Basler Dc3 arrives in Galway Carnmore

The long anticipated arrival of Bell Geospace's Dc3 in Ireland came to an end this afternoon.

C-FTGI, the Basler BT-67 converted DC3C, msn 26268 touched down in Galway Carnmore at 15.20L having departed Reyjavik this morning.

The aircraft is in Ireland for the next 3 to 4 weeks to carry out a geophysical survey in the midlands. For the duration of it's time in Ireland the aircraft will be based in Carnmore and not at Weston as originally circulated.

The trip to Galway started out from Ellington Field (KEFD) to Houston (KIAH) on Sunday last August 24. On Tuesday 26 it routed Houston to Oshawa, Canada (CYOO) followed on Wednesday by the leg from Oshawa to Goose Bay (CYYR). On Thursday August 28 it routed Goose - Reyjavik (BIRK) with the intention of flying Reyjavik - Carnmore on Friday. The aircraft did depart Iceland as planned on Friday morning but turned back, presumably due to en route weather conditions at the planned altitude of FL110.

The picture shows C-FTGI about to touchdown on R26 at Carnmore.

Aer Lingus announce H1 loss of €22.3m

This morning Aer Lingus announced their H1 financial results to end of June 2008. Passenger growth of 10.5% ( 460,000 ) helped revenue grow to €632.9m but a €56.5m increase in fuel costs contributed to a loss of €22.3m for the period.For the remainder of 2008 the company has 70% of it's fuel bill hedged at $1,137 per tonne. While passenger numbers grew by 10.5%, available seat kilometers for the period grew by 24% from 8.95b during the same period in 2007 to 11.09b for 2008. As a result, load factors show a reduction from 73.6% to 72.2% YoY on short haul which represents a reduction of 1.9%. On long haul the reduction is more severe dropping from 77.5% in 2007 to 67.7% in 2008, a 9.8% reduction. Load factor for the network is overall down by 6.8% compared to the same period in 2007. For winter 2008, long haul capacity will see an 11% reduction with short haul down by 1%. The airline stated that at best they would break even in H2 leading to a full year loss. Announcing the results Dermot Mannion, said that very difficult conditions expected in 2009 would lead to a root and branch analysis of the cost base. Aer Lingus today also announced that the previously announced code share agreement with United Airlines, would become effective November 1 2008.

Passenger figures unchanged on London area routes

The UK CAA have just released the provisional traffic figures for July 2008. Analyzing the year to date figures for 2008 shows no change over the same period in 2007 when considering traffic from the three state airports to the four London area airports.Scheduled passenger figures for both periods were 3.37m. Within the figures though there have been some substantial shifts. During the period January to July 2007, traffic on the SNN-LHR route amounted to just short of 196,000. In the first seven months of 2008 traffic on BEL-LHR realized 139,000 which represents a 29% drop in passenger numbers for Aer Lingus on these four LHR slots. SNN-LGW shows a 63% increase in numbers YoY with SNN-STN showing an 18% growth YoY. In both cases ( and in the case of SNN-LTN which was reinstated in January 2008 ), Ryanair have increased frequency on the routes by way of compensation for loss of the Aer Lingus LHR slots so it is difficult to estimate if the growth in passenger numbers is commensurate with the growth in capacity. Overall passenger numbers from Shannon to the four London area airports shows an 18% drop YoY amounting to 72,500. Cork has been the beneficiary to some extent of the loss of Shannon's slots. Traffic on the CRK-LHR route has grown by a substantial 18% or almost 37,500 passengers which demonstrates that this route has for some been the preferred alternative.Lack of extra LHR-CRK slots has forced Aer Lingus to increase capacity on the route by up sizing equipment from A320 to A321. Due to mix it is difficult to ascertain if load factor is matching growth in passenger numbers. Traffic on the CRK-STN and CRK-LGW routes show -6% and -2% growth respectively YoY YTD 2008 over 2007. Overall passenger numbers from Cork to the three London area airports shows 6% growth YoY amounting to 30,500 passengers. At Dublin, the duopoly enjoyed by Aer Lingus and BMI on the DUB-LHR route shows a significant 6% reduction in passenger numbers amounting to over 63,000. The reduction in DUB-LHR numbers seems to have gone the way of Gatwick which has seen the numbers on the Dublin route increase by a massive 27% to over 623,000, with the magic 100,000 barrier being broken in July. Traffic on the DUB-STN route shows a 5% reduction at 545,000 and DUB-LTN shows modest 3% growth to 211,000. Consolidated numbers from Dublin to the 4 London area airports shows 2% growth YoY YTD at 2.47m

Ryanair to drop two routes from Cork

Ryanair today announced that it would close two of the seven routes that it currently operates from Cork. From the end of October the daily Cork - Prestwick and Cork - East Midlands routes will be dropped. The low cost carrier cited the decision by Cork Airport to impose a 20% increase in charges on the route in the face of higher oil prices as the reason behind the decision. The Cork - East Midlands route will be dropped as of October 26 with the Prestwick route ceasing two days later on October 28. Ryanair estimate that the loss to Cork Airport represents in the region of 200,000 passengers per year.

Ryanair 9336 diverts to Limoges with depressurisation problem

Last nights Ryanair flight 9336 from Bristol (EGGD) to Girona (LEGE) diverted to Limoges (LFBL) after an flight depressurisation caused oxygen masks to deploy. The flight operated by B737-8AS EI-DAS msn 33553 carrying 168 passengers arrived in Limoges at 23.30L. A relief aircraft was dispatched from the UK, picked up the majority of the passengers and arrived at Girona at 03.30L. The balance of the passengers were coached to their destination this morning.The incident is now being investigation by Irish and French authorities.

Lufthansa Technik to provide component support to Aer Lingus

It was recently announced that Aer Lingus has contracted Lufthansa Technik AG in Hamburg to provide component support for the entire Aer Lingus fleet of 34 Airbus A320 family and 9 Airbus A330 aircraft. The agreement which commences on November 1st 2008 runs for ten years and is expected to be worth in excess of €90m in revenue to Lufthansa Technik. The contract provides service and repair for almost all aircraft components

First Eclipse visit to Shannon

Today saw the first visit to Shannon of an Eclipse 500.

There have been several visits to Shannon to date by Very Light Jets (VLJ) in the shape of the Cessna Mustang but this was the first appearance of an Eclipse. The aircraft, N502TS is msn 000097 and is registered to Aircraft Guaranty Corp Trusee.

Under US law it is a prerequisite that the owner of a US registered aircraft be a US citizen. AGCT allows non US citizens to own US registered aircraft by placing the aircraft in a US business trust.

The Eclipse 500, a six seater has a leisurely cruise of 360 kts and a range of 1125 Nm. The price tag, depending on interior spec and avionics fit is of the order $2.15m.N502TS is not ADS-B equipped - a feature which costs $10k for a pair of Garmin transponders.

Intending passengers are probably best advised to check on the spec of aircraft they intend boarding before indulging in corporate hospitality of the liquid kind. The optional 'lavatory package' comes in at $10k and at the expense of the sixth seat or refreshment centre. Probably not the best for Rugby weekends !

A total of 103 aircraft were produced in 2007 with the first visit to Europe taking place in April 2007 for the AERO 2007 show in Friedrichshafen, Germany. At the time of EBACE in May last year, the order book for the Eclipse 500, including options stood at just under 2,700 units.

The picture shows N502TS touching down just after lunchtime today.

New Bermudan Falcon at Shannon

Registration changes to aircraft are quite common in Shannon, but almost exclusively to airliners.

An exception occured this week with the arrival of Falcon 900EX msn 147. It arrived on Thursday August 21st wearing temporary French registration F-WQBN. The original intent had been to transfer the aircraft to the Bermudan register as VP-BOZ and depart for Zurich the same day.

Although the taped on registration was removed around 5.00 pm, paperwork delays forced an overnight stay and the aircraft departed on Friday morning August 22nd. Hex code for VP-BOZ is 424253.

Aer Lingus appoints new Chairman designate

The Board of Aer Lingus today announced that it was appointing Colm Barrington as Chairman Designate of the airline. Mr. Barrington will be appointed to the Board of Aer Lingus in September when the current Chairman John Sharman steps down at the end of his tenure.Colm Barrington is currently CEO of Babcock and Brown Air, the Irish based aircraft leasing company. He is also a non executive director of the Dublin Airport Authority, a position he will be resigning before joining Aer Lingus. Prior to joinging Babcock and Brown he worked for GPA and was appointed President of GECAS following their acquisition of the GPA group.

European Net Jets unveil new livery

European Net Jets have unveiled a new livery on their latest Citation delivery. The aircraft, Citation 560XL CS-DXY msn 560-5791 was delivered through Shannon earlier this month on August 7th.

The new scheme incorporates a wide cheatline which looks various shades of grey or brown depending on the lighting conditions.A return visit was made today with a departure in the evening sunshine.

Aer Arann take delivery of two ATR 72 aircraft

Aer Arann have taken delivery of their latest aircraft - as follows : EI-REO ATR 72-212A msn 787 hex code 4CA6AB EI-REP ATR 72-212A msn 797 hex code 4CA6D5 The pair arrived in Dublin from France this evening and will no doubt enter service in the next day or two.

Fiftieth anniversary of the loss of KLM 607-E

It is fifty years since KLM flight 607-E crashed off the coast of Galway. To mark the occasion a ceremony organised by Galway City Council was held in Bohermore Cemetary on August 12th. The flight had begun on the night of Wednesday August 13th 1958, departing Schiphol at 23.55 for New York with intended fuel stops in Shannon and Gander. The flight was an extra ( hence -E suffix to the flight number ) economy class flight which had been tasked to alleviate heavy bookings on the regular service. On board were 99 souls comprising 91 passengers and a crew of 8 captained by 36 year old F.A.E Roelofs. Among the passengers were 12 Dutch nationals, an Israeli and his wife travelling to the US to visit their grandchildren in the Bronx, 6 members of the Egyptian fencing team and their Hungarian coach who had intended competing in a competition in Philadelphia, 13 members of the Church of the Brethern from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania returning home after a visit to Germany to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of their church and three Polish nationals. The aircraft operating the flight was Lockheed L-1049H msn 4841 registered PH-LKM and named 'Hugo de Groot' or 'Hugo the Great', after a 17th century Dutch law expert. The aircraft had been registered as new to KLM, just 4 months earlier on April 22nd and had 886 hours on the frame when it departed Schiphol. 'LKM was a 'H variant of the Super Connie, in the combi cargo / passenger role with a strengthened floor for cargo operations. This time was the twilight of the Connie era with KLM as they had already ordered eight Dc8 aircraft from Douglas at the time of the delivery of 'LKM. The flight landed at Shannon as planned, refueled and departed again at 03.05 for Gander. At 03.39 the aircraft was cleared to climb to an altitude of 16,000 ft and maintain a heading of 278 degrees. At 03.40 Shannon requested that the aircraft relay a message to TWA 6951. This was duly confirmed by the pilot. The next expected R/T should have been at 04.40, one hour later. The communication never happened. A 'phase of uncertainty' was declared by ATC in Shannon during which time all stations and planes were encouraged to look and listen for the aircraft. Half an hour later the emergency procedure was announced, signaling the commencement of an air / sea search. At 06.40, Gander announced that they had made contact with the KLM flight and the search was stopped. It took two hours to ascertain that a mistake had been made in Gander and the search was restarted. The RAF had committed three Shackeltons to the search and it was one of these aircraft which first sighted the debris field at 13.45, approximately 120 miles off the coast. When the aircraft had gone unreported a joint US - Canadian air / sea search involving eleven aircraft had been launched from Newfoundland and USAF aircraft based in Iceland also took part. An Irish Air Corp aircraft also took part in the mission. Ships that took part in the search included the British ore carrier 'Rievaux', the Canadian destroyer 'Crusader', the Irish ferry boat Naomh Eanna, an Irish Navy Corvette, and the French trawellers 'Jules Verne' and 'General LeClerc'. The 'Jules Verne' landed in Galway, having recovered eleven bodies. Ultimately just 34 bodies were recovered, 12 of which were identified and repatriated for burial. The remainder were buried in Bohermore Cemetary in a multi denominational ceremony. The funeral cortege was watched by an estimated 10,000 people who lined the streets of Galway 'ten deep' according to some reports.At the time, the crash which claimed the lives of all on board was the worst loss of life in an aircraft crash in the Atlantic. Today it still ranks as the fourth worst Atlantic accident. Since the bulk of the wreckage was never recovered the subsequent investigation into the crash was unable to determine a definite cause. The post mortems conducted on the recovered bodies determined that the passengers had died before they hit the water. Also, most had not had their seatbelts fastened at the time of the accident, all of which indicated that the end had come swiftly and unexpectedly.Irish and Dutch investigators believed that the most probable cause of the accident had been an over speeding propeller. This phenomenon could be caused as a result of metal chips from a broken gear blocking the regulator valve. The propeller pitch would then decrease preventing the blades from being feathered. In the period 1957 to 1959, KLM had suffered a total of 18 instances of over speeding on the Wright Cyclone engine as fitted to 'LKM. In flight, the condition is very difficult to correct in a timely fashion. The investigation Boards also stated that they did not consider that the airline's maintenance personnel had contributed in any way to the demise of the aircraft nor had the crew contributed through taking incorrect action after the presumed malfunction occurred. The memorial in Bohermore Cemetary, Glaway to those who lost their lives on KLM flight 607-E is pictured below.

Aer Arann appoints new CEO Designate

Aer Arann Chairman Padraigh O'Ceidigh today announced the appointment of Paul Schutz as CEO Designate who will take over from the present incumbent Gary Cullen on January 1st 2009.On that date Gary Cullen will become a Non Executive Director on the Board of Aer Arann.Paul Shutz started his career with Ryanair and had worked with Virgin Express, BWIA and finally Eirjet as MD before joining Aer Arann as Chief Financial Officer in 2006.

Danube Wings take delivery of first aircraft

Slovak startup Danube Wings has taken delivery of their first aircraft. On July 30th ATR 72-202 F-WAGR msn 373 was ferried Dinard - Shannon in full Danube Wings colours. Immediately on arrival in Shannon the aircraft was hangared with Signature Flight Support pending completion of paperwork. On August 5th the aircraft was delivered Shannon - Bratislava where it took up marks OM-VRA. The aircraft is no stranger to Ireland having previously been registered EI-RED with Aer Arann. Following completion of the lease to Aer Arann the aircraft was returned to Dinard where it was painted in full Danube Wings colours, a scheme which retains the dark blue engines of the Arann scheme. Our photo shows F-WAGR arriving in Shannon from France.

TAM to take delivery of ex Madagascar 767

Brazil's TAM are due to take delivery of ex Madagascar B767-3S1 msn 25221. The aircraft arrived in Shannon from Filton on July 14th in full TAM colours and wearing taped on registration 5R-MFF. The aircraft is to be registered PT-MSS ( visible under the wings ) once accepted and delivered to Brazil.

On August 4th the aircraft was test flown using registration as flight number but with Brazilian transponder hex code E48178. Following the test flight the aircraft returned to the Air Atlanta hangar where follow up work has continued.

Our photo shows 5R-MFF on Taxiway 7 in bright sunshine on July 19.