Avio Time – Aviation Industry News

DALLAS – South African carrier Airlink (4Z) has announced the execution of a sale and purchase agreement for an Embraer E190 from CDB Aviation. The airframe, previously operated for BA Cityflyer (BA), was delivered to 4Z in May 2023.

CDB Aviation, the wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd, previously had 20 E190s in its portfolio. These airframes were on lease to various airlines worldwide. The sale marks the first time CDB has sold the type to an operator.

Peter Goodman, CDB Aviation’s Chief Marketing Officer, said, “The E190 segment is seeing a rebound amid rising interest rates and robust demand in all areas of the market as airlines recognize the potential of the 100-seat narrow-body configured aircraft for boosting the capacity of their fleets.”

“We’re pleased to have executed this first off-lease sale from our portfolio of E190s, and we trust that this aircraft, with its unique operational advantages, is a perfectly suitable aircraft type for such a major player in the South African domestic and regional market as Airlink.”

“Right Fit”

Meanwhile, Rodger Foster, Airlink’s Chief Executive Officer, added, “Airlink operates a large portfolio of E-Jets, and we are excited about the purchase of this E190 from CDB Aviation to add to our fleet. This is a good example of the E190 type as it has an impeccable pedigree having been maintained by BA Cityflyer and is eligible for immediate induction into service.

“The E-Jet type is the right fit for most of the markets within Airlink’s expanding intra-African network, enabling the delivery of appropriate frequency of service and availability that accords with market demand at the right time of the day. Our customers simply love the value proposition of the double two-abreast seating configuration.”

Airlink was established in 1992 and previously served as a franchise partner with South African Airways (SA). The 23-year-old partnership ended in 2020. Since then, the carrier has operated as an independent airline.

Featured Image: CDB Aviation.

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DALLAS – After showcasing its new First and Business class cabins in February, Qantas (QF) has unveiled its ‘specially designed’ economy and premium economy cabins for its incoming Airbus A350-1000s.

The A350s will form part of its ultra-long-haul ‘Project Sunrise’ flights, featuring six first-class and 52 business-class seats. Premium economy will have seating for 40 passengers, with 140 in economy. According to the airline, the cabins ‘will have the most generous seat pitches of any Qantas aircraft.’

Each seat will feature multiple fast-charging USB-C ports, ergonomic leg and footrests, as well as personal storage options. Each premium seat will also have integrated wireless charging for individual devices. Passengers will also be able to connect to fast, free WiFi with Bluetooth connectivity across all cabins ‘so customers can connect their personal headset to the individual inflight entertainment screen.’

For the first time, QF will also offer a ‘Wellbeing Zone’ onboard. This will be located between the economy and premium economy cabins, allowing passengers the space to stretch and move about during these extended non-stop flight times. The ‘purpose-built’ zone will feature ‘sculpted wall panels and integrated stretch handles, guided on-screen exercise program, a hydration station and a range of refreshments.’

Re-thinking Long-Haul Travel

Speaking of the new cabins, QF CEO Alan Joyce said, “We have spent just as much time on the second half of the aircraft as we did the front, in fact we started studies on the Wellbeing Zone before any other area of the A350. The new Project Sunrise flights give us the opportunity to re-think long-haul travel in its entirety, from aircraft cabin design to what ingredients we include on the inflight menu.

“Reducing the number of seats onboard our A350 to 238 compared to the 300-plus seat layout of other carriers means we not only maximise aircraft performance across long distances, we give our passengers more space and comfort. Fewer seats translate to more space for each customer and a dedicated Wellbeing Zone for travellers to stretch, help themselves to a snack and spend time out of their seat. We are the only airline in the world that will have a bespoke designed onboard stretch and movement space.”

“Redesigned from the Ground Up”

Australian designer David Caon has created the cabins. Work began in 2019, and Mr Caon said, “The Premium Economy cabin has been redesigned from the ground up with a focus on ergonomics, entertainment and privacy,”

“The new headrest wings are the biggest visible difference and will provide passengers with both additional support and a sense of privacy without isolating them from travel companions. An upholstered ergonomic foot and leg rest system allows the body to be cradled in recline to better help passengers sleep.”

“Economy travellers also have an OLED 13” TV screen, foot net and convenient storage space within arms’ reach to store glasses and personal items. The team has spent extensive time testing ergonomics, lumbar support and breathability of the seat fabrics in the new Economy seat which will have 33 inches of legroom.

“In both the Premium Economy cabin and Economy cabins, we have redesigned every element of the seats to provide better features as well as a fresh look across the entire aircraft to create a sense of light and calm,” he added.

World-First Jet Lag Research

The airline has also released ‘world-first’ scientific research on reducing jet lag and improving sleep and overall wellbeing ‘before, during and after ultra-long-haul flights. The study was conducted with the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre. This, QF added, has ‘driven the unique cabin design’ of the incoming aircraft.

Twenty-three volunteers on three ‘Project Sunrise’ research flights between New York, London and Sydney in 2019 were fitted with wearable technology devices. They were given ‘a specially designed menu, lighting, sleep and movement sequences’ to see how changes to the inflight offering could reduce the impact of ultra-long-haul air travel.

Featured Image: Airbus Industrie (F-WMIL) Airbus A350-1000 (Qantas Project Sunrise livery). Photo: Alberto Cucini/Airways.

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DALLAS – Alaska Airlines (AS) has announced the launch of three new routes to create a more extensive array of vacation destinations, connecting cities in Florida and California to the rest of the country. Service will begin in November, allowing customers stuck in colder climates to escape to warmer locations.

The new routes are Portland (PDX) to Miami (MIA), Palm Springs (PSP) to New York (JFK), and San Luis Obispo (SBP) to Las Vegas (LAS). 

The airline currently flies three nonstop routes between Florida and PDX, this new route making a good addition to the already-existing southern market. AS’s direct route between PSP and JFK highlights a higher level of connection between the West Coast and New York, prompting the airline to increase direct flights to the northeast. Furthermore, SBP to LAS gives passengers access to the rest of AS’s flight network. 

Remarks from AS and Partners

Vice President of Revenue Management and Network Planning for AS said, “We believe our guests are going to love these new nonstops. We continue to see strong demand by travelers who want to go to leisure destinations and are already planning trips for next year.

“We’re especially excited to launch a new coast-to-coast route in Portland, which is a key hub for us. Miami is the largest underserved city from Portland and vice versa, so plenty of flyers are ready to travel between the Rose City and South Florida.”

“We are excited to add Miami to our list of nonstop destinations. Alaska has been a great partner and we’re looking forward to continuing to seek opportunities to bring more options to travelers,” stated Director of Air Service Development in Portland David Zielke.

The increase in transcontinental routes for AS represents a higher demand for flights to the East Coast in states such as California and Oregon, anticipating a busier tourist/vacation industry in the near future.

Featured image: N929AK Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX KBOS BOS. Photo: Marty Basaria/Airways

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