What’s been going on…

Icelandair – on 3 December, the carrier welcomed its first Airbus. The A321LR features 187 seats in a two-class configuration. There are also many new features including state-of-the-art IFE and updated seats. Elsewhere onboard, making life easier on cabin crew and indeed passengers, are larger galleys and a more passenger-pleasing and accessible aft lavatory footprint than other operators plying long-haul routes with single-aisle aircraft. That’s especially good news given that the long-range narrowbody registered TF-IAA and other A321LRs slated to enter the fleet, as well as Icelandair’s forthcoming new A321XLRs to replace its aged Boeing 757 workhorses. In the words of President and CEO Bogi Nils Bogaso, the new Airbus “will unleash new opportunities for our great company and for Iceland as a destination and hub between continents.”

With a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles, the Pratt & Whitney GTF-powered A321LR will first serve Stockholm for Icelandair, then eventually cover the UK and the whole of its network.

The final words go to a crew member -

“We are used to the Boeing 737 MAX. This is luxury”

PIA – it looks like EASA is now happy with the Pakistan national carrier and has given approval for flights to resume to Europe. The first flight, ISB-CDG, will be 10 January 2025, B777-200ER. Aviation media considers it’s only a matter of time before flights restart to remaining European destinations.

Finnair – in a recent visit to London to celebrate the airline’s 70 years of LHR operations, the new CEO announced an increase to 6xdaily for HEL-LHR flights. Two of these flights will use A350-900. Other UK airports aren’t missing out. HEL-MAN going 2xdaily and HEL-EDI becomes daily, in 2025. The airline is moving ahead with its cabin refit programme, having completed A350-900 and A330-300. It now moves onto the Embraer 190 fleet used for MAN and EDI.

BA – has been forced to drastically cut its long-haul schedule due to ongoing problems with Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines that power its B787 fleet. Resumption of LHR-KUL now delayed until April 2025. The LGW-JFK route has been reduced by up to 75%. Whilst the airline is deeply critical of the engine maker, RR has defended itself robustly, stating that the supply chain problems are industry wide.

Teesside Airport – recently welcomed Airborne Colours who have opened a new aircraft painting facility. There is capacity for aircraft up to A321 and B737MAX10. The first aircraft was Jet2’s B737-8MG, G-JZHO. It was stripped of its existing livery and repainted as Jet2.com. The process taking around 9 days. The company also operates at EMA and EXT. Not the usual spotting opportunities but still worth a visit.

Britten-Norman - successfully secured its second round of funding. The Isle of Wight aircraft manufacturer can now scale up production to 8 per year and transform its aftermarket business.

Wamos – Abra Group, majority investors in Avianca and GOL, have completed their acquisition of the Spanish wet lease operator. In the UK, Wamos has been used by TUI to supplement its operations, especially for its cruise passengers.

And finally…

The UK weather is up to its usual tricks again! With 2 named storms in quick succession, the YouTube live streams have attempted to capture the go-arounds, crabbing and other displays of airmanship used to get aircraft safely on the ground. Whilst it may be very entertaining and scary to watch, what must be borne in mind is safety comes first. Pilots have trained for many hours in the simulator to ensure they land safely. They are not deliberately rocking the aircraft or bouncing it onto the runway for the enjoyment of the people watching or for media outlets to sensationalise such events.

Congratulations to Captain Matt Simmonds, BA A320 family. He recently completed 25 years’ service, accruing 17,000 flying hours. He started with BA Cityflyer Express, on ATR and BAE 146 out of LGW before moving to LHR. Then long haul on B747, before transferring to Airbus.

Information courtesy of Runway Girl Network, Airliner World (Dec 2024)

Images courtesy of ch-aviation, Teesside International Airport

©TPSC, LadyJet2 and photo/diagram suppliers