TC-AAR delivered to Pegasus

AS a postscript to yesterday's item covering the reregistration of Futura's EI-DGZ to TC-AAR, the aircraft departed Shannon tonight as PGT 065. The aircraft's hex code is 4B8432.

EI-DGZ becomes TC-AAR

Former Futura B737-86N EI-DGZ finally revealed it's new identity on Monday evening when new registration TC-AAR was applied at the Air Atlanta hangar in Shannon. The aircraft had arrived in Shannon March 12 last for attention with Air Atlanta. On June 16 last it was noted with the Irish registration removed and had remained that way until Monday last, July 6 when the Turkish registration was revealed. Pictured above TC-AAR is seen outside the AAAE hangar.

Two Futuras - TC-AAR & SE-RHX

In among the wingtip clutter outside the Air Atlanta hangar at Shannon are two former Futura aircraft. On the left is the former EI-DGZ, B737-86N, msn 28624 which has now been registered TC-AAR and is scheduled for delivery to Pegasus Airlines. On the right is EI-DJT, B737-86N, msn 28592 which has been painted for Swedish operator Viking. The new Swedish identity can be seen on the nose wheel where the letters 'RHX' are visible.

N977RY to join Travel Service

Former Futura B737-86N N977RY, msn 32740 reappeared from the Lufthansa Paint hangars at Shannon this afternoon in the full colours of Czech operator Travel Service. The aircraft arrived in Shannon from Dublin on December 10 last for maintenance with Air Atlanta Aero. On entering  service with Travel Service the aircraft is due to take up Czech marks OK-TVJ. Pictured above the aircraft is seen under tow to R09/27.

Posted 090505 

EI-DND performs test flight for Axis

Former Futura B7237-86N EI-DND performed a test flight at Shannon today in the new colors of French operator Axis. The aircraft arrived in Shannon on St. Patrick's Day March 17 in full Futura colours. The aircraft is still marked EI-DND but used French transponder code 392232 for the flight which lasted just under 75 minutes. 

Earlier this week Axis took delivery of another former Futura B737 which has taken up marks F-GZZA. This latter aircraft is the former EC-KFB which became EI-ECN when it was repossessed by GECAS following the demise of Futura. 

Pictured above EI-DND lines up for departure off R24 at Shannon this lunchtime.

Posted 090424

EI-ECL arrives in Shannon for painting

Ex Futura B737-86N msn 32655 arrived in Shannon today for painting. The aircraft, registered EI-ECL is ex EC-JDU and will become LN-NOP over the next week. Pictured above, EI-ECL taxis to the Lufthansa Paint hangar after arrival. Flight number GCC 655 was used for the ferry from Budapest to Shannon.

737 Departures

Two B737 aircraft were due to depart for new shores today. 

Ex Futura Gael B737-86N msn 28619 EI-DJU left Dublin today for storage in Budapest.  The aircraft was previously N255RY with Ryan International and had been in open storage in Dublin since the collapse of Futura.

Ryanair were due to take another aircraft out of service today. B737-8AS EI-CSX msn 32778 was scheduled to fly Prestwick - Chateauroux on lease end.

Court Protection extended for Futura Gael

Futura Gael were granted an extension to Court Protection yesterday when the Commercial Court was told that the airline had a reasonable chance for survival provided certain conditions were met.

The Revenue commissioners are currently owed €91,000 and have adopted a neutral stance on the application for examinership. Kevin Wallace of accountancy firm KPMG was appointed examiner and now has three months to put together a rescue plan and agree terms with the airline's creditors. The Commission for Aviation Regulation which has revoked Futura Gael's AOC was also represented in court.

Seventy employees were laid off when Futura Gael ceased operations on September 8 when it's Palma de Majorca based parent, Futura Group went out of business. 

New airliner additions

A few recent airliner additions to the Irish register are as follows : EI-WXA RJ85 msn E-2310 has been registered to CityJet and was seen in Norwich on October 1. EI-ECD B737-8FH msn 30826 has been registered to Royal Bank of Scotland Aviation Capital. The aircraft is ex EC-JHV of Futura. It been operating for Sun Express in Turkey.

Futura International Airways to suspend operations for 24 hours.

Futura International Airways would appear to be the latest casualty in the airline business. The Balaeric newspaper 'Ultima Hora' reported today that the airline had ceased operations due to current economic difficulties. Futura had intended to meet with their creditors but the Spanish Civil Aviation Authority stated that this action would force them to withdraw the airline's AOC. Faced with this prospect, Futura decided to suspend operations for 24 hours from midnight tonight Sunday September 7. Throughout today, aircraft were reportedly ferried to Palma de Mallorca to prevent them being impounded elsewhere. Futura International Airways was set up in 1989 by the combination of Aer Lingus, Belton Air and Banco Santander. Aer Lingus divested themselves of their remaining 20% interest in Futura in October 2007 as a result of a secondary management buyout at Futura and the decision at the time by Aer Lingus to concentrate on core activities. In January 2006, the subsidiary Futura Gael was set up with an Irish AOC as a vehicle to enable the airline serve charter desitinations outside the EU from Ireland. In April 2008 Futura Gael applied for a foreign air carrier permit to operate charters between Europe and the US. On June 17 the approval was granted. At this time it is not known which points the airline intended to serve. As of today Futura Gael operated two B737 aircraft B737-4YO EI-DOR, msn 24689 and B737-86N EI-DJU, msn 28619. In July 2006 the airline established a cargo subsidiary Flyant which operates 3 B737 aircraft out of Madrid Barajas. Hopefully, Futura which have been a major player in the Irish IT market for the past twenty years will weather the storm and reappear at the far end of what must surely be the darkest day in their history.