Air Berlin (AB) on Thursday completed its first successful satellite-based landing at Bremen Airport, following the accreditation of Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) as a primary landing system. According to AB, the new satellite-based landing system is much more precise than the instrument-based landing system (ILS) formerly used. GBAS landings reduce noise pollution on the ground because approach angles can be varied. It will eventually be possible to use the system in mountainous areas.
Turkish Technic, a wholly owned subsidiary of Turkish Airlines (TK), will open the first phase of its new MRO center at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) in early summer.
Shanghai-based Spring Airlines (9C) is awaiting approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) to launch an IPO via the Shanghai Stock Exchange that the carrier said is needed to fund its planned fleet expansion.
Copa Holdings, parent of Panama's Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia (formerly Aero Republica), reported 2011 net income of $310.4 million, up 28.8% over a $241.1 million net profit in 2010.
An unidentified airline has signed a firm order for six CRJ1000 NextGen regional jets and has taken options on another 18, Bombardier announced Friday.
An unidentified customer has signed a firm order for six CRJ1000 NextGen regional jets and has taken options on another 18, Bombardier announced Friday.
Copa Holdings, parent of Panama's Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia (formerly Aero Republica), reported 2011 net income of $310.4 million, up 28.8% over a $241.1 million net profit in 2010.
Shanghai-based Spring Airlines (9C) is awaiting approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) to launch an IPO via the Shanghai Stock Exchange that the carrier said is needed to fund its planned fleet expansion.
TAP M&E has deployed mobile RFID technology, "MEERA," into its daily engine overhaul operations. The service is provided in collaboration with TAP group company Megasis, as well as Airbus, Accenture and OAT systems. ST Aerospace ended the 2011 fourth quarter with new contracts valued at approximately $350 million. It redelivered 101 aircraft for airframe related maintenance and modification work, and serviced 72 engines and 13,382 components for both commercial and military customers.
Russian airlines carried 64.1 million passengers in 2011, a 12.6% increase over 2010. International passengers rose 13.2% to 31.4 million; domestic passengers increased 12% to 32.7 million.
Bombardier and the Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for an expanded cooperation to support the financing of commercial aircraft sales in China and globally. “Bombardier’s portfolio of commercial aircraft is well positioned to meet China’s rapidly growing air transport infrastructure, and AVIC Leasing will use this MOU to work with airlines and develop solutions to their varied business requirements,” said AVIC president Zhao Hong Wei.
Kazakhstan-based Air Astana (KC) continues to expand its Central Asian network as it takes delivery of Embraer E-190 aircraft, enabling the carrier to offer new international services from Astana (TSE) to Ulan Bator, Mongolia and Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and from Almaty to Kazan, Russia.
Air Canada (AC), in the midst of navigating challenging labor negotiations, reported a disappointing C$249 million ($250.2 million) 2011 net loss, widened from a C$24 million net deficit in 2010.
Royal Jordanian launched 2X-weekly Amman-Misrata, Libya Embraer E-195 service Jan. 28. Spirit Airlines will launch daily Latrobe-Orlando service May 17.
Etihad Airways (EY) launched its first aircraft with inflight connectivity—three Airbus A330-300s and one A320—in January. One additional connectivity-enabled A320 will be delivered in March ( ATW Daily News, Nov. 10). The service provider for these five aircraft is OnAir. The remainder of the widebody fleet will fall under its Panasonic agreement, according to an EY spokesperson.
Estonian Air (OV) will lease four Embraer E-170s from Finnair and is in talks with the manufacturer and leasing companies over the delivery schedule and conditions for eight more aircraft, a mix of E-175s and E-190s, which are scheduled to enter the fleet in 2013-2015.
Chinese carriers are supporting Beijing’s decision to prohibit its airlines from participating in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) while still reserving the right to file a lawsuit ( ATW Daily News, Feb. 7).
Royal Jordanian (RJ) will review its fleet size and reduce its network as part of a series of measures to counter the sharp increase in fuel prices and falling demand due to unrest in the region and the euro zone crisis.
Canadian low-cost carrier WestJet (WS) reported a 2011 net profit of C$148.7 million ($149.3 million), up 64.9% from C$90.2 million in net income in 2010, and announced that it will launch a regional turboprop airline next year.
