Czech Republic becomes first international customer to purchase mixed fleet of H-1 aircraft
WASHINGTON D.C. (Dec. 13, 2019) – The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper, and Czech Republic Minister of Defence, Lubomir Metnar, signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance finalizing the foreign military sale by Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (TXT) company, of H-1 helicopters to the Czech Air Force.
“We are privileged to support the Czech people and applaud the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of the Czech Republic for selecting AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters.” said Vince Tobin, Executive Vice President of Bell’s Military Business.
The H-1 mixed fleet shares 85-percent commonality between parts, reducing the logistics, maintenance, and training costs of the AH-1Z and UY-1Y helicopters while offering a lethal combination of integrated weapons systems to counter ground, air, and maritime targets effectively. The AH-1Z is the only helicopter in production equipped with the AIM-9 Sidewinder providing the most advanced air-to-air combat capabilities.
“This mix allows the Czech Republic to accomplish a diverse mission set, from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to close air support and air-to-air warfare,” said Joel Best, Director of Military Sales and Strategy, Europe. “The advanced capabilities of the H-1 program help ensure the safety and security of Czech sons and daughters for years to come.”
The purchase of four AH-1Z and eight UH-1Y military helicopters represents the first foreign military sale of a mixed H-1 fleet. Bell anticipates the delivery of the first H-1 aircraft to the Czech Republic will begin in 2023 and complete delivery by 2024.
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, December 10th, 2019 – Embraer and Congo Airways have signed a firm order for two E175 aircraft, with purchase rights for a further two. The deal has a total value of USD 194.4 million at current list prices with all purchase rights exercised, and will be added to Embraer’s 2019 fourth quarter backlog.
Desire Bantu, CEO of Congo Airways said, “These new jets will replace our current turboprop offering and allow us to serve routes both within the Democratic Republic of Congo, and regionally to West, Central, and Southern Africa, from our hub in Kinshasa. We will now have the flexibility and the right sized aircraft to serve our market, which is growing so rapidly an additional order may be required, for which the E2 is a particularly compelling option.”
Raul Villaron, Vice President Sales, Africa and Middle East, Embraer Commercial Aviation, said, “It’s great to welcome another airline to the Embraer family of operators, especially in Africa where the demand for regional travel is growing strongly. We look forward to supporting Congo Airways as they continue to upgrade their offering to their customers.”
The aircraft will be configured in a dual class layout seating 76 passengers in total, with 12 in business class. Deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Embraer is the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial aircraft up to 150 seats with more than 100 customers across the world. For the E-Jets program alone, Embraer has logged more than 1,800 orders and 1,500 aircraft have been delivered. Today, E-Jets are flying in the fleets of 80 customers in 50 countries. The versatile 70 to 150-seat family is flying with low-cost airlines as well as with regional and mainline network carriers.
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd said it had obtained 34 more orders and purchase agreements for its Dash 8-400 plane at last months Dubai Airshow, as it revives the recently acquired turboprop business from Bombardier Inc.
Aurora, a subsidiary of Aeroflot-Rossiyskiye Avialinii PAO , signed a letter of intent to purchase up to five Dash 8-400 aircraft, while the Republic of Ghana agreed to buy six aircraft during the Dubai Airshow, which ran between Nov. 17-21.
ACIA Aero Capital Ltd also signed a conditional purchase agreement to buy three Dash 8-400 aircraft, the company said in a separate statement.
Longview Aviation Capital closed its deal for the Q400 turboprop aircraft program from Canada’s Bombardier this year and revived its previous model name – Dash 8 – under a restored corporate brand of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada.
On Monday, De Havilland landed an order for 20 Dash 8-400 turboprops from lessor Palma Holding at the ongoing Dubai Airshow.
(Reporting by Dominic Roshan K.L. in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich)
GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) – At least 27 people were killed, including some on the ground, when a small plane crashed into a densely populated neighborhood in the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, a rescue official said.
The propeller plane, which was operated by local company Busy Bee, crashed shortly after take-off en route to the city of Beni, about 250 km (155 miles) to the north, officials said.
The company said the 19-seater Dornier 228-200 had 16 passengers and two crew members on board.
There was no word yet on what might have caused the accident.
Joseph Makundi, the coordinator of rescue services in Goma, told Reuters that 27 bodies had been recovered from the rubble, including those of several people hit by falling debris.
“I was at a restaurant with my family when I saw the plane spinning three times in the air and emitting a lot of smoke,” said Djemo Medar, an eyewitness in Goma’s Mapendo neighborhood. “After that we saw the plane crash into this house,” he said pointing to a nearby building.
“We know the pilot. His name is Didier. He was shouting, ‘Help me, Help me.’ But we had no way to get to him because the fire was so powerful,” Medar said.
At the crash site, residents threw water from buckets and cooking pots onto the smoldering wreckage. The rear section of the plane rested sideways, propped up by a wall, videos posted on social media showed.
Police arrested one man for stealing cash from the rubble and fired warning shots to disperse people who had started looting, he said.
Air accidents are relatively frequent in Congo because of lax safety standards and poor maintenance. All Congolese commercial carriers, including Busy Bee, are banned from operating in the European Union.
A cargo plane departing from the same airport and carrying staff members of President Felix Tshisekedi crashed an hour after take-off last month, killing all eight people on board..
Writing by Hereward Holland; Editing by Aaron Ross/Mark Potter/ Frances Kerry/Jane Merriman
FORT WORTH, Texas — American Airlines customers will have a lot to be thankful for as the airline plans to launch an additional eight new domestic routes this summer, offering customers a total of 20 new seasonal routes in summer 2020. The new routes include service to Martha’s Vineyard (MVY) and Nantucket (ACK) in Massachusetts and new service from Jackson, Mississippi (JAN) and Des Moines, Iowa (DSM), to Miami (MIA), the airline’s gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Every year, we evaluate our network and look to create more routes and serve unique destinations whether we’re entering new markets like Casablanca or adding more service to places like Traverse City, Michigan,” said Vasu Raja, American’s Senior Vice President of Network Strategy. “We continue to deliver the best network with the most options for our customers domestically and internationally during the most popular vacation time of the year.”
Domestic additions
Beginning in June, American will add two new ways to get to the lighthouses and sandy beaches of Martha’s Vineyard from two connecting hubs on the East Coast — Philadelphia (PHL) and Charlotte (CLT). The airline will also introduce a new route to the cobblestone streets of Nantucket with Saturday service from PHL. All three flights will be operated on an Embraer 175, featuring 12 First Class seats and 64 Main Cabin seats. Next summer, Traverse City (TVC) will see direct service from PHL and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), giving customers access to the shores of Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay every Saturday. The airline will also introduce new Saturday service from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Portland, Maine (PWM) operated on an Airbus A319 aircraft.
MIA is American’s gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, and, next summer, customers flying from JAN and DSM will have nonstop service to MIA on Saturday and Sunday from June through August. Flight times will complement one-stop connections to vacation favorites like Bonaire, St. Vincent, and Montego Bay, Jamaica.
American previously announced seasonal service to National Parks in Kalispell (FCA) and Bozeman (BZN), Montana, and increased service to Alaska, including a new destination, Fairbanks (FAI), which will begin operating in May.
A summer overseas
In August, American announced an international expansion that includes entering Africa for the first time with service to Casablanca, Morocco (CMN), from PHL and seasonal service from Chicago (ORD) to Krakow, Poland (KRK); Prague, Czech Republic (PRG); and Budapest, Hungary (BUD). American will be the only US carrier providing service to KRK, BUD and PRG from ORD.
“Our future is bright, and we see summer 2020 as an opportunity for growth in the leisure destinations our customers truly value,” Raja continued. “We have 20 new seasonal routes to choose from — narrowing down where to go will be the hardest part.”
New flights will be available for purchase Nov. 25.
Following the ceremonial opening of the first concourse to comprise Delta’s state-of-the-art terminal at LaGuardia Airport last month, all Delta Shuttle flights to Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., will relocate to these new gates from Terminal C starting Nov. 16, 2019.
The spacious new concourse, which houses gates 92 through 98, features floor-to-ceiling views of Citi Field and Flushing Bay and dining options from favorite New York chefs and eateries.
“Our Shuttle customers are among the very first to experience Delta’s newest facility at LaGuardia, and we’re so excited for them to enjoy all of the amenities it has to offer,” said Ginny Elliott, V.P. — Delta’s LGA Operations. “Its modern design, spacious gate areas, and delicious dining offerings are sure to elevate the travel day for some of our most frequent fliers.”
Until the terminal’s centralized check-in lobby in the new headhouse opens (scheduled for early 2022), the new concourse will be accessible via a pedestrian walkway on the east side of Delta’s existing Terminal D. The security checkpoint in Terminal D is being expanded to support both concourses. Customers arriving into the new gates with checked bags will claim their bags in Terminal D baggage claim.
Volunteer wayfinders from Delta’s Peach Corps will be stationed at the airport throughout the week to assist customers.
The new concourse, a major milestone in Delta’s $4 billion redevelopment investment at LGA, opened on Oct. 29, to rave reviews and participation by Delta CEO Ed Bastian, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, and representatives of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Shuttle customers will continue to have access to benefits including:
Check-in as close as 15 minutes prior to departure without bags or 30 minutes with checked bags
Boarding up to 5 minutes prior to departure
Consistent gates
Expedited security options via Clear and dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes
Complimentary onboard snacks and beverages
Weekday flights to Washington, D.C., operated by Delta Connection partner Republic Airline using E-170 and E-175 aircraft, will continue departing near the top of the hour beginning at 6 a.m. with 10 peak-day departures on the November schedule. Flights to Chicago, operated by Delta on mainline Boeing 717 aircraft, will continue to depart at 10 minutes past the hour beginning at 6:10 a.m. with 13 peak-day departures on the November schedule. And flights to Boston will continue departing near the top of the hour beginning at 6 a.m. with 17 peak-day departures on the November schedule. Boston flights are operated by a mix of Delta mainline B717 and A220 aircraft and Delta Connection partner Republic Airline using E-170 and E-175 aircraft.
NEWARK, N.J. Aug. 27, 2019 – Low Fare carrier, Frontier Airlines, today announces new low-cost service from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) with 15 nonstop routes, including two international destinations: Cancun**, Mexico and Punta Cana**, Dominican Republic. To celebrate this new, low-cost service, Frontier is offering fares as low as $15* in addition to allowing customers to take advantage of the airline’s unique Kids Fly Free offer — both are available at flyfrontier.com.
The new routes include the only low-cost, nonstop options from EWR to Cancun**, Mexico; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Miami; Punta Cana**, Dominican Republic; Phoenix; Raleigh, N.C., and San Juan**. In addition, Frontier will offer the only nonstop, cross-country option to Ontario, Calif., opening an affordable, convenient option for travel to the Los Angeles area.
“We’re excited to make flying more affordable for the Garden State with 15 new routes from Newark,” Barry Biffle, President and CEO of Frontier Airlines said. “With fares as low as $15, we hope we inspire more people to fly and are delighted to meet that demand with our ‘Low Fares Done Right’ promise. This includes a focus on serving families as well as the environment with a more sustainable approach to flying.”
Frontier’s flights from Newark will operate entirely outside the delay prone afternoon hours, ensuring the airline can deliver its signature ‘Low Fares Done Right’ service – combining a great low fare with an outstanding flight experience. “We’d like to thank our partners at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the FAA for helping to establish Frontier as an effective low fare option at Newark Liberty Airport, without further contributing to delays in the most congested hours,” Daniel Shurz, senior vice president of commercial for Frontier Airlines said.
New routes from EWR beginning Nov. 14, 2019:
TO/FROM
SERVICE FREQUENCY
INTRO FARE
APPLICABLE DAYS FOR INTRO FARE:
McCarran International Airport (LAS)
Daily
$15*
Tuesday, Wednesday
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Twice Daily
$15*
Tuesday, Wednesday
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Daily(Twice Daily eff. Dec. 10, 2019)
$15*
Tuesday, Wednesday
San Juan Airport (SJU)**
Daily
$29*
Tuesday, Wednesday
New routes from EWR beginning Dec. 10, 2019:
TO/FROM
SERVICE FREQUENCY
INTRO FARE
APPLICABLE DAYS FOR INTRO FARE:
Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
Daily
$15*
Tuesday, Wednesday
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Daily
$15*
Tuesday, Wednesday
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Daily
$15*
Tuesday, Wednesday
Service to Palm Beach is seasonal, frequency and times are subject to change, so please check FlyFrontier.com for the most updated schedule.
New routes from EWR beginning March and April 2020 with tickets going on sale at a later date:
TO/FROM
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ)**
Cancun International Airport (CUN)**
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Ontario International Airport (ONT)
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
“We are proud to be considered America’s Greenest Airline,” Biffle continued. “Frontier is the most fuel-efficient airline in the U.S., offering passengers both the most affordable and sustainable approach to flying.”
Frontier operates over 90 A320 family aircraft and has the largest A320neo fleet in the U.S., delivering the highest level of noise reduction and fuel-efficiency, compared to previous models. The use of these aircraft, Frontier’s seating configuration, weight-saving tactics, and baggage process have all contributed to the airline’s average of 39% fuel savings compared to other U.S. airlines (fuel savings is based on Frontier Airlines 2018 fuel consumption per seat-mile compared to the weighted average of major U.S. airlines). More information about Frontier’s green commitments are available at FlyGreener.com.
Frontier is committed to families. One of the most popular family offers is Kids Fly Free whereby one kid can fly free for every adult with Discount Den travel club membership on select dates and flights. Additional information about Kids Fly Free is available at https://www.flyfrontier.com/kidsflyfree. In addition to Kids Fly Free, Frontier offers special rewards and status benefits for the whole family. Plus, every Frontier aircraft features a unique animal on its tail — from Griz the Bear to Otto the Owl, to Flo the Flamingo — kids will enjoy getting to know their new animal friends.
Frontier is focused on more than low fares. The carrier offers customers the ability to customize travel to their needs and budget. For example, customers can purchase options a la carte or in one low-priced bundle called the WORKS. This bundle includes refundability, a carry-on bag, a checked bag, the best available seat, waived change fees, and priority boarding.
The airline’s frequent flier program, FRONTIER Miles lets members enjoy many benefits as well as the ability to attain Elite status. Like the airline, FRONTIER Miles is family-friendly, and the program makes it easy for families to enjoy the rewards together, including family pooling of miles. FRONTIER Miles is aptly named because you earn one mile for every mile flown – no funny formulas at Frontier. If a customer travels a little or a lot, they will find FRONTIER Miles rewarding.
With over 150 new Airbus planes on order, Frontier will continue to grow to deliver on the mission of providing affordable travel across America. Frontier’s young fleet also ensures that the company keeps fares low and that customers will enjoy a pleasant and reliable experience flying with the airline.
Today British Airways has launched a sale offering a pair of Club World (business class) seats from just £2019 return.
There are a range of destinations available for £2019 return for two, including top US destinations such as New York, Miami, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Washington and Dallas. Further afield the £2019 fare for two will take travellers to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Other destinations are available for marginally more including Beijing, Hong Kong and Bangkok for £2998, Mumbai, Chennai, Lagos and Abuja for £2999, Antigua for £2305, Barbados for £2332 return and Toronto for £2399.
BA Holidays deals are also available, including:
Dubai: Club World flights plus three nights at a 4* hotel from £1069 per person
New York: Club World flights plus three nights at a 4* hotel from £1199 per person
Las Vegas: Club World flights plus three nights at a 4* hotel from £1149 per person
Dominican Republic: Club World flights plus seven nights all-inclusive at a 4* hotel from just £1359 per person
And there are deals to be had in other cabins too with two First class seats to New York and Miami respectively available from £3019.
Members of the airline’s Executive Club will benefit by saving with Avios part payment, securing the same £2019 deal for two people travelling together in Club World by paying just £619 return and 261,000 Avios.
Travel is for selected dates between August 13 and September 30, 2019 and customers need to book by August 19.
To book please visit ba.com/luxury-offers.
Ends August 12, 2019
Notes to editors:
Full terms and conditions can be found at ba.com/luxury-offers.
The sale runs between 12pm today, August 12, 2019 and 11.59pm on August 19, 2019.
Airline expands global network with flights to Casablanca, Tel Aviv and Krakow beginning next summer
FORT WORTH, Texas — American Airlines has the cure for the end-of-summer blues: new routes for next summer. Today, American unveiled its summer 2020 international schedule, which includes the following new service:
Philadelphia (PHL) to Casablanca, Morocco (CMN) begins June 4
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Tel Aviv, Israel (TLV) begins Sept. 9
Chicago (ORD) to Krakow, Poland (KRK) begins May 7
ORD to Budapest, Hungary (BUD) begins May 7
ORD to Prague, Czech Republic (PRG) begins May 8
Furthering frontiers: Africa
When American begins service to Morocco next year, it will be the airline’s first entrance into the African continent. American will be the only U.S. carrier with nonstop service to Casablanca, which will be operated three times per week on a Boeing 757.
“Our customers and team members have been asking when we’re going to start service to Africa, and I couldn’t be more pleased to make this announcement for service beginning in 2020,” said Vasu Raja, American’s Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning. “We look forward to working with Royal Air Maroc when they join oneworld® in 2020, which will allow for even more connections further into Africa to places like Marrakech, Lagos and Accra. This is only the beginning.”
Returning to Tel Aviv
As demand continues to grow between the U.S. and TLV, American is adding three weekly flights from DFW, its largest hub. These flights will serve customers throughout the U.S. and allow many customers to make only one stop, rather than the previous two stops that were available, to TLV. And as the tech industry continues to grow in the market, American will provide the most efficient routing to U.S. tech cities like Austin, Texas, and San Jose, California, in addition to one-stop service to 33 new cities in the U.S.
Expansion in Eastern Europe
American’s Midwest hub, ORD, has seen significant growth and now offers more domestic and international seats today than it has in more than a decade. Next summer, the growth continues with three new destinations in Eastern Europe, including American’s first flight to KRK and new service to PRG and BUD, which American began flying to seasonally from PHL in 2018. American will offer the most premium seats to Eastern Europe of all U.S. carriers next summer, as all of the new flights will be operated by a Boeing 787-8, featuring 20 Flagship Business seats and 28 Premium Economy seats.
“There’s strong local demand to Eastern Europe in Chicago, and it’s important that we provide more service for our customers to visit family and friends or explore a new part of the world,” said Raja. “Chicago has been a great example of trying new things with our network, like seasonal service to Athens that launched earlier this year, and when customers take advantage, it allows us the opportunity to keep growing.”
American will be the only U.S. carrier providing service to KRK, BUD and PRG from ORD.
New flights will be available for purchase Aug. 12, with the exception of TLV, which will be available for purchase Oct. 10.
Closure represents next step in the Company’s long-term cost and footprint reduction strategies
When complete in early 2020, the Company is expected to save $5 million per year in fixed costs
CHICAGO, July 22, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FreightCar America, Inc. (RAIL) announced today that it has started the process to permanently close its Roanoke, Virginia manufacturing facility. The Company will retain the necessary workforce to build cars at the facility through November.
“The closure of our Roanoke facility is another next step in our ‘Back to Basics’ strategy as we continue to streamline our manufacturing footprint and match it to our future product offering,” said Jim Meyer, President and Chief Executive Officer of FreightCar America. “Reducing our fixed costs and achieving world-class output from our much larger Shoals facility have always been core pillars of our turnaround strategy.”
Meyer added, “We have spent the last two years building our talent, processes and overall capabilities at Shoals and the plant is now in a position to accept the Roanoke models and volume. This action, when complete in the first half of 2020, is expected to save approximately $5 million per year.”
Meyer concluded, “Our people at Roanoke have consistently performed above all expectations. We are extremely thankful for everything they have given the Company.”
The Company will offer select employees the opportunity to relocate to other parts of the business.
About FreightCar America
FreightCar America, Inc. manufactures a wide range of railroad freight cars, supplies railcar parts and leases freight cars through its FreightCar America Leasing Company subsidiaries. FreightCar America designs and builds high-quality railcars, including bulk commodity cars, covered hopper cars, intermodal and non-intermodal flat cars, mill gondola cars, coil steel cars, boxcars and coal cars. It is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and has facilities in the following locations: Cherokee, Alabama; Grand Island, Nebraska; Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Roanoke, Virginia; and Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. More information about FreightCar America is available on its website at www.freightcaramerica.com
