Fleet Developments

Turkish Airlines Revises 737-900ER Entry to Service

It appears that Turkish Airlines (THY) will initially use its new Boeing 737-900ERs on domestic and European routes when the type is introduced into commercial passenger service at the end of this year. As previously reported, the type will then be flown on some of the airline’s routes into Africa. According to the latest update to THY’s GDS inventory, the type will be introduced into scheduled operation during December, initially on the Istanbul – Sarajevo route. The type, the largest variant of the Next-Generation Boeing 737 family, will also be used on links from Istanbul to Dalaman and Pristina at the end of December and to Izmir from the start of January 2012.


Air Pacific’s New 737-800 Brings Network Changes

Fijian carrier Air Pacific this week christened the newest member of its fleet in a ceremony attended by dignitaries, members of the business and tourist community and employees and their families. The Boeing 737-800 is the first new aircraft added to Air Pacific’s fleet since 2003 and is due to enter passenger service next month. It will be used to boost the airline’s operations bringing more frequent flights between Nadi and Sydney and enhancing connections to Fiji’s outer islands and resorts and will replace its larger and much older Boeing 767. “This is an exciting development for Air Pacific, our customers and Fiji,” said David Pflieger, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. “Modernising our fleet with the addition of a new B737-800 will help us better meet the needs and expectations of our customers and travel industry partners and is the latest example of how Air Pacific is transforming itself to be the preferred airline of the South Pacific.” Beginning in January 2012, Air Pacific plans to almost double its weekly flights from Sydney, increasing them from seven to 13 times per week with both morning and afternoon departures, with same day connections from Nadi International Airport to Fiji’s outer islands and resorts. These schedule improvements include the redeployment of Air Pacific’s Boeing 747-400 to Hong Kong.


Hawaiian Airlines Brings A330 onto San Francisco Route

In response to strong consumer demand, Hawaiian Airlines is adding 107,000 new air seats annually from the Bay Area to Hawaii, with the upcoming transition to Airbus A330-200 service from San Francisco to Honolulu, and the launch of previously announced new flights to Maui from San José and Oakland. From November 6, the carrier will upgrade its service between San Francisco and Honolulu with the introduction of the A330 following the delivery of its latest aircraft, while from January 2012 it will introduce the new non-stop links to Maui from San José and Oakland. “Demand for our service to Hawaii from the Bay Area is growing and we are responding with more capacity and more choices,” said Mark Dunkerley, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hawaiian Airlines. Hawaiian’s transition from its 264-seat Boeing B767-300 to the 294-seat A330 will add nearly 11,000 seats annually from San Francisco to Honolulu, while also offering customers new features and amenities to make travel more enjoyable. Hawaiian’s new flights to Maui from the Bay Area will add more than 96,000 seats annually with the January launch of non-stop service three days weekly from San José (January 10) and four days weekly from Oakland (January 11). These two flights will be operated using the 767-300 freed from the San Francisco route.

Richard Maslen

Richard Maslen has travelled across the globe to report on developments in the aviation sector as airlines and airports have continued to evolve and…