Moscow – Transaero Airlines has been named “Most Improved Airline” at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, held at Paris Air Show today. Transaero has become the first Russian airline to receive an award in this category.

The Skytrax World Airline Awards are amongst the most prestigious awards in the global commercial aviation. The Awards are based on a customer survey operated over a 10-month period. The survey measures passenger satisfaction across more than 40 key performance indicators and covers over 200 airlines, from the largest international airlines to smaller domestic carriers, from 160 countries. The awards are highly regarded due to the high level of transparency across the survey and awards format.

This is the second time the airline has won a Skytrax award. In 2012 Transaero was named “Best Airline in Eastern Europe”.

Olga Pleshakova, Transaero Airlines General Director, said: “First of all, I would like to thank all the passengers who have chosen to travel with Transaero and gave their votes for the airline. We’ve been able to achieve this result by constantly improving our service standards in the interests of our clients. Our clients have an option of five levels of onboard services. Moreover, we carry out with the interior renovation program and continue to fit our aircraft with the equipment to provide broadband Internet. We always pay careful attention to each passenger’s needs and desires, as well as to large-scale programs for service standards in order to gain the confidence of millions of people. We owe this success to our highly professional team which is completely focused on providing excellent customer service. We are delighted that Transaero has received this award, and has now won a Skytrax World Airline Award two years in a row. We consider it to be a clear evidence of the airline’s progress on its way to new achievements.”

Source: Transaero Airlines
Posted by: just4airlines.com at 1154h UTC Jun 18, 2013

Finnair has been named Northern Europe’s Best Airline at the World Airline Awards for the fourth straight year. The awards, organised by Skytrax and held this year at the Paris Air Show, are based on an independent survey of some 18 million travellers from more than 160 countries. The oneworld alliance, of which Finnair is a member, was also named Best Alliance at the awards.

“As a network carrier focused on long-haul traffic and efficient, timely transfers, we are very strongly committed to excellent operational quality and attention to the needs of customers,” says Anssi Komulainen, Finnair’s Senior Vice President, Customer Service. “This award is a very gratifying recognition of the work of our employees and close partners in that ongoing mission. We are also thrilled to be in such good company in the oneworld alliance, whose members are bearing the standard for quality around the globe. We will all keep on striving to improve the customer experience and stay ahead of the very tough competition.”

"We congratulate Finnair not only in winning this major award, but the fact they are continuing their success from earlier years to retain this title as the Best Airline in Northern Europe for the fourth consecutive year," says Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax. "This award for the Best Airline Northern Europe is testament not only to improvements from Finnair during the past year, but clearly reflects the standard of service being delivered by Finnair staff in all customer-facing areas, on the ground and on board."

Finnair remains the only airline in the Nordic countries with a four-star Skytrax rating.

The World Airline Awards are regarded as the primary benchmarking tool for passenger satisfaction levels of airlines throughout the world. The passenger survey analyses customer satisfaction for the overall airline passenger experience, at both the airport and on board the aircraft: check-in to boarding, seat comfort, cabin cleanliness, food, beverages, in-flight entertainment and staff service. The survey covered more than 200 airlines, from the largest international airlines to small domestic carriers, and measured standards across more than 40 areas of airline front-line product and service. The transparency and global coverage of the survey distinguish the World Airline Awards as the most prestigious and respected awards in the airline industry.

Source: Finnair
Posted by: just4airlines.com at 1153h UTC Jun 18, 2013

LE BOURGET - JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU) signed a 10-year OnPointTM solution agreement with GE Aviation for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of its CF34-10E engine fleet that powers its 58 Embraer E190 aircraft.

"JetBlue is pleased to sign a long-term agreement with GE that makes more predictable our cost for CF34 engine maintenance," said Rob Maruster, JetBlue Chief Operating Officer.

"JetBlue was the launch customer for the CF34-10E-powered Embraer 190 aircraft, and GE is pleased to finalize an OnPoint solution agreement to maintain their CF34-10E engine fleet," said Kevin McAllister, vice president and general manager of Global Sales & Marketing at GE Aviation.

"This agreement will enable GE Aviation to focus on lowering JetBlue cost of ownership and ensure the engines receive the high quality OEM parts and repairs to keep it in excellent operating condition."

Source: General Electric Company
Posted by: just4airlines.com at 1152h UTC Jun 18, 2013

LE BOURGET – Air Canada has committed to a 15-year OnPointSM solution agreement for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of its GEnx-1B engines that power its Boeing 787 aircraft. The value of the OnPoint solution agreement is not disclosed.

“GE and Air Canada have expanded their services relationship during the last few years and we look forward to providing the airline with OEM quality material and workscoping to keep the GEnx engines in optimal performing conditions,” said Paul McElhinney, president of GE Aviation’s services operation.

Air Canada placed an order for 37 firm GEnx-1B-powered Boeing 787 aircraft, with options for 13 additional aircraft and 10 rolling options. The airline operates a large GE and CFM56* powered fleet including GE90-powered Boeing 777s, CF6-powered Boeing 767s, CFM56*-powered Airbus A320s, CF34-powered Bombardier CRJ200/705s and Embraer E175/190s

“We are very happy to be moving forward with GE’s OnPoint solution for our GEnx engines. We are looking forward to our collaboration and growing our engine maintenance relationship with such a strong OEM,” said Klaus Goersch, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Source: General Electric Company
Posted by: just4airlines.com at 1150h UTC Jun 18, 2013

Today, after an interruption of 12 years, Belgian aviation returns to the US Capital. From the 18th June onwards, Star Alliance member Brussels Airlines flight SN 515 / 516 will operate five days a week and connect Washington Dulles directly with Brussels Airport in the heart of Europe. Brussels Airlines offers a late afternoon service to Washington and late evening flight to Europe. On board the Airbus A330 aircraft passengers can enjoy Brussels Airlines new award winning Business- and Economy Class cabins. The service offer includes flat beds in Business Class, ergonomic seats in Economy Class, the latest generation of in-flight entertainment and gourmet cuisine. Brussels Airlines is member of the Lufthansa Group and offers its clients the possibility to earn or redeem Miles & More frequent flyer miles.

Onward connections

Passengers can not only travel to Brussels or Washington, thanks to the excellent timing of the flight with a late evening departure from Washington numerous onward connection possibilities are available at Brussels Airport to major European cities like Berlin, Copenhagen, Madrid, Milan, Hamburg, Oslo, Nice and Toulouse or to African destinations like Abidjan, Cotonou, Yaoundé, Douala and Lomé, among others.

“We are pleased to have Brussels Airlines join our robust network of domestic and international service at Dulles,” said Jack Potter, President and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. “Passengers arriving in Washington will find a welcoming gateway to our nation’s capital and all of its great attractions for visitors. Also, passengers flying to the heart of Europe and beyond will benefit from the convenience of this new airline service.”

“With this new flight we do not only launch a comfortable evening service to and from Washington, we also link our entire Brussels Airlines network with Washington and with the impressive network of our Star Alliance partners”, says Brussels Airlines CEO Bernard Gustin. “On the first flight we welcome for example passengers originating from Los Angeles, Denver, Mississippi, Chicago, San Francisco, Oslo, Abidjan and Douala. We are very satisfied with the initial bookings. Passengers clearly appreciate our schedule and our product. This new service, inaugurated just one year after the successful launch of our first transatlantic route Brussels-New York JFK, fits perfectly in the Brussels Airlines long haul development strategy that includes, next to our network growth in Africa, the creation of an attractive flight offer between the European Capital and the US.”

Source: Brussels Airlines
Posted by: just4airlines.com at 1108h UTC Jun 18, 2013

JAL SKY SUITE was today named "Best Business Class Airline Seat" globally, based on the world's largest airline passenger satisfaction survey conducted by SKYTRAX. Japan Airlines (JAL) received the top honor for its new fully-flat Business Class seat at SKYTRAX's 2013 World Airline Awards held at Paris Air Show.

JAL is the first Japanese airline to win the Best Business Class Airline Seat award from SKYTRAX.

SKYTRAX's World Airline Awards survey is committed to transparency and global coverage resulting in a global benchmark for airline excellence. Travelers from over 160 countries take part in the annual survey, which covers over 200 airlines. JAL SKY SUITE won the Best Business Class Airlines Seat category and was particularly commended for its customer privacy as well as its seat width in the fully reclined flat-bed position.

Japan Airlines began installing the new JAL SKY SUITE into its international fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs in January 2013. The new business class seat in now available on JAL's Daily Tokyo (Narita) =London and Tokyo (Narita) =New York routes, and it has yielded favorable feedback from customers. The airline will introduce JAL SKY SUITE on its Narita= Paris route from July 16, and on its Narita=Los Angles and Narita= Chicago routes from November 2013 and January 2014, respectively.

JAL is continually striving to bring passengers a unique and completely refreshing onboard experience with the expansion of JAL NEW SKY PROJECT.

Source: Japan Airlines
Posted by: just4airlines.com at 1107h UTC Jun 18, 2013

Paris – A new commercial airline in Europe, Air Lituanica of Vilnius, Lithuania, has acquired two Embraer E-Jets. The carrier will launch scheduled service on June 30th with one Embraer 170 leased from a third party. In July, Air Lituanica will add another E-Jet, an Embraer 175, leased from ECC Leasing Company, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Embraer.

The E170 and E175 are configured with 76 and 86 seats in single class, respectively. Air Lituanica will deploy the aircraft on its planned routes between Vilnius and Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Munich and Moscow. The airline intends to add three to four more aircraft to increase frequencies with the objective of serving a dozen European routes from Vilnius in three years.

“Embraer E-Jets have proven to offer an effective combination of capacity, frequency and reliability that new carriers need to successfully launch their services,” said John Slattery, Chief Commercial Officer, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “The sizes of the airplanes are ideal for the types of markets in which the airline will fly. Embraer welcome’s Air Lituanica to our growing portfolio of E-Jets operators in Northern Europe.”

“Air Lituanica is aiming to improve nonstop air travel links between Vilnius and points in Western Europe, Scandinavia, Russia and the CIS. The arrival of our first E-Jets is a very important milestone for the company,” said Mr. Erikas Zubrus, CEO of Air Lituanica. “The aircraft will allow us to serve business routes with high frequency and offer our passengers an outstanding level of comfort.”

As with all E-Jets, the E170 and E175 benefit from common crew qualification and 100% parts commonality so operators can realize exceptional maintenance and crew resource cost savings. The different E-Jet capacities give Air Lituanica the flexibility to assign the aircraft based on variations in market demand.

Air Lituanica joins a growing list of customers in Northern and Eastern Europe that have identified E-Jets as the preferred platform to replace their ageing aircraft, simplify their fleets and open new markets. Twelve airlines – Air Lituanica, Air Astana, Air Moldova, Azerbaijan Airlines, Belavia, Bulgaria Air, Estonian Air, Flybe Finland, Flynonstop, LOT Polish Airlines, Montenegro Airlines, and Ukraine International have added Embraer E-Jets to their fleets.

Source: Embraer
Posted by: just4airlines.com at 1100h UTC Jun 18, 2013

Paris, France – Embraer S.A. (NYSE: ERJ; BM&FBOVESPA: EMBR3) announced today, during the 50th International Paris Air Show (www.paris-air-show.com), at Le Bourget, France, that Air Costa of Vijayawada, India, has acquired three E-Jets for launch of its scheduled regional airline service in India. Two Embraer 170s have been arranged from ECC Leasing, Embraer’s wholly-owned subsidiary. The new carrier has also purchased one new Embraer 190 from Embraer. The firm order is already included in Embraer’s backlog as an “undisclosed” customer.

“We are delighted that Air Costa has chosen the E-Jets for their operations. The aircraft are sure to promote greater regional connectivity in India,” said John Slattery, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Embraer Commercial Aviation. “Embraer has always maintained that the regional aviation market in India has tremendous potential. Our E-Jets are the right sized aircraft for service between secondary and tertiary markets which are underserved and, in fact, growing faster than metro markets.”

“Air Costa has chosen E-Jets for their efficiency and reliability. Our plan is to link underserved markets in India with more direct flights,” said Captain Babu, CEO of Air Costa. “The E170 and E190 are ideal in size and range. We can add frequencies and routes without adding too much capacity, thus serving places with seasonal demand, as well as key secondary and tertiary business centers.”

Air Costa will initially connect cities in southern India such as Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Vijayawada, as well as key secondary cities in the north and northwest of the country.

“Regional services have a lot of potential in India especially as the economy of South Indian cities is booming. We are committed to further growth in the Indian market with additions to our fleet and launching new routes over the medium term.” said Ramesh Lingamaneni, Chairman and Managing Director of Air Costa. “We are very pleased with the support that Embraer has provided to date for the launch of our Air Costa and we look forward to a long successful and mutually rewarding relationship.”

Source: Embraer
Posted by: just4airlines.com at 1059h UTC Jun 18, 2013

LE BOURGET -United Airlines selected GEnx-1B engines to power its order for 20 firm Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners and the remaining 15 firm 787 Dreamliners from a previous order. The engine order for the 35 aircraft plus five firmed aircraft options from last year are valued at more than $1.8 billion (USD) list price. With this order and the six Dreamliners currently operated by the airline, United has ordered 65 GEnx-1B-powered 787s, making United the largest GEnx-1B operator.

"United Airlines was the first operator in North America to operate the GEnx-1B-powered Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and GE is pleased United is the launch airline for the GEnx-1B-powered Boeing 787-10 aircraft," said Kevin McAllister, vice president and general manager of Global Sales & Marketing at GE Aviation.

Source: General Electric Company
Posted by: just4airlines.com at 1058h UTC Jun 18, 2013

Paris, France – Embraer S.A. (NYSE: ERJ; BM&FBOVESPA: EMBR3) disclosed a firm order from Japan Airlines (JAL) today for another four Embraer 170 jets. The firm order is already included in Embraer’s backlog as an “undisclosed” customer. With this new agreement, the total number of firm orders for the E170 from JAL is 15 aircraft.

As with the previous aircraft ordered by JAL, these four E170s will be configured with 76 seats in a single-class layout and will be operated by J-AIR, JAL’s wholly owned subsidiary that serves the company’s domestic network. The airline already operates twelve E170s, with an outstanding dispatch reliability of 99.7% over the last 12 months.

“We are honored to have this new order from JAL, which is another endorsement of the E170’s capabilities on domestic routes in Japan,” said John Slattery, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Embraer Commercial Aviation. “Since we delivered the first aircraft to JAL in 2008, we have established a commitment to support the airline’s return to growth with the E170s enabling the re-launch of several routes, whilst also better matching capacity to demand.”

“We are operating approximately 158 flights daily to 27 destinations in 20 cities throughout Japan. Using these additional aircraft, we are able to expand our network to and from Osaka Itami Airport which is our main base of operations. Our customers also appreciate that the E170 provides a comfortable and reliable solution for J-AIR” said Tetsuya Onuki, President, J-AIR.

Embraer has also signed an extension of the Pool Program with JAL to include these additional four aircraft. The program covers more than 300 part numbers for all E170 jets operated by J-AIR.

Source: Embraer
Posted by: just4airlines.com at 1057h UTC Jun 18, 2013