NORWAY: Norwegian Passengers Increase Siginificantly

Norwegian carried 3,615,319 passengers in August, an increase of 335,794 passengers (10 percent) compared to the same month last year.

The total traffic growth (RPK) increased by 31 percent this month, driven by a 33 percent capacity growth (ASK).

The load factor was 89.6 percent on the entire route network and 94 percent on Norwegian’s long-haul routes, which are operated by 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Norwegian operated 99.4 percent of the scheduled flights in August, whereof 75.6 percent departed on time.

Norwegian’s fleet renewal program continues in 2018. The company took delivery of one Boeing 737 MAX 8 this month.

In total, this year Norwegian will take delivery of 11 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners,12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and two Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

With an average age of only 3.7 years, Norwegian’s fleet is one of the world’s greenest and most modern.

The single most important action an airline can take to reduce its environmental footprint, is to invest in new aircraft and new technology.


Tourism Observer

TANZANIA: Air Tanzania Receives First 787 Dreamliner

Boeing's first 787 Dreamliner for Air Tanzania was received at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam on Sunday

The aircraft is part of Air Tanzania’s plan to grow its operations across Africa as well as to international destinations.

The brand new 787 is the first widebody airplane to join Tanzania’s flag carrier’s fleet, the manufacturers said in a press release.

We are very proud to take delivery of this Boeing 787 Dreamliner,Air Tanzania CEO Ladislaus Matindi, said.

We believe this is the perfect aircraft to realise our ambition to connect with the rest of the world through the initiation of intercontinental flights.

I am delighted to be here today with Boeing and Rolls-Royce to celebrate this important milestone.

President John Magufuli was at Julius Nyerere International Airport - JNIA to receive the aircraft.

Thousands of Tanzanians braved the cold and wet weather to witness the arrival of the plane.



Tourism Observer

USA: Boeing 787 In Nose Dive Accident At Moses Lake Grant County International Airport

Some of Boeing’s early 787 Dreamliners were so messed up during assembly that they were unsuitable for sale to an airline and sat in storage for years with no takers.

A few were eventually sold off to be expensively re-worked as private VIP jets.

Last Thursday in Moses Lake, one of those VIP airplanes fell on its face.

As the jet sat on the ramp at Grant County International Airport, where a custom interior was being installed, the nose landing gear collapsed.

The carbon-fiber forward fuselage hit the ground, as did the engine pods.

No one was hurt, but the plane sustained damage that according to one expert looks like it could be quite expensive.

Photos of the incident posted online show a forlorn airplane tipped on its nose.

The airplane, Dreamliner No. 11, was bought by Korean Air but not for use as a regular commercial airliner.

Airline spokesman Nathan Cho said Korean will operate the aircraft for an anonymous VIP client.

Greenpoint Technologies of Kirkland, which designs and builds custom luxury aircraft interiors for private clients and Heads-of-State, won the contract to complete the aircraft conversion.

Boeing first assembled the plane in 2009 but, because of repeated re-work, it didn’t roll out until six years later.

In 2015, Boeing finally delivered the jet to Korean Air.

The jet flew to Moses Lake where Greenpoint was to do the interior modifications, which are typically very expensive and take years to complete.

Now, in addition to that ongoing work, the damage sustained with the face plant will have to be repaired.

Greenpoint marketing director Christine Hadley refused to answer questions about what happened or about the likely repair.

A private VIP 787 at Greenpoint Technologies experienced an incident which is under investigation, she said in an emailed statement.



Tourism Observer

Demand For 5000 New Airplanes in Asia-Pacific

Boeing presented its Current Market Outlook for the Southeast Asia and Oceania regions during the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines’ 60th annual Assembly of Presidents meeting in Manila.

Over the next 20 years, the company forecasts a demand for 3,860 new airplanes, valued at $565 billion, in Southeast Asia; while an investment of $160 billion for 1,020 new airplanes is expected in the Oceania region.

“Southeast Asia and Oceania remain important markets for Boeing as airlines continue to add capacity, modernize their fleets and shift their business models to adapt to this competitive market,” said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president of Asia Pacific and India Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“While we see the majority of the demand being for single-aisle airplanes such as the 737 MAX, fuel-efficient twin-aisle airplanes such as the 787 Dreamliner and the 777X will also be needed, enabling airlines to profitably open new routes, never before possible.”

The annual report projects that more than 75 percent of the airplanes needed in both regions will be for single-aisle airplanes, as they continue to see a rise in the number of low cost carriers as well as strong annual traffic, with growth rates of 6.4 percent and 4.7 percent, for Southeast Asia and Oceania, respectively.

Worldwide, Boeing projects a demand for 39,620 new airplanes, over the next two decades. Boeing’s Current Market Outlook is the longest running jet forecast and regarded as the most comprehensive analysis of the aviation industry.

NORWAY: Norwegian And Boeing Conclude Deal For Order Of 19 787-9 Dreamliners

Boeing and Norwegian have finalized an order for 19 787-9 Dreamliners valued at more than $5 billion at current list prices. The order also includes options for 10 more 787-9s, as the carrier looks to significantly grow its existing long-haul fleet into the next decade. It is the largest single order for 787-9s from a European airline.

Norwegian currently operates eight 787-8s and has previously ordered 11 787-9s through lease agreements. With today's order, the carrier, headquartered in Oslo, will expand its total 787 fleet to nearly 40 airplanes in the coming years.

"This order of 19 new Dreamliners is a major milestone and enables Norwegian to offer a wide range of new routes to consumers worldwide. The order is also essential to further strengthening the company in the global competition," said Bjorn Kjos, Norwegian's CEO. "After two years of operating low-cost long-haul flights, our load factors have averaged in the nineties, which proves the demand for affordable flights between Europe and the US and Europe and Asia. Future growth and competiveness in the long-haul market depends on the fuel-efficient, state-of-the art 787 Dreamliner. Not least, the Dreamliner offers the best passenger experience."

The 787-9 complements and extends the 787 family. With the fuselage stretched by 6 meters (20 feet) over the 787-8, the 787-9 can fly up to 20 percent more passengers and 23 percent more cargo farther yet with the same exceptional environmental performance – 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than the airplanes they replace.

"Norwegian has led the way in utilizing the exceptional performance of the 787 to develop a successful low-cost long-haul operation," said Todd Nelp, vice president of European Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The addition of 787-9s to the Norwegian fleet will enable it to grow its route structure, while providing more range and capacity with outstanding passenger comfort."

The 787-9 leverages the visionary design of the 787-8, offering passenger-pleasing features such as the industry's largest windows, large overhead bins with room for everyone's bag, modern LED lighting, air that is cleaner, more humid and at a higher pressure for greater comfort and technology that senses and counters turbulence for a smoother ride.

Norwegian serves more than 130 destinations across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, the USA and Southeast Asia, with a fleet that includes 90 Next-Generation 737-800s and eight 787-8s.

In 2014 the airline carried nearly 24 million passengers and has won numerous awards for its onboard service, including a SkyTrax award for 'Best low-cost long-haul airline.' With today's order for 19 787-9s, Norwegian has more than 150 unfilled orders from Boeing, including 100 737 MAXs

Laos Green Papaya Salad Recipe

Green Papaya Salad Recipe

Distinct from other Southeast Asian cuisines, Laos’s cuisine, known as Lao cuisine, is quite unique. It is marked with abundant usage of sticky rice along with other important ingredients such as lemongrass, fish sauce, soy sauce, galangal, and kaffir lime. Fruit arrangements are also common in Laos and most dishes include a plate of freshly cut fruits, such as watermelons, papayas, litchis, pineapples, jackfruits, bananas, etc. Some of the common dishes in Laos are Larb (minced meat salad), Green Papaya Salad (which I have made today), Sai Kok (lumpy pork sausage), Yaw Jeun (fried spring rolls), Kaeng galee (Lao curry), Tom Yum (soup), Khao Niao (steamed sticky rice), etc.

Green Papaya Salad, as the name suggests, is made with raw papaya (green in color). In Laos, it is known as Tam Som or Tam Mak Hoong. It has a unique taste – it is spicy, sour, sweet, and salty at the same time. Although it originated in Laos, it is also commonly served in other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Vietnam. It is pretty easy to make this salad at home; here is a step-by-step Green Papaya Salad Recipe for you.

Ingredients (serves 2 to 3)

For Salad

Raw Papaya – 300 gm (Julienne – cut into long thin stripes)
Carrot – 1 (Julienne)
Bean Sprouts – 1 cup
French Beans – 5 to 6 (Cut in 1-inch pieces)

For Dressing

Olive Oil – 2 tbsp
Lemon Juice – 2 tbsp
Fish Sauce – 1 tsp
Soy Sauce – 1 tsp
Red Chili – 2 (Chopped)
Garlic – 5 to 6 cloves (Chopped)
Honey – 1 tbsp
Salt to taste

For Garnishing

Peanuts – 1/2 cup
Coriander Leaves – 2 tbsp

Green Papaya Salad Recipe

Dry roast peanuts in a pan, crush them, and keep them aside.
Mix raw papaya, carrot, bean sprouts, and French beans in a bowl and keep them aside.
Mix olive oil, lemon juice, fish sauce, soy sauce, red chili, garlic, honey, and salt in another bowl.
Pour the salad mixture into the bowl and toss it well.

Sprinkle dry-roasted peanuts and fresh coriander leaves.
Serve fresh salad.

ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian Airlines In $2 billion Dreamliner Deal

Ethiopian was Africa’s first Dreamliner customer, and is buying six of the planes.

BOEING Co. has sold the remainder of its early, overweight 787 Dreamliners that have been in storage for years to meet demand from buyers eager to obtain jetliners that are otherwise sold out through the end of the decade.

Ethiopian Airlines is acquiring six of the models in a transaction valued at £1.3 billion ($2.04 billion) at list prices, Boeing said in a statement on Wednesday.

Air Austral already agreed to buy two of the jets nicknamed “terrible teens” for their assembly struggles and places near the start of the 787’s production run.

“The Dreamliners complement the airline’s existing 13 787s currently operating in the fleet and are part of Ethiopian’s long-term strategy to increase capacity and provide greater route flexibility to and from its hub in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,” Boeing said in the release.

The early-build aircraft had been symbols of the delays that clouded the start of Dreamliner programme and left Boeing struggling to profit from one of its best-selling models.

The teens had been parked for five years nose-to-tail on a taxiway near the planemaker’s Everett, Washington factory with black plastic shrouding their windows and 17,000-pound (7,700- kilogramme) counterweights dangling from the wings in place of engines to keep the jets balanced.

Late debut

The 787 is the world’s first airliner built mainly from composites instead of traditional aluminum. It debuted in 2011, more than three years late, as Boeing worked through kinks with its design, on-board systems and supply-chain.

The teens required extensive work, including heavy structural reinforcements to bolster their composite hulls, and were set aside while Boeing focused resources on later models that it could get more quickly to customers.

Once the modifications are completed, the planes’ range will be about 1,000 nautical miles (1,850 kilometers) shorter than the 7,850-mile range advertised by Boeing, Avitas has estimated. Passengers aren’t likely to notice since they’ll still feature the same creature comforts as other Dreamliners, including higher humidity to ease jet leg.