Virgin America : VX : VRD

• Operating results: The airline reported an $11.4 million operating loss on revenues of $135.9 million - an 81.6 percent improvement year-over-year.
  
• Growing load factors: The airline reported an 85.3 percent overall load factor in 2Q09 - an 8 point improvement over 2Q08, despite a 42.9 percent increase in scheduled service capacity. Traffic increased by 57 percent year-over-year. The airline reported the highest loads in its history, with an 85.1 percent load factor in April; 84.1 percent load factor in May; and 86.6 percent load factor in June.
  
• Significant top line progress: Revenue in 2Q09 was up by 46.9 percent versus 2Q08. Virgin America's stage-length adjusted guest unit revenue was up 2.7 percent versus 2Q08.
  
• Exceptional cost control: Unit costs (CASM) dropped by 35.6 percent while non-fuel CASM dropped by 20.9 percent, as the airline was able to increase capacity at a very low marginal cost.
  
• Cash: The airline ended 2Q09 with $28 million in unrestricted cash and $54 million in total liquidity, with full funding for its operation through its projected profitability date.
  

CHICAGO (Dow Jones)--Virgin America Inc. is looking to add up to 10 more aircraft next year in a sign that the loss-making carrier's business model may be gaining traction.
The airline has run up substantial losses since launching a low-cost, high service model from its San Francisco base in 2007, but it turned profitable during the summer and is targeting a full-year operating surplus in 2010.

Virgin America n’a pas faibli face à la conjoncture et l’hostilité de ses concurrentes. La compagnie domestique américaine a en effet publié son premier profit opérationnel au troisième trimestre 2009.

Le chiffre d’affaires a augmenté de 38,3% à 157,9 millions de dollars au troisième trimestre 2009 par rapport à la même période de 2008. Cette croissance des recettes s’est accompagnée d’une réduction des coûts de 9,3%, occasionnant un bénéfice opérationnel de 5,1 millions de dollars. Il s’agit du premier jamais enregistré par la jeune compagnie depuis son lancement en août 2007. En revanche, elle reste en perte nette de 5,9 millions de dollars.

Virgin America a annoncé que son coefficient de remplissage avait atteint 86,6% malgré une hausse de 36,5% des capacités. Au total, son trafic a augmenté de 45%.

Et elle ne compte pas s’arrêter là. La compagnie vient effet d’annoncer l’ouverture d’une liaison depuis sa base de San Francisco vers Fort Lauderdale, sa dixième destination.

Virgin America yesterday announced it will add nine A320s (six arriving this year and three scheduled in the 2011 first quarter), bringing its fleet to 37 and enabling it to launch new daily flights to Orlando International from Los Angeles and San Francisco on Aug. 19.

VX will cease SFO-Orange County service on May 26 as part of a growing emphasis on longer flights and said it plans to open "at least" three additional destinations later this year. Contingent on regulatory approval, it plans to begin daily service from LAX and SFO to Toronto Pearson, its first international destination, as early as June.

"Despite our relatively strong performance at [Orange County], given our new fleet plan and network prospects, we've made the decision to focus on the immediate long-haul opportunities that the Orlando and Toronto markets provide," Virgin America President and CEO David Cush said.

By this time next year it plans to grow its fleet by approximately one-third. "With strong financial performance, a new ownership structure and growth in fleet size, we're pleased to be able to expand," Cush added.

It currently operates 28 A320s. The nine new aircraft will leased, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Last year the US Dept. of Transportation launched a review of VX's ownership after US interests dipped below the
required 75% voting stake [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

It was cleared as a "US citizen. . .under the actual control of US citizens" in January after implementing changes regarding investment and board composition and now is "poised for major growth in 2010," it said [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

Launched in 2007, VX reported record load factors, improved unit costs, and its first quarterly operating profit ($157.9 million) in the 2009 third quarter, a 38.3% increase year-over-year [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

Virgin America reported a first-quarter net loss of $35.5 million, narrowed from a year-ago deficit of $40.3 million, but said it remains on track for a full-year operating profit.

"With a revenue increase of nearly 50% year-over-year and a unique service that is continuing to hit the mark with consumers, we're pleased with our results," President and CEO David Cush said.

The carrier generated $146.8 million in revenue during the quarter, up 45.7% year-over-year.

"We're optimistic about the improving revenue environment and look forward to expanding to five new destinations in 2010 and creating over 500 additional new jobs a year as we grow," Cush added.

The new destinations will include Orlando and Toronto, he said.

Operating expenses rose 28.3% to $168.42 million and operating loss narrowed to $21.6 million from $30.4 million in the prior-year period.

RASM lifted 21.2% to 8.29 cents while CASM grew 6.8% to 9.51 cents.

Sharklets capture Virgin America's interest

Management at Virgin America believes Airbus A320s equipped with sharklets could be ideal for some of the transcontinental routes in its US network.
Airbus launched the wingtip devices, which will become available on the A320 family from 2012, at the Dubai air show in November 2009. Finnair recently concluded a deal with Airbus to launch the sharklet for the A321.
"We're certainly interested in the A320 with sharklets," Virgin America CEO David Cush recently told ATI on a flight celebrating the launch of the airline's first international service to Toronto. He explains that not only do they improve fuel burn but also add "some range and performance which is very helpful in the winter flying from the East Coast to California".
Cush expects Virgin America to add sharklets to its aircraft "as soon as they're available".
But Virgin America has no immediate interest in retrofitting its current fleet of 28 Airbus narrowbodies with sharklets if Airbus decides to offer customers that option. Cush says the fuel savings for the retrofitted aircraft, "would certainly be less than the 3% they're offering on the factory install".
Since a number of the carrier's aircraft start coming off lease in 2016, the investment is not worthwhile. "Basically as those aircraft come off lease we can replace them with aircraft with sharklets," Cush says.
"The sharklets do put a lot of additional stress on the wing, and I would just feel more comfortable from a long-term maintenance perspective having the strengthening on the wing that Airbus is going to do as they put the sharklets on at the factory."
Asked about the prospects of new narrowbody aircraft in development Cush says that "there are very interesting airplanes that are coming out, if you look at the fuel and the overall cost efficiency of the CSeries. Our very strong hope is that Airbus will find a way to react to that technologically, be it a new engine, be it continued improvement in aerodynamics so that we can stay with the single fleet."
But Cush says that Virgin is not afraid to look at offerings from other manufacturers. "We certainly cannot be competing against airlines that have a 15% fuel burn advantage. If there is a more competitive airplane out there and it looks like the aircraft that we're flying now will be uncompetitive long-term we'll have to take a look at it."
When asked about a potential re-engined A320, Cush says Virgin America is "quite interested" in the option. "We're still talking about perhaps 2020 or 2025 for a completely new aircraft and that's a long time to forgo what could be a 12 to 15 percent efficiency improvement that's something that's to big to be ignored, in our opinion."

Virgin America set to acquire 40 more Airbus A320 Aircraft

Virgin America and Airbus signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 40 Airbus A320 aircraft today at the Farnborough International Air Show. The order will triple Virgin America’s fleet going forward. The airline indicated it would announce its choice of engines for the additional aircraft once the purchase agreement is finalized.

“The low operating costs and cabin comfort of the A320 fit our growth plans as well as our guests’ high expectations for comfort, style and efficiency in their travel,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush.

"A repeat order from Virgin America – a U.S. airline growing quickly both in terms of their route network and their reputation for excellent service – is a great affirmation of the benefits of operating the A320 Family," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “We are very pleased they have chosen to expand their reach with even more of our aircraft, and we look forward to continuing to support their Airbus fleet."

Virgin America already operates 28 Airbus aircraft (10 A319s and 18 A320s) and will put a total of 22 more purchased and leased A320s into service by the end of 2012. Once finalized, the MoU announced today would expand the Virgin America fleet to a total of 90 Airbus aircraft.

With this MoU, Virgin America may choose the new, fuel-saving “Sharklet” option that is available beginning in late 2012 on A320 aircraft. Sharklets are large wing-tip devices that will enhance the eco-efficiency and payload-range performance of the A320 Family. Offered as a forward-fit option, they are expected to result in at least 3.5 percent reduced fuel burn over longer sectors, corresponding to an annual reduction of around 700 metric tons of carbon dioxide per aircraft. This latest development is part of a larger, continuous-improvement program for the A320 Family.

The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognized as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. With more than 6,500 aircraft sold, and some 4,300 aircraft delivered to more than 310 customers and operators worldwide, the A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family.

Virgin America s’apprête à ajouter deux destinations internationales supplémentaires à son réseau.

La compagnie américaine a annoncé le 31 août qu’elle avait obtenu l’autorisation des autorités américaines pour lancer des vols vers le Mexique.
Elle a choisi de desservir San José del Cabo et Cancún depuis la Californie.

San José del Cabo sera relié cinq fois par semaine à San Francisco à partir du 16 décembre. San Francisco sera par la suite relié à Cancún trois fois par semaine à partir du 20 janvier 2011. Mais la ville du Yucatan sera d’abord desservie cinq fois par semaine depuis Los Angeles.

San José del Cabo et Cancún porteront à trois le nombre des destinations internationales de Virgin America (avec Toronto).
Sa décision de desservir le Mexique a été prise avant la faillite de Mexicana.
La compagnie avait demandé l’autorisation en juin.

Déjà très porteur avant la suspension des vols de Mexicana, le marché mexicain a trouvé un regain d’intérêt ces derniers jours. Dans le pays, toutes les compagnies ont annoncé une augmentation de leur programme de vols sur le domestique, notamment les low-cost Volaris et Interjet ainsi qu’Aeromexico.

Mais les compagnies nord-américaines convoitent elles aussi les liaisons vers le pays d’Amérique latine. Air Canada par exemple a déjà annoncé la reprise de ses liaisons quotidiennes entre Montréal et Mexico à partir du 1er novembre. Elle va également lancer une route Vancouver – Mexico le 6 novembre qui sera initialement exploitée deux fois par semaine puis deviendra quotidienne le 1er décembre.

Jazeera Air unit leases planes to Virgin America

A unit of Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways Group has signed a $155mn leasing contract to supply four Airbus A320 jets to US-based carrier Virgin America, the companies said in a joint statement yesterday. The lease is the first to a US customer by Sahaab Aircraft Leasing, a fully owned subsidiary of the group, and is part of an expansion drive by Virgin America. Sahaab was acquired in February 2010 by the group, also parent of Jazeera Airways.
At July’s Farnborough Airshow, Europe’s Airbus received a $3bn-plus preliminary order from Virgin America for 40 Airbus A320 jets, plus options for 20 more. “The airline, with 28 aircraft in service, is a rising star in North America,” said Jazeera Airways Group Chairman Marwan Boodai in the statement

A320neo, after committing to 30 of the type.

Chief executive David Cush disclosed the agreement today in Toulouse.

It covers 60 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] aircraft in total, 30 of which are the A320neo.

"Virgin America will become the launch customer," says [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], although it says no engine selection has been made

The US airline had tentatively agreed to take 60 A320s last year - a combination of 40 firm and 20 options - and indicated strong interest in a re-engined variant.
Virgin's order, booked in 2010, helped Airbus to leap from gross sales of 440 in November to 644 by the end of December.

Airbus also booked 56 aircraft from the Chinese state aircraft import company last month, as well as 10 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]-900s for Air China.

Virgin's deal, signed on 29 December, brought Airbus' overall orders to more than 10,000.

Mais, il y a un peu de Vaudeville, ici !

Sir Richard Branson a du mal a se souvenir du nom de l'appareil que sa compagnie aérienne Virgin America vient d'acheter pour 5 milliards de dollars, et a demandé lundi l'aide d'une collaboratrice, ignorant qu'il était en direct sur le site internet d'Airbus.


2011 AFP

Stall a écrit:C'est une blague....??

Sinon, le NEO, comme on pouvait s'y attendre, va pomper dans le backlog actuel d'Airbus 320 famille.

Franchement, quel intérêt....! ?

Et IndiGo, reste dans un MoU en pointillé, comme nous l'avions tous compris, ici.

Merci, Sevrien!

Joss a écrit:Bonjour, merci

Juste une remarque : VX est un bon client de GECAS ( et Saahab Aircraft Leasing soit Jazeera, NBK Capital & DVB Bank)

Flotte VX à motorisation CFMI, donc.

[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] has become the first airline to order the re-engined

A320neo, after committing to 30 of the type.

Chief executive David Cush disclosed the agreement today in Toulouse.

It covers 60 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] aircraft in total, 30 of which are the A320neo.

"Virgin America will become the launch customer," says [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], although it says no engine selection has been made

Alors, ... Indigo ... ? C'est quoi, .... la commande d'Indigo ?
****** Pour la motorisation, ...... qui ne parie pas sur le "LeapX"? ******

The US airline had tentatively agreed to take 60 A320s last year - a combination of 40 firm and 20 options - and indicated strong interest in a re-engined variant.
Virgin's order, booked in 2010, helped Airbus to leap from gross sales of 440 in November to 644 by the end of December.

Ah? Aah, vraiment ? Une vraie commande ?

Airbus also booked 56 aircraft from the Chinese state aircraft import company last month, as well as 10 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]-900s for Air China.

Virgin's deal, signed on 29 December, brought Airbus' overall orders to more than 10,000.

Mais, il y a un peu de Vaudeville, ici !

Voir post ci-après ! :lol:

Continuous improvement in single-aisle airliner capability has been central to the development of low-cost airlines, according to Oliver Wyman consultant Blair Pomeroy.

He expects that the availability of a re-engined Airbus A320neo - and any counter-offer from Boeing - will provide further opportunities for airlines to expand their scope of operations.

Speaking in [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] on low-cost carriers, Pomeroy said that airlines have used the increased range offered by the latest A320 family and Next Generation 737 aircraft to fly US and Australian transcontinental services and flights from western Europe deep into North Africa. "I think we'll see more of that as these planes continue [to be developed]," he said.

Airbus chief operating officer customers John Leahy thinks that the 15% reduction in fuel burn offered by the A320neo with its advanced turbofans from CFM International or Pratt & Whitney will be a major attraction to low-cost airlines.

"If you look at what fuel is becoming as a percentage of the overall cash operating costs of the airline, a 15% reduction [in fuel burn] is like a 7.5% reduction in your cash operating costs. It really means you can drive the ticket price even further down," he said.

The two engine suppliers on the A320neo told Airline Business that the specific requirements of low-cost airlines are key drivers when designing their new engines.

"Their key requirement is all about the cost of ownership and from an engine perspective, the first element of this is fuel burn," says CFM Leap-X programme manager Ron Klapproth.

"Low-cost carriers are really focused on moving passengers from one city to another, rather than operating and maintaining the equipment. So we have to look at our technology development to drive value so they can drive lower seat-mile costs," said P&W vice-president next generation product family Bob Saia. "These are things associated with improved fuel consumption, long time-on-wing between overhauls and really keeping the operation from flight to flight efficient."

Le motoriste franco-américain CFM International va annoncer des commandes importantes au salon du Bourget pour son nouveau moteur, le Leap, a annoncé mercredi son PDG Jean-Paul Ebanga, après avoir remporté un premier contrat pour équiper des Airbus A320 Neo.

[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]'s decision to become the CFM International Leap engine launch customer for the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] A320neo ultimately rested on its long-standing relationship with CFM, and the performance guarantees the engine manufacturer was willing to pledge to the carrier.

• fait du "huffing & puffing", c'est-à-dire des promesses séduisantes,
  
• mais refuse de les garantir.
  

IHI, partenaire de P&W, et expert en soufflantes et "design" des "fan blades" , est déjà en train de préparer les re-design de toutes les soufflantes GTF, n'est-ce pas ? !

[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] engines power all the carrier's 39 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] family aircraft; yet winning the deal to power Virgin America's 30 A320neos was far from a given for CFM.

Shortly after Virgin America placed its order for 30 A320neos and 30 current-generation Airbus narrowbodies in January, Virgin America management said the "Pratt engine seems a little further along".

Speaking to Flight International after Virgin America chose the CFM engine, designated the Leap-X1A for the A320neo, carrier chief executive David Cush stressed the contest between the two powerplants "was quite a close competition" and the airline conducted an extensive technical and financial analysis of both engine offerings.

Cush explained Virgin America's board of directors "was comfortable with both propositions,", but one element that "pushed CFM over the top" was the carrier's existing ties to CFM.

Another critical factor in Virgin America's decision rested on CFM's pledge on the Leap's performance. While the commitments from both manufacturers on fuel efficiency improvements are very close, Cush said the "strength of the performance guarantee from CFM was stronger than Pratt & Whitney".

However, Cush commended P&W for "running a good race", and noted that with P&W gaining pledges for the PW1100G from a number of early A320neo customers, CFM was under increasing pressure to close a deal.

[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and Indian carrier IndiGo have yet to firm their A320neo orders, but each airline has opted for the geared turbofan to power their respective A320neos once the orders are firmed. US lessor International Lease Finance has selected the PW1100G to power 60 of the 100 A320neos it has committed to order. Brazilian carrier TAM has yet to firm its order for 22 A320neos or select an engine supplier.

Virgin America expects to take delivery of its first A320neo in August 2016, said Cush, who added that the carrier has the unusual position of being the launch customer for both the aircraft and Leap-X1A engine, "but will receive neither first".

Depending on the year, Virgin America expects to accept eight to 10 A320neo deliveries a year until it receives all 30 aircraft, Cush explained.