by Lufthansa Flyer | Mar 17, 2017 | Brussels, Featured, Route Announcements, Sukhoi SSJ100 SuperJet |
As part of a wide ranging strategy to update and streamline fleet operations, Brussels Airlines will introduce the Sukhoi SSJ100 Superjet on several routes beginning March 26. Three SSJ100s will will be wet-leased from CityJet (Irish carrier) meaning that the aircraft will be operated by CityJet crew. CityJet is the only Western European airline to operate the Russian-made aircraft.
CityJet’s Sukhoi SSJ100 SuperJet. Photo Courtesy of CityJet
The lease arrangement is in place for 2 years as Brussels Airlines transitions away from the Avro RJ100 ‘Jumbolino’ and awaits A320 aircraft to be brought in as replacements for the Avro. As it stands today, the last 8 of Brussels Airlines Avro’s are scheduled to be removed from service by November 2017.
The Brussels Airlines destinations that will see the SuperJet will be Basel, Berlin Tegel, Birmingham, Bologna, Bordeaux, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Geneva, Gothenburg, Hamburg, Krakow, Milan Linate, Milan (Linate AND Malpensa), Nice, Prague, Venice, Vienna, and Warsaw.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Mar 17, 2017 | Featured, Lufthansa, Route Announcements |
Before Spring ever arrives (at least north of the Equator), LH is already looking to the end of the year and has tweaked aircraft assignments on a handful of long-haul routes. This of course is done primarily because of demand shifts based on the season as well as maintenance schedules for certain aircraft types.
The changes are as follows:
- Frankfurt – Atlanta beginning October 29 will see the A343.
- Frankfurt – Bangkok effective October 28 will see the A380 instead of the 744.
- Frankfurt – Chennai effective October 29 will see the 343.
- Frankfurt – Dallas effective October 29 will see a mix of the A333 and A343.
- Frankfurt – Hong Kong effective October 29 will see the 747-8i instead of the A380.
- Frankfurt – Male effective November 1 will see the A333 in stead of the A343.
- Frankfurt – Philadelphia effective October 29 will see the A343.
- Frankfurt – Rio de Janeiro effective October 28 will see the 747 instead of the 747-8i.
Source: Lufthansa Schedule Management
by Lufthansa Flyer | Mar 16, 2017 | Featured, Lufthansa, Strike, Vereinigung Cockpit |
Lufthansa has announced that it has reach an agreement with Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) that will finally put pilots under contract with a new labor deal. This announcement comes on the heels of negotiations that had taken place between LH, VC and an outside mediator in February 2017.
This finally puts to rest a labor squabble that has lasted since 2014 and has cost Lufthansa €500 million and forced passengers to endure 14 strikes.
Though minor details are yet to be worked out, the sides agreed to the following key points:
- Lufthansa will NOT outsource jobs to pilots who are not covered under the new agreement. Previously, LH suggested that up to 40 aircraft could be manned by cockpit crew that would be exempt from any labor agreement.
- Pilots will receive a pay increase of 11.2% retroactive to 2012 and prorated through 2022. They will also get a one time bonus of 1.8x their monthly salary.
- Lufthansa has promised to maintain a minimum fleet size of 325 aircraft, thus ensuring opportunities for hiring new pilots to enter Lufthansa’s Pilot Training Program, as well as creating opportunities for advancement of current pilots to move on to flying larger aircraft as their careers develop. The target of 325 aircraft needs to be reached or maintained by 2022.
- Lufthansa will be able to recharacterize the pension liabilities currently on it’s balance sheet. This accounting maneuver will result in an improved balance sheet to the tune of 100s of millions of Euros and be accretive to Lufthansa’s balance sheet for 2017. Pilots have agreed to convert their pension to a Defined Benefit Plan.
Once the deal is voted on and approved by pilots, it will be in force until May 2022.
