Airliners, like other aircraft, carry multiple means of identifying them uniquely. At the factory, they are assigned a "Manufacturer's Serial Number" (MSN), similar in concept to the alphabet-soup VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on automobiles familiar to those of us in the U.S. In addition, and also like automobiles virtually everywhere, once in service they also receive a registration from the appropriate governmental authority. Often referred to as a "reg" (pronounced with a soft 'g' sound, as opposed to the hard 'g' in "regulation"), or not uncommonly in the U.S., as a "tail number", these identifiers are displayed visibly on the aircraft, to the delight of aircraft spotters everywhere.
The European Commission (EC) has opened an investigation to assess whether the transatlantic joint venture (JV) between Air France-KLM (AF-KL), Alitalia (AZ) and Delta Air Lines (DL) breaches EU antitrust rules.
Republic Airways Holdings (RAH) has named airline executive David Siegel as CEO, president and interim COO of subsidiary Frontier Airlines (F9) to lead its restructuring program.
Porter Airlines launched 3X-daily Toronto-Timmins, Ontario service. Bangkok Airways (PG) and Finnair (AY) have signed a codeshare agreement beginning Jan. 15. AY will place its code on PG service between Bangkok and Samui, Phuket, Chiang Mai, as well as Singapore-Samui service and Hong Kong-Samui service. Iberia has increased 4X-weekly Madrid-Panama City service to 5X-weekly.
Iberia (IB) and unions representing flight attendants reached an accord, averting a strike to protest the possible impact on their jobs due to Iberia Express. The 4,000 cabin crew had planned to walk out Feb. 3, 6, 10 and 13. However, the airline’s pilots are still moving ahead with their industrial action Friday and Monday ( ATW Daily News, Jan. 25).
Alaska Air Group (AAG), parent of Alaska Airlines (AS) and Horizon Air, reported 2011 net income of $244.5 million, up 2.6% from $225.1 million year-over-year, in its second consecutive year of record earnings. AAG Chairman and CEO Bill Ayer told investors and reporters that the improvement was the result of company initiatives, including “schedule optimization and network expansion, high load factors, lower non-fuel unit costs and operational performance.”
JetBlue Airways (B6) reported 2011 net income of $86 million, down 11.34% from a $97 million profit in the year-ago period because of a 49.2% year-over-year increase in fuel-related expenses, as well as debt payments and capital expenditures amounting to approximately $234 million in the fourth quarter. However, the carrier told reporters and analysts it recorded "the best fourth-quarter performance in our history," reporting a net income of $23 million, up 187.5% from the $8 million earned in the year-ago quarter.
The good news continued Thursday for the US airline industry as United Continental Holdings (UCH), parent of merger partners United Airlines (UA) and Continental Airlines (CO), reported 2011 net income of $840 million.
The management shakeup at Airbus and its parent EADS that was announced Thursday, which promotes Airbus CEO Tom Enders to chief executive at EADS, marks a follow-through on the Franco-German compromise hammered out in the 2007 summer.
Airbus chief Tom Enders will take the helm of EADS as its next CEO and Fabrice Brégier will replace Enders as Airbus CEO, the company announced Thursday.
The good news continued Thursday for the US airline industry as United Continental Holdings (UCH), parent of merger partners United Airlines (UA) and Continental Airlines (CO), reported 2011 net income of $840 million.
AFI KLM E&M has completed maintenance checks, repainting and modifications on two Boeing 737-800s under a contract from Air Lease Corp. The aircraft have been delivered to new lessees, Caribbean Airlines and Transaero Airlines. Ameco Beijing completed business-class modifications of 16 Air China Airbus A330-200s. It will begin cabin upgrades on the carrier's Boeing 777 fleet this summer.
German regional carrier Cirrus Airlines (C9) ceased operations Jan. 20, announcing insolvency at a court in Saarbrucken. German Aviation Authority Luftfahrt-Bundesamt said the financially troubled carrier was not permitted to transport passengers and freight on a regular air services basis. C9 said that all 300 employees are still working but it is unclear if and when the carrier will restart operations. One possible investor, Swiss regional SkyWork Airlines, recently ceased negotiations with C9, a source told ATW.
Krasnodar-based Kuban Airlines (GW) carried nearly 900,000 passengers in 2011, up 35% over the previous year. International traffic grew 82% to 239,000 passengers. On domestic routes, GW carried more than 660,000 passengers, up 23.5% year-over-year. Load factor grew 17.8 percentage points to 72%. In 2011, GW operated more than 5,500 flights, up 7.5% over 2010.
Dubai International (DXB) reported passenger traffic of 51 million in 2011, up 8%, compared to 47.2 million in 2010, posting another record year for the airport. Aircraft movements totaled 326,317, up 6.2% over 2010. Average passenger numbers remained flat at 184. In 2011, DXB added 28 destinations and discontinued 17, boosting overall passenger destinations to 215, compared to 204 in 2010. Its strongest markets include India, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Qatar, Germany and the US.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has granted interim approval for a proposed corporate alliance between Virgin Australia (DJ) and Perth-based Skywest Airlines (XR).
Boeing posted 2011 net income of $4.02 billion, up 21.5% over a net profit of $3.31 billion in 2010, as the company's Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) unit increased revenue 13.6% year-over-year to $36.17 billion.
Boeing posted 2011 net income of $4.02 billion, up 21.5% over a net profit of $3.31 billion in 2010, as the company's Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) unit increased revenue 13.6% year-over-year to $36.17 billion.
