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Aviation News August 2006
Monarch Airlines announces purchase of B787 Dreamliner
SEATTLE,
Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing and Monarch Airlines of
the United Kingdom announced today that the airline has ordered
six Boeing 787-8s with purchase rights for another four. The
order is worth $916 million at list prices. With first delivery
starting in 2010, the airline will use the new advanced,
fuel-efficient 787s as the basis of its future long-haul
operations. Monarch's current long-haul fleet comprises Boeing
767s, A300s and A330-200s. The Dreamliner's size, extended range
and superior fuel efficiency make it ideally suited for Monarch
Airlines' business model, which includes both scheduled and
charter operations. Since its launch in April 2004, the Boeing
787 Dreamliner has attracted the attention of customers
operating a variety of business models.
"Operating
successfully in the leisure market requires flexible and
innovative products. With the 787's longer-range capabilities,
we will be opening up new destinations in the Americas, Asia and
Africa," said Peter Brown, chief executive officer of
Monarch Airlines. "We are very impressed by Boeing's use of
innovative technologies on the 787, such as composite materials,
which will reduce our maintenance costs." Monarch Airlines, headquartered in Luton, is a leading
provider in the U.K. of low-cost scheduled flights from bases at
London Gatwick, London Luton, Manchester and Birmingham
airports, as well as a major supplier to the tour operating
industry. "Monarch's passengers will be thrilled with the 787's
innovative and appealing interior design, which features more
personal space and a range of enhancements that will help the
airline to significantly differentiate its product," said
Marlin Dailey, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of
Sales for Europe, Russia and Central Asia. "The
Dreamliner's faster cruise speed will also enable passengers to
benefit from shorter sector times on long flights. The 787 has
proven appeal to the long-haul leisure market segment."
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, scheduled for delivery beginning
in 2008, provides passengers with a better flying experience and
operators with a more efficient commercial jetliner. Using 20
percent less fuel per passenger than similarly sized airplanes,
the 787 is designed for the environment with lower emissions and
quieter takeoffs and landings. Inside the airplane, passengers
will find cleaner air, bigger windows, more stowage space and
improved lighting. Since the 787 launch in April 2004, 32 customers including
Monarch have logged 420 orders and commitments, of which 377 are
firm orders valued at $59 billion at current list prices, making
the Dreamliner the most successful commercial airplane launch in
history.
WestJet flies fuller in July, Air Canada slips
CALGARY,
Alberta, Aug 3 (Reuters) - WestJet Airlines Ltd.'s aircraft flew
slightly fuller in July compared with the year earlier, Canada's
No. 2 carrier said on Thursday. The country's top airline, Air
Canada, reported its load factor for the month was a bit lower.
WestJet, which reported a sharp increase in second-quarter
profit on Wednesday, said its load factor rose to 81.5 percent
of capacity last month, up from 81.3 percent in July 2005.
Year-to-date, the company's planes were 78.9 percent full, up
5.2 percentage points from last year. Chief Executive Clive
Beddoe said in a statement that the traffic statistics proved
the market was absorbing rising domestic capacity. WestJet's
July revenue passenger miles rose 17 percent to 894.2 million,
and year-to-date revenue passenger miles increased 23 percent to
5.5 billion. Last month's available seat miles increased 17
percent to 1.1 billion. January-through-July available seat
miles were up 15 percent at nearly 7 billion, WestJet said. Air
Canada, whose parent, ACE Aviation Holdings, is slated to report
second-quarter financial results next week, said its overall
July load factor was 82.7 percent, down from 83 percent a year
earlier. Year-to-date, Air Canada's planes, including those in
the mainline carrier and regional Jazz subsidiary, were 80.8
percent full, up 1 percentage point, it said. July revenue
passenger miles rose 3.3 percent to nearly 5 billion and the
seven-month figure climbed 5.4 percent to 28.4 billion. Capacity
increased 3.7 percent in July to nearly 6 billion miles, and
year-to-date available seat miles were 35.1 billion, up 4.1
percent, Air Canada said.
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