Finnair Reports Strong 2022 Results

Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 01:56 PM ET

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A Finnair A350 takes off. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Helsinki-based Finnair, a member of the Oneworld alliance published documents relating to 2022 relating to the Financial Information Report, the Corporate Governance Statement and the Remuneration Report for 2022.

Analyzing the three reports, it can be seen that in 2022, Finnair’s business continued to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, while at the same time dealing with the economic and political crisis caused by the war in Ukraine and the closure of Russian airspace. The Finnish flag carrier also supported Ukrainians by offering a 95% discount on air tickets to Helsinki on several key routes used by those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

At the beginning of the year, the sick leave caused by the Omicron variant and the closure of Russian airspace required an adjustment of operations and the definition of a completely new strategy, changing routes and flights, and reassessing all traffic to and from Asia. Many Asian countries maintained their severe travel restrictions for most of last year. Most flights to Japan scheduled for the summer season were cancelled, but flights to Tokyo, Shanghai and Seoul continued, supported by strong cargo demand.

Finnair’s cargo revenue reached a record level in 2022, with a slight increase compared to 2021, mainly due to more flights operated. In 2021, cargo-only flights represented a significant part of Finnair’s cargo capacity, but in 2022 they were mostly replaced by belly-carrying passenger flights due to strong passenger demand. However, Finnair expects the decline in demand for cargo flights to continue in the first quarter of 2023.

In early 2022, Finnair also invested 200 million euros in the cabins of all long-haul aircraft in its fleet, renovating the Business, Premium Economy and Economy classes.

The summer of 2022 was a busy time for travelers, with high demand and excellent revenues, as is always the case at this time of year. In the second half of the year, which is often the most difficult after the summer peak, revenues were still good thanks to steady demand and a policy of revenue optimization, despite an increase in ticket prices (due to exceptionally high fuel prices and long flight times on Asian routes).

In 2022, the number of passengers carried by Finnair more than tripled compared to 2021, reaching 9.1 million with revenues reaching €2.4 billion euros, an increase of €838.4 million, mainly due to the last two quarters of 2022, reflecting both the upturn in travel and tourism without restrictions.

2023 will certainly be a special year for Finnair, which will celebrate its centenary this year, having been founded on 1 November 1923.

Vincenzo Claudio Piscopo

Vincenzo graduated in 2019 in Mechanical Engineering with an aeronautical curriculum, focusing his thesis on Human Factors in aircraft maintenance. In 2022 he pursued his master's degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Palermo, Italy. He combines his journalistic activities with his work as a Reliability Engineer at Zetalab.

WestJet Expands Service in the United States

Joey Gerardi

Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 11:55 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A WestJet 737-800 at LAX (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Canadian carrier WestJet has announced a list of new routes to the United States, including some new airports. All of these routes are scheduled to start this spring with the earliest new route beginning on May 17, 2023.

New routes include the following;

Calgary to Austin will operate twice weekly beginning on May 18, 2023

Calgary to Chicago O’Hare will operate four times a week starting May 18, 2023

Calgary to Detroit will operate five times a week beginning May 26, 2023

Calgary to Washington Dulles will operate three times a week beginning June 2, 2023

Edmonton to Minneapolis/St. Paul will operate five times a week beginning June 2, 2023

Edmonton to Seattle will operate five times a week beginning May 19, 2023

Vancouver to Atlanta will operate four times a week beginning May 17, 2023

Vancouver to Nashville will operate twice a week beginning May 19, 2023

Saskatoon to Minneapolis/St. Paul will operate three times a week beginning June 18, 2023

Newly announced WestJet routes (Photo: GreatCircleMapper)

Flights from Calgary to Detroit, Washington Dulles, Chicago O’Hare, Austin, and Vancouver to Atlanta will all be operated on the Boeing 737-700. Flights from Minneapolis to Edmonton and Saskatoon will be flown on the Boeing 737-800, and the flights from Vancouver to Nashville will be flown on the Boeing 737MAX8.

A WestJet 737-700 lands at LAX (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

The new flights from Edmonton to Seattle will be flown on the airline’s smaller Q400 which is operated by WestJet Encore. Flights from Calgary to Austin and Chicago have operated before, so this is a resumption of the route for them with the airline. As for the rest of the routes, they are all new for WestJet.

There is a pattern with most of the new routes; Atlanta, Detroit, Seattle, and Minneapolis, these are all hubs for Delta Air Lines an airline they have a longstanding partnership with and will continue to strengthen with the introduction of the route to their hubs.

With the new routes to the Delta hubs, passengers from either airline will be able to connect to each other’s route network, whether it’s a WestJet hub or a Delta one. All routes and schedule data were taken from the airline’s website and are subject to change.

Joey Gerardi

Joey has always been interested in planes for as long as he can remember. He grew up in Central New York during the early 2000s when US Airways Express turboprops ruled the skies. Being from a non-aviation family made it harder for him to be around planes and would only spend about three hours a month at the airport. He was so excited when he could drive by himself, the first thing he did with his driver's license was get ice cream and go plane spotting for the entire day. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 2022 with a B.S. in Aviation Management & Operations and a Minor in Business, and currently works for a major airline in his hometown.

Starlux Airlines Launches First Transpacific Route to Los Angeles

Andrew Chen

Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 08:00 AM ET

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Edited By:

Benjamin Pham

Starlux's first Airbus A350-900 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport after its delivery flight. (Photo: Starlux)

Recently, STARLUX Airlines revealed the schedule for its first transpacific flights to Los Angeles. The Taiwanese carrier will begin flying between Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei and Los Angeles International Airport on April 26, 2023.

The flights will be operated by the airline’s recently delivered Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The outbound flight will depart Taipei as JX002 at 11:40 p.m. and will arrive in Los Angeles at 8:30 p.m. The return flight will be JX001 and will depart Los Angeles at 12:50 a.m. and arrive in Taipei the next day at 5:40 a.m. The flights will initially operate five times per week with the frequency increasing to daily in June.

A Competitive Landscape

The Taipei – Los Angeles route market is one with high demand and heavy competition. However, STARLUX should be accustomed to this phenomenon as many of its existing routes share the same characteristics. China Airlines and EVA Air dominate the Taiwanese air travel sector, and STARLUX is both trying to establish themself as the third major player in a competitive landscape. Having started operations in January 2020, the carrier has had a challenging first few years, working through the pandemic while facing tough competition on popular routes like Taipei – Osaka, Japan, Taipei – Bangkok and Taipei – Cebu, Philippines.

On STARLUX’s new Los Angeles route, it will face direct competition from both China Airlines and EVA Air, who are both well-established players in the market. In May 2023, China Airlines has 17 weekly flights scheduled, while EVA Air is planning on operating 21 weekly flights on the route. Both competitors offer late-night departures that will compete directly with STARLUX’s flights, as well as extensive networks in both Asia and North America.

On Board STARLUX’s Aircraft

STARLUX Airlines A350-900 business class cabin (Photo: STARLUX Airlines)

As STARLUX goes head-to-head with its Taiwanese competitors, it is marketing a luxurious onboard product. STARLUX’s A350-900s are configured with four first class seats, 26 business class seats, 36 premium economy class seats and 240 economy class seats. Since taking delivery of its first A350 in October, the carrier has been flying its new widebody jets on short-haul routes in Asia.

The carrier appears to be well-positioned to offer a competitive onboard experience. STARLUX will be the only airline to offer first class on the route. In fact, STARLUX is currently the only Taiwanese carrier with first class, as China Airlines discontinued its first class in 2016. First class suites on STARLUX’s A350s feature a 60-inch door wall and a personal wardrobe.

Business class seats also feature a door and both premium cabins have lie-flat seats with a “Zero G” mode to hep alleviate fatigue. Premium economy class and economy class seats have large personal entertainment screens with 4k resolution. During its first years of operation, STARLUX has also developed a reputation for delivering a high-quality soft product that will further add to the competitiveness of the airline’s onboard offerings.

Andrew Chen

Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.

Lufthansa Cancels Flights Ahead of Strike Action

John Flett

Friday, February 17, 2023 at 07:00 AM ET

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Benjamin Pham

A Lufthansa A330 departing Austin in 2019 with Air Force One in the background. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)

After canceling a number of flights on Wednesday due to an IT failure, Lufthansa operations are facing further disruptions due to strike action by airport workers on Friday.

The German carrier’s social media accounts on Wednesday stated, “As of this morning the airlines of the Lufthansa Group are affected by an IT outage, caused by construction work in the Frankfurt region.” Reuters reported that the mid-week chaos was allegedly caused by damage to broadband cables on Tuesday evening during work on a railway extension.

Lufthansa’s check-in and boarding systems at Frankfurt Airport were affected resulting in over 200 flights being canceled and air traffic control suspending incoming flights for a period. A number of Lufthansa Group flights were also delayed during the day due to the knock-on effect of the system failure.

Friday’s strike action by the Verdi trade union will see airport workers walking off the job for 24 hours at seven German airports across the country. Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Dortmund, Hanover and Bremen airports are affected. As a result, the Lufthansa Group is canceling over 1300 flights including all flights at Frankfurt and Munich.

Michael Niggemann, Member of the Executive Board and Chief Officer Human Resources and Infrastructure Lufthansa Group, said, “We regret the enormous impact of this warning strike which is being carried out at the expense of our passengers. We are not a party to the collective bargaining and have no influence on it – nevertheless, our guests and we are massively affected. More than 1,300 flight cancellations for Lufthansa Group airlines alone show once again how vulnerable and fragile the air transport system is to strike activity.”

Verdi deputy chair Christine Behle said in a statement, “The workers are jointly applying pressure on their respective employers because negotiations so far have been unable to produce results.” News site DW.com cited Behle as saying “that ground handling workers “need an attractive wage increase” to counter the “catastrophic labor shortage” that has been felt since the pandemic.” Negotiations between the union and public sector employees are scheduled to resume on Feb. 22 and 23.

According to Reuters, that the German airline may soon be adjusting its summer schedule resulting in more than 34,000 flight cancellations. Citing the German business weekly WirtschaftsWoche, Reuters states that within the Lufthansa Group ‘the number could increase as cancellations at its Eurowings and SWISS units might be added.’

Quoting a Lufthansa spokesperson, WirtschaftsWoche reported that, “Lufthansa has adjusted the 2023 summer flight schedule from Frankfurt and Munich.” The report also stated that the number of flights removed from the Schule may increase “as further daily cancellations can always be added.”

John Flett

John has always had a passion for aviation and through a career with Air New Zealand has gained a strong understanding of aviation operations and the strategic nature of the industry. During his career with the airline, John held multiple leadership roles and was involved in projects such as the introduction of both the 777-200 and -300 type aircraft and the development of the IFE for the 777-300. He was also part of a small team who created and published the internal communications magazines for Air New Zealand’s pilots, cabin crew and ground staff balancing a mix of corporate and social content. John is educated to postgraduate level achieving a masters degree with Distinction in Airline and Airport Management. John has held the positions of course director of an undergraduate commercial pilot training programme at a leading London university. In addition he is contracted as an external instructor for IATA (International Air Transport Association) and has been a member of the Heathrow Community Fund’s ‘Communities for Tomorrow’ panel.

Spirit Airlines Expands Puerto Rico Operations with New and Increased Flights

Aviacionline

Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 09:44 PM ET

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Edited By:

Pablo Diaz

A Spirit Airlines A320. (AirlineGeeks | Parker Davis)

Spirit Airlines is set to expand its operations in Puerto Rico during the 2023 summer season with the introduction of five new nonstop routes from San Juan to Atlanta, Hartford, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, and Chicago O’Hare. The airline also plans to increase its existing services from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport to Baltimore, Newark, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando.

This expansion will bring Spirit’s total number of nonstop routes in Puerto Rico from 11 to 16. The new flights are set to begin in June of 2023.

New Routes:

Atlanta (ATL): daily flights beginning May 5
Hartford (BDL): three weekly flights beginning June 7
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW): daily flights beginning June 5
Detroit (DTW): daily flights starting June 5
Chicago O’Hare (ORD): daily flights beginning June 5

Increased Operations on Existing Routes:

Baltimore (BWI): increases from one to two daily flights effective May 5
Newark (EWR): increases from one to two daily flights effective June 7
Fort Lauderdale (FLL): increases from one to two daily flights effective April 5
Orlando (MCO): increases from four to five daily flights effective May 5

“Spirit Airlines has served the Puerto Rican community for more than two decades, offering affordable fares to connect family and friends in the United States. Puerto Rico is our number one destination in the Caribbean, with its rich history and culture, renowned beaches, rainforest and the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay,” said John Kirby, vice president of network planning for Spirit Airlines.

“We are continuing our growth in San Juan with five new nonstop routes, reaffirming our commitment to the island and making it even easier to travel more frequently,” Kirby added.

This article was originally published by Rainer Nieves Dolande on Aviacionline in syndication with AirlineGeeks.

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EL AL to Begin Non-Stop Flights between Tel Aviv and Fort Lauderdale

Aviacionline

Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 09:35 PM ET

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Pablo Diaz

An El Al Dreamliner in Everett, Wash (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

EL AL is increasing its U.S. operations with seasonal service between Tel Aviv (TLV) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) starting September 13, 2023. This new service will initially run between September and October to cater to Jewish High Holidays. The airline will operate more than 40 flights a week to Israel and expand its offerings in Florida, increasing from 5 to 6 weekly flights between Tel Aviv (TLV) and Miami (MIA) starting May 25, 2023.

EL AL has relocated its regional headquarters for North America to Margate, Florida, and it is the only Middle Eastern carrier to operate passenger flights in Fort Lauderdale. The service between Tel Aviv (TLV) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is planned to operate year-round beginning in spring 2024.

US-Israel: Forty flights per week

“EL AL is thrilled to continue to open new routes and grow our service in the U.S. We will be operating more than 40 flights a week to Israel, continuing our mission to be the bridge between Israel and the world. Our nonstop, point-to-point route network provides the most direct service and offers our guests the most authentic experience between Israel and the U.S.,” said Marc Cavaliere, EL AL senior vice president, Americas.

“EL AL’s new service between FLL and Tel Aviv will help boost business, tourism and trade opportunities between the Middle East and Broward County. We are excited to welcome Israel’s national airline to FLL Broward County and look forward to a mutually successful partnership,” said Lamar Fisher, Broward County Mayor.

The new route will be operated on Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft with a capacity of 238 seats in three classes (20 Business Class/35 Premium Economy/183 Economy). Promotional fares are available, starting at USD 724 each way.

This article was originally published by Rainer Nieves Dolande on Aviacionline in syndication with AirlineGeeks.

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Mexico: Aeromar Confirms Shutdown After Facing Financial Difficulties

Aviacionline

Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 09:20 PM ET

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Pablo Diaz

An Aeromar ATR 72-600 at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in France, 2013 (Photo: Laurent ERRERA licensed under WikiCommons - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeromar#/media/File:ATR_72-600_Aeromar_(TAO)_F-WWEI_-_MSN_1096_-_Will_be_XA-MKH_(9276777613).jpg)

Aeromar, a Mexican regional airline, has announced the cessation of its operations in a statement released on social media. The company cited “a series of financial problems” and “difficulty in closing viable agreements for its long-term operation” as the reasons behind the decision to discontinue its services.

Earlier on February 15, Mexico City International Airport (AICM) concessionaire had stated that it would not allow the airline to operate there unless it paid the more than 500 million pesos (about 26.7 million dollars) it owed, in line with the decision of Airports and Auxiliary Services (ASA), which had set the same date as the deadline for the debt that Aeromar owes for the supply of fuel.

With the decision, nearly 700 employees will be left without jobs. The company indicated that, except for some concepts related to the salary, Aeromar employees had received their base salaries normally.

Passengers affected by the abrupt cessation of operations will receive information “once alternatives are available in agreement with the competent authorities.”

Financial Struggles

The debts that Aeromar owes to social security services and savings funds of its workers affiliated with ASPA, to AICM, to ASA, and to the lessors of its airplanes have finally led to its downfall.

Although the company continued to provide commercial services until this week, its schedule had significantly decreased due to economic difficulties and the lesser number of available aircraft. The financial situation was critical, and its debts are theoretically unpayable without the intervention of an external investor.

The hope is placed on Nella, an American company presided over by a Brazilian entrepreneur, which is trying to acquire Aeromar. It is unknown what the holding company’s action will be in response to the operational cessation, but until last week, it was expected that the company’s representatives would hold a meeting with the government to propose a debt restructuring plan for the airline.

This article was originally published by Pablo Diaz on Aviacionline in syndication with AirlineGeeks.

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Peru: Lima’s Airport Sees Important Recovery in 2022 Passenger Traffic

Aviacionline

Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 04:56 PM ET

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Pablo Diaz

Inside Lima's airport terminal. (Photo: VasenkaPhotography - https://www.flickr.com/photos/vasenka/8722356428/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26698429)

Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport welcomed 18.6 million passengers in 2022, showing a significant recovery of 78.96% when compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. However, the recovery was hindered by health restrictions in the first quarter and domestic flight cancellations due to a social crisis in December.

Domestic traffic saw a 53% increase, while international traffic showed a growth of 119% compared to the previous year. Lima Airport Partners’ Commercial Strategy and Marketing Manager, Emilio Parada, remains optimistic about the airport’s future, estimating more than 23 million passengers in 2023. The airport has also witnessed an increase in commercial airlines, promoting healthy competition and a better offering for passengers.

North America, Central America, and South America have all shown impressive growth, with Air Canada resuming operations from Toronto and Montreal, United reactivating its route between Newark and the Peruvian capital, and SKY Peru becoming the only Peruvian low-cost airline to operate between Peru and the United States. The Central American market has also shown promising growth, with Costa Rica and Volaris Costa Rica increasing operations between Lima and San José.

“Despite the conjuncture, in 2022 we managed to reach 79% of the pre-pandemic passenger traffic (2019), and for 2023 we estimate more than 23 million passengers, a level very close to the 2019 traffic. Jorge Chávez International Airport, in Lima, continues to be an attractive hub for international connections” said Emilio Parada, Commercial Strategy and Marketing Manager of Lima Airport Partners. “We have been able to recover the number of commercial airlines that operated before the pandemic, thus encouraging competition and giving our passengers a better offer according to their needs,” Parada added.

Meanwhile, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia have also witnessed steady growth. Europe has also shown signs of recovery, with Air France-KLM resuming daily flights between Lima and Amsterdam and increasing the service between the Peruvian capital and Paris.

This article was originally published by Rainer Nieves Dolande on Aviacionline in syndication with AirlineGeeks.

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Canadian Airline WestJet to Expand Domestic and Cross-Border Operations from Calgary

Aviacionline

Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 04:11 PM ET

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Pablo Diaz

A WestJet 737 at LAX. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ben Suskind)

WestJet, a Canadian airline, is set to expand its domestic and cross-border operations from its main hub in Calgary (YYC) for the 2023 summer season. This expansion will include new routes, resumed multiple destinations, and increased flights on key services. The airline is committed to meeting the diverse needs of Canadian travelers by providing more domestic options and expanding regional and cross-border connectivity across Western Canada.

With these changes, WestJet will increase its Calgary (YYC) operations by 30% compared to 2022 levels. The airline’s growth in the United States is due in part to its partnership with Delta Air Lines, which will operate from Delta’s major hubs and offer customers access to over 150 US destinations.

WestJet’s new services will include non-stop flights to Washington – Dulles (IAD) and Detroit (DTW), and it will increase operations to Houston – Intercontinental (IAH), Las Vegas (LAS), and Palm Springs (PSP). The airline will also have new domestic routes to Moncton (YQM), Thunder Bay (YQT), and Quebec City (YQB).

Expanding Connectivity

“We are thrilled to expand our network and provide our guests with the substantial opportunity to explore the U.S. and Canada from coast to coast this summer,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group’s CEO. “From increased domestic options to expanded regional and cross-border connectivity across Western Canada, our summer program demonstrates our unwavering commitment to meeting the diverse needs of Canadian travelers and ensuring we are the friendly, reliable and affordable airline they love,” von Hoensbroech added.

In addition to these new services, the carrier will increase its operations to Abbotsford (YXX), Cranbrook (YXC), Hamilton (YHM), Lethbridge (YQL), London – Ontario (YXU), Medicine Hat (YXM), Winnipeg (YWG), Vancouver (YVR) and Toronto – Pearson (YYZ).

This article was originally published by Rainer Nieves Dolande on Aviacionline in syndication with AirlineGeeks.

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Emirates SkyCargo and Air Canada Cargo Sign MoU to Expand Air Cargo Options Internationally

Aviacionline

Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 03:58 PM ET

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Pablo Diaz

Emirates SkyCargo and Air Canada Cargo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide additional benefits to air cargo customers worldwide. The agreement builds on the strategic commercial partnership announced by both airlines in 2022. Nabil Sultan, Senior Vice President of Emirates Cargo Division, and Matty Casey, Chief Commercial Officer of Air Canada Cargo, signed the MoU at Emirates’ headquarters in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The MoU outlines several initiatives, including expanded interline cargo options and block space agreements, designed to provide more capacity on an integrated global network for both airlines’ cargo customers. The enhancements are subject to regulatory approvals. SkyCargo will have access to over 60 Canadian destinations and more than 150 cities through Air Canada Cargo’s network. In turn, Air Canada Cargo can access Emirates SkyCargo’s high-frequency distribution network through scheduled passenger air operations to more than 140 international destinations.

“Emirates SkyCargo is committed to being a leading player in the global air cargo industry, providing our customers with the highest standards of products and services. Cooperating with Air Canada Cargo will offer added value to our customers through faster reach to new destinations in Canada through our Toronto and U.S. gateways,” said Naid Nabil Sultan, Senior Vice President, Emirates Cargo Division.

“This agreement allows both carriers to work more closely together to optimize our respective freighter and vessel capabilities on each of our extensive and complementary global networks. Customers will benefit from these additional synergies by having access to an even greater range of options, destinations and simplified handling when shipping globally,” said Matthieu Casey, Air Canada Cargo’s chief commercial officer.

The Canadian cargo airline will use Air Canada’s passenger flights’ hold capacity and a fleet of Boeing 767Fs, while Emirates SkyCargo will provide additional capacity with 11 Boeing 777Fs from its fleet. Both airlines specialize in handling special cargo, including oil and gas drilling rigs, auto parts, and pharmaceuticals.

Emirates and Air Canada also recently introduced a passenger codeshare agreement covering 46 destinations and launched a loyalty program partnership.

This article was originally published by Rainer Nieves Dolande on Aviacionline in syndication with AirlineGeeks.

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