Eastern Air Lines

Aircraft

Charter Fleet

Boeing 737-700NG & 737-800NG

737-700NG

737-800NG

Currently Eastern Air lines, lead by Ed Wegel, is building a growing charter fleet of Boeing 737-700/800NG aircraft at Miami International Airport. Eastern Air Lines is providing charter service through Charter Companies/Travel Agencies, like Havana Air, to beautiful and exotic cities such as Havana/Cuba, Holquin/Cuba, Camaquay/Cuba, Santa Clara/Cuba, Santiago/Cuba and other  Charter Companies/Travel Agencies like Travelspan that provide service to Georgetown Guyana out of Miami International Airport and out of JFK. As well as to Costa Rica, Hati, The Dominican Republic, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, and coming soon Grenada, Venezuela and many more exotic and fun destinations. 

Eastern Air lines also is the official Airline of:

• The University of Miami's Athletic department. 
• The Florida Panthers
• The San Francisco Giants

Eastern Air lines has also placed firm orders for 10 Boeing 737-800MAX Aircraft with 10 Options. Plus 20 Mitsubishi MRJ-90 Aircraft and 20 Options. 

Eastern Airlines

737-800 MAX

10 Ordered 10 Options

Eastern Air lines 

20 MRJ-90 on Order

Commercial Service

Eastern Air lines plans to go Commercial October 2016 offering service to Cuba and points and beyond. It also plans to begin construction of it's maintenance and Simulator facility at Miami international Airport this fall. Eastern air Lines current plans are to serve the international markets in the Caribbean, Central, and South America to Points in the United States and Canada. Miami, JFK, Orlando, and Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada will be the first U.S. cities served. For Continued updates on please check out their twitter page Eastern Air Lines.

Which engine is more efficient: 

turboprop vs jet?

Are turboprops really more efficient than jets?

If yes, does that mean that airlines who use jets sacrifice fuel for faster flights?

The short answer to both your questions are Yes. The long answer is, it's not so simple.

Turboprop Aircraft Making a Comeback

 It’s much more economical to operate a turboprop than a jet. Any day.

Three turboprop operators in the United States such as Burlington, Vermont-based CommutAir, Salisbury, Maryland-based Piedmont Airlines and Fort Lauderdale, Florida based Silver Airways have all found operational success using solely turboprops,

as opposed to regional jets. 

While Some airlines have always operated with a mix of turboprops and regional jets, there are exceptions. For example, Silver Airways went with turboprops from its beginning. Silver Airways was established in May 2011, with the assets from the former Gulfstream International Airlines, and started operating a fleet of Beechcraft 1900s and  began adding Saab 340B turboprops in January 2012. Today, Silver operates a fleet of 27 Saab 340Bs.

So why are regional airlines starting to favor turboprops over the once popular 50-seat jet? 

The main reason is economics, even with petrol prices low as they currently are, a airline can not take a chance that they will stay low forever. Plus the fact that leasing or buying 737/A320 is far more expensive that leasing or buying Turboprops not to mention operating costs. Then fuel costs for example on Silver Airways Saab 340B aircraft burn 60% less fuel per hour than a 70 Seat regional jet. Now if a market can support a 70 Seater jet it is more economical than a Saab.

Today's Ultra Modern Turboprops

Having Said that we must look at the more modern Bombardier Dash8-Q400 and ATR-600. These two aircraft companies are a world apart. The Economics of the ATR is second to none do to many factors, speed being one. While the Dash8-Q400 is not quite as fuel efficient as the ATR, it is much faster offering turboprop economics with jet like performance. Allowing more frequencies in a day. It also can hold much more cargo than the ATR. And the Dash8-Q400 carries many more passengers than the ATR, up to 90 where as the ATR only carries 70.

Dash8-Q400

With Extra Seating

             Bombardier Dash 8 Q-400 Vs ATR 72-600

Listen how quiet the Dash8-Q400 is.

The ATR also very quiet

Silver Airway Route Map using Saab340B Aircraft

Credits to Airways Magazine, The Flying Engineer, Saab Corp, ATR, Bombardier of Canada.

Starting up  an Airline

How to Beat the Competition

Choosing the right Airports

First it is very Important when starting up a new Airline that one think out of the box, so as to have a clear strategy on how one can beat the competition.

1) Choose an airport Currently not being served by most majors if you can. 

IE: Secondary Airports Like

Domestic Airports

A) Long Island Mac Arthur Airport ( American & Southwest & National Airlines)

B) Orlando Sanford International Airport (National Airlines & Allegiant Airlines)

C) Trenton Mercer Airport (Frontier Airlines)

D) Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (Allegiant Airlines)

Are Just a Few Examples of Secondary Airports.

                             Choosing the right Aircraft

2) Secondly Choosing the right aircraft is very important for a start-up if it wants to beat its competition!!

Most Airlines have Boeing or Airbus Aircraft, of these aircraft there are a few exceptions.

Boeing Developed in Conjunction with GOL the 737SFP, this aircraft can land on very small runways of 4,300 Feet. Airbus is also developing a SFP type aircraft. 

The 737-700/800/900 allows a airline to land in the heart of many major cities using secondary airports not served by major airlines. Very few airlines have this type of aircraft.

There are many Secondary Airports  located in some o f the finest cities in the world 

ie. Secondary International Airports

Albrook "Marcos A. Gelabert" International Airport Panama City Panama ( Served only by Air Panama)

São Paulo/Congonhas Airport (Served By Avianca Brazil, GOL, Azul, Tam)

Jorge Newbery Airfield Buenos Aires Served By  Aerolíneas Argentinas, GOL, TAM, LAN, LADE.

Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport Anguilla Served by Liat, Air SunShine, Seaborne, Winair 

Ponce/Puerto Rico, and many many more: Served by jet Blue out of JFK

And many Many more

The Money Maker

Another aircraft one must have in ones fleet is the Twin Otter. The Twin otter is very economical and can provide service where no major airline can. The Twin Otter can land on runways as short as 400 meters and also has the capabilities to land on the water. Thus taking your passengers to exotic destinations that the Major Airlines can not.

While these choices sound simple and easy, many start-ups fail due to the fact that they either chose the wrong Airport or wrong aircraft or both.  Here at PA Coastal; Airway we feel that this simple plan is vital for ones survival. 

Turboprops Improving their attractiveness in relation to the Jets

Regional Aircraft

Recent changes: 

Economics and operations

In 2005, the regional jet boom suddenly collapsed, do to increasing fuel prices as well as an increase in airline bankruptcies that led to a rethinking of route structures. 

The high per-seat operational costs of the classic 50-seat regional jet have been exacerbated by an environment of ever-lowering fares. Also, Regional Jets were assigned to operate flights of two hours or more. 

This led to angry passengers, as their comfort and ergonomics compare unfavorably to the larger mainline jets which they replaced on these flights. 

Fifty-seat regional jets are being retired at accelerated rates, affecting both their resale value and the value of their parts. 

Bombardier's CRJ100/200and Embera aircraft are seeing very high retirement rates.

Further, the replacement of the hub-and-spoke model simply never took place. 

Economics

Simply too great to ignore.

The economics and routing advantages of this mode of operation were simply too great. As the hub-and-spoke model has always been supported by low-cost regional airliners and turboprop aircraft which once again became a major market. Improving their attractiveness in relation to the jets was the introduction of active noise-reduction systems, which reduced cabin noise to levels comparable, or even lower, than the RJ's. Bombardier found their Dash 8 to be in high demand once again, and shifted production to their latest model, the Bombardier Q400. And now Bombardier has come out with a redesigned 90 seater DashQ-400 and ATR is on its heels designing one of their own making Turboprops that much more attractive.

The Boeing 737SFP Aircraft

Why This Aircraft is a must for a Start-up Carrier

The 737 design enhancements allow operators to fly increased payload in and out of airports with runways less than 5,000 feet long such as in Tortola (Beef Island) - Terrance B Lettsome International Airport (EIS), Max Runway: 4642 Ft Long Perfect for the 737SFP as well as St Lucia - George F L Charles Airport (SLU) Max Runway: 5735 x 148 feet, Albrook "Marcos A. Gelabert" International Airport used by Air Panama and no one else the Airports Runway is 5,906 Ft, Eugenio María de Hostos Airport/Puerto Rico runway 4,998FT and many more.

Boeing added to the design enhancements include a two-position tail skid that enables reduced approach speeds, sealed leading-edge slats that provide increased lift during takeoff, and increased flight spoiler deflection on the ground that improves takeoff and landing performance.

The short-field design package is an option on the 737-600, -700 and -800 and is standard equipment for the new 737-900ER.

As of today their are 11 operaters of the SFP Aircraft.  250 airplanes have been sol to 11 different airlines. In addition to GOL, Alaska Airlines, Air Europa, Air India, Egyptair, GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS), Hapagfly, Japan Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Sky Airlines and Turkish Airlines are among some of the operators that have ordered the design package.

Here at PA Coastal Airways it is  opinion that this Aircraft gives a Startup a leg up on its competition. A Startup can provide Nonstop Service to Airports that can not be served by its competition. 

How Startup Carriers Can Beat 

Competition in the Airline industry!!!

Two Aircraft I would have in a Fleet

First the 737-700 & 800SFP Aircraft

The 737-700/800SFP (Short Field Performance) aircraft by Boeing can land on 4,300FT runways. Thereby allowing a airline Startup carriers to offer Non-stop service to Airports that larger Maine line carriers can not. 

For example Eastern Airlines or National Airlines could offer service to Albook "Marcos Gelabert" International Airport; whose runway is 5906Ft too short for maineline carriers. Allowing a Airline to Codeshare with Air Panama; whose Hub is Albrook. Air Panama Serves twenty-two destinations in Panama out of Albrook as well as Columbia and Costa Rica.

Other airports With Short Runways Located in Cities are:

          There are no US Carriers at these Airports!

São Paulo–Congonhas Airport Runway 6,365FT No US Carrier Suggest 737-900SFP 

Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Runway 6,890 FT Suggest 737-900SFP

AnguillaClayton J. Lloyd International Airport Runway

5,463 FT no US Carrier Suggest 737-700SFP
Dominica - Melville Hall Airport (DOM) Max Runway: 4777 FT Suggest 737-700SFP

Ponce/PR - Mercedita Airport (PSE) Max Runway: 6904 x 150 ft Suggest 737-900SFP

St Vincent - E T Joshua Airport (SVD) Max Runway: 4595 x 150 feet / 1401 x 46 Suggest 737-700SFP

Vieques - Antonio Rivera Rodriguez Airport (VQS)Max Runway: 4301 x 75 ft. Suggest 737-700SFP

   Second Aircraft Type

                                    
                                          The Twin Otter

                                            As a Feeder

The TWIN OTTER 300/400 THE MONEY MAKER!!!!!

Lands on 400 Meter Runway or on Beach or water.

It can provide service to the US Virgin Islands as well as BVI Virgin Islands that can not be served by Dash or ATR aircraft.

St Bart's

Saba
ST Pete
Barbuda etc + 14 more islands

The Otter would also be excellent to serve Grenadines, Bahamas and Cuba's small resort Towns.

In our opinion, here at PA Coastal Airways, a startup can only make it in today's world of aviation by flying machines that allow them to go where the big competition can not.

  737-800SFP By GOL Airlines

                         

    Caribbean islands

      Virgin Islands

Twin Otter 400 Series

   South America

Horizon Airlines to Replace its Dash8-Q400

Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, is to replace all of its 52 das8-Q400 aircraft in favor of an all Embera 175 Aircraft regional aircraft fleet. While this may be a good decision for Alaska as they flew their Dash on longer segments where a jet is more profitable.

Having said that there is not better aircraft in my opinion on the market. The Dash8-Q400 is Quieter than a jet has a speed of 405 Miles per hour carriers up to 77 passengers and is 40% more fuel efficient that jet aircraft. 

The Dash8-Q400 is perfect for Eastern Airlines  to use as a feeder fleet serving the Bahamas, Cuba, as well as Small Florida Cities like Naples, Florida Keys Marathon Airport Key West, Kissimmee FL, Melbourne Airport.. 

This would allow Eastern to begin serving the Bahamas and Cuba in 2016 while it awaits its fabulous MRJ-90 aircraft that won't arrive till 2019 if all goes well at Mitsubishi.

It would also allow Eastern to make a Hub in the northeast serving to Puerto Rico & other Caribbean Islands as well as Central and South America.

Reducing Fuel Costs

By getting 25 Dash8-Q400 Aircraft Eastern would also reduce its fuel consumption by more than 40% 

And allow Eastern to use the MRJ-90 aircraft to be used on longer routes where Jets are more profitable.