IATA and the Airlines for America (A4A) trade associations have joined forces to promote the economic benefits that airlines and the air transportation industry bring to the US, and to try and counter a feared surge of new taxes and regulations as legislators work to reduce budget deficits.
The European Commission (EC) has launched an in-depth investigation to assess whether France’s Beauvais Airport (BVA) has benefited from injections of state aid, which is against EU regulations.
France’s new finance minister Pierre Moscovici, is expected to vote against a €400,000 ($497,608) compensation package awarded to Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, former CEO of Air France-KLM.
Royal Jordanian has taken delivery of one Airbus A321 and one A320, under lease from Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services (AWAS). The deliveries are part of an order for seven; two deliveries remain. Enter Air has been added to the International Air Carrier Assn. (IACA) as a full member. The Polish carrier began operations in 2010. South African Airways has selected Discover the World Marketing to serve as its sales and marketing representative in Cyprus.
Polish flag carrier LOT said next year it plans to open Warsaw (WAW)-Tokyo Narita flights, “after receiving the 787 Dreamliner,” CEO Marcin Pirog told the Polish Press Agency PAP. He confirmed the first 787 is expected to be delivered in November and will gradually replace its 767s.
Shun Feng Airlines, a Chinese privately run cargo operator, plans to expand its fleet from seven to more than 25 aircraft to meet growing demand for domestic express delivery services according to chairman Li Dongqi.
American Airlines chairman, president and CEO Tom Horton marked the company’s six-month point of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring by telling employees AA has “made big strides in all aspects” but warning more must be done “immediately,” particularly regarding labor costs.
Kenya Airways (KQ) has detailed plans for a major expansion of its operations, which calls for launching services to North and South America, plus Australia, by 2017.
Boingo Wireless has launched Wi-Fi services at Beijing Capital International Airport, through an agreement with Newbridge Technologies. It has also launched Wi-Fi services at Phuket International Airport, through an agreement with WLANNet.
Flydubai (FZ) has signed an eight-year sale/leaseback agreement with Pembroke Group to secure $172 million in financing for two Boeing 737-800NGs, which are scheduled to enter the fleet in June and July.
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A380. MAS, which is the eighth A380 operator, has ordered six 494-seat A380s with a premium three-class layout.
News from Travel Technology Update: Perseuss is a technology company that keeps a low profile, so low that the landing page of its website offers no clue as to its true purpose.
Brazilian carriers Azul and TRIP on Monday announced plans to merge, a move that would create an airline with about a 15% market share in Brazil, behind only dominant players TAM and GOL.
France’s Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) will this summer be the first airport to trial SIM-based Near Field Communication (NFC), allowing passengers to pass through various control points and gates using only their mobile phones.
The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has submitted its project profile to the Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) to add a third runway at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).
Air China (CA) plans to launch a new airline with the Inner Mongolian government to expand its domestic market share, according to CA chairman Wang Changshun.
GECAS delivered one new Airbus A330-300 to KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, one new Boeing 737-900ER to Jet Airways and three Embraer E-170s to Air France subsidiary Régional Compagnie Aérienne Européenne. Skyworld Aviation has been appointed remarketing agent for two ex-Colgan Airways Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft. Avolon has acquired two Airbus A321 aircraft, to be leased to US Airways this year.
Virgin Atlantic (VS) will launch AeroMobile connectivity onboard its Airbus A330 aircraft flying from London to New York, and on its Boeing 747 aircraft currently under refurbishment.
IATA reported that international premium traffic for March was up 8.6% compared to the year-ago growth of 2.9% recorded in March 2011, and up from 6.3% growth in February.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) will suspend services to Abu Dhabi (AUH) in the UAE and Athens (ATH), Greece this fall as a result of sustained weak performance on both routes.
