http://www.airlinerworld.com 7News Review • Europe
Primera Air has unveiled plans to launch
transatlantic services. The Danish leisure
carrier intends opening direct links to
New York (Newark/Liberty) and Boston/
Logan from three new European bases –
Birmingham, London/Stansted and Paris/
Charles de Gaulle – from April, using its
incoming Airbus A321neos.TAP Portugal will take delivery of its first
of 14 Airbus A330neos next March. The
Lisbon-based flag carrier is the launch
operator for the type and had originally
planned to receive its first jet later this year,
but development issues with the Rolls-
Royce Trent 7000 engine have delayed
certification of the type.Moves are under way at Alitalia to shortlist
potential buyers after more than a dozen
parties – believed to include easyJet,
Ryanair, Delta Air Lines and International
Airlines Group (IAG) – submitted
non-binding expressions of interest for the
troubled flag carrier.
The Rome-based airline is currently
operating under a €600m bridging loan
supplied by the Italian government after
it went into administration in early May.
According to press reports the Ministry
of Economic Development, which has
reiterated its intention to sell the airline in
its entirety, hopes to receive binding bids
by October.Spanish start-up Gowair Vacation Airlines
has taken a step closer to launching its
inaugural service after receiving its first
aircraft. The former Air China Airbus A320-
214, EC-MQH (c/n 1296, ex B-2210), was
ferried from Chengdu to Madrid via Astana
and Thessaloniki in mid-July.British regional carrier Eastern Airways is
to launch direct services from Newcastle
to Belfast City Airport. The daily, weekday
connection – due to start on September
1 – is in addition to its existing routes
from Newcastle to Aberdeen and
Cardiff, as well as the Isle of Man link it
acquired earlier this year following the
liquidation of Ronaldsway-based Citywing.
(Photo Eastern Airways)EasyJet plans to introduce flights from
Southampton, its first from the south coast
airport. The new thrice-weekly link to
Geneva, flown by an Airbus A320, will
launch on December 14 and is intended
to serve the ski and winter sports market.Hélity Copter Airlines has launched
scheduled helicopter services from the
Spanish enclave of Ceuta, off the coast of
Morocco, to Algeciras and Malaga. The
connections, flown five-times- and twice-
daily respectively, are operated by the
start-up’s 15-seat AgustaWestland AW139,
EC-MLK (c/n 31062).in brief
AIR FRANCE has officially unveiled its
new low-fare offshoot, Joon. Previously
known under the working name Boost, it
will launch its first medium-haul services
this autumn followed by long-haul flights
next summer.
According to its parent company, Joon –
which will be headed by veteran
Air France-KLM Group manager
Jean-Michel Mathieu – is aimed at “a
young working clientele, the millennials,
whose lifestyles revolve around digital
technology”.
The firm added: “This new brand has
been entirely designed to meet their
requirements and aspirations, with an
authentic and connected offering that
stands out in the world of air transport.”
Commenting on the new carrier, Air
France CEO Franck Terner said: “The
creation of a new airline is a historic
moment in many ways. Joon is anoth-
er step in the deployment of the Trust
Together strategic project.
“Its creation will improve the profitability
of the Air France Group, enabling it to
reduce its costs and ensure the
sustainability of its business model.”
Joon is an integral part of Air France’s bid
to regain market share on ultra-compet-
itive routes. But the French flag carrier
has gone to great lengths to explain its
new offshoot will not be a low-cost air-
line, “as it will offer original products and
services that reflect those of Air France”.
Instead, savings will be achieved through
revised cabin crew labour agreements,
and buy-on-board services.
Operations will start with six Airbus
A321s leased from Air France, followed
next year by up to four A340s.
(Photo Air France)European Debut for 737 MAX
LOW-COST CARRIER Norwegian has taken
delivery of its maiden Boeing 737 MAX
8s, the first of their kind in Europe. The
jets, EI-FYA (c/n 42830) and EI-FYB (c/n
42826), were handed over at a ceremony
at the manufacturer’s Boeing Field facility
on June 29.
“We’ve been eagerly awaiting the delivery
of our Boeing 737 MAX, and we are
overjoyed to have it join our fleet today,”
said Bjørn Kjos, Norwegian’s CEO.
“We’re the first European airline to
operate this brand new aircraft, and we’re
also the first airline in the world to operate
it to and from the United States. [It] allows
us to open up new, unserved routes andoffer Americans and Europeans even more
affordable transatlantic fares.”
Elsewhere, the carrier has confirmed the
late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury
will become its latest British ‘tail fin hero’.
He will feature on two aircraft – a 787
Dreamliner and a 737-800 – later this
year. (Photo Boeing)Introducing
Joon
Darwin’s
Evolution
DARWIN AIRLINE is set for a major over-
haul after being acquired by Luxembourg-
based private equity fund 4K Invest, owner
of Slovenian flag carrier Adria Airways.
Under the terms of the deal, the Lugano-
based carrier will continue to operate
under its own Air Operator Certificate
but will be rebranded as Adria Airways
Switzerland.
“Darwin is an excellent airline with
experienced management and staff,”
Adria CEO Dr Arno Schuster remarked.
“Extending our network and, consequent-
ly, optimising cost structures will create
a win-win situation for both carriers. Our
experienced commercial department will
market Darwin’s flights under the brand
name Adria Airways Switzerland”.
The Swiss carrier had previously operated
as Etihad Regional following a partial
buyout by UAE flag carrier Etihad Airways
in 2014. Its sale comes amid a major
review of the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s
European portfolio.
Kevin Knight, Etihad Aviation Group’s
Chief Strategy and Planning Officer, said:
“The decision to sell this [33.3%] minority
stake in Darwin is a result of the ongoing
strategic review of our investments and
a decision to concentrate on our other
partnerships.”