Asgeirs From Iceland, joined May 2001, 513 posts, RR: 1 Posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 4207 times:
Iceland Express has signed a three year lease contract with Hello in Switzerland for three MD-90's which will enter the fleet next spring, replacing the MD-82's they have had on lease from JetX since last spring.
The three jets will be used on flights to Iceland Express's main destinations London and Copenhagen as well as the 6 other destinations that will added next spring.
One of the jets will be configured with 167 seats but the other 2 will have a 150 seat configuration.
The aircrafts are manufactured in 1997. There are three Hello MD-90's in the database, HB-JIA, HB-JIB and HB-JIC, so I presume those are the ones Iceland Express will get.
Reykjavik Aviation Photography - Just bring the aircraft to us and we'll photograph them! :-)
Orion737 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 4192 times:
Good news, although 150 seats in a MD90 is very spacious for a LCC carrier!!!! Charter airlines configured the smaller MD83 with 167 seats so the MD90 could take more than that.
150 seats in an all economy MD90 is very comfortable for a full service airline let alone an LCC
TriStar500 From Germany, joined Nov 1999, 4685 posts, RR: 47 Reply 2, posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 4170 times:
Could a good chance to finally get on an MD-90, which are pretty rare to book as a standalone flight here in Europe, since most are operated by charter airlines.
Homer: Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!
Amy From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2005, 1150 posts, RR: 9 Reply 3, posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 4153 times:
Quoting TriStar500 (Reply 2): Could a good chance to finally get on an MD-90, which are pretty rare to book as a standalone flight here in Europe, since most are operated by charter airlines.
I'm surprised that so few carriers rely on the MD-90. I see very few cons to it apart from cargo capacity. Could anyone enlighten me as to the limited success this aircraft has had?
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8264 posts, RR: 56 Reply 4, posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 4138 times:
Quoting TriStar500 (Reply 2): Could a good chance to finally get on an MD-90, which are pretty rare to book as a standalone flight here in Europe, since most are operated by charter airlines.
I agree, once confirmed into service, I feel a short trip from STN to finally get on one!
Asgeirs From Iceland, joined May 2001, 513 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 4087 times:
Btw, one of Iceland Express's new destinations was supposed to be Bergen in Norway, but when the MD-90's came their way - they decided to skip Bergen and start flights to Alicante instead because of the added range capabilities of this aircraft type.
I must say that I look forward to having those aircraft in service because the only MD aircrafts I have flown on to date are the MD-82's they currently have. Curious to know if the MD-90's will be as comfortable as the other. I have heard that those aircrafts will have leather seats - can anyone confirm that?
Reykjavik Aviation Photography - Just bring the aircraft to us and we'll photograph them! :-)
AKelley728 From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 2101 posts, RR: 6 Reply 7, posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 4053 times:
Quoting Amy (Reply 3): I'm surprised that so few carriers rely on the MD-90. I see very few cons to it apart from cargo capacity. Could anyone enlighten me as to the limited success this aircraft has had?
Their electrical systems are very unreliable and they are maintenance nightmares from what I've heard. Because of the limited numbers produced spares are in short supply.
HAJFlyer From Switzerland, joined Sep 2005, 1466 posts, RR: 10 Reply 8, posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 4038 times:
I am glad that Hello has finally found a new long term home for its MD90s after its plans to operate charter flights with 2-3 aircraft from Swiss airports did not work out.
RJ100 From Switzerland, joined Nov 2000, 4107 posts, RR: 32 Reply 9, posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 4026 times:
Hi HAJ
They will most likely get a fourth aircraft for their Swiss tour operator business. I expected an announcement since they were actively lookong for crews in the recent weeks.
They expected a bit more business from Swiss tour operators but of course they stick to their own carriers (Belair, Helvetic, Edelweiss). And a lot of tour operators fly with foreign carriers ex Switzerland.
But in the end it was even better for HELLO. Their aircraft are very busy with ad hoc business, a business where you can earn a lot of money. Air traffic is recovering and a lot of operators are in need of additional capacity.
While you needed to wait for your money for months some time ago, the airlines are paying HELLO now already in advance to assure their services.
And best of all, FHE is already profitable after one year of operation.
Jmc757 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2000, 1296 posts, RR: 8 Reply 11, posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 3952 times:
Goos news for Hello and to see Iceland Express expanding. One question though. Why don't Iceland Express get their own AOC and aircraft etc. They used Astraeus for a few years and now Hello for 3 more. I can understand using other airlines to start with, but now surely the business model has been proven, so why not take the leap. Surely it can't be cheaper than paying someone else to do all your flying?
TheSorcerer From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2005, 1047 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 3942 times:
Quoting Amy (Reply 3): I see very few cons to it apart from cargo capacity
This probably isn't a reason that it's not so popular but the vertical stabilizer system( electric motor moving a jackscrew up and down) doesn't have a back-up system, that's how an AS flight crashed into the sea in the 90s (sorry can't remember many details)
The Sorcerer
Ps not sure how accurate my description of the vertical stabilizer system is
ALITALIA,All Landings In Torino, All Luggage In Athens ;)
HAJFlyer From Switzerland, joined Sep 2005, 1466 posts, RR: 10 Reply 13, posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 3928 times:
Quoting RJ100 (Reply 9): They will most likely get a fourth aircraft for their Swiss tour operator business. I expected an announcement since they were actively lookong for crews in the recent weeks.
RJ100, thanks for the background info.
Quoting RJ100 (Reply 9): They expected a bit more business from Swiss tour operators but of course they stick to their own carriers (Belair, Helvetic, Edelweiss). And a lot of tour operators fly with foreign carriers ex Switzerland
Another reason IMHO was that the Swiss low cost tour operators such as Castell/Startklar on which HELLO had counted in the beginning did not generate the expected volumes.
Quoting RJ100 (Reply 9): Their aircraft are very busy with ad hoc business, a business where you can earn a lot of money.
That is correct, but in a business with high fixed costs such as aviation this is also a risky strategy especially considering the fact the HELLO is not that well capitalized. They would hardly be able to survive a severe temporary downturn (e.g. after a major terrorist attack) that would idle several of their aircraft for some time.
BTW, I read somewhere a while back that the lease rates for one of their aircraft are based only on utilisation. Do you know whether this info is correct ?
Asgeirs From Iceland, joined May 2001, 513 posts, RR: 1 Reply 15, posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 3918 times:
By not having their own aircraft, they can be more flexible. During the winter months they only need one aircraft for their daily London and Copenhagen flights so it's more economical to lease the aircrafts rather than operating them themselves. Otherwise they would have to find other assignments for them when they don't need them for their own network.
Quoting TheSorcerer (Reply 12): This probably isn't a reason that it's not so popular but the vertical stabilizer system( electric motor moving a jackscrew up and down) doesn't have a back-up system, that's how an AS flight crashed into the sea in the 90s (sorry can't remember many details)
The reason for the AS breakdown was because the jackskrew wasn't lubricated well enough. After this accident, the jackskrews on this aircraft type are lubricated more often and closer watch kept on them.
Reykjavik Aviation Photography - Just bring the aircraft to us and we'll photograph them! :-)
Asgeirs, do you have any idea why they chose FDH ?
I would assume that there would be only very few inbound Icelandic passengers travelling to FDH. While this airport is getting more and more popular, I have a hard time believing that it could sustain such a flight unless they already have some deals with German, Swiss or Austrian tour operators offering package tours to Island.
Asgeirs From Iceland, joined May 2001, 513 posts, RR: 1 Reply 19, posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 3846 times:
Oh - I forgot to mention. Those new destinations each only have about 3 flights (roundtrips) a week while London and Copenhagen get two daily flights each (for the most part).
Reykjavik Aviation Photography - Just bring the aircraft to us and we'll photograph them! :-)
HAJFlyer From Switzerland, joined Sep 2005, 1466 posts, RR: 10 Reply 20, posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 3832 times:
Quoting Asgeirs (Reply 18): Germany has for a long time been one of the most popular destination for Icelandic travelers
I had no idea that this was the case, but then there aren't that many of you guys, so you probably don't get noticed as much as tourists from more populous nations.
RJ100 From Switzerland, joined Nov 2000, 4107 posts, RR: 32 Reply 22, posted (7 years 6 months 4 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 3768 times:
Quoting HAJFlyer (Reply 13): Another reason IMHO was that the Swiss low cost tour operators such as Castell/Startklar on which HELLO had counted in the beginning did not generate the expected volumes.
Yes that's true.
Quoting HAJFlyer (Reply 13): That is correct, but in a business with high fixed costs such as aviation this is also a risky strategy especially considering the fact the HELLO is not that well capitalized. They would hardly be able to survive a severe temporary downturn (e.g. after a major terrorist attack) that would idle several of their aircraft for some time.
Yes, the aviation business is risky. But HELLO has a strong cost control and they are really busy at the moment. Sometimes they even need to subcharter their own flights because they have too much work.
A terrorist attack (or similar) would hit them too of course, thats for sure.
Quoting HAJFlyer (Reply 13): BTW, I read somewhere a while back that the lease rates for one of their aircraft are based only on utilisation. Do you know whether this info is correct ?
I don't know about that. But I know that they have some really good rates if you want to rent/lease their planes
Legacy135 From Switzerland, joined May 2005, 1052 posts, RR: 29 Reply 24, posted (7 years 6 months 3 weeks 5 days ago) and read 3594 times:
Quoting RJ100 (Reply 23): Just heard that HELLO is doubling its size and acquires 3 additional MD-90s, probably from SAS.
1 flying for BritishJet
2 flying for tour operators ex ZRH and BSL
3 flying for Iceland Express
Those are real good news and I really can see some live coming back into Swiss aviation. It's also good for Hello to have those additional aircrafts for this contract as it will share the risk on the operation dramatically.
Until yet some tour operators behaved quite critic about Hello as they did a lot of subcharters and the t/o's were afraid that the plane may not be available, once the contract is due. As far as I understand, this was the main reason that Hello could not really make a good market on the Swiss charter market. How the situation looks now, I think it could be possible that they will also get a stronger presence in the Swiss market. Tour operators now can realize that Hello is a reliable partner and acquires additional aircrafts for the subcharters and complies the Swiss contracts as well. Maybe 2 aircraft flying ex BSL / ZRH?
Anyhow, real good news over all!
Cheers
Legacy135
25 TriStar500: This is certainly not true when it comes to choosing a central location in Germany. FDH is a very peripheral airport in the very southwestern corner
26 RJ100: @Legacy: I agree. But I think for next season they will only have two aircraft based in Switzerland, one in BSL, mainly for the Mulhouse based tour op
27 D950: That was an MD83, not sure the situation with the 90 is analogous. Also great for Moris, always a fan of MDD product, now maybe someone will rescue t
28 Candid76: One of JetX's MD80s, TFJXC, has been parked at MAN for the last couple of days. Given that they don't operate into MAN, any ideas as to what it is doi
29 RJ100: It's now official. HELLO buys 3 additional MD-90s from SAS! Regards, RJ100
30 Asgeirs: There are recent photos of TF-JXC operating for Air Scandic. Could that contract be expired and the aircraft maybe waiting for another assignment? Gr
31 D950: Great for Hello and the MD90's. Were they bought outright, or leased from SAS?? Also will Avia Jet also renew their lease with Hello as BritishJet did
32 D950: Hello's original 90's came from a combo KTHY, AMC via the desert, and leased from Boeing capital.
33 Jetset7E7: Does this mean British Jet is carrying on? As it has additional MD90's to lease to Iceland Express? Mark
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