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
Cleared Own Navigation: The New York Flying Club Off to Phenomenal Start
Pilots tired of the day-to-day grind of virtual airline flying now have a VFR/IFR GA option with the New York Flying Club. Quickly gaining popularity on the VATSIM network, and operating in both FSX and X-Plane, the New York Flying Club emphasizes VFR and IFR flying in single-engined (and sometime multi-engined) piston or turboprop aircraft operating from F.B.O.’s away from the crowded skies around Class-B airspace. Their website is chock-full of information and any interested pilots should visit them at: www.newyorkflyingclub.net. Continue reading
EastJet Virtual Confirms Deal for 10 737NGs with Possible Option for 10 More
EastJet Virtual, the leading VA on the East Coast, has announced the lease of ten 737-700 NexGen aircraft from Boeing Financial. It has also asked Boeing to let EastJet pick up as many as 10 delivery slots if other airlines defer delivery of their 737 NexGen aircraft in the future. The aircraft will be introduced into service starting December 1st with deliveries roughly every two weeks. The price of the deal was unknown. EastJet Virtual announced its first profit and a performance based cash infusion in late October. Continue reading
Empora Air Completes Quick Acquisition of Swift Air
In a surprise move, New York based Empora Air recently announce it has acquired the competing Swift Air, a boutique airline with operations similiar to that of Empora. Swift Air’s two Boeing 767s will be absorbed into Empora Air’s technologically advanced fleet consisting of the latest A330, B737, B767, and B777 aircraft. The A320 aircraft previously flown under Empora Air colours are now available for lease and/or sale and all interested parties should contact the Empora Air C.E.O. for more information.
Empora Air is also celebrating their one-year anniversary with a membership drive envisioned to boost membership numbers and create buzz around the Empora Air brand name. They have continued work on their website, but more information can be found at: emporava.com. Continue reading
Qatar Airways Virtual Poised to be Industry Leader
It has been two weeks since the launch of Qatar Airways Virtual, the first and only VA to have the official sanction of the real-world carrier that it replicates. Spearheaded by a real-world Qatar Airways pilot, Qatar Airways Virtual uses Mike Smith’s Virtual Airline Financial System (VAFS) to track flights and maintains a rank-based system that allows pilots to work their way up from the narrow-bodied Airbus A319, A320, and A321 to the heavy wide-bodied Boeing 777 and the Airbus A330 and A340. Continue reading
