 SID to remove the
open communications, and use conditional requirements of the
the available systems and tools to procedure. The ATSB said this has
to which the flight crew advised they minimise the risk of errors. When been approved and planned to be
would do their best. The controller sequencing departures, controllers released as part of the Western
then instructed BA16 to expedite their should consider a number of factors, Sydney International (Nancy-Bird
climb through 10,000ft.” including how the flight duration (and Walton) Airport project – a major new
The BA flight crew later told the the associated fuel load) will likely hub currently under construction.
investigation that they had received affect aircraft climb performance,” According to the ATSB, at the
a traffic collision avoidance system noted Macleod. time of writing its report, Airservices
(TCAS) advisory during the departure, Australia was “developing a timeline
and the first officer had subsequently Case in context for the implementation of the
visually identified the A330. The ATSB’s final report highlights that redesigned SID”, adding that “[it] will
“Maintaining separation in high in the last decade in Australia, there continue to monitor the safety issue”.
traffic terminal areas, such as Sydney, have been eight loss of separation The full report is available to view at
requires that both controllers and occurrences involving aircraft www.atsb.gov.au
Double tail-strike alert in Seattle
A
pair of Alaska Airlines The narrowbody levelled at 3,000ft pilots use a digital tool. It delivers
Boeing 737s suffered and returned to Seattle around 20 a message to the flight deck with
tail-strikes within six minutes after departure. weight and balance data, which is
minutes of each other While tail-strikes are not then entered into the aircraft’s own
while departing Seattle/ uncommon events within aviation, flight computer to determine the
Tacoma, leading the carrier to two in the space of six minutes at correct power and speed settings.
temporarily halt its entire operation the same airport and on the same On the morning of the incidents,
nationwide. A 737 MAX 9, registration operator’s fleet is not normal. the tool was providing undervalued
N941AK (c/n 44101), was performing “Upon learning of two tail-touches weights for the aircraft, which meant
Flight AS801 from the Washington on January 26, 2023, we paused our the power and speed settings were
state city to Kona in Hawaii on entire operation to quickly identify also underestimated, so the jets took
January 26, 2023. While departing safety mitigations,” an Alaska Airlines off with less power and at a lower
Runway 16L, the crew noticed a spokesperson explained to our speed than they should have.
bump and the cabin crew heard website Key.Aero. “The [incidents] It reportedly took the flight
scratching noises upon rotation. The were caused by a vendor software operations department around 20
airliner stopped its climb at 14,000ft update that mistakenly installed minutes to figure out what was
and returned to the airport for a safe code resulting in inaccurate take-off wrong, with flights resuming shortly
landing around 40 minutes later. performance weight data for a small thereafter. A permanent fix to the
Approximately six minutes after the subset of our flights. As a mitigation, software was implemented around
first incident, another of the carrier’s we switched to manual input of take- five hours later. No injuries were
aircraft – this time 737-900 N468AS off data to support continued safe reported in either incident, with
(c/n 41735) bound for Honolulu as operations until a software fix could N941AK able to depart again after
AS887 – also bumped the runway be implemented.” around four hours, while N468AS
upon rotation, with the onboard crew To calculate the required thrust and was on the ground for approximately
reporting a similar experience. speed settings for take-off, Alaska’s 30 hours before resuming service.
Date Reg'n c/n Type OPERATOR Fatalities Location Notes

27-Jan C-FYMM 560-0705 Cessna 560 Citation Encore Chartright Air 0 Canada Loss of control and aircraft upset
6-Feb N619SW 28035 Boeing 737-3H4 (WL) Coulson Aviation 0 Australia Collided with terrain during firefighting mission
22-Feb N55PC BB-1170 Beechcraft B200 Super King Air CTEH 5 USA Impacted terrain shortly after take-off
www.key.aero 89
SAY HELLO TO
BRITAIN’S
NEWEST
AIRLINE
It isn’t everyday that a new British airline launches,

and it’s even rarer to gain an insider glimpse into
its formation. Sam Pritchard, programme director
at BA Euroflyer gives us an exclusive insight into
how the ambitious new venture took flight
F
light BA2758 from London/ fortunate to have been involved in a has been an
Gatwick to Amsterdam on number of exciting strategic initiatives, important hub
January 17, 2023, looked ranging from the integration of bmi for British Airways
and felt like any other British (British Midland) into British Airways, throughout
Airways short-haul departure. multiple terminal moves, the arrival its history, and
Its passengers enjoyed the flag carrier’s of new aircraft, the introduction of a presence there
signature service on the 45-minute new cabins and products, all the way enables the airline
journey, perhaps none the wiser to the to organising Her late Majesty The to offer customers an even
fact that they were part of an important Queen’s visit to BA’s headquarters greater range of destinations.
milestone for a new airline. However, to celebrate the airline’s centenary With this in mind, plans for a
if they looked closely, a clue was in 2019. A lot has happened in new subsidiary were made.
there: they were the first recipients of that decade, including the biggest This company would have its own
boarding passes stating that the flight challenge ever faced by the aviation air operator’s certificate (AOC) and
was “operated by BA Euroflyer”. industry: COVID-19. When the management team, enabling British
While seemingly routine at pandemic hit in 2020, like most Airways to compete with low-cost
first glance, getting to this stage airlines, British Airways reduced carriers at the Sussex airport, while
represented more than 18 months its operation and that included retaining the much-loved BA service
of planning and work to create BA consolidating its Gatwick short-haul and recognised product. A similar
Euroflyer, a wholly owned British flights at Heathrow. model is already in place at London/
Airways subsidiary based at London/ City, where British Airways-branded
Gatwick and operating a large network Gatwick growth flights are operated by wholly-owned The new Gatwick-
of short-haul routes. As demand recovered and travel subsidiary BA Cityflyer. The new based subsidiary
Having worked on projects and restrictions slowly eased, thoughts subsidiary would be separate from uses Airbus A320
programmes at British Airways turned to the return of short-haul the existing mainline operations at Family aircraft for its
European routes
for more than ten years, I’ve been flights from Gatwick. The airport Gatwick, where a fleet of Boeing BRITISH AIRWAYS

www.key.aero 91
RIGHT: As a result
of the pandemic, 777s fly to destinations across North
BA suspended its America, the Caribbean, South Africa
European operation and the Indian Ocean.
at Gatwick and
moved certain flights
The strategy for the new subsidiary
to Heathrow is built around offering customers
BRITISH AIRWAYS/ the best of British Airways, with a
MATT HEAL broad route network, frequent flyer
scheme, a business class product on
every flight, lounge access for eligible
RIGHT, MIDDLE: In
customers, a generous baggage
March 2022, a
team of volunteers allowance and onboard Wi-Fi, all at a
helped put the competitive price.
new operation
and the previously
mothballed South Planning phase
Terminal through A decision to start flights under British
its paces Airways’ certification was made early
ALL IMAGES VIA AUTHOR on, as the application process for
UNLESS STATED
a new AOC takes several months.
The programme was immediately
split into two phases: the launch
and ramp-up of operations under
the British Airways AOC and the
subsequent transition of the aircraft
and people to the new AOC once it
RIGHT: This humble had been granted. nominated post holder, while Steve take place. Having managed similar
boarding pass is My role has been to co-ordinate it all, Allen is the chief commercial officer, launches in the past, I know not to be
the culmination of
months of hard work ensuring the various elements of the having previously led the commercial confident of success until I’ve seen real
plan come together, getting alignment organisations of several carriers in the people and real bags stress-testing the
across different teams and making sure Middle East and Asia. systems, procedures and processes.
everyone involved understands what Eagle-eyed spotters may have Gatwick’s South Terminal was
needs to be done and when. noticed that the Airbus A320ceos reopening to customers for the first
Several names for the new entity which operated from Gatwick prior time in two years just two days before
were considered, but BA Euroflyer was to the pandemic (with registrations the first flight (having not been used
eventually agreed – it was important G-GAT_) form the backbone of during the pandemic). As a result, BA
for new colleagues to know the name the fleet once again. For the first Euroflyer readiness tests ended up
of the organisation they were applying year of operations, these aircraft being South Terminal readiness tests
to join! Once we had a name, we were complemented by former bmi too. We ran a complete process test
FAR RIGHT: A dummy
flight to Italy helped could formally register the company A320ceos (registrations G-MID_) early in March 2022, where some of
identify any potential and begin the AOC application. and, for the winter prior to the AOC the project team acted as volunteer
issues well ahead of Customer-facing staff and back- transition, a handful of former bmi customers and were given test bags
the real-world launch office teams had to be recruited in A319s (registrations G-DBC_). to check in. Some were instructed
parallel. Some of the behind-the- A total of 35 destinations were offered to use the self-service bag drop
scenes functions are shared with BA in the first summer of operations, machines, while others were directed
Cityflyer, but the core operations and including places that were new for to the conventional check-in desks.
commercial teams are dedicated to BA British Airways at Gatwick, such as I volunteered as a customer myself
Euroflyer and based at Gatwick. Antalya and Santorini. There are routes and used the self-service bag drop,
BELOW: Although The new subsidiary is headed to suit all travellers, ranging from beach only to discover the adhesive on the
registered as
‘BA Euroflyer’, up by Tom Stoddart, alongside destinations to city break hot-spots. bag labels had dried up because the
the subsidiary his role overseeing BA Cityflyer. machines hadn’t been used in two
is branded as
‘British Airways’
Frank Glander, formerly of Vueling Laying the groundwork years. I was quite pleased we were
and Level, sister carriers at IAG As part of the preparation for launch, running the test at this point! We also
across its aircraft
and customer (International Airlines Group), is BA the team arranged for a programme had pilots and cabin crew in their
touchpoints Euroflyer’s chief operating officer and of readiness testing and trials to uniforms reporting for duty, to test
BRITISH AIRWAYS

On its first day
of operation,
BA Euroflyer
operated four
short-haul flights
to Larnaca,
Amsterdam,
Paphos and
Tenerife
BRITISH AIRWAYS
First Aircraft on
BA Euroflyer AOC:
First flights on
# Type Reg
BA Euroflyer AOC
1 Airbus A320 G-GATL Jan 2023
2 Airbus A320 G-GATS Jan 2023
3 Airbus A320 G-GATP Jan 2023
4 Airbus A320 G-GATR Jan 2023
5 Airbus A320 G-GATK Jan 2023
6 Airbus A320 G-GATM Feb 2023
7 Airbus A320 G-GATU Feb 2023
8 Airbus A321 G-EUXK Mar 2023
9 Airbus A321 G-EUXL Mar 2023
10 Airbus A321 G-EUXD Mar 2023
11 Airbus A321 G-EUXF Mar 2023
12 Airbus A321 G-EUXM Apr 2023
Note: more aircraft to follow later in 2023
www.key.aero 93
“You could feel the excitement in the air –
this was a key moment in the post-pandemic
rebuild of British Airways at Gatwick...”
BA Euroflyer: the crew check-in and reporting met in the South Terminal, eagerly
List of destinations from London/Gatwick processes. This was particularly awaiting the arrival of the crew who
Destination Country IATA Code Details important as they were using a new would be operating the first flight under
Alicante Spain ALC Year round rostering system for the first time. the British Airways AOC. You could feel
Amsterdam Netherlands AMS Year round A sign of success was when both the excitement in the air – this was a key
Antalya Turkey AYT Summer only customers and crew arrived at the gate moment in the post-pandemic rebuild
Arrecife (Lanzarote) Spain ACE Year round at the correct time – but, alas, there of British Airways at Gatwick.
Bari Italy BRI Summer only was no actual flight departure that day Just before 0625hrs, Airbus A320ceo
Bordeaux France BOD Year round and no one was going to be making registration G-GATM (c/n 1892)
Cagliari (Sardinia) Italy CAG Summer only
their way to Sardinia as their boarding pushed back a few minutes early,
Catania (Sicily) Italy CTA Summer only
passes suggested. As a result of the operating the BA2672 to Larnaca
Corfu Greece CFU Summer only (new for Summer 2023)
end-to-end test, another ‘dummy’ in Cyprus, marking the first BA-
Dalaman Turkey DLM Summer only
flight was set up a fortnight later, to branded short-haul international flight
Dubrovnik Croatia DBV Summer only
Faro Portugal FAO Year round
smooth out some teething issues with from Gatwick in two years. A huge
Geneva Switzerland GVA Winter only
some of the operational systems. milestone but, at the same time, this
Grenoble France GNB Winter only was just the beginning.
Heraklion (Crete) Greece HER Summer only Launch and ramp-up There were only four round-trips
Ibiza Spain IBZ Summer only At 0445hrs on Tuesday, March 29, on that first day, with other flights to
Innsbruck Austria INN Winter only (new for Winter 2023) 2022, members of the BA Euroflyer Paphos, Amsterdam and a service
Kos Greece KGS Summer only management team and project team with journalists on board heading to
Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) Spain LPA Year round
Lyon France LYS Winter only
Mahon (Menorca) Spain MAH Summer only
Malaga Spain AGP Year round
Malta Malta MLA Year round
Marrakech Morocco RAK Year round
Montpellier France MPL Summer only (new for Summer 2023)
Mykonos Greece JMK Summer only (new for Summer 2023)
Nice France NCE Year round
Palma (Mallorca) Spain PMI Year round
Paphos Cyprus PFO Year round
Rhodes Greece RHO Summer only
Salzburg Austria SZG Year round
Santorini Greece JTR Summer only
Seville Spain SVQ Year round
Tenerife Spain TFS Year round
Thessaloniki Greece SKG Summer only
Turin Italy TRN Year round
Venice Italy VCE Summer only
Verona Italy VRN Year round
Correct as of March 2023

Tenerife. We deliberately started small, ABOVE: BA's mainline
so we could grow the operation in operation continues
to operate long-
phases as crew were recruited and haul services from
aircraft were stood-up from storage. London/Gatwick
An element of re-planning is to LONDON GATWICK
AIRPORT
be expected in a programme of
this size and complexity, and BA
at Gatwick was not immune to RIGHT, TOP: The first
the well-publicised headwinds the flights on the BA
Euroflyer AOC
wider industry faced during summer
in January
2022. There was a certain amount SALZBURG AIRPORT
of rejigging of the operation, but the
aim was always to notify customers RIGHT, MIDDLE: Sam
as early as possible of any schedule (fifth left) alongside
BA Euroflyer launch
changes. Meanwhile, the work colleagues in
required for the AOC application March 2022
process was full steam ahead and
members of the team were recruited RIGHT: If you're
travelling within
and documentation was written and Europe on British
approved, while numerous audits, Airways this summer
interviews and checks all took place. season, keep an eye
out for the new BA
The AOC transition Euroflyer signage
I chair regular programme board

meetings at Gatwick, where key
representatives of the teams involved
in the BA Euroflyer launch meet to
track progress, agree any changes
to the plan and discuss mitigations
of potential risks and issues. During
one of our regular team meetings,
on November 29, 2022, we received
notification that the UK Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA) had granted our AOC
and operating licence. It was a nice LEFT: Crew are
touch to receive the notification when pictured on the
most of the key stakeholders were in apron in Salzburg
on the first day
the same room to hear the news.
of BA Euroflyer
The first A320 to migrate from the AOC operations in
BA AOC to the BA Euroflyer AOC January 2023
www.key.aero 95
was G-GATL (c/n 1834) and, over the RIGHT: Sharon
Wheatman, head
subsequent months, further aircraft of cabin crew at BA
moved to the new AOC, while the Euroflyer, chats to
crew attended an operator conversion colleagues at the
course (OCC); once converted, Crew Report Centre
BRITISH AIRWAYS
they become BA Euroflyer crew and
aircraft are designated BA Euroflyer.
Customers shouldn’t notice too much
difference, although, over time, the
words “Operated by BA Euroflyer” will
begin to appear on future bookings
and on boarding passes, just as they
did on the BA2758 to Amsterdam on
January 17 for the first time. I was
onboard the second flight on the BA
Euroflyer AOC, BA2654 to Salzburg on
the same day.
It's fair to say that setting up a
new subsidiary airline has probably
been the most varied programme
I’ve experienced. One of the most
enjoyable elements of working at a
brand-new organisation is that you
have to roll up your sleeves and get
stuck in with whatever needs doing.
We are excited to see the future of
RIGHT: Pictured at
BA Euroflyer unfold. We’ve already Gatwick from BA
launched four new routes for summer Euroflyer are Vish
2023, including a new addition to the Srinathan (head
of HR), Steve Allen
British Airways network: Montpellier. (CCO), Frank Glander
Meanwhile, our Salzburg route will (COO) and Tom
operate year-round, with the launch of Stoddart (CEO)
a new summer service, and we’ll be BRITISH AIRWAYS
introducing links to Corfu and
Mykonos. In addition, skiers and winter
adventurers can enjoy our new winter
route to Innsbruck. So if you fly on a
BA short-haul international flight from
Gatwick during 2023 and you spot the
“Operated by BA Euroflyer” lettering
beneath the flight deck windows,
you’ll now know the story behind it. BELOW: Initial services
• If you’re interested in joining the BA operated under the
Euroflyer family, the airline is currently BA AOC, before
recruiting. Visit britishairwaysjobs.com formally moving to
BA Euroflyer
for more information and to search for BRITISH AIRWAYS/
the latest opportunities. MATT HEAL
BA Euroflyer: Key dates

Dec 14, 2021 British Airways puts first BA Euroflyer schedule on sale for Summer 2022
Mar 29, 2022 BA Euroflyer flights commence on British Airways AOC
Nov 29, 2022 UK CAA grants BA Euroflyer its own air operator's certificate (AOC)
Jan 17, 2023 First BA Euroflyer flights on its AOC (as wet-lease to BA)
Mar 26, 2023 BA Euroflyer operates as its own entity

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WIN!

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Qatar Airways expands in Africa in brief

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