http://www.airlinerworld.com 7News Review • Europe
Reykjavík-based Air Iceland Connect is
set to axe its services to the UK as part
of a downsizing programme that also
includes selling of one of its Bombardier
Dash 8s. The regional carrier, a subsidiary
of the Icelandair Group, will terminate
its currently twice-weekly connections
to Aberdeen and Belfast in May, along
with one of its three routes to Greenland
and the domestic link from Keflavík
to Akureyri.London/Stansted is seeking approval to
increase the number of passengers it
can handle from 35 million a year to
43 million. The proposal, outlined in a
planning application to Uttlesford District
Council, will see the facility make better
use of its single runway, create up to
5,000 jobs and “boost international long-
haul routes to fast-growing markets like
China, India and the US.” It added that
any increase in passenger traffic will be
achieved within the currently approved
limits on aircraft movements and noise.Belgian carrier VLM Airlines has
launched services from its Antwerp base
to the Slovenian city of Maribor. The new
link, which routes via Munich, is initially
operating daily each weekday but this will
increase to twice-daily flights from March- It increased the number of scheduled
destinations to four, after London City and
Zürich. (Photo VLM)
London/Southend has topped the table
as the British capital’s most punctual
airport. According to data released by
OAG, 90.9% of flights to and from the
facility during January arrived or departed
within 15 minutes of schedule, compared
to 82.7% for Luton, 80.7% for Heathrow,
74% for Stansted, 71.1% for Gatwick and
69.9% for London City.George Best Belfast City Airport
has unveiled details of a significant
infrastructure investment intended to
“enrich and enhance the overall passenger
journey”. The £15m project, which will
be housed inside the existing terminal
building, includes a major upgrade of
the departure lounge to incorporate
an enlarged retail space, new bars and
restaurants, along with an expanded
security search area. Construction work
is due for completion by October.Irish start-up Aer Southeast is now
expecting to launch flights later this
year after being acquired by an as-yet-
unnamed but fully certified airline. The
Waterford-based carrier had previously
intended to operate its first flights –
to Birmingham, London/Luton and
Manchester using a Saab 340 leased
from Lipican Aer – last July but ran into
administrative difficulties.in brief
Air Belgium Edges Closer
AIR BELGIUM has moved a step nearer
to launching commercial services after
taking delivery of its maiden aircraft.
The former Finnair Airbus A340-313s,
OO-ABA (c/n 835) and OO-ABB (c/n
844), were handed over on February
16 and are the first of an eventual four
examples expected to join the Belgian
start-up.
Speaking to a local television station,
CEO Niky Terzakis said the carrier,
which is still to secure its Air Operator
Certificate, hopes to launch its first
revenue flights – to Hong Kong – by
the end of March.
Separately, the CEO said the relatively
short 8,366ft (2,550m) runway at
the airline’s Brussels/Charleroi base
means outbound sectors will initially
be payload-restricted. Terzakis told
ch-aviation: “We will be operating
temporarily at reduced lower deck
cargo uplift Eastbound from Charleroi
and essentially only on the longest
route, Charleroi to Hong Kong.
“The prospect of an en-route fuel stopis [also] out of the question. We will
not, however, have any limitations on
passengers or cargo on westbound
legs,” he said.
Terzakis added that operations will
start with the aircraft configured in
257 seats but will eventually increase
to 303. Cargo restrictions are also
expected to be progressively lifted
as outstanding environmental and
infrastructural issues are addressed,
including adding a 2,300ft-long (700m)
runway extension.Czech Mate
CZECH CARRIER Travel Service has
taken delivery of its first Boeing 737
MAX 8. The aircraft, OK-SWA (c/n
43555), is one of ten examples due
to be leased from GE Capital Aviation
Services (GECAS) and is beingoperated by the Prague-based
airline’s SmartWings brand.
Travel Service CEO Roman Vik
commented: “As we are dynamically
expanding and growing, the new Boeing
737 MAX airplane will fully support ourambitious development plan and com-
petitive advantage. Thanks to a new
modern fleet, we will be able to launch
direct flights to new destinations and
enhance the travel experience of our
customers.” (Photo Mark Stevens)Spanish carrier Air Europa took delivery of its first Boeing 787-9, and ninth Dreamliner in total, in mid-February. The jet, EC-MSZ (c/n 62171),
is named ‘JJ Hidalgo’ in honour of the president of the Palma de Mallorca-based airline’s parent, Globalia. JAVIER RODRÍGUE ZIce Cold
Icelandair’s first Boeing 737 MAX 8 was handed over to the
ReykjavÍk-based carrier on March 1. The aircraft, which
is aptly registered TF-ICE (c/n 44353), is seen here
undergoing pre-delivery testing. BRIAN WORTHINGTONA Presidential Tribute