As a result of losses, it seems Egyptair is hurting badly – to the point where they will now be entertaining leases of a 1/3 of it’s fleet – including it’s entire recently acquired 777-300ER fleet.

They will be offering around 25 aircraft with a crew compliment for leasing purposes. So if you’re an operator looking for a 777-300ER fleet to borrow on the cheap – this could be the time.

Egyptair blame the “moving situation” in the country for what they’re having to do as tourism traffic has decreased as well as it’s other connecting traffic with via CAI or through it’s Star Alliance partners.

As well as 777-300ER’s, it also has Airbus A330s, Boeing 777-200ERs, Boeing 737s, Airbus A320s and Embraer regional jets.

A sad result of what has happened. Hopefully this temporary move will allow EgyptAir to get back on it’s feet slowly.

The Foreign and Commonwealth office has update it’s travel advice in light of the issues that have happening in the Middle East.

In Particular:

Bahrain

We advise against all but essential travel to Bahrain until further notice.

• Following violence over recent days, and most recently on the evening of 18 February, we advise British nationals to avoid all but essential travel to Bahrain.
• We also advise British nationals currently in Bahrain to limit travel around the island to essential journeys only, and to monitor the media. If travelling within Bahrain, British nationals should maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places and on major highways, and avoid large crowds and demonstrations. The airport remains open and transiting through the airport is unaffected by this advice.
• The British Embassy Bahrain is located in central Manama, and will be open from Sunday 20 February onwards, offering restricted essential Consular, Press and Commercial services only, until further notice. If you intend to visit the Embassy for essential business, please call first to ensure it appears safe to do so: 1757 4100. For all other enquiries to do with the situation in Bahrain please continue to call 17574151 in Bahrain, or 020 7008 1500 in the UK 
• Gulf Air is operating services normally and the airport is not affected at this time

Libya

•  We recommend against all but essential travel to Libya. Those without a pressing need to remain in the country, should leave by commercial means if it is safe to do so. 
• Since 15 February, demonstrations against the Libyan Government have taken place in many Libyan towns and cities. These demonstrations have led to violent clashes, particularly in the East of the country, where large numbers of casualties have been reported. Reports indicate that these demonstrations have spread to other areas of the country, including the towns of Misurata and Zawiya.
• You should avoid political gatherings and demonstrations and respect any advice or instruction from the local security authorities. You should follow the news on TV and radio and not go out in areas where demonstrations are taking place. British organisations in Libya should keep their contingency plans up-to-date.

Air Afriqiyah is operating normally, as is BMI who have chosen to go ahead with the their new service today.

All I can say is continue to check www.fco.gov.uk, and safe travels if your plans take you through these hotspots.

It seems that Qantas aren’t the only ones who are suffering engine failures, with Delta having issues with one of their 737-800′s.

The Delta Boeing 737-800 was forced to make an emergency landing today after it experienced a contained engine failure (i.e. – all within the engine as opposed to bits falling out of it)shortly after take-off, with shredded engine parts falling onto the ground.

The 737-700 was operating a Fort Lauderdale to Minneapolis St Pauls service at 08:00 on 21/02. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff.

Thankfully, there was no further incident, with the aircraft landing safely, and the passengers disembarking by airstairs upon landing at Fort Lauderdale.

The FAA State:

“The (FAA’s) preliminary inspection of the engine revealed that it was a contained failure. Engine turbine blades exited the rear of the engine, they did not penetrate the engine cover,”

Again, it shows the need for two big engines on a plane, and the people with the knowledge to land that plane – safely, with not a soul lost.

It’s Sunday again, and it’s time for some airplane p0rn.

This week, it’s am Eithad Airbus A330 taxing into Frankfurt Airport (with an Air Canada 767 in the background)

More next week!

Yes, Iron Maiden return for another tour… and have chartered an Astraeus Airlines 757-200 Combi to help them on the tour.

And of course, Ed Force 1 (better known as G-STRX) will be captained for parts of it’s journey by the lead singer – Bruce Dickinson who is a qualified pilot who works for … That’s right Astreaus!

Bruce is quoted as saying

“As a professional pilot and a professional singer with Iron Maiden, there was no doubt that Astraeus Airlines were the people for the job. The reliability was superb, and the outcome exceeded the band’s wildest expectations. A unique airline, for a unique experience. Astraeus Airlines made it happen!”

More information can be found at http://www.flyastraeus.com/combi/iron-maiden-tour.php as well as the pics, but here’s a selection…

All images (c) Astraeus.

And for this weeks safety demonstration, please bring your seats forward, your tray tables stowed as Corsairfly show you how it’s done on one of their 747′s…

What some may feel is hell in a can, the 757′s that Continental have are good at flying transatlantic routes that are by their nature “thin and long”.

The Combined United will be starting to fly these aircraft from Washington Dulles – a stones throw away from the Newark Hub they’re used to being at.

This part of the regarding of services, be they upscaling, downscaling or increasing frequency.

From IAD, 757′s will run on the following routes
IAD/CDG/IAD – 09/06/11 (going twice daily with the current 777, before switching to 2 x 757′s from 29/09/11) – competing against B777 and A380 services from Air France, and OpenSkies 757′s.
IAD/AMS/IAD – 01/09/11 (Switched from the current 777 to a 767 to a 757)

These will be operated using Continentals frames as the the United frames are not cleared for Transatlantic operations.

At EWR,
EWR/GVA/EWR 10/06/2011 is upgaged from a CO 767-200 to a UA 767-300ER
EWR/ZRH/EWR 29/09/2011 will be crossgraded from a CO767-400 to a UA 777-200

At IAH
IAH/LIM/IAH 18/02/2011 is upgaged from a CO 757-200 to a UA 767

Expect a LOT more changes in United routings as time goes on and they become one airline.

With the merger moving apace, United is slowly combining the fleets together.

In the next stage, and what will be good news for United/Continental Elites, as well as those who are willing to pay, Economy Plus will be deployed in the Continental fleet

However for those who are preparing to jump on a Continental flight and expecting to see it tomorrow morning, hang fire, as the refurbishment of E+ will begin in 2012

E+ can be found in larger Regional Jets (such as ERJ-170′s and CRJ-700′s and above) as well as the mainline fleet of A319′s, A320′s, 747′s 757′s 767′s and 777 aircraft which if you’ve got the right aircraft – gives you an extra 5-6″ of space. If you’ve got the wrong aircraft – 3″ or so.

Upon completion of the merger, this will give the full 700+ aircraft E+ installed. Until then, Continental flights that offer extra legroom seats will continue to offer the space until reconfigured with E+.

After bashing Youtube with a pole last night, all the videos from the trip are now loaded!

You can find them on my YouTube Channel or for those of you who are feeling just a tad lazy, here’s the list…

• Take off in a UA 777-200 from AMS
• Landing at IAD in the same UA 777-200 
• Take off in a UA/Shuttle America ERJ-170 from IAD  into the sunset (and lovely colours too!)
• Landing  at LGA at night
• Take off in a UA/Alantic Southeast Airlines CRJ-200 from LGA
• Landing in the Sunset at IAD in the same CRJ-200
• Night Takeoff of a Mad United 767-300ER from IAD
• Day landing at FRA of the same 767-300ER
• Take off in a BA ERJ-170 from Frankfurt
• Landing at London City Airport in a BA ERJ-170

(and yes, that was 2.4GB of video shot on the iPhone4)

The trip report is formally in progress with 2 parts written (and sadly a lot more to go) as there’s a lot to write on this trip. But stay tuned, I promise this will be good. Well as good as I normally make them….

It seems that Nancy Bird, the Qantas A380 damaged in the QF32 Engine incident will fly again later this year.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce states:

“We’ll be in the air by the end of the year with that aircraft”

However…

“it could take as long as September until it is fully repaired.”

Since the incident, Nancy Bird has been stuck at Changi parked in a corner. Repairs are estimated to cost over A$100m – the cost to be met with Insurance and Rolls-Royce.

As we’re all aware, this sparked a safety alert with A380′s with Rolls Royce Trent 900′s, and grounded the fleet for three weeks.  The Qantas A380 fleet is slowly re-entering service still as operational limitations are being removed as the fleet reproves itself. 

In addition this has had one hell of a hit with $55m costs in disruptions, and a further $25m to come.

Prehapas there’s one thing out of this incencet some people have forgotten – a big whalejet like that in the sky – and how many people perished?

Correct – None. And that’s worth more than the losses that are being entertained.