Tag: São Paulo

Emirates Expanding Operations in Americas Due to Increased Passenger Demand

January 15, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Emirates has announced it will resume non-stop services to Seattle (from 1^st February), Dallas and San Francisco (from 2nd March), offering its customers seamless connectivity via Dubai to and from popular destinations in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

The addition of these three destinations will take Emirates’ North American network to 10 destinations following the resumption of services to Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York JFK, Toronto and Washington DC.

Flights to/from San Francisco will operate four times weekly on Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER while flights to/from Seattle (operating four times weekly) and Dallas (three times weekly) will be operated with the two-class Boeing 777-200LR, offering 38 lie-flat seats in Business and 264 ergonomically designed seats in Economy class.

The airline will also be providing its customers more options and choice with additional flights to New York , Los Angeles and São Paulo. Effective 1st February, Emirates will be operating double daily flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and a daily flight to Los Angeles (LAX). Emirates customers also have seamless access to other US cities via the airline’s codeshare agreements with Jetblue and Alaskan Airlines.

In South America, Emirates will be introducing a fifth weekly flight to São Paulo (from February 5th), offering customers in Brazil even more travel options with greater access to its expanding network. Beyond São Paulo, Emirates customers can enjoy seamless connectivity and access to 24 other cities in Brazil via the airline’s codeshare partnership with GOL and its interline agreements with Azul and LATAM.

Emirates has safely and gradually restarted operations across its network and currently serves 114 destinations on six continents.

Since it safely resumed tourism activity in July, Dubai remains one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, especially during the winter season. The city is open for international business and leisure visitors. From sun-soaked beaches and heritage activities to world class hospitality and leisure facilities, Dubai offers a variety of world-class experiences. It was one of the world’s first cities to obtain Safe Travels stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) – which endorses Dubai’s comprehensive and effective measures to ensure guest health and safety.

Embraer Delivers First Modernized E-99 Jet to Brazilian Air Force

November 28, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

From Embraer press release

In a ceremony held today at the Embraer facility in Gavião Peixoto (São Paulo, Brazil), Embraer delivered the first modernized EMB 145 AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control), designated E-99, to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). Four additional E-99 aircraft will be modernized as part of the contract.

The mission systems and related subsystems, including electronic warfare, command and control, electronic countermeasures, and aerial surveillance radar were updated as part of the modernization process, expanding FAB’s capacity to carry out Flight Control and Alarm missions and Electronic Reconnaissance, among others.

The E-99M project is conducted by COPAC with support from Embraer and various international suppliers, such as SAAB, Aeroelectronica International (AELI), and Rohde & Schwarz. In addition to modernization, the project entails technology transfer agreements that will enable technological advancements for the Brazilian defense industry.

Atech, an Embraer Defense and Security company, participates in the development of the command and control system. Six mission planning and analysis stations were also acquired, which will be used for the training and improvement of crews.

Built on the successful ERJ 145 regional jet platform, with more than 1,200 units delivered and 30 million flight hours, the FAB E-99 aircraft can detect, track, and identify targets in their patrol area and transmit this information to allied forces. The aircraft can also perform airspace management, fighter positioning and interception control, signals intelligence, and surveillance missions.

Embraer & EDP Announce Joint Effort in Electric Aircraft Research

November 22, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

Embraer and EDP, a company that operates in all segments of the Brazilian energy sector, have signed a partnership for electric aircraft research. Through its EDP Smart division, the Portuguese-based multinational announced a financial contribution for the acquisition of energy storage and battery charging technologies for Embraer’s all-electric demonstrator aircraft project, utilizing the EMB-203 Ipanema as its test bed. The prototype, which is already in development, is scheduled to complete its inaugural flight in 2021.

The investment is part of the cooperation agreement signed by both companies to advance their shared knowledge of energy storage and battery charging technologies for aviation – one of the main challenges of the project. The partnership aims to investigate the applicability of high voltage batteries for the electric propulsion systems of small aircraft, in addition to evaluating the main operating characteristics, such as weight, efficiency and power quality, thermal control and management, cycling loading and unloading, and operational safety.

Technological Cooperation

This proposal for the technological development of aeronautical electrification was initially created as a cooperation between Embraer and WEG, in May 2019. The project was developed as an effective and efficient instrument for training and for the maturation of technologies prior to their application in future products.

The scope of the partnership with EDP is to develop shared research in the storage of high voltage energy, complementing Embraer’s ongoing research. These research and development initiatives seek to accelerate the combined knowledge of the technologies necessary for the use and integration of batteries and electric motors in order to increase the energy efficiency of the propulsion systems of aircraft.

For the evaluations, a small single-engine aircraft is being used as the test bed to perform a primary assessment of electrification technologies. Ground tests have taken place at Embraer’s facilities in Botucatu, in the interior of São Paulo, in preparation for the first flight, which will take place at Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto unit.

Electrification is just one project in a series of initiatives being developed by Embraer and the entire aeronautical industry aimed at ensuring a commitment to environmental sustainability, as already exemplified by biofuel developments to reduce carbon emissions.

EDP has a global commitment to electrify 100% of its fleet by 2030, as well as to develop new offers and commercial solutions that promote the energy transition. Last year, during Aneel’s Public Call on the topic of Efficient Electric Mobility, the Company approved an investment of about R$ 50 million in projects, via a Research and Development Fund consisting of both corporate and partner resources.

Where Delta is flying in June

May 19, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

Delta’s summer schedule continues to be shaped by customer demand, CDC guidelines and government travel regulations. While the June schedule is significantly reduced in comparison to last year, customers will see the return of several major routes, both U.S. domestic and international, which were previously suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Customers traveling with Delta can feel confident in a safe flying experience. In addition to requiring customers and employees to wear face coverings throughout the travel journey, Delta has implemented policies like capping seating between 50 and 60 percent to ensure customer spacing on all aircraft, elevated its cleaning measures to deliver a new standard of clean, and streamlined its in-flight services to decrease touch points on board. Customers also have added flexibility if they need to change their plans.

Here’s a snapshot of where Delta is planning to fly in June. This schedule, including routes and frequency, remains subject to change due to the evolving nature of COVID-19. This page may be updated.

U.S. DOMESTIC

Ensuring connectivity for customers with critical travel needs, Delta continues to provide flights to all U.S. hubs and top markets, though frequency is significantly reduced. While Delta has temporarily consolidated operations in some markets served by multiple airports, the airline is adding more flights to its June schedule in comparison to May, primarily in Atlanta, New York and between hubs.

CANADA

Detroit to Montreal (daily)
Detroit to Ottawa (daily)
Detroit to Toronto (daily)
Minneapolis to Calgary (daily)
Minneapolis to Edmonton (daily)
Minneapolis to Winnipeg (daily)
New York-JFK to Toronto (daily)
Seattle to Vancouver (daily)

LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN

Caribbean

Atlanta to Aruba (less than daily service restarts in second half of June)
Atlanta to Bermuda (less than daily)
Atlanta to Bonaire (Saturday only service restarts in second half of June)
Atlanta to Kingston, Jamaica (less than daily)
Atlanta to Montego Bay, Jamaica (daily)
Atlanta to Nassau, Bahamas (daily)
Atlanta to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (less than daily)
Atlanta to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (less than daily)
Atlanta to San Juan, Puerto Rico (less than daily)
Atlanta to St. Croix (Saturday only)
Atlanta to St. Lucia (less than daily)
Atlanta to St. Maarten (less than daily)
Atlanta to St. Thomas (less than daily)
New York-JFK to Santiago, Dominican Republic (less than daily)
New York-JFK to San Juan, Puerto Rico (less than daily)
New York-JFK to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (less than daily)

Central America

Atlanta to Liberia, Costa Rica (less than daily service restarts in second half of June)
Atlanta to Panama City, Panama (less than daily)
Atlanta to San José, Costa Rica (less than daily service restarts in second half of June)
Atlanta to San Pedro Sula, Honduras (less than daily)
Atlanta to San Salvador, El Salvador (less than daily)

Mexico

Atlanta to Cancun (daily)
Atlanta to Mexico City (daily)
Detroit to Mexico City (less than daily)
Los Angeles to Los Cabos (less than daily)
Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta (less than daily)
Salt Lake City to Mexico City (daily)

South America

Atlanta to Bogotá, Colombia (less than daily)
Atlanta to São Paulo, Brazil (less than daily)

TRANS-ATLANTIC

Atlanta to Amsterdam (daily)
Atlanta to Frankfurt (less than daily)
Atlanta to Lagos (less than daily*)
Atlanta to Paris-Charles De Gaulle (less than daily)
Detroit to Amsterdam (daily)
Detroit to London-Heathrow (less than daily)
New York-JFK to Amsterdam (less than daily)
New York-JFK to Paris-Charles De Gaulle (less than daily)
New York-JFK to Tel Aviv (less than daily)

*Delta’s restart of service to Nigeria is subject to foreign government approval.

Delta’s Frankfurt and London flights also double as scheduled cargo service.

TRANS-PACIFIC

Detroit to Seoul-Incheon (daily)
Detroit to Shanghai (daily*)
Seattle to Seoul-Incheon (less than daily)
Seattle to Shanghai (daily*)
Seattle to Tokyo-Haneda (less than daily)

*Delta’s restart of passenger flights to China is subject to government approval. We will also operate cargo-only scheduled service from Shanghai to Atlanta and Los Angeles. Read more on our cargo flights to Asia.

Delta’s second quarter schedule is 85 percent smaller than last year, with reductions of 80 percent in U.S. domestic capacity and 90 percent internationally.

American Airlines Announces Additional Schedule Changes in Response to COVID-19

March 15, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL) will implement a phased suspension of additional long-haul international flights from the U.S. starting on March 16. This suspension will last through May 6. This change is in response to decreased demand and changes to U.S. government travel restrictions due to coronavirus (COVID-19). The airline will:

Reduce international capacity by 75% year over year — from March 16 to May 6
Continue to operate one flight daily from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to London (LHR), one flight daily from Miami (MIA) to LHR and three flights per week from DFW to Tokyo (NRT)
Continue short-haul international flying, which includes flights to Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America and certain markets in the northern part of South America, as scheduled

In addition to the international changes, the airline anticipates its domestic capacity in April will be reduced by 20% compared to last year and May’s domestic capacity will be reduced by 30% on a year over year basis.

International Route Changes

By region, the new schedule changes include the following:

Asia, effective March 16

American will suspend all remaining flights to Asia, except for three flights per week from DFW to NRT

Australia and New Zealand, effective March 16

Suspending service from Los Angeles (LAX) to Auckland (AKL) effective March 16, which was slated to end seasonal flying on March 28
Suspending service from LAX to Sydney (SYD) effective March 16

Europe, phased suspension

American will continue to operate one flight daily from DFW to LHR and MIA to LHR
Suspending flights from New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), and LAX to LHR gradually over the next seven days to reaccommodate passengers and crew
LHR, Dublin (DUB) and Manchester (MAN) flights from Charlotte (CLT), Philadelphia (PHL) and Phoenix (PHX) will be suspended faster, as these airports are not approved gateways by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Final eastbound flights from CLT, PHL and PHX will be on March 15; final westbound flights returning from LHR, DUB and MAN will depart March 16
Continued suspensions in other parts of Europe, as previously announced, including the delayed start of some seasonal routes as well as flights to and from Amsterdam (AMS), Barcelona (BCN), Frankfurt (FRA), Madrid (MAD) and Munich (MUC) Paris (CDG) and Zurich (ZRH) through early May, or later, based on guidance from the U.S. government and customer demand

South America, effective March 16

Suspending service from JFK and MIA to Rio de Janeiro (GIG) and Georgetown, Guyana (GEO)
Suspending service from DFW, JFK and MIA to São Paulo (GRU)
Suspending service from DFW and MIA to:
- Chile: Santiago (SCL)
- Colombia: Bogota (BOG)
- Ecuador: Guayaquil (GYE) and Quito (UIO)
- Peru: Lima (LIM)
Suspending service from MIA to:
- Brazil: Brasilia (BSB) and Manaus (MAO)
- Colombia: Barranquilla (BAQ), Cartagena (CTG), Cali (CLO), Medellin (MDE) and Pereira (PEI)

These capacity reductions assume no slot waivers are in place other than those previously granted. At airports where demand exceeds airfield and/or terminal capacity, access is governed by slots that grant airlines permission to take off and land at specific times. Given the decrease in demand related to COVID-19, American has requested temporary relief from this usage requirement — otherwise known as requesting a slot waiver — to better align capacity with demand without the risk of losing valuable takeoff and landing slots for the future. American will continue to review its network and make adjustments as needed if waivers are granted.

Embraer KC-390 Going To The Paris Air Show

June 12, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

São Paulo, Brazil, June 11, 2019 – Embraer will take to the 53rd edition of Paris Air Show International, in France, the first KC-390 multi-mission airlift configured to operate with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). The aircraft, number 004, will be in the static area from June 17 to 23 at the Le Bourget airport. Also the KC-390 will perform flight demonstrations on the first two days of the show. In agreement with the FAB, the airplane will return to Brazil right after the air show when it begins the acceptance and delivery process.

“The assembly of the first aircraft to be delivered to the FAB marks a major change in Embraer’s dynamics in this market,” said Jackson Schneider, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “The KC-390 is a multi-mission aircraft that has attracted great interest internationally and the Paris Air Show is the perfect occasion to showcase the aircraft in the configuration that will be operated by the FAB, proving its superior flexibility, performance and productivity.”

“The expectation for its entry into service is huge, considering the aircraft is a milestone in military aviation, where its innovativeness will bring improvements in the execution of multiple missions, contributing greatly to the fulfillment of FAB’s mission to control, defend and integrate our nation”, concluded Lieutenant-Brigadier Antonio Carlos Moretti Bermudez, Brazilian Air Force Commander.

The KC-390 program has already reached important milestones, such as Brazil’s Civil Aviation Agency’s (ANAC) Type Certificate and the production of the first series aircraft that performed its first flight in October 2018. To date, the flight test campaign has surpassed 2,200 flight hours.

Embraer’s KC-390 is a tactical transport aircraft, designed to set new standards in its class while delivering the lowest life-cycle cost on the market. It can carry out various missions, such as transport and launching of loads and troops, in-flight refueling, search and rescue and firefighting.

About Embraer

A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer celebrates its 50th anniversary with businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services & Support to customers after-sales.

GOL To Accelerate 737 MAX Fleet Renewal

December 10, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

SAO PAULO, Dec. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and B3: GOLL4), Brazil’s #1 airline, announced today an acceleration of its fleet renewal and modernization plan and the execution of operating lease agreements for 11 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with Avolon.

Result of operational gains and favorable market conditions, GOL has accelerated its fleet renewal and modernization plan with operating leases of 11 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to be received in the second half of 2019. GOL will maintain its capacity discipline, and the decision to accelerate its fleet renewal maintains the flexibility of GOL’s fleet plan. The accelerated fleet renewal will not alter GOL’s planned capacity, as the Company will simultaneously return and/or sell 737 Next Generation (NG) aircraft under operating and finance leases.

“We acquired the 737 MAX to make GOL’s operations even more efficient and to offer our passengers additional flights aboard new and even more modern and safe aircraft. The 737 MAX exceeds the expected performance on every count,” said Paulo Kakinoff, CEO of GOL. “We’ve been very impressed with the MAX’s superior range, fuel efficiency and reliability. By accelerating our fleet renewal plan to this new technology, we will be able to further reduce our costs and open up more international destinations for our customers.”

GOL launched operations with the 737 MAX 8 in July 2018 with impressive results. Compared to GOL’s 737-800 NG aircraft, the MAX 8 has decreased fuel consumption on GOL’s routes by approximately 15%. Additionally, the increased range of the 737 MAX 8 has allowed GOL to further diversify its route network and to begin operating flights to North America. In fact, GOL’s new Brasilia-Orlando route is the longest commercial 737 flight in history.

“GOL continues to be at the forefront of making air travel more accessible across Latin America. The airline is capitalizing the advantage of the MAX’s long range and unmatched efficiency to profitably open new routes and reduce operating costs,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales & Marketing for The Boeing Company. “We are honored that GOL has experienced the many advantages of flying the MAX and selected to speed up deliveries to realize the benefits across their fleet.”

In addition to the four new international destinations already announced – Miami, Orlando, Quito and Cancun – the additional 737 MAX 8s will allow GOL to launch a new international destination every quarter over the next two years.

Onboard, GOL’s passengers will also enjoy the greater comfort and convenience provided by the Boeing Sky Interior, which includes: a spacious and welcoming cabin, dynamic LED lighting, and the largest and most accessible overhead bins in the market. The aircraft will also be equipped with Wi-Fi antennas, making it possible for passengers to access GOL’s complete on-board entertainment platform during flights.

GOL has an order for 135 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to be delivered through 2028 and is currently the largest 737 operator in Latin America and one of the largest in the world. The 737 MAX offers exceptional performance, with lower per-seat costs and an extended range to open new destinations. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines, advanced technology winglets, Boeing Sky Interior, large flight deck displays and other features to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the market.

Will Brazil’s Azul Join Avianca-United Airlines Alliance?

December 3, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

SAO PAULO, Dec 3 (Reuters) – Two Brazilian airlines, Azul SA and Avianca Brasil, are targets for expansion in the wide-ranging alliance between United Continental Holdings Inc , Colombia’s Avianca Holdings and Panama’s Copa Airlines on U.S.-Latin America routes, Avianca Holdings’ Chief Financial Officer, Gerardo Grajales, told Reuters on Monday.

There was little reference to Brazil, by far the region’s largest market, when the alliance was announced on Friday, but Grajales said the parties to the agreement already had in mind Azul and Avianca Brasil, which operates independently of Colombia-based Avianca Holdings.

“The two airlines complement each other in the Brazilian market,” Grajales said. “From the beginning we thought that Brazil should be covered by our agreement, however, no partnership would be authorized if it did not have an Open Skies agreement.”

The Open Skies agreement between Brazil and the United States was signed into law in May, when discussions among the three airlines were already advanced, he explained.

The airline agreement mimics a partnership between American Airlines and Chile’s Latam Airlines which has been mired in regulatory scrutiny.

The announcement between the United Airlines parent, Avianca and Copa capped off almost two years of negotiations. United will loan Avianca’s majority shareholder almost $500 million to be spent on ventures outside of the airline.

Depending on how it is repaid, United could end up owning a large chunk of the Colombian carrier. United is making no monetary investment in Copa or its affiliates.

United already owns an 8 percent stake in Azul, and has a codesharing agreement with Avianca Brasil, formerly known as Ocean Air.

Shares in Azul were down almost 5 percent on Monday afternoon in Sao Paulo. The world’s largest asset manager BlackRock disclosed late on Friday that it had sold an almost 10 percent stake in Azul’s preferred shares. Hours earlier, the carrier disclosed in another securities filing that it sought to double in size in the next five years.

Azul did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Marcelo Rochabrun; Editing by David Gregorio)

Image from en.wikipedia.org

Azul and Copa Airlines Announce Codeshare Agreement

November 8, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

Customers can conveniently connect to Azul’s unrivaled domestic network when flying
Copa into and out of Brazil; in addition to the codeshare agreement, Azul and Copa also
announce today the launch of their frequent flyer cooperation agreement.

São Paulo, November 8, 2018 – Azul Brazilian Airlines and Copa Airlines have announced today a broad cooperation agreement that will connect the two largest route networks in Latin and South America. As part of this agreement, customers can conveniently connect to Azul’s unrivaled domestic network when flying Copa into and out of Brazil. This agreement means that Copa customers can now potentially access all of Azul’s 101
domestic destinations in Brazil, including 52 destinations not served by any other airline. In the near future, Azul will also place its code on Copa flights into and out of its Panama city hub, allowing Azul’s domestic customers to take advantage of the broadest network in Latin America. The benefits and convenience of a codeshare ticket include those of thru check-in and thru-baggage.

In addition to the codeshare agreement, Azul and Copa also announce today the launch of their frequent flyer cooperation agreement. Starting in December, members’ of TudoAzul, Azul’s loyalty program, and ConnectMiles, Copa’s loyalty program can now easily earn frequent flyer points when flying either airline.

“Copa Airlines is always looking for partnerships to offer the best travel experience and enhance our route network for our customers. This new partnership with Azul reinforces the company’s presence in Brazil as well as expands our connectivity domestically in this important country”, said Dennis Cary, Commercial and Planning Senior Vice President, Copa Airlines.

“This codeshare agreement also allows us to offer more flight options to major cities in the Brazilian southeastern and northeastern regions to which we currently do not fly and which, through our Hub of the Americas, will be connected with Panama and the rest of the American continent bringing more opportunities and economic development to these cities”, added Cary.

Operational excellence is embedded deep within the DNA of both Copa and Azul. “In addition to the broad portfolio of destinations, this codeshare brings together two of the most on-time airline in the world. Copa is the most on-time airline in Latin America while Azul is the most punctual in Brazil. This ensures the best possible experience for our connecting customers”, highlights Shah.

Once the agreement is approved by the regulatory authorities, Customers of both airlines will be able to enjoy all these benefits.

Story from voeazul.com