flee

Well it is interesting to note that MH has no plans for a B777 replacement and many mentions were made on the A330 replacement. I presume those A330 replacements are for their old 1990's airframes, not the ones that were ordered in 2010. These new A330s will replace the B777 on the regional routes, thus freeing them up for long haul. So the B747's will be replaced by the A380 (for LHR and SYD) and the B777 (for other B747 routes). I would not be surprised that when MH orders the B787/A350, these will replace both the old A330's and B777's. As for the A380, I think MH is correct that it only has capacity to service the LHR and SYD routes with only six aircraft. LHR double daily needs 3 aircraft and SYD double daily would need 2 aircraft. That leaves one spare - and this will be needed when aircraft goes into maintenance or repairs. In any case, it takes a while for all the A380's to be delivered - so I think initially, MH will start with one flight to LHR.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has placed a firm order with Airbus for two more A330-200F freighters following the conversion of two existing options. The latest contract increases the airline's firm orders for the type to four, all of which will be operated by the carrier's subsidiary, MASkargo, the national airline said in a statement here Monday. It also said that the aircraft would be powered by PW4000 engines from Pratt & Whitney. "We are confident that the A330-200F is set to become a game changer in the mid-size freighter market," MASkargo Managing Director, Shahari Sulaiman said. He said the aircraft would enable MASkargo to efficiently match capacity closely to demand, on many medium lift sectors across its cargo network, and especially those operating via intra Asia. Meanwhile, Airbus' Chief Operating Officer Customers, John Leahy said that the additional order underscores the increasing popularity of the new A330-200F as it enters airline service. "With this aircraft we are bringing new levels of efficiency to the freighter market and are extremely pleased that MASkargo will be one of the early operators of the type," he added. The A330-200F is the latest addition to the highly successful A330 Family. Offering the lowest operating costs in its size category, it is the only modern mid-size, long haul, all-cargo aircraft capable of carrying 65 tonnes over 4,000 nautical miles (nm)/7,400 kilometres (km) or 70 tonnes over 3,200 nm/5,900km.

Airbus unveiled a new branding today which retains the original ball-shaped symbol that denotes its expertise as world-leading aircraft manufacturer, while incorporating the modernised typeface adopted by the company’s EADS corporate parent. This marks the first updating of Airbus’ logo since the company’s creation in 1969, and provides a fresh look as it prepares for the future, according to Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders. “We have retained many of our logo’s original features – such as the iconic ball and the deep blue that characterise Airbus and which have helped build the brand into a global household name, with over 90 per cent awareness among the travelling public and a reputation as a leader in innovation and leading-edge technology,” Enders said. “But we also have modernised our identity to reflect tomorrow's design era and marketing needs.” The ball-shaped logo is composed of two sets of three curved lines that join at an imaginary horizon line, which represents the unification of Airbus’ founding companies to create what has become one of the world’s top providers of commercial jetliners and military airlifters. Airbus’ new brand identity will be introduced in a phased approach, beginning with brand collateral that includes its Website and advertising.

Yes, AirAsia is a good example - they tried to set up in Philippines and Vietnam but were blocked by government protectionism. So the prospect of an ASEAN airline is still a long long way away...

D7 did not order the A340 because they had found the fuel consumption on shorter routes to be too high. So they have decided to get the A350 instead. They leased the A340's as a short term stop gap solution. However, they are finding that A343's are still not cheap to lease because of the B787's continued delays. I think D7 are praying hard for the B787 to begin deliveries so that lease rates for A343's will become more favourable for their economics. We can expect D7 to move into the >9 hour sectors once they get their A350s in 2015. D7 was initially more focussed on the Asia Pacific market as it is supposed to have rich pickings. I do not think D7 has any ambitions on European destinations other than the UK - the European market is not as lucrative. However, with government protection (and it is not just the Malaysian govt. who are blocking D7) on their various intended destinations (Korea, Japan and Sydney being the most obvious), they had no choice but to look at other routes for their new aircraft. I think that after HND their next focal point will be JED - that is another high traffic route and can serve as a springboard to European destinations with the A333.

Well the A343 would be the most suitable and perhaps D7 could try to lease one more aircraft since this route is only a twice weekely service. The remaining spare capacity can be used to boost the STN service frequency, now 9X weekly.

It is scheduled for entry-into-service in 2013.

This may be due to the fact that MH's main workhorse for domestic traffic is the B734 - this has lower capacity than AK's A320. With MH moving on to B738's from this year onwards, the domestic numbers may creep closer to AK's.

I wonder how many B738's will MH lease? It looks like MH has just discovered that the B738 is vastly superior to the B734 and can't have enough of them!

If that is true, then the new B738's will initially fly KCH-BKI and/or BKI-KUL sectors during the "shakedown" period before commencing the KCH-BKI-HND flights.

Well one thing that we know is that it is not the Australians - they welcome D7 anytime, anywhere. D7 has a strong passenger base in Australia and its not the Aussie govt. that is stopping them. There has been much discussion on this topic here: http://www.malaysianwings.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=14304&view=&hl=SYDNEY&fromsearch=1

MH desperately wants to retire the old B734's - so the leased B738's will remain in the fleet for the foreseeable future to supplement the newly ordered ones. It will take Boeing a few years to complete deliveries of the whole order.

It will be the first of the new B738's ordered by MH - therefore MH has full control over what comes with the plane. The leased planes are spec'ed by their owners and most of the planes have been used by other airlines. MH's own B738's will feature the Sky interior: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lHE6eAfvBw&feature=player_embedded

Should be launching next week. Here is the CEO's tweet: AirAsia Tweet:

Yes, of course. Statistically, 13 to 15 fully loaded A380s crash on Malaysian roads with no survivors each year! While I am comforted that air travel is safer, I could still be killed in a crash while driving to and from KLIA!

Garuda Indonesia is likely to be the next airline after Taiwan's China Airlines to formally apply to join the SkyTeam alliance. The company plans to hold an event in November in Jakarta for the signing ceremony, say industry sources. It will be the first carrier from the country to join an alliance, and it comes after several months of negotitions beyween the carrier and SkyTeam. Leo van Wijk, chairman of SkyTeam's board, says that, as negotiations are ongoing, he is would not be able to say much about the carrier's potential membership. "We are still in discussions and unable specify a timeframe for Garuda," he adds. Garuda has been planning to join SkyTeam and have an initial public offering as part of its plans to grow its network and fleet over the next few years. Source: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/09/14/347287/garuda-in-line-to-be-next-skyteam-partner.html

Actually flying out of SZB is so much better than using the LCCT or KLIA MTB. It is nearer and taxis cost less. So its no surprise that those who want to fly to PEN choose to go via SZB. But for me, I choose to drive - still cheaper and more convenient to do that if you have more than 1 pax going.

Excellent pix Tuan Khiem! Unfortunately they also highlight the poor state of VN-A146's paintwork on the fuselage - some differences in colours between the various panels. Perhaps the paintshop contractors should be changed - the SkyTeam logo jet also has paint workmanship problems!

China Airlines (CAL) has formally begun the process of joining SkyTeam by mid-2011 after signing a letter of intent with the alliance in Taipei. The Taiwanese carrier's move comes a few months after Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines signalled its intent to join SkyTeam, and solidifies the alliance's presence in the Greater China market. Guangzhou-based China Southern Airlines is already a member of SkyTeam. "The inclusion of China Airlines in our network will solidify SkyTeam's unrivalled presence in the Greater China market, a region that continues to experience significant economic growth," says Leo van Wijk, chairman of the alliance's board. "In addition to the services provided by our existing members, China Airlines offers an extensive cross-straits operation, linking Taiwan to multiple major destinations in China. Also, Taipei will serve as an alternative Asian hub with services to and from key business destinations in the region." Joining the alliance is a "long-term development strategy" for CAL, says its chairman Philip Wei. "For many years, we have been actively promoting various types of cooperation with SkyTeam member airlines," he adds. "As the first Taiwanese airline to join the world-class alliance, our strategic target is to continuously strengthen profitability and boost international market competitiveness." The airline adds that cooperation with China Southern and China Eastern will maximise their network across the Straits in both passenger and cargo operations. CAL will be SkyTeam's fifth Asian member, with Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines already part of the group. Source: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/09/14/347278/china-airlines-to-join-skyteam-by-mid-2011.html

KC, the pix are displaying OK. Perhaps it was an intermittent unavailability of the server when you tried to access it earlier.

(CNN) -- An airplane carrying at least 47 passengers and crew members crashed Monday morning in Venezuela, but there were survivors, government officials said. Twenty-three people were taken to local hospitals in the city of Guayana, said Bolivar state Gov. Francisco Rangel Gomez. The aircraft belongs to the government-owned Conviasa airline and crashed in Bolivar state, in southeastern Venezuela, said civil protection official Jose Zamora of the Sidor municipality. Zamora said there were survivors. The plane crashed about 6 miles (10 km) from the airport in Guayana, said Rangel Gomez. Initial information indicates that there were 47 passengers and four crew members on board, said Francisco Garces, the Venezuelan minister of transportation and communication. The aircraft was an ATR42, a twin-turboprop, short-haul airplane built in France and Italy, Rangel Gomez said. Conviasa Flight 2350 crashed in an industrial zone in Guayana, the governor said. The officials made their comments on the CNN-affiliate Globovision TV station.

Sri Ramani, Congratulations! http://www.airliners.net/photo/AirAsia/Airbus-A320-216/1777601/L/ Tony Fernandes also Tweeted about this pix

I am guessing that aircraft might be ex-ANA Airbus A320 or Boeing 737-700 since they are starting up rather quickly. More details here: http://www.centreforaviation.com/news/2010/09/09/ana-and-first-eastern-to-form-the-first-japanese-low-cost-airline/page1

Looks like more of the AFx series birds are getting a new coat of paint....

Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) has agreed to launch a new low-cost airline with Hong Kong's First Eastern Investment group. The new carrier is expected to begin operations in the second half of 2011 and will operate on domestic and international routes out of Osaka Kansai International Airport, says ANA. It will be managed independently from ANA and will not fly under the carrier's brand, it adds. Japanese investors will hold a 66.7% stake in the airline, of which ANA will hold a 39% stake. First Eastern will have a 33.3% share. "We anticipate an increase in passenger traffic demand in east Asia, and came to the conclusion that a low-cost carrier would be the right approach to compete effectively in this market," says ANA's president and CEO Shinichiro Ito. The new carrier will launch operations with a single aircraft type and will price fares to be "competitive with other low-fare transportation providers such as bus and train operators", says ANA. ANA's partner, First Eastern, has invested in over 100 projects in China including infrastructure projects, light industries and real estate developments. "We are confident that our regional expertise and networks will contribute significantly to the success of our new joint venture with ANA," says First Eastern's chairman and CEO Victor Chu. Source: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/09/09/347125/ana-and-hong-kong-firm-to-launch-new-low-cost-carrier.html