Herndon, Virginia, 3 October 2023 – United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAL) has placed an order for 60 additional Airbus A321neo aircraft, supporting the airline’s “United Next” initiative to integrate new aircraft into its fleet and standardizing and enhancing its global network. United previously ordered 50 A321XLRand 70 A321neo aircraft. With this new order, the airline’s direct purchase commitment from Airbus is now for 180 A321 aircraft.
The A321neo provides superior environmental performance featuring the lowest CO₂ emissions per seat in its class. Its significantly lower carbon footprint will support United along its journey to reduce its CO₂ emissions.
United’s A321neo aircraft will feature the unrivaled Airbus’ Airspace cabin, which includes a unique welcome area and the latest full LED lighting technologies (which helps to reduce jet lag); new slimmer sidewall panels for extra personal space at shoulder level; improved window views with redesigned bezels and completely integrated window shades; new large overhead bins; and additional elements to enhance the passenger experience.
DUBLIN, Ireland – Fly Leasing Limited (NYSE: FLY), a global leader in aircraft leasing, today announced it has closed a new $180 million Term Loan (the “2020 Term Loan”). The interest rate on the five-year term loan is LIBOR plus 6.00% with a 1.00% LIBOR floor. The financing was issued at an original issue discount of 4.5%. The 2020 Term Loan will be secured by 11 narrowbody aircraft owned by FLY and its subsidiaries, four of which are unencumbered and seven of which are currently financed in FLY’s 2012 Term Loan. The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.
“FLY is enhancing its liquidity position with the successful completion of a new $180 million term loan that attracted strong demand from a robust group of institutional lenders,” said Colm Barrington, CEO of FLY. “FLY does not have any aircraft orders or other foreseeable capital commitments. Additionally, FLY only has three aircraft remaining to be remarketed in 2020, representing 2.4% of net book value.”
Following completion of the financing of the collateral pool under the 2020 Term Loan and the anticipated transfers of certain unencumbered aircraft into the 2012 Term Loan, FLY will have a total of nine unencumbered narrowbody aircraft with a net book value of $204 million.
Production system enhanced through factory initiatives
Boeing [NYSE: BA] has resumed production of the 737 MAX at the company’s Renton, Washington factory. The 737 program began building airplanes at a low rate as it implements more than a dozen initiatives focused on enhancing workplace safety and product quality.
“We’ve been on a continuous journey to evolve our production system and make it even stronger,” said Walt Odisho, vice president and general manager of the 737 program. “These initiatives are the next step in creating the optimal build environment for the 737 MAX.”
During the temporary suspension of production that began in January, mechanics and engineers collaborated to refine and standardize work packages in each position of the factory. New kitting processes will also ensure that employees have everything they need at their fingertips to build the airplane.
“The steps we’ve taken in the factory will help drive our goal of 100 percent quality for our customers while supporting our ongoing commitment to workplace safety,” said Scott Stocker, vice president of 737 Manufacturing.
The 737 program will gradually ramp up production this year.
ATR and one of its long-standing customers, the Finnish airline Finnair, signed a 10-year Global Maintenance Agreement (GMA). Through this package, Finnair and Nordic Regional Airlines (NoRRA) – who operates Finnair’s regional ATR traffic – will benefit from a customised support from ATR, which will help the airline better anticipate maintenance costs while enhancing the dispatch reliability of its fleet of 12 ATR 72-500.
This pay-by-the-hour contract covers the repair, overhaul and pooling services of Line Replaceable Units, along with their door-to-door delivery and an on-site leased stock of spare parts. Finnair will also benefit from blades maintenance and availability, and maintenance recommendations based on ATR’s expertise to enhance aircraft reliability.
Juha Ojala, Vice President Technical Operations of Finnair, declared: “Our ATR flights form a key part of our feeder traffic to our Helsinki hub, and as a large share of our customers are transfer customers, they have strong expectations in terms of punctuality and reliability. This Global Maintenance Agreement is one step further in our relationship with ATR and ensures we benefit from the most suitable services, so that we can in turn provide our customers with a reliable and punctual travel experience.”
Stefano Bortoli, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, added: “Finnair is new to our GMA programme but they have been part of the ATR family from the very beginning, as they took delivery of their first ATR aircraft, MSN 006, in 1986. During the challenging times we are currently living, the confidence from a valued customer is the best tribute they can offer to the quality and economics of our products and services. We are looking forward to sharing our knowledge and expertise with Finnair, so that they can in turn keep on operating regional traffic in a responsible and efficient fashion.”
The safety of Amtrak’s customers and employees is our top priority. We continue to monitor the coronavirus situation closely and we are taking action based on guidance from public health experts; that includes restoring service to trains and routes once demand returns. In order to maintain a safe environment and address customer concerns and potential business impact, we are taking the following measures:
Before You Travel
If you are traveling with Amtrak:
Providing an essential transportation service: We are waiving change fees on all existing or new reservations made before April 30, 2020. Simply log in to your account or go to Modify Trip on Amtrak.com, or find your reservation from your account on the home screen in the Amtrak app. A fare difference may apply to your new itinerary. If you want to cancel your reservation with no fee, you must call 800-USA-RAIL and speak with an agent (not available via Amtrak.com or the app).
Take care of yourself and keep others safe: If you are feeling ill, please stay home until feeling better.
Maintaining a Safe Environment
To reduce risk, we are:
Enhancing cleaning protocols: We have increased the frequency of cleaning services on our trains and at our stations.
Increasing disinfectant supplies: We have increased the quantity of sanitizers and disinfectant wipes available for customers and employees on our trains and stations.
Reinforcing good hygiene practices: We are regularly sharing best practices with employees and customers on ways to protect against communicable diseases.
We continue to recommend that everyone follow CDC guidelines around social distancing. If you do need to travel with us, know that we are taking extra steps to keep our stations and trains clean, keep you safe, and remain an essential part of transportation in America. See what we are doing here.
Service Impacts
While Amtrak continues to operate, we have temporarily suspended the following services due to reduced demand. See details on service impacts here.
What You Can Do
To protect against all communicable diseases:
Wash your hands: Wash hands frequently with soap and water – and for 20 seconds. If you can’t wash your hands, use hand sanitizer.
Cover your mouth: When sneezing or coughing, use tissues and promptly dispose of them or cover your mouth with your sleeve or elbow.
While we are running reduced service across the country, it is still essential to exercise caution around railroad tracks and crossings. #SeeTracksThinkTrain
New service to Dallas/Fort Worth and Columbus, Ohio, on fuel-efficient Airbus A220s.
Expanded service to 12 U.S. cities.
Delta will operate daily service to London-Heathrow, Europe’s top international market, in 2021.
70% of flights on larger, mainline aircraft, enhancing customer comfort and experience with seat-back entertainment and WiFi.
Upgraded, next-generation aircraft in top business and leisure markets.
Delta is committed to offering Seattle customers more options for summer travel than ever before with the launch of new, three-times daily service to Dallas/Fort Worth, new nonstop service to Columbus, Ohio, and expanded service to 12 popular destinations: Anchorage; Atlanta; Austin; Boise, Idaho; Boston; Bozeman, Mont.; Kansas City; Las Vegas; Orlando; Spokane, Wash.; Tampa; and Washington-Dulles.
These additions mean Delta will offer 190 daily departures to 56 destinations this summer from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Dallas/Fort Worth marks Delta’s second Texas destination from Sea-Tac, building on the Austin service launched in 2017.
As Seattle’s global carrier, Delta plans to launch nonstop service to London-Heathrow in 2021. The route expands the airline’s lead of offering the most global destinations from Seattle than any other airline, with London joining Delta’s existing nine international markets. The service also complements partner Virgin Atlantic’s twice-daily service and offers customers the choice of three daily flights.
“Our customers’ demand for new destinations, award-winning service, commitment to seat-back entertainment and superior reliability are what drives Delta’s continued growth in Seattle,” said Tony Gonchar, Delta’s Vice President — Seattle. “With our extensive partner service from Seattle on Virgin Atlantic, Air France, Korean Air and Aeromexico, customers can expect a seamless journey across the globe.”
New summer destinations and expanded service for Seattleites
Delta’s overall domestic summer service from Seattle includes top leisure and business destinations.
Starting June 8, Delta will launch:
Three daily flights to Dallas/Fort Worth
New daily flight to Columbus, Ohio
A second flight to Austin
A second flight to Orlando
These flights to Dallas, Columbus and Austin will operate on Airbus A220 aircraft; the Orlando service will operate on a Boeing 737-900. The schedules will operate as follows:
Flight
Departs
Arrives
Dallas/Fort Worth-Seattle (new service)
7:15 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
Dallas/Fort Worth-Seattle (new service)
2 p.m.
4:15 p.m.
Dallas/Fort Worth-Seattle (new service)
5:30 p.m.
7:45 p.m.
Seattle-Dallas/Fort Worth (new service)
7:30 a.m.
1:30 p.m.
Seattle-Dallas/Fort Worth (new service)
10:45 a.m.
4:45 p.m.
Seattle-Dallas/Fort Worth (new service)
5:30 p.m.
11:30 p.m.
Columbus-Seattle (new service)
7:15 a.m.
9:25 a.m.
Seattle-Columbus (new service)
10:30 p.m.
6 a.m.
Austin-Seattle (existing flight)
6:30 a.m.
8:57 a.m.
Austin-Seattle (added frequency)
3:20 p.m.
5:45 p.m.
Seattle-Austin (added frequency)
8:30 a.m.
2:40 p.m.
Seattle-Austin (existing flight)
6:20 p.m.
0:24 a.m.
Orlando-Seattle (existing flight)
7 a.m.
10:27 a.m.
Orlando-Seattle (added frequency)
7 p.m.
10:10 p.m.
Seattle-Orlando (existing flight)
9:30 a.m.
5:49 p.m.
Seattle-Orlando (added frequency)
10:30 p.m.
6:55 a.m.
These new offerings join more service expansions previously announced, including:
Tampa service beginning in March
A fourth daily flight to Boston
A second flight to Kansas City and Washington, D.C. (IAD) beginning this summer
Twice daily flights to Bozeman, Mont.
More flights and seats to Anchorage, Atlanta, Boise, Las Vegas, and Spokane, Wash., including a convenient evening service for Atlanta business travelers
CALGARY, Dec. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ – Canadian Pacific (NYSE: CP) has closed the transaction related to the acquisition of the Central Maine & Quebec Railway. The acquisition of CMQ in the U.S. remains subject to Surface Transportation Board approval.
The acquisition, first announced on November 20, 2019, will provide CP customers with seamless, safe and efficient access to ports at Searsport, Maine and to Saint John, New Brunswick, via Eastern Maine Railway Company and New Brunswick Southern Railway, thereby preserving and enhancing competition.
