vaBase Overhauled: New Look and New Price
PIREP system and virtual airline management software provider vaBase (www.vabase.com) has decided to revamp its website in an effort to reinvigorate its web presence. Created by a group of skilled developers who recognized a need for affordable, customizable and highly professional, automated scripts for virtual airlines, vaBase has also recently reworked its price-point making the cutting-edge software system more affordable than ever before. Prices for vaBase have dropped to just £19.99 / $29.99 for the full system. Currently on release is vaBase v2.0 Deluxe, packed full of smart accessories to compliment a VA including ACARS scripts, fully automated PIREP system, flight planning software and more.
Myles Knight, when talking about the new v2.0 release said, “We have now also included vaBase flight planner into the package at no extra cost giving [the consumers] the opportunity to build a feature rich virtual airline at minimal cost.” He went on to say, “[this enables the consumer] to keep up with today’s competition! We have also taken the approach of building a one-stop-shop for VA entrepreneurs with our new design service.” Continue reading
City Flyer Launches Lausa Air Regional Service
Following a major reorganization of its main division, London Aviators USA’s virtual airline, Lausa Air, announced the establishment of a regional feeder service intended to supplement its domestic and international long-haul service. From its Orlando, Florida hub, and utilizing the DeHavilland Dash-8 and Canadair CRJ-700 aircraft, City Flyer is now the entry point for new pilots to integrate into the existing Lausa Air system. After completing 20 hours with City Flyer, pilots will have the option to transfer into Lausa Air but City Flyer management hopes some pilots will want to remain with the regional operation. Newly appointed City Flyer C.E.O. Chris Hattaway will run the new division. Interested pilots should check out Lausa Air’s website at: londonaviatorusa.page.tl for more information.
Birmingham Virtual Airport Debuts New Website
Birmingham Virtual Airport has recently unveiled its new website, www.flybva.co.uk, allowing members and guests easier access to BVA support, service, and information. BVA has also launched its dedicated 24/7 Gamespy server which will allows its members to join a session any time of the day, from any place in the world. With over 180 members worldwide, and an average of 10 new members a month, BVA now offers its members a 24/7 game server to compliment its Teamspeak server providing air traffic control, a flight school, FSX upgrades and enhancements, a virtual airline and much more. Partnering with Wings Over Holland, BVA is on-track to becoming one of the leading full-service on-line communities in the world of FSX. Interested pilots should visit BVA’s new website for more information.
Aloha ‘Oe: The Hawaii Express Bows Out of the Hawaiian Air Travel Market
In an unexpected turn, Hawaii-based The Hawaii Express has decided to close its operations effective November 22, 2008. This announcement follows recent downsizing that saw the company return an Airbus Industrie A380 back to the leasing company. Recent membership drives had been slow to produce results and submitted pireps were at an all-time low. The airline operated a fleet of DC-9, DC-10, A330 and A340 aircraft. Peter McKay, C.E.O. of The Hawaii Express, has expressed his gratitude to all of those who have supported the company during its tenure. Sadly, by December 1, 2008 The Hawaii Express web pages will have been removed from the server and all traces of the airline deleted from the internet. At the time of press, email addresses associated with the virtual airline have already ceased operating.
The Hawaii Express was an innovator in the Hawaiian inter-island market maintaining two version of its operations– a historically accurate rendition and a contemporary adaptation, both proudly displaying the spirit of The Hawaii Express name. Continue reading
Concession and Reorganization: Lausa Air Looks to Emerge Stronger than Before
Lausa Air has decided to close many of its non-U.S. hubs in an effort to reorganize its operations following a downturn in the U.S. economy. In recent months, Lausa Air has seen its hubs at Changi-Singapore (WSSS); Dubai, UAE (OMDB); London-Heathrow (EGLL); Paris-Charles DeGaulle (LFPG); Lisbon-Portela (LPPT); Helsinki-Vantaa (EFHK); Amsterdam-Schipol (EHAM); Phoenix-Sky Harbor (KPHX); Washington D.C.-Ronald Reagan (KDCA); Roswell, New Mexico (KROW); Hato-Curacao (TNCC); Cairo, Egypt (HECA); and Munich, Germany (EDDM) close or reallocated in favor of more profitable hubs in North America, such as Denver International (KDEN); Orlando International (KMCO); and Vancouver, B.C. in Western Canada. However, despite the major restructuring, Lausa Air remains one of the most profitable virtual airlines on the VAFS network consistently ranking among the top airlines in terms of monthly hours flown. Continue reading
SynerJet Virtual Rides Valkyrie to Historic First Flight
SynerJet Virtual, the virtual airline established by the Synergy ATC Academy (www.synergyatc.com) has recently become the first virtual airline to return the North American XB-70 Valkyrie to active service, utilizing the supersonic aircraft for its high-speed cargo and charter services division. The first flight for the SynerJet XB-70 originated from its home base at the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware and terminated at the Princess Juliana International Airport on the Dutch side of the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean some 1600 miles away. The flight, which operated at or above FL750 at over mach 3.2 took just a little over an hour to complete. Continue reading
Super-Jumbo Sliced from The Hawaii Express Fleet
On December 1, 2008, The Hawaii Express (thehawaiiexpress.com) will discontinue its use of the Airbus Industrie A380 “Super-Jumbo” in favor of smaller, more economical aircraft. While the routes forged by the double-decker A380 have been a moderate success, THX management has decided to remove the airplane from its fleet and will use its existing fleet of Airbus A340-300 aircraft for flights from San Francisco and Los Angeles. Continue reading