Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Maersk expands air freight with new Boeing planes, logistics firm acquisition

Denmark's A.P. Moller-Maersk said on Tuesday it will buy freight-forwarder Senator International along with two Boeing aircraft, the firm's latest move to boost its businesses beyond ocean shipping.

Maersk, which handles one in five containers shipped worldwide, will acquire the German logistics firm, whose largest business is within air freight, for an enterprise value of around $644 million, it said.

During the pandemic, many airlines have been forced to park unused passenger jets, driving up demand for cargo space on dedicated freighters at a time when soaring demand from lockdown-ridden consumers has put a strain on global trade.

With two-thirds of Maersk's revenue still coming from container shipping, the firm is aiming to expand its services to include more air and land-based freight, hoping to deliver door-to-door logistical solutions to clients like Walmart and Puma.

"The COVID situation has only accelerated the fact that we need to move on this," Maersk's chief executive of ocean and logistics, Vincent Clerc, told Reuters.

"Obviously we are making these acquisitions to flesh out a network that we hope to scale. So we trust that this will be growth generating."

On top of the acquisition, expected to close in the first half of 2022, Maersk will add two new Boeing 777 freight aircraft as well as three leased cargo planes to its existing fleet of 15 aircraft.

"Our target is to have about a third of our capacity provided through own tonnage, and two-thirds through belly-space on commercial airlines," Clerc told Reuters.

While the leased planes will be operational next year, the newly built Boeing planes are expected to be delivered in 2024. Combined with Senator International's six airplanes, this will roughly double Maersk's air cargo capacity.

"We feel this is the right mix to assure a certain level of operational control where it's necessary, but also still be able to have the flexibility that we need by moving with commercial airlines," Clerc said.

(Nikolaj Skydsgaard - Reuters)

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

X Aviation Group LLC, McDonnell Douglas MD-87 (49670/1453) N3107P

(Photo by Michael Carter / Aero Pacific Images)
 
Is captured on short final to Rwy 30 at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) this evening following a training flight to Meadows Field Airport (BFL/KBFL) Bakersfield, CA. 
 
The aircraft is a familiar resident here at Long Beach Airport as she was based here when owned by the Sunrider Corporation as N168CF. She was sold last year and departed LGB on October 29, 2020 destined for Las Vegas and transfer to her new owners.
 
She returned to Long Beach and has been here at the airport parked at Ross Aviation for the past week or so and this was the first time I had seen here move, so glad to get photos of an old friend looking gorgeous as ever!!!

 

Sunday, June 27, 2021

Boeing 777X 'realistically' will not win certification approval before mid-2023 - U.S. FAA

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has told Boeing Co that its planned 777X is not yet ready for a significant certification step and warned it "realistically" will not certify the airplane until mid- to late 2023.

The FAA in a May 13 letter to Boeing seen by Reuters cited a number of issues in rejecting a request by the manufacturer to issue a Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) Readiness. "The aircraft is not yet ready for TIA," the FAA wrote.

The letter cites numerous concerns about lack of data and the lack of a preliminary safety assessment for the FAA to review.

“The FAA will not approve any aircraft unless it meets our safety and certification standards," the agency said in a statement Sunday.

Boeing has been developing the wide-body jet, a new version of its popular 777 aircraft, since 2013 and at one expected to release it for airline use in 2020.

The 777X will be the first major jet to be certified since software flaws in two Boeing 737 MAX planes caused fatal crashes and prompted accusations of cozy relations between the company and FAA.

European regulators have said in particular that they will subject the 777X to extra scrutiny after the fatal crashes prompted the 20-month grounding of the 737 MAX.

The MAX crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people within five months in 2018 and 2019.

The letter cites a number of issues that still need to be addressed, including an "upcoming major software update with the software load of flight control... The FAA understands that there are many significant problem report items that will be addressed by that version of the software load, including the software fix for the un-commanded pitch event that occurred on December 8, 2020."

The agency added that "software load dates are continuously sliding and the FAA needs better visibility into the causes of the delays."

It said that "after the un-commanded pitch event, the FAA is yet to see how Boeing fully implements all the corrective actions identified by the root cause investigation."

The agency said it wants Boeing to "implement a robust process so similar escape will not happen in the future and this is not a systemic issue."

The letter was reported earlier by the Seattle Times.

Boeing did not immediately comment.

(David Shepardson - Reuters)

Friday, May 28, 2021

United Airlines Boeing 737-924(ER)(WL) (30131/3014) N53441


(Photos by Michael Carter / Aero Pacific Images)

Taxies to then rolls for takeoff on Rwy 30 as "UA2511" May 26, 2021 taking the California Angels to San Francisco International Airport (SFO/KSFO) for three games with Oakland A's then two games with the Giants.

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Gulfstream G500 (c/n 72033) N710FT ex N533GD



(Photos by Michael Carter / Aero Pacific Images)

Operated by Sunset Aviation arrives at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) as "TWY710" from Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW/KAFW) on an absolutely gorgeous evening here in SoCal May 19, 2021.

****It felt so good to capture this lovely bird as I have been going through complete Gulfstream withdrawal since the completion center closed here at Long Beach Airport.****
 

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Mexicana Boeing 727-2Q4(ADV) (22424/1683) XA-MEQ "Ciudad del Carmen"

(Photographer Unknown / Kodachrome K64 Slide)
(Michael Carter Slide Collection)
 
Rests in the midday sun at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) in December 1980 shortly after delivery on December 5, 1980.

 

Sunday, May 9, 2021

United Airlines Boeing 747-422 (26877/944) N188UA

  (Photo by Michael Carter / Aero Pacific Images)
(Kodachrome K64 Slide)
 
On final to Rwy 25L at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) on March 15, 1997.
 
Following her years of service with United Airlines she found her way to Corsair as F-WSEA on December 1, 2004 later re-registered as F-HSEA on July 13, 2005.
 
She was WFU and STD at (GBA/EGBP) on June 12, 2020.
 
First Flight: October 23, 1992.
 
Delivered to United Airlines on December 4, 1992.

 

Saturday, May 8, 2021

Korean Air Cargo McDonnell Douglas MD-11(F) (48409/490) HL7373

(Photo by Michael Carter / Aero Pacific Images)
 (Kodachrome K64 Slide)
 
Taxies to Rwy 25L for a morning departure at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) on November 10, 1998.
 
Delivered to Korean Air Lines on March 24, 1992.
 
Transferred to Korean Air Lines Cargo then converted to freighter and re-delivered on March 1, 1996 as an MD-11(F). 
 
On May 25, 1996 the aircraft experienced at tail strike while landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) resulting in major damage which took 63 days to repair.
 
On April 15, 1999 operating as "KAL6316" Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA/ZSSS) - Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN/RKSI) this lovely lady crashed shortly after take-off due to loss of control of the aircraft resulting in the complete destruction of the aircraft along with the loss off all three crew members and four people on the ground.

Thursday, May 6, 2021

Stephenson Air Services G500 (c/n 72040) N500XX

 (Photos by Michael Carter / Aero Pacific Images)

Captured on short final to Rwy 30 at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) as it arrives from Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT/KFAT) on May 5, 2021.

Friday, April 30, 2021

World Atlantic Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-83 (53291/2019) N801WA "Emily"


(Photos by Michael Carter / Aero Pacific Images)

On short final to Rwy 30 at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) as "WL338" arriving from El Paso International Airport (ELP/KELP) on April 29, 2021 sporting the bare metal livery of the aircraft's previous operator, American Airlines.

Delivered to American Airlines on August 24, 1992 as N76201.

WFU and STD at Roswell (ROW/KROW) New Mexico 7/5/2015 - 2/12/2018.

Ferried (ELP/KELP) - (MIA/KMIA) February 12, 2018 on delivery to World Atlantic Airlines.

Re-registered as N801WA and named "Luis Oliva" on August 31, 2018, currently named "Emily."

Thursday, April 29, 2021

World Atlantic Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-83 (53251/1909) N806WA

(Photo by Michael Carter / Aero Pacific Images)
 
Captured on short final to Rwy 30 at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) as "WL332" arriving from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX/KPHX) on April 27, 2021. 
 
The carrier is bringing in illegal immigrants from Mc Allen Miller International Airport (MFE/KMFE) Mc Allen, Texas and El Paso International (ELP/KELP) El Paso, Texas to be housed at the Long Beach Convention Center in downtown Long Beach.
 
Another flight arrived this afternoon (April 28) with the same status passengers with at least one more flight scheduled later this week according to sources with the city. 
 
Delivered: September 11, 1991 to American Airlines as N588AA.
 
WFU and STD at Roswell (ROW/KROW) New Mexico August 10, 2012.
 
Re-delivered: September 13, 2013 to World Atlantic Airlines as N588AA, re-registered July 2, 2014 as N806WA.
 

 

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Gulfstream G600 (c/n 73045) N945GA tbr N665P

 

"GLF62" taxies to Rwy 30 for an early morning departure.

When delivered the aircraft will join the Conoco Phillips fleet.

 Rolls for takeoff on a simply gorgeous SoCal Morning.

(Photos by Michael Carter / Aero Pacific Images)

Sadly this is the last brand new Gulfstream to depart from Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) as Gulfstream Aerospace has made the decision to close down its West Coast Completion Center due to the unfavorable business climate here in California. The Gulfstream Service Center will remain open until August or September of this year then will also close moving it's operations to Van Nuys Airport (VNY/KVNY).

Gulfstream joins a long list of companies that have left the airport over the years. Cessna was the first moving its service center to Arizona, McDonnell Douglas / Boeing, jetBlue Airways, Federal Express (FedEx) and Toyota AirFlite FBO.

Michael Carter - Editor: Aero Pacific Flightlines)

Thursday, April 8, 2021

United Airlines Boeing 767-322(ER)(WL) (29243/800) N675UA



Arrives at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) as "UA2569" on April 6, 2021.


 Captured later rolling for takeoff on Rwy 30 as "UA2511" bound for Tampa International Airport (TPA/KTPA) with the California Angels on board.

(Photos by Michael Carter / Aero Pacific Images)

New U.S. budget airline Avelo seeks niche on West Coast


Avelo Airlines, an ultra-low-cost carrier created by a former United Airlines executive, made its debut on Thursday with plans for service between secondary airports on the U.S. West Coast and one-way fares starting at $19.

Backed by $125 million in private equity, Avelo will begin operations from its first base at Hollywood Burbank Airport just outside Los Angeles, with flights starting April 28.

Although travel demand has dropped during the pandemic, the downturn has opened opportunities including gate capacity at Burbank and cheaper aircraft as large carriers scaled back operations globally, Avelo's founder and chief executive, Andrew Levy, told Reuters.

"There's market opportunities that would have been harder for us to tackle a year ago," said Levy, the co-founder and former president of low-cost carrier Allegiant Airlines and chief financial officer of United Airlines.

Avelo will begin with 11 non-stop routes from Burbank and three Boeing 737-800 planes with 189 seats and one-way fares starting at $19. It expects to have at least six airplanes and around 400 employees by the end of year, Levy said.

U.S. airlines executives have recently pointed to large pent-up travel demand as the economy reopens and more Americans receive COVID-19 vaccinations, a desire Levy hopes to tap into with low fares.

"Demand is coming back quickly. It's still nowhere near what it used to be so I think in the short term prices will be really low, but we're built for that," he said.

Another U.S. start-up, Breeze Airways based in Salt Lake City and backed by aviation veteran David Neeleman, is preparing to begin low-cost flights on routes it says have been abandoned by larger carriers.

(Tracy Rucinski - Reuters)