MetroAir pilots will have the ability to fly 30 Fly UK routes using Boeing 737-800, Boeing 767-300, and Boeing 747-400 aircraft from Fly UK’s London Heathrow and Manchester hubs. Fly UK pilots will be able to fly Airbus A319 and Bombardier Dash-8 Q400 aircraft on select routes throughout the United States. Pilots of each airline will not be required to join the roster of the codeshare airline to fly the codeshare flights. However, pilots are encouraged to join each others airlines to experience additional routes and aircraft offerings, as long as minimum flight requirements are met for both airlines. Codeshare flights will be duplicated in each airlines’ database under a reserved codeshare flight number. A complete list of active codeshare flights can be found on the Codeshare tab of each airlines Operations pages. Aircraft models and liveries of the codeshare airline will be made available to all pilots.

Matt Calsada, CEO of MetroAir Virtual said, “We are extremely pleased to sign this codeshare agreement with Fly UK, a leader in the virtual aviation industry, to maximize passenger travel opportunities through the vast networks of both airlines. Dedication to excellence is very high on our priority list when considering a partnership of any kind. We are confident that we’ve found a perfect fit with Fly UK.”

Fly UK Virtual Airways (callsign: Skyways [UKV]) was founded in April of 2004 and based their operations out of Leeds – Bradford Airport. Since 2004, Fly UK Virtual Airways has opened hubs at London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London City, Edinburgh, Manchester, and Birmingham, as well as starting cargo and low cost (fly2) divisions. In ten years of operation, Fly UK’s roster has grown to over 900 pilots from 65 different countries, and a route network of 213 destinations worldwide.

MetroAir Virtual Airlines (callsign: Metro [MET]) was founded in the fall of 2005 and began operations out of their Detroit, Michigan hub, with a hub in Ontario, California opening shortly after. MetroAir now operates hubs at Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Los Angeles Int’l (LAX), and Kansas City (MCI), with headquarters in Kansas City. Since its inception, MetroAir Virtual has been run on the concept of operating as a true airline would, allowing the pilots to grow with the airline. After nearly 10 years of operation, MetroAir Virtual operates a fleet of over 300 aircraft to destinations on five continents, giving pilots never ending opportunities.

Fly UK Virtual operates flights to 15 destinations in the United States, while MetroAir Virtual operates to 3 UK destinations, which include 29 weekly flights to London Heathrow.

Operationally, both airlines will expand their route networks through the codeshare agreement, allowing passengers to transit seamlessly across the world on both carriers. This codeshare agreement will give MetroAir and Fly UK passengers greater access to destinations in Europe and the United States, respectively. The upcoming codeshare has already had a positive impact on MetroAir operations, with the start of daily nostop service to London Heathrow from Kansas City. Passengers wishing to travel to or from London can now do so via MCI.

“The new codeshare agreement will expand MetroAir’s presence in Europe and provide our customers with even more choice and better connections,” said MetroAir COO William Hogarth, ” The biggest benefits that our two airlines will gain from codesharing are the lucrative, but often competitive transatlantic routes. The codeshare will enable us both to strengthen our grip and allow both carriers to minimize empty seats yet maximize profitability and convenience. I am very much looking forward to seeing the new services begin and firmly feel that it will be another great chapter in both airline’s history.”

We have made a variety of changes within Fly UK and some of them are listed below:

• All of our E190′s have now retired from our fleet.
• The ATR 72-500′s have also been retired from our fleet.
• The Boeing 757-200′s have been retired from Mainstream and is now primarily used within Fly2 (Low Cost) with two of this type going into our Charter schedules.
• Introducing the A321-231 into our fleet here at Fly UK has now become a reality. Why not fly from Heathrow (EGLL) or Manchester (EGCC) on one of our brand new routes? Makes for an exciting journey.

A whole host of destinations are now available to fly with the A321-231 and here are a handful:

• New York
• Boston
• Hurghada
• La Palma
• Gran Canaria

We hope you enjoy these exciting changes that have long been awaited!

Enjoy!
Check FlyUK out @ http://flyuk.aero  !!

Highland Connection which is based in Edinburgh will allow members even more choice when selecting flights, particularly those of shorter durations. Fly UK has opted for the tried and tested Beechcraft 1900D regional turboprop powered aircraft. These aircraft are capable of operating from short strips which make them ideal for this type of operation. Although production of these aircraft ended in 2002, they are still in widespread use today. Fly UK has acquired four B1900D’s from the European Market, all of which now sport our new Highland Connection livery.

Highland Connection aims to connect all parts of the UK to The Highlands and so in conjunction with the existing Fly UK mainstream operations to and from Edinburgh; Highland Connection will offer services to Bristol, Manchester and Norwich.

Fly UK Members can now fly to the following destinations from the main base of Edinburgh:

Aberdeen, Benbecula, Bristol, Campbletown, Inverness, Islay, Isle Of Man (Ronaldsway), Kirkwall, Manchester, Norwich, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick

Aircraft Downloads:
We have freeware aircraft packages for FS2004/FSX and a repaint for the PMDG B1900D.

Highland Navigation & The B1900D:
The B1900D does not have any form of FMS, this is a very different type of flying! The primary way of navigating using this aircraft is via the use of VOR’s and NDB’s, there is of course the Garmin GPS if you find radio navigation a little tricky. Help is at hand as the Training Academy offer a course on radio navigation for those that are interested in expanding their skills. There is also a course for the PMDG B1900D.

Flights:
Highland Connection flights will be online and bookable via the website on 18th June 2012. All flights will be able to be logged via SkyTrack. After an evaluation period of three months we will look at the possibility of adding more destinations and perhaps a further base.

Highland Connections Map

Each month an aircraft will be flown from Seattle to the UK by one of FlyUK’s pilots. A number of the new aircraft will feature special liveries which include Irish Magic, Hed Kandi and Visit Scotland logojets.

In other news, the airline unveiled its third UK base. Edinburgh has been chosen for its central position in the heart of Scotland.

Fly UK Virtual Airways have released issue 6 of their monthly Skyways magazine. The magazine contains FlyUK January statistics, Fly UK news and interviews and staff profiles. The magazine can be downloaded free of charge here.