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Icelandair welcomes its newest gateway of Pittsburgh

Icelandair Group (Iceland: ICEAIR) returns to Pennsylvania with today’s announcement of our newest American gateway of Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). Flights now on sale starting at $499 round-trip!

This new service opens the Appalachia region of the American Midwest to new options for traveling to Iceland and beyond. Seasonal service begins May 16, 2024 and runs through October 27, 2024 utilizing our newest aircraft, the Boeing (NYSE: BA) 737 MAX-8. Flights will operate four times weekly, on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

To celebrate today’s exciting announcement, sale fares to Iceland starting at $499 round-trip, including all taxes and fees, are available to book now through Wednesday, November 8!

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

 

Delta Air Lines to launch new service between Haneda to Honolulu, Hawaii

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) will launch a nonstop daily service between Tokyo International Airport and Honolulu International Airport on Oct. 28, 2023. The Haneda-Honolulu nonstop service will begin Oct. 29, 2023. This is the first time Delta has offered a service between Haneda and Honolulu after all Tokyo operations were moved from Narita Airport to Haneda in March 2020, the start of which was delayed due to the pandemic.  

Delta’s Haneda-Honolulu flight will operate on a Boeing 767-300ER, offering Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin options.  

Delta One customers can stretch out in a full flat-bed seat and enjoy premium amenities like artisan-made Someone Somewhere amenity kits, plush bedding made from recycled materials, additional beverage options before take-off, chef-curated meals and decadent desserts like a build-your-own ice cream sundae.  

Meanwhile, customers flying in Delta Premium Select will have more space to relax in a wider seat with a deeper recline and an adjustable footrest and leg rest, along with an elevated dining experience, premium hand-crafted amenities and dedicated service touchpoints to further elevate their journey. 

Customers in every cabin enjoy seat-back screens featuring hours of complimentary premium entertainment via Delta Studio, in-seat power, high-speed Wi-Fi available for purchase (to be for free by the end of 2024) and free mobile messaging. Delta partners with renowned Chef Norio Ueno to create the Japanese menu served in all cabins. 

Eligible customers have access to the Delta Sky Club at both Haneda and Honolulu airports.  

Delta schedule* for Haneda (HND) – Honolulu (HNL) flights:  

Flight Departs Arrives Operating Day Aircraft 
DL180 Haneda at 9:00 p.m. Honolulu at 8:55 a.m. (same day) Daily B767-300ER 
DL181 Honolulu at 2:00 p.m. Haneda at 6:45 p.m.  (next day) Daily B767-300ER 

*The schedule is subject to change.

Frontier Airlines Launches New International Route from Orlando to San Jose, Costa Rica

Low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines (NASDAQ: ULCC) today launches nonstop flights from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to San Jose, Costa Rica. Plus, the airline will begin service to St. Maarten next Thursday, July 10, 2021. To celebrate the new service, Frontier is offering introductory fares to Costa Rica starting at $99*.

“We’re excited to launch service from Orlando to Costa Rica today, and St. Maarten next week,” said Daniel Shurz, senior vice president of commercial, Frontier Airlines. “With the addition of this new service, Frontier now offers 63 nonstop Orlando routes this summer. We have expanded our MCO route network to meet the pent-up desire for summer travel while continuing to offer both affordable fares and a friendly flying experience.”

“Frontier’s start of new international service at Orlando International Airport is an excellent opportunity for travel to two popular markets,” said Phil Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “With these exciting new destinations in the airline’s network, Frontier continues to solidify its rank as the airline serving the most destinations from Central Florida.”

New Route from Orlando International Airport (MCO):

SERVICE TO: SERVICE START: SERVICE FREQUENCY: INTRO FARE: 
San Jose (SJO) July 1, 2021 2x Weekly To SJO: $99* 

New Route from Orlando International Airport (MCO):

SERVICE TO: SERVICE START: SERVICE FREQUENCY: 
St. Maarten (SXM) July 10, 2021 1x Weekly 

Frequency and times are subject to change, so please check FlyFrontier.com for the most updated schedule.

MD Helicopters Secures $43.9 Million in Army Contracts

MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announces two independent contract awards worth $43.9 million from Army Contracting Command-Redstone supporting the Afghan Air Force’s MD 530F Cayuse Warrior light attack helicopters.

The first contract, a six-month extension worth $14.5 million, continues MDHI’s longstanding efforts to provide program management, and contractor logistics support (CLS) services, material, and remote operations to support the Afghan fleet. Work will take place in Mesa, Arizona; Kabul, Afghanistan; and Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. The contract was awarded on May 28, 2021.

The second contract, worth $29.4 million, modifies MDHI’s original maintenance capabilities support contract. Under this six-month contract, MD Helicopters will provide continued maintenance, repairs, updates, and overhauls of the Afghan Air Force’s MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters in Mesa, Kabul, and Al-Ain. The contract was awarded on June 10, 2021.

The enhanced MD 530F Cayuse Warrior is a light armed attack helicopter respected for its power, safety, speed, agility, and unparalleled confined area capabilities. The aircraft supports a wide range of training and operational missions, providing safe, efficient multi-mission support with an increased performance profile.

United Announces New Nonstop Service Between Boston Logan & London Heathrow

CHICAGO, Feb. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAL) today announced plans to expand its global route network with new, nonstop service between Boston Logan International Airport and London Heathrow. This new service builds upon United’s growing presence in London and provides customers on the East Coast with another convenient option to get to London. United plans to operate its premium Boeing 767-300ER aircraft on the route, with 46 United Polaris Business Class and 22 United Premium Plus seats. The aircraft features the highest proportion of premium seats on any widebody aircraft operated by a U.S. carrier between London and the United States.

“We are thrilled to offer travelers a convenient, non-stop option between Boston and London with this addition to our global network,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s vice president of International Network and Alliances.  “We will continue to monitor the demand recovery and travel restrictions as we finalize a start date for this service later in 2021.” 

Tickets will be available for purchase on united.com and the United app in the coming weeks. 

United has provided service to London Heathrow for nearly 30 years and over the course of the pandemic has maintained continuous service between the U.S. and London. Looking ahead,  Boston will be United’s 19th daily flight between the United States and London Heathrow. 

Boston – London Schedule
FromToDepartArriveFrequencyAircraft
BostonLondon10:00 p.m.9:35 a.m.+1Daily767-300ER
LondonBoston5:00 p.m.7:30 p.m.Daily767-300ER
 Schedule subject to change

United’s Polaris product is a premium travel experience that prioritizes relaxation and comfort with features that include everything from custom, luxury bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue and restaurant-quality, multi-course inflight dining to premium amenity kits and full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access. Along with its 46 Polaris Business Class seats, the aircraft also features 22 United Premium Plus seats, 43 United Economy Plus seats and 56 United Economy seats.

Committed to Ensuring a Safe Journey

United is committed to putting health and safety at the forefront of every customer’s journey, with the goal of delivering an industry-leading standard of cleanliness through its United CleanPlus program. United has teamed up with Clorox and Cleveland Clinic to redefine cleaning and health safety procedures from check-in to landing and has implemented more than a dozen new policies, protocols and innovations designed with the safety of customers and employees in mind.

American Airlines and JetBlue Begin Joint Schedules and Codeshare Flights From New York and Boston

New service from New York (JFK) to Latin America and the Caribbean begins in May

New domestic service from JFK and Boston (BOS) begins in June

  • American introduces international flights from New York (JFK) to three cities in Colombia and to Santiago, Chile (SCL); new weekend service to St. Lucia (UVF) and Turks and Caicos (PLS) will operate this summer.
  • American and JetBlue collectively introduce 33 new domestic and international routes for customers in New York and Boston beginning in June.
  • Almost 50 codeshare markets are available for purchase on aa.com for travel beginning Feb. 25.

FORT WORTH, Texas — American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL) and JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) are delivering on their promise to introduce better travel choices on routes to and from New York (JFK, LGA and EWR) and Boston (BOS), as they launch nearly 80 codeshare flights and enhanced schedules on key routes. American is also introducing 18 new routes beginning this summer, including six new routes from JFK to Latin America and the Caribbean. Codeshare flights are available for purchase today for travel starting Feb. 25, and American’s new summer flights from New York and Boston will be available for purchase Feb. 22.

“This is the first step to delivering the best customer proposition with the biggest network in New York and Boston,” said Vasu Raja, American’s Chief Revenue Officer. “In the months ahead, we’ll continue to create a seamless experience that’s easy for our customers, supports our communities and leads to more growth for our team.”

American and JetBlue announced their Northeast Alliance in July, followed by the airlines’ intent to introduce key elements of the alliance after review by the Department of Transportation in January. 

“Our alliance with American opens the door for JetBlue to successfully enter into new markets, introducing more choices and our award-winning service and low fares to more customers,” said Scott Laurence, head of revenue and planning, JetBlue. “The alliance is also essential to getting our planes back in the air profitably and crewmembers working again.”

New routes

The Northeast Alliance opens up new growth opportunities for both carriers by finding ways to better utilize existing gates and slots in congested Northeast airports while offering customers a seamless travel experience. 

International Growth

On May 6, American will launch three new daily routes from JFK to Colombia – Cali (CLO), Bogota (BOG) and Medellin (MDE) – and will begin flying three times per week to Santiago, Chile (SCL) from JFK on a Boeing 777-200, until flights begin operating daily in November. Sun-seeking customers can also look forward to new Saturday service from JFK to the soothing waves in St. Lucia (UVF) and the beautiful beaches in Turks and Caicos (PLS) beginning on June 5, complementing JetBlue’s existing service..

Domestic Growth

This summer, American will also launch 12 new domestic routes, from New York (JFK and LGA) and Boston (BOS), including the following:

OriginDestinationSeason
BOSAsheville, North Carolina (AVL)June 5 – Nov. 6
BOSColumbus, Ohio (CMH)Aug. 17, year-round
BOSJackson Hole, Wyoming (JAC)June 5 – Sept. 4
BOSTraverse City, Michigan (TVC)June 5 – Sept. 6
BOSWilmington, North Carolina (ILM)June 5 – Aug. 14
JFKOrange County, California (SNA)June 2, year-round
LGAKansas City, Missouri (MCI)Sept. 8, year-round
LGAKey West, Florida (EYW)June 5 – Sept. 4
LGAMyrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR)June 3 – Sept. 7
LGAPensacola, Florida (PNS)June 3 – Sept. 7
LGARapid City, South Dakota (RAP)June 5 – Sept. 4
LGASavannah, Georgia (SAV)June 3 – Sept. 7

Also launching this summer is previously announced service from LGA to Glacier National Park in Kalispell, Montana, (FCA) and to TVC. As part of the codeshare with JetBlue, all new routes will be operated by American, but available for booking on aa.com or JetBlue.com.

Enhanced schedules in key markets

Customers will soon benefit from aligned schedules in key markets supported by the reciprocal codeshare. Beginning in April, American and JetBlue will offer more flights than any other carrier when they coordinate convenient schedules on the popular New York (JFK and EWR) to Los Angeles (LAX) route. Customers will have the most choices — 14 daily flights — between the two carriers and will have access to the state-of-the art Airbus A321T aircraft or JetBlue’s A321 aircraft featuring Mint. American and JetBlue will also provide enhanced schedules between the following markets:

OriginDestination
BOSFort Lauderdale (FLL)
BOSMIA
BOSWashington, D.C. (DCA)
BOSWest Palm Beach (PBI)
LGABOS
LGADCA
New York (JFK and EWR)Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
New York (JFK and EWR)LAX
New York (JFK and EWR)MIA
New York (JFK and EWR)San Francisco (SFO)
New York (JFK and EWR)West Palm Beach (PBI)

Codeshare flights begin next week

Codeshare on domestic flights are available for purchase today for flights beginning Feb. 25. American’s customers will have access to 49 codeshare routes on JetBlue, while JetBlue customers will have access to more than 25 routes on American. The airlines expect to begin codesharing sales on the new international routes soon.* As with all American-marketed codeshare flights, AAdvantage members will be able to earn miles.

DB Regio Bayern and Siemens Mobility Sign Contract for 31 Regional Trains

DB Regio Bayern has ordered 31 regional trains from Siemens Mobility. The trains will serve on routes between Munich, Passau and Regensburg. Siemens Mobility will be delivering 25 double-decker Desiro HC trainsets and six single-decker Mireo trainsets. Passenger service with the new trains is planned to begin with the timetable change in December 2024.

“We’re especially pleased that we were able to win the Europe-wide call for tenders from the Bayerischen Eisenbahngesellschaft. The modern trains provided by our partner Siemens Mobility are an important contribution for ensuring high-quality operations that attract additional passengers to rail transport,” said Hansrüdiger Fritz, Chairman of the Regional Management, DB Regio Bayern.

“Our Desiro HC and Mireo regional trains stand for enhanced passenger experience and convenience, maximum availability, and sustainability. Both train platforms are very popular with passengers and have already significantly improved passenger satisfaction on many routes. We are pleased that we’ve received the order to build 25 Desiro HC trains and six Mireo trains for the Danube-Isar network,” said Albrecht Neumann, CEO Rolling Stock, Siemens Mobility.

The Desiro HC trains are intended for use on the line RE 3 Munich Hbf – Landshut Hbf – Plattling – Passau Hbf and until the opening of the 2nd S-Bahn main line in Munich on the RB 33 (Munich Hbf) – Freising – Moosburg – Landshut Hbf. The Mireo trains will be used on the airport express RE 22 Munich Airport Terminal – Landshut Hbf – Regensburg Hbf. After commissioning of the 2nd line, the vehicles of the RB 33 will be used for increased frequency in rush-hour traffic between Munich and Regensburg or Plattling.

Lordstown Motors Pursuing $200 Million U.S. Retooling Loan, will Show EV Truck at Detroit Auto Show

FILE PHOTO: A sign welcomes visitors to the General Motors Lordstown Complex assembly plant in Warren, Ohio

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Electric pickup truck start-up Lordstown Motors is pursuing a $200 million loan from a U.S. Energy Department program to retool a former General Motors <GM> factory in northeast Ohio, Chief Executive Steve Burns told Reuters.

Burns met with Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette on Monday for about an hour and the company was holding additional talks with officials on Tuesday from the Energy Department’s Loan Program Office.

“We think we are worthy of government help. We don’t want a handout – we want a loan,” Burns told Reuters in an interview. “It’s just going to be more jobs faster if we get it. We are viable without it.”

Burns disclosed the company plans to unveil a drivable version of its electric truck at the Detroit auto show in June. It hopes to begin production by year-end.

The Energy Department declined comment.

Burns said the company hopes to receive funding from the Energy Department’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program that in 2009 awarded loans to Ford Motor Co <F>, Tesla Inc <TSLA> and Nissan Motor Co <NSANY> to retool factories, but has not issued loans since 2011. Nissan and Tesla previously repaid their loans.

The fate of the sprawling plant became a political lightning rod after GM announced its planned closure in November 2018, drawing condemnation from U.S. President Donald Trump and many U.S. lawmakers.

A bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers wrote Brouillette last week offering “strong support” for the loan, saying northeast Ohio was dealt a “severe blow” by the plant closing.

Lordstown Motors Corp, which is 10% owned by Workhorse Group Inc <WKHS>, bought the plant and equipment for $20 million as part of its ambitious plan to begin building electric pickup trucks by the end of 2020.

“It’s cool to bring something back to life,” Burns said.

The company is working to raise additional funding and is in advanced talks with a large strategic investor, Burns said.

GM last year agreed to loan Lordstown Motors $40 million to acquire and retool the plant. Burns hopes to repay GM’s loan “in a few weeks.”

Burns plans to start crash-testing vehicles in July, hiring about 400 hourly workers in September and to begin production in November or December.

Electric vehicle startup Rivian, backed by Amazon.com Inc <AMZN> and Ford, plans to build an electric pickup truck and companion starting in late 2020. GM plans to build its first electric pickup truck starting in late 2021. Tesla plans to start building its electric Cybertruck in late 2021.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Nick Zieminski)

GM Loans $40 Million to Firm to Acquire, Retool Shuttered Lordstown, Ohio, Factory

FILE PHOTO: The GM logo is seen at the General Motors Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant in Lansing.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – General Motors Co <GM> confirmed on Monday it agreed to loan $40 million to an electric vehicle start-up to facilitate the acquisition of its shuttered Lordstown Assembly plant in Ohio.

Lordstown Motors Corp, which is 10% owned by Workhorse Group Inc <WKHS>, bought the plant and equipment for $20 million in November as part of its ambitious plan to begin building electric pickup trucks by the end of 2020.

The loan agreement, which was reported earlier Monday by the Business Journal in Youngstown, was filed in Trumbull County last week.

Lordstown Motors has been working on the engineering of the new truck, “Endurance”, and hired Rich Schmidt, a former director of manufacturing at Tesla Inc, as chief production officer.

“We structured the sales agreement to help support Lordstown Motors’ launch plans for the Endurance pickup,” GM spokesman Jim Cain said, who added it “allows them to take possession of the plant and to cover some operating expenses while they undertake their capital raise.”

GM is not investing in the venture, but Cain said GM financing could rise to $50 million.

The fate of the sprawling northeastern Ohio plant became a political lightning rod after GM announced its planned closure in November 2018, drawing condemnation from U.S. President Donald Trump and many U.S. lawmakers.

Lordstown CEO Steve Burns told Reuters last month he hopes to have pre-production prototypes coming off the assembly line by April and to start production by November 2020 with an initial workforce of 400 hourly workers.

Burns said last month the company hopes to raise more than $300 million, the Business Journal reported. Burns told Reuters it retained Ohio investment bank Brown Gibbons Lang & Co in its capital fundraising effort.

GM and South Korea’s LG Chem <051910.KS> said Thursday they will invest $2.3 billion to build an electric vehicle battery cell joint venture plant in Ohio which will be one of the world’s largest battery facilities.

The plant, to be built near the Lordstown complex, will employ more than 1,100 people, the companies said.

As part of the Lordstown sale, GM has the option to lease land near the assembly plant that it could use for the battery plant.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)

Lincoln Electric SUV to use Ford-backed Rivian ‘Skateboard’ Chassis

DETROIT — A battery-powered Lincoln SUV, due in mid-2022, will be the first Ford Motor Co. vehicle built on a custom electrified chassis that resembles a skateboard, which was developed by Ford-backed startup Rivian, according to several people familiar with the program.

The all-wheel-drive Lincoln SUV could compete against Rivian’s R1S, an electric sport utility vehicle slated to go into production in early 2021 that will be priced from $72,500. Both models will use Rivian’s so-called skateboard, a flexible platform that combines electric motors, batteries, controls and suspension.

On Tuesday, Ford declined to comment. Rivian did not respond to a request for comment.

The new Lincoln, which carries the internal program code U787, also could compete with premium offerings from others, including General Motors Co, which plans to introduce at least two new electric SUVs by 2023, one for Cadillac and one that could revive the Hummer name, sources have said.

Ford invested $500 million in Rivian this year and plans to help it begin production next year at a former Mitsubishi plant in Normal, Illinois.

When Ford made the investment, it said it would use Rivian’s skateboard to develop its own electric vehicle, but did not disclose details.

It is not clear where Ford intends to build the Lincoln SUV, which will be among the first of several battery-powered utility vehicles planned for Ford’s premium brand in North America and China, according to supplier sources familiar with those programs who asked not to be identified.

Ford expects to introduce a compact Lincoln electric crossover in late 2021 or early 2022 and a mid-size companion in 2023, the sources said.

The U.S. auto industry plans to invest billions of dollars over the next few years to build all-electric pickups and SUVs, sectors of the market that have been among the most profitable, especially for Detroit-based automakers.

But analysts have questioned whether demand from consumers and commercial customers will come close to matching production.

Founded in 2009, Rivian has raised $1.9 billion from investors, including e-commerce giant Amazon, which has ordered 100,000 electric delivery vehicles from Rivian. The first Amazon vans will be built in Normal and are to be delivered in 2021.

Ford aims to sell an electric F-series pickup in late 2021, sources have said. It also will offer the electric Mustang Mach E SUV next year as part of plans to invest $11.5 billion by 2022 electrifying its vehicles.

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