Alaska Airlines Airbus A321-253 N925VA (c/n 7999) has
been painted in a special livery promoting the airline’s
strong West coast presence, following its merger with
Virgin America. MICHAEL CARTER/ AERO PACIFIC IMAGES12 AIRLINER WORLD APRIL 2018
News Review • Americas
NAC Growth
NAA Cleared
for Ta ke-O f f
NORWEGIAN AIR Argentina (NAA) has
been awarded an Air Services Operator
Certificate (AOC) from Argentina. The
authorities have also granted NAA
152 routes, consisting of 72 domestic
destinations and 80 international.
Bjørn Kjos, CEO of Norwegian, said:
“We’re honoured to receive the authori-
sation by the Argentine government and
we thank the Minister of Transportation,
Guillermo Dietrich, and his team for
the trust in Norwegian. This is great
news that shows that we are getting
closer to the start of our operations in
Argentina with our safe, efficient and
friendly service.”
The new carrier’s first aircraft, Boeing
737-8JP LV-HQH (c/n 42278), has been
painted with Argentine composer Astor
Piazzolla as its ‘Tail Fin Hero’.
Ole Christian Melhus, CEO of
Norwegian Air Argentina, said: “We
received the AOC with great enthusi-
asm and honour and it’s a major mile-
stone for our journey in Argentina. We
also thank the director of the National
Administration of Civil Aviation, Tomás
Insausti, and all his team for their
professionalism and dedication.
“Now we’ll focus on starting to offer
safe flights and affordable fares to
millions of passengers soon, as well
as job creation and contributing to the
stimulation of the local economy.”
Most West Coast
Special Mission Q400 Mods
Northern Air Cargo has taken on its first Boeing 767-323ERBDSF, N379CX (c/n
25199). The jet, leased from Air Transport International, entered service on
February 5 and visited Miami seven days later. CARY LIAOFIREFIGHTING SPECIALIST Conair has
selected Flying Colours Corp to carry
out special mission modifications
on six Bombardier Dash 8-Q400MRs.
The Peterborough, Ontario-based firm
will be responsible for the engineering,
fabrication, installation, certification
and completion of four different cabin
interiors to support passenger, cargo,
combi and medevac special missions.
In the passenger configuration the
aircraft will carry 64 passengers, while
the full-freighter will be capable of
transporting nine tons (8,165kg) of
cargo. The medevac
format will
accom-
modatesix stretchers as well as medical
equipment and a clinical team. The
combi variant will carry up to 19
passengers as well as freight.
As part of the modifications, Flying
Colours will integrate a customised
Inmarsat Cobham Aviator 700
communications system as well
as Conair’s proprietary Retardant
Delivery System, which will carry morewater, or retardant, than the existing
10,000-litres (2,200 imp gal).
The first airframe is due to arrive at
Flying Colours’ facility in St Louis,
Missouri, in March.
Sean Gillespie, Executive VP, Flying
Colours Corp, said: “We have been
awarded the project based on our
extensive know-how and capabilities,
having worked on complex special
mission projects for military and
governments around
the world.
“This is the first time
a Q400 has had all these inte-
rior types configured for a single fuse-
lage. It’s a unique project and we’re
delighted to have been awarded the
contract.” (Photo Flying Colours Corp)