Internet Travel Brands acquires The Frugal Travel Guy blog SITA claims a milestone in near-field communications Amadeus report envisions new era of collaboration in travel A closer look at the Travelport Smartpoint App Atmosphere Research Group says ‘daily deals’ attract leisure travelers In Focus: A David-and-Goliath tale in airline revenue integrity World news briefing
David Harms is in a bit of a David-and Goliath situation. His relatively small company, Airlogica, competes with some of the largest and most successful companies in the travel industry — the GDS companies — in the field of billing information data tape audits, the mechanism by which airlines can identify problem areas in GDS bookings. Yet, he said, “we are very successful at what we do,” serving about 60 airlines around the world. He attributes that success in large part to Airlogica’s independence.
Oman Air appointed Wayne Pearce as its new CEO, succeeding Peter Hill who retired at year end. PAS Technologies has elected Tom Hutton as CEO. Hutton most recently served as VP-Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners. Cargolux Italia has selected Pierandrea Galli as CEO and accountable manager. Galli brings over 23 years of experience with Alitalia S.p.A. and Skylink Inc.
Bombardier delivered 245 aircraft in FY 2011, down 11 aircraft compared to FY 2010 (Feb. 1, 2010 to Jan. 31, 2011). According to the manufacturer, this delivery total is “essentially in line with the 240 aircraft delivery guidance that was provided in February 2011 although with a different mix of aircraft.”
With an eye toward the Asia/Pacific region's growing importance for the commercial aircraft leasing business, International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC) said it will establish offices in Beijing and Singapore this year. It also named head of transactions David Nixon to the newly created post of senior VP and head of Asia/Pacific.
The Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) program in Europe, which went into effect in 2002, has saved aircraft operators an estimated €3.9 billion ($5.05 billion) annually in cost benefits, Eurocontrol said Monday on the program’s 10th anniversary. The RVSM program, which went live Jan. 24, 2002, increased capacity in the airspace of 41 states by providing six extra flight levels between 29,000 ft. and 41,000 ft., bringing the total to 13, Eurocontrol said in a statement. Between 2002 and 2007, Europe’s upper air space capacity grew by 25%.
CFM International closed out 2011 as a record year, logging orders for a total 1,500 commercial, military and spare CFM56 engines, plus commitments for 3,056 Leap engines, including for the Airbus A320neo, the Boeing 737 MAX and the COMAC C919. The 4,556 engines have a total combined value of approximately $51.7 billion at list prices. The company said in “the next couple of months” it expects additional A320neo, 737 MAX and C919 announcements.
Iberia (IB) pilots represented by the SEPLA union plan to take strike action Jan. 25, Jan. 27 and Jan. 30 to protest company plans to create a lower-cost carrier, Iberia Express, for its loss-making medium-haul network.
The US House of Representatives passed an extension of FAA funding through Feb. 17, by which date House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) and other lawmakers believe a full, three- or four-year reauthorization bill can be cleared by Congress.
CFM International closed out 2011 as a record year, logging orders for a total 1,500 commercial, military and spare CFM56 engines, plus commitments for 3,056 Leap engines, including for the Airbus A320neo, the Boeing 737 MAX and the COMAC C919.
Saudi Arabian Airlines has ordered eight additional Boeing 777-300ERs. The order was announced as the carrier took delivery of its first two of the type from a previous deal for 12 aircraft, plus 10 options.
Emirates will launch daily Dubai-Ho Chi Minh City Airbus A330-200 service June 4, and will begin operating the route with a two-class Boeing 777-300ER Oct. 28. Alaska Airlines will launch daily San Diego service to Monterey and Santa Rosa June 4 and 2X-daily service to Fresno June 5. It will also launch 2X-daily Reno, Nev.-San Jose, Calif. service June 4. Allegiant Air will launch 2X-weekly Bloomington, Ill.-Orlando Sanford service May 16.
Turkish Airlines (TK) has equipped its first Boeing 777-300ER with Wi-Fi Internet connectivity in all cabins and plans to expand the service to 11 777-300ERs and 10 Airbus A330-300 aircraft in its fleet “as quickly as possible.” The Istanbul-based carrier added high-speed Wi-Fi broadband Internet access to its existing live inflight television service using Panasonic Avionics Corp.’s IFE platform, Planet. TK launched live television with a variety of programming on its 777-300ER transatlantic flights in September.
Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) has expanded its fleet with a Boeing 737-300, which offers 136 business- and economy-class cabin seats. This is the carrier’s 20 th 737, it said in a statement. According to UIA, its fleet expansion program became more urgent after adopting the new strategic model of a network carrier based at Kiev Boryspil. The airline’s fleet includes a mix of 20 737-300/400/500/800s, one Fokker 50 and two Antonov An-148 aircraft.
Russian UTair airline (UT) has signed a leasing agreement with Sberbank Leasing Co., for two Boeing 737-800s and five 737-500s for five years, in a deal estimated to be worth $100 million. According to a UT statement, the aircraft were delivered at the end of 2011. Sberbank Leasing said one of its main company strategies is to strengthen positions in the aviation market. After the first nine months of 2011, the company had a backlog worth more than RUB202 billion ($6.5 billion).
New York-based Bernstein Research has cautioned that the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 787 face challenges and that doubts continue on delivery schedules and weight.
All Nippon Airlines (ANA), launch customer for the Boeing 787, operated the first scheduled Boeing 787 long-haul service Jan. 21 from Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Frankfurt (FRA).
Southwest Airlines (SWA) said it will continue to operate to 22 airports now served by AirTran Airways, over time converting flights to/from those destinations to the SWA brand.
Republicans and Democrats in the US Congress said they have cleared the way toward passing a full FAA reauthorization bill (or at least a long-term funding extension) within weeks, potentially breaking a logjam that has lasted for more than four years.
This January "Redtails," the latest based-on-fact movie about the Tuskegee Airmen, premieres. To herald this event, LiveairshowTv looks at not just the units history but the contemporary efforts of a non-profit group to share the airmen's story and inspire a new generation of young men and women.
All Nippon Airlines (ANA), launch customer for the Boeing 787, operated the first scheduled Boeing 787 long-haul service Jan. 21 from Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Frankfurt (FRA).
