Sunwing/Canjet Fleet & Foreign Pilots - Winter 2014-2015

[Sunwing738]

Dec 5 - Thomson Airways G-FDZA Ferried Newcastle-Toronto and re-registered C-FPZA

This brings the fleet to 31 aircraft. 11 full-time, 16 dry-lease and 4 wet-lease.

[Gilles Hudicourt]

I agree with 31 aircraft but there are four Wet-Lease in Canada now, all from Travel Service:

OKTVM arrived Nov 07
OKTVS arrived Nov 08
OKTVF arrived Nov 21
OKTVR arrived Dec 03

There are 27 others registered in Canada

Sunwing has about 260 to 270 Canadian pilots, so 8.7 Canadian pilots per aircraft.

[Sunwing738]

Thanks Gilles.

Canjet Vacations starts it's foray into the market on Dec 18th with their first flights from Toronto to Varadero & Santa Clara. It appears they will be using 3 aircraft. FTCZ is currently operating on lease to Air Transat and FXGG is operating on lease to Meridiana leaving 3 remaining aircraft in the fleet.

In Air Transat fleet news, it appears they have acquired two Boeing 737-700's from Europe Airpost. These aircraft are C-GTQI and QP. Planespotters.net data suggests these aircraft are not leases. Gilles can you confirm? This is interesting as I thought Transat was aiming for only 737-800 aircraft?

Air Transat currently has 5 737-800's (1 leased from Canjet) and 2 737-700's.

[Gilles Hudicourt]

Thanks Gilles.

Canjet Vacations starts it's foray into the market on Dec 18th with their first flights from Toronto to Varadero & Santa Clara. It appears they will be using 3 aircraft. FTCZ is currently operating on lease to Air Transat and FXGG is operating on lease to Meridiana leaving 3 remaining aircraft in the fleet.

In Air Transat fleet news, it appears they have acquired two Boeing 737-700's from Europe Airpost. These aircraft are C-GTQI and QP. Planespotters.net data suggests these aircraft are not leases. Gilles can you confirm? This is interesting as I thought Transat was aiming for only 737-800 aircraft?

Air Transat currently has 5 737-800's (1 leased from Canjet) and 2 737-700's.

Last I heard, the Transat contract with Canjet was for 1 aircraft year round and a second during the winter months. I do not know when the second aircraft is to come on line, but it should be soon.

I also thought we were to have a straight -800 fleet but recently learned during ground school that the two aircraft Air Transat was leasing from Europe Airpost were -700s.

Please note that the two Canjet 737s are wet-leases and are not included in the 12 737s Transat will operate. These will be operated by Canjet crews, front and back.

[Sunwing738]

Thanks! To add to sunwing:
Dec 9 - Thomson Airways G-TAWK ferried Manchester - Toronto and re registered C-FQWK.

Dec 10 - Jetairfly OO-JBG Ferried Brussels - Toronto and re-registered C-FYBG

[Gilles Hudicourt]

Sunwing has already attained 33 aircraft, which is the number they operated last year. They are still expected to receive about 4 more aircraft, to total a fleet of about 37 aircraft. That includes the 4 wet leases.

Last summer, they sent 4 wet-leases to Europe. So the wet leases they used this year, balance out the wet-leases they imported. That would be fair and even reciprocity if they stopped at that. But they don't.

They only have enough Canadian pilots for about 22 or 23 aircraft. The balance of the Canadian registered aircraft are flown thanks to foreign pilots.

[Sunwing738]

Dec 11 - Travel Service OK-TVT ferried Prague - Reykjavik - Montreal. This aircraft has been a wet-lease the last two years. I don't know if it will operate as a wet-lease or not.

[Gilles Hudicourt]

Dec 11 - Travel Service OK-TVT ferried Prague - Reykjavik - Montreal. This aircraft has been a wet-lease the last two years. I don't know if it will operate as a wet-lease or not.

Surprisingly, it's a 5th Wet-Lease, that they applied for just a few days ago on Dec 03 2014..
Surprisingly it was approved by the CTA, although subsection 8.2(2) of the Air Transportation Regulations (ATR) requires the filing of an application for an approval at least 45 days before the first planned flight.
Surprisingly the late application was approved by the CTA, although in a Nov 7 2012 Ruling, the CTA announced that it would no longer approve last minute applications and would strictly enforce subsection 8.2(2) of the ATR

unless the applicant can demonstrate to the Agency that the requirements for a wet lease resulted from an unexpected or unforeseeable situation

Surprisingly, Sunwing has been selling all inclusive package and airfare only tickets on the assumption that the CTA would give it an exemption to the Regulations. They always assume they will get the exemption they require from any Government of Canada agencies, and the gamble always seems to pay off.......

https://www.otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/ruling/444-a-2014

December 8, 2014
APPLICATION by Sunwing Airlines Inc. and Travel Service a.s. pursuant to section 60 of the Canada Transportation Act, S.C., 1996, c. 10, as amended, and section 8.2 of the Air Transportation Regulations, SOR/88-58, as amended.
File No.:
14-06040
APPLICATION
Sunwing Airlines Inc. (Sunwing) and Travel Service a.s. (Travel Service) applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for approvals to permit Sunwing to provide its non-scheduled international service between Montréal, Quebec, Canada and La Ceiba, Honduras; and to provide its scheduled international services on licensed routes between Canada and each of: Bahamas, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico and United States of America, using one aircraft with flight crew provided by Travel Service, beginning December 9, 2014 to May 18, 2015.

Sunwing and Travel Service have also requested an exemption from the application of subsection 8.2(2) of the Air Transportation Regulations (ATR), which requires the filing of an application for an approval at least 45 days before the first planned flight. The Agency finds that compliance with subsection 8.2(2) of the ATR is impractical in this case. Accordingly, the Agency, pursuant to paragraph 80(1)(c) of the Canada Transportation Act (CTA), exempts Sunwing and Travel Service from the application of subsection 8.2(2) of the ATR.

Sunwing is licensed to operate the relevant non-scheduled international and scheduled international services.

In their application filed on December 3, 2014, Sunwing and Travel Service state that this application is for one additional aircraft, beyond the four aircraft already approved by the Agency, for a total of five aircraft to be wet-leased by Sunwing. They also state that, at the time of application, Sunwing had 26 aircraft on its Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

POLICY
When assessing wet-lease applications where Canadian carriers propose to enter into wet-lease arrangements of more than 30 days with foreign carriers to provide international passenger services, the Agency must apply a direction issued by the Minister of Transport on June 24, 2014 entitled Ministerial Direction for International Service – Canada’s Policy for Wet-Leasing (2014 Wet-Lease Policy), and must specifically ensure that the 20-percent cap is respected at the time of application.

ISSUE
Is the Agency satisfied that the application of Sunwing and Travel Service meets the requirements of section 8.2 of the ATR and the criteria of the 2014 Wet-Lease Policy, specifically the 20‑percent cap?

ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
Section 60 of the CTA requires that a licensee obtain, where prescribed, an approval from the Agency prior to using aircraft with flight crew provided by another person.

Section 8.2 of the ATR sets out the information to be included in an application and the requirements to be met for an approval pursuant to section 60 of the CTA.

Pursuant to the 2014 Wet-Lease Policy, for wet-leases of more than 30 days, a number of aircraft equal to 20 percent of the number of Canadian-registered aircraft on the lessee’s AOC may be wet leased from foreign lessors. The Agency notes that Sunwing is presently approved to use four aircraft with flight crew provided by Travel Service, and that this application is for a fifth aircraft. The Agency also notes that at the time of application, i.e., December 3, 2014, Sunwing had 26 aircraft on its AOC. Therefore, the application of Sunwing and Travel Service for the fifth aircraft meets the 20-percent cap requirement of the 2014 Wet-Lease Policy.

On matters of international reciprocity, the Agency’s general practice is that reciprocity by the authorities of the lessor’s country of origin, in this case the Czech Republic, is assumed unless evidence is brought to the contrary. The Agency is not aware of any similar application by a Canadian carrier to the aeronautical authorities of the European Union and its Member States that has been denied. Therefore, the Agency finds that international reciprocity is not a concern in this case.

The Agency has considered the application and the material in support and is satisfied that it meets the remaining requirements of section 8.2 of the ATR. The Agency is also satisfied that the application satisfies the criteria of the 2014 Wet-Lease Policy.

Accordingly, the Agency, pursuant to paragraph 60(1)(b) of the CTA and section 8.2 of the ATR, approves the use by Sunwing of a fifth aircraft with flight crew provided by Travel Service, and the provision by Travel Service of such aircraft and flight crew to Sunwing, to permit Sunwing to provide its non-scheduled international service between Montréal and La Ceiba; and to provide its scheduled international services on licensed routes between Canada and each of: Bahamas, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico and United States of America, using a fifth aircraft with flight crew provided by Travel Service, beginning December 9, 2014 to May 18, 2015.

These approvals are subject to the following conditions:

Sunwing shall continue to hold the valid licence authorities.
Commercial control of the flights shall be maintained by Sunwing. Travel Service shall maintain operational control of the flights and shall receive payment based on the rental of aircraft and crew and not on the basis of the volume of traffic carried or other revenue-sharing formula.
Sunwing and Travel Service shall continue to comply with the insurance requirements set out in subsections 8.2(4), 8.2(5) and 8.2(6) of the ATR.
Sunwing shall continue to comply with the public disclosure requirements set out in section 8.5 of the ATR.
Sunwing and Travel Service shall advise the Agency in advance of any changes to the information provided in support of the application.
Member(s)
Geoffrey C. Hare

I really wonder what is so impractical about this particular case that Sunwing is unable to comply with the Regulation ?

Whatever happened to this CTA Nov 7 2012 Ruling ?

https://www.otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/ruling/426-a-2012

[42] Sunwing’s late filing of its application has created a difficult situation. Sunwing should not have presumptively assumed that its late filed application would be automatically approved, especially when it involved an unprecedented request for approval of wet leases over an extended time period. As other carriers have commented, this approach must have been developed over many months, however, Sunwing chose not to file its application until shortly before the planned deployment. However, the Agency must consider the implications of a decision to deny or approve the remaining requested flights. There may be other options than the wet lease, including dry lease arrangements, however, given the short time frame and to avoid disruptions, the Agency does not deem it feasible to explore the viability of such options. Therefore, in order to not inconvenience passengers who have already purchased travel with Sunwing, the Agency has decided to approve the remaining flights from November 8, 2012 to May 31, 2013.

[43] Until the Agency provides further clarification on wet lease application requirements, the current approach will be maintained, however, the 45-day advance period will be strictly enforced for any new applications made after the date of this Decision unless the applicant can demonstrate to the Agency that the requirements for a wet lease resulted from an unexpected or unforeseeable situation. The Agency will continue to make decisions to issue notices at its discretion.

[FICU]

Maybe it's time to research government employees in positions of authority who regularly enjoy Sunwing vacations.

[Sunwing738]

Dec 12 - Thomson Airways G-TAWI Ferried Manchester-Toronto and re-registered C-GEWI

http://www.flightradar24.com/flight/by9366

This brings the fleet to 35 Aircraft.

[BA937]

Dec 15 - Thomson Airways G-FDZR Ferried Gatwick-Toronto and will probably be re-registered C-FLZR

Makes 36 in total (31+5wet)


And 2 further aircraft for Canjet (ex TUIfly, Germany) have been transferred too:
DEC 12 - C-GTUL ferried as CJA101 Hannover-Toronto (ex D-ATUL)
DEC 15 - C-GDGZ ferried as CJA101 Hannover-Goose Bay-Torono (ex D-ATUK)

[Sunwing738]

Thanks was going to post the Canjet aircrafts. I saw them on the north side of pearson the other day by the fedex terminal but haven't had time to post.

[BA937]

Can someone confirm, that all of the present Canjet aircraft wear standard c/s (no hybrid-colours)???

[Gilles Hudicourt]

On Dec 15, CFJVE was added to the fleet. This aircraft was previously US registered with Miami Air International. I do not know if this will be a seasonal aircraft or a permanent one.

This brings the Sunwing fleet to 37 aircraft.

10 came from Thomson (TUI)
4 came from JetAirfly (TUI)
About 6 dry-leases came from Travel Service
The 5 wet-leases came from Travel Service
The balance, about 12, are Sunwing aircraft.

[gonnabeapilot]

On Dec 15, CFJVE was added to the fleet. This aircraft was previously US registered with Miami Air International. I do not know if this will be a seasonal aircraft or a permanent one.

This brings the Sunwing fleet to 37 aircraft.

10 came from Thomson (TUI)
4 came from JetAirfly (TUI)
About 6 dry-leases came from Travel Service
The 5 wet-leases came from Travel Service
The balance, about 12, are Sunwing aircraft.

C-FJVE is a permanent addition to the fleet and is the first of five aircraft Sunwing will be adding to its permanent fleet between now and May. One more aircraft will come from another operator and the other three are coming new from Boeing. This will put the year round fleet at 16 aircraft... twelve to be operated from NA in summer 2015 and four to be deployed to Europe.

[Sunwing738]

Can someone confirm, that all of the present Canjet aircraft wear standard c/s (no hybrid-colours)???

Both C-GTUL and C-GDGZ are in TuiFly hybrid colours. The rest of the fleet is the standard Canjet livery.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7506/160 ... 737f_k.jpg

[BA937]

Wow - really informative forum here.
Thanks for all sharing your knowledge - that's really helpful!

[Sunwing738]

As discussed earlier Air Transat received two leased 737-700 from Europe Airpost. It looks like one will be based out in Ottawa and the other one is doing flights out of Hamilton this week. Here is C-GTQI in Hamilton, an interesting hybrid scheme...
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7558/160 ... 930d_k.jpg

[Gilles Hudicourt]

Canjet's final fleet number seems to be 6 aircraft, 2 of which are on wet-lease to Transat.

C-FTCX, C-FTCZ, C-FYQN and C-FYQO seem to be the core permanent year round fleet.

C-GTUL and C-GDGZ were added on Dec 12th and 15th respectively. Both were leased from German based TUIFly.

I assume, that for the first time in many years, Canjet has no seasonal foreign pilots on staff this winter.

Anyone know how Canjet Vacations is doing with its four aircraft ?

[BA937]

Anyone know how Canjet Vacations is doing with its four aircraft ?

At the moment there are not too many flights taking place - only on 2 days per week they've more flights, where they really need all aircraft. (unsure if the activity will raise up in the next weeks).


Another question to all pilots (and maybe active for SWG):
Which costindex uses Sunwing Airlines on their flights??? (is there are difference to the Travel Service aircraft using a CI of 15?)

[BA937]

First aircraft returned back to Europe:
C-FTZD ferried 24mar15 YYZ-LTN as SWG9078 after winter-lease (ex G-FDZD)