Airline History Blog - Yesterday's Airlines

Mexicana's Unique Liveries Pt2: 1993-1996

16/9/2018

The reimagination of Mexicana's image from 1991 onwards had been a great success but unfortunately in the highly competitive deregulated Mexican aviation market Mexicana couldn't really support the cost outlay of such a programme. As financial realities hit the new liveries were gradually scaled back, however there was still plenty of colour to come.

Panda Buses: Sichuan's A320s, the First in China

27/6/2018

Sichuan province is one of China's most important and diverse. Today its home airline has grown into as major carrier but it was the acquisition of new Airbuses that gave it the leg-up it needed to fend off Air China and others. Naturally to celebrate Sichuan looked to the province's most famous inhabitants - a certain big black and white bear.

Cramming Them In: HK Express' New Airbuses

10/5/2017

HK Express has been a major factor in the infiltration of low cost travel options into Cathay Pacific's Hong Kong fortress. Operating from Hong Kong however has its problems namely high costs and restricted access to slots. HK Express is trying to combat both these problems and one way it has done this is to up capacity of its new aircraft.

Proud Wings Pt1: Canadian A320s

13/3/2017

Canadian Airlines International came into being on March 2, 1987: an amalgamation of Canadian Pacific, Nordair, Eastern Provincial and Quebecair with the aggressive and successful Pacific Western. The latter was the buyer and it seemed that finally a second force airline in Canada would have a chance at success after CP Air had been hamstrung competing against Air Canada throughout the regulation years. It was however not to be.

A320NEO Delivery Review: Next Stop China

8/12/2016

The A320NEO (New Engine Option) as its name suggests represents a major development of the successful A320 series built primarily around the provision of a new powerplant. Though there are other improvements, externally it is only the new engines that define the type. Since 2012 even the NEOs large Sharklets on the wings have been applied to the existing model of A320 in new constructions and retrofits.

Airbus' Gamble Pays Off: The Tianjin FALC

21/11/2016

There's no doubting that in aviation terms China is the place to be. New airlines are appearing almost every few months and the majors have grown enormous fleets. China now accounts for half of Boeing's 737 deliveries and hundreds of A320s too. However it is Airbus that has taken the lead in truly connecting with its Chinese market succeeding where McDonnell Douglas failed and enabling the creation of truly Chinese Airbuses.

Shake It Off: AirAsia's Swift Bus

26/7/2016

AirAsia has had enormous success since its rebirth in 2001 and has a colourful and flamboyant eye for promotions, with many of its fleet wearing special liveries. In 2014 it combined with one of the world's most successful musicians and announced a sponsorship with Taylor Swift to support her Red tour in Asia.

Aeroflot's Retro Fantasy

23/5/2016

As repeat readers probably know I research the history of each model that joins my collection and the results often appear on the blog as formative elements within the postings. A recent acquisition via Waffle's huge collection sale was a lovely Aeroflot A320 in retro colours, but in this case my research shows there is more than meets the eye. Though Aeroflot did indeed create a retrojet its relation to the model is tenuous.

Green Leads the Trend: China Eastern's Xi'an Specials

5/5/2016

China Eastern loves special liveries and no matter your thoughts on their plain new scheme you can be sure a significant number of the fleet will be wearing much brighter colours. China as a growing world economic power has been keen to highlight its progress in recent years and in 2011 hosted the International Horticultural Exposition, which gave China Eastern the opportunity to paint three members of its fleet in support of the event.

Ansett's 1980s Re-equipment Binge

17/2/2016

Ansett entered the 1980s under new ownership and with a renewed sense of aggressive competition between it and TAA. Despite better cost control it also went on an aircraft buying binge, re-equipping its entire fleet with new Boeings and Airbuses. Though to a degree a necessity the over-ambitious and poorly thought through policy became a factor in the airline's eventual collapse.

Enter the Dragonair Pt1: Finding a Niche

8/10/2015

Dragonair has had a topsy turvy existence. Originally a direct competitor to its Hong Kong neighbour Cathay Pacific, after pitched battles it was taken over by them only for it to exhibit renewed independence after Cathay reduced its investment. Despite this seeming turmoil the airline grew throughout the 1990s with brand new Airbus equipment and found itself an untapped niche in which to excel.

All Change @ China Eastern: New Brand, New 777s

9/9/2015

November 2014 was a milestone in the history of China Eastern Airlines. The Shanghai based airline is the second largest in China and eight largest in the world in terms of available seats however the big three Chinese airlines are renowned for their conservatism and none had previously altered their liveries in the 25 plus years since they split from the old CAAC. Still the new identity is definitely evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

Private In China Pt3: Springing to the Fore

6/6/2015

Until very recently China has had only one airline that could claim to be a low-cost carrier. Despite initial disapproval from the CAAC Spring Airlines has managed to survive the tumultuous period since private airlines were allowed in 2005, which saw off most of the other private airlines, to become a major player in the Chinese market with huge potential for growth. Spring is now inspiring the majors to try their hand at LCCs, but remains far ahead of the field.

Sharklet 320s Pt2: China Eastern

23/5/2015

For many years China looked as though it would tempt foreign airframe manufacturers with suggestions of co-production only to pull back at the last minute. Certainly McDonnell Douglas found out the hard way how difficult it was creating a lasting partnership. Airbus however has had much greater success and nowadays Chinese assembled A320s make up an increasing portion of the domestic fleet.

Sharklet 320s Pt1: Air China

21/5/2015

Until recently China has rigidly enforced aircraft buying, through centralised purchasing, which has made sure the fleet is modern. Benefits of this include a revolution in the safety image of Chinese airlines, as well as offsetting China's pilot shortage (by forbidding the import of 3 man cockpit types). In addition money has been saved by purchasing huge bulk discounted orders from Airbus and Boeing which in turn have led to simplified spares purchasing and maintenance costs. The fleet is so modern that nowadays older aircraft are exported to the USA for Delta and United to use! All of this means that the narrowbody fleets of the majors are rapidly filling up with sharklet and blended winglet equipped ultra-modern types.