The Assn. of European Airlines (AEA) predicts its member airlines will post a €1 billion ($1.3 billion) to €2 billion EBIT loss for 2012 and is urging European institutions and the EU's 27 member states to take concrete action to improve this outlook.
Virgin Atlantic Airways (VS) and Lufthansa Group (LH) confirmed Monday they have signed a terms and conditions contract on the sale of LH’s loss-making UK subsidiary British Midland (bmi).
No agreement was reached on how to deal with carbon dioxide emissions from aviation and shipping at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that concluded Sunday in Durban, South Africa.
Virgin Atlantic Airways (VS) and Lufthansa Group (LH) signed a terms and conditions contract on the sale of LH’s loss-making UK subsidiary British Midland (bmi).
Etihad Airways (EY) has ordered 10 Boeing 787-9s, making it the largest Dreamliner airline customer. Abu Dhabi-based EY also committed to two 777 freighters.
US trade representative Ron Kirk adamantly rejected the EU's recent contention that it has taken appropriate action to comply with the World Trade Organization's (WTO) ruling earlier this year that Airbus benefited from illegal subsidies.
Porter Airlines took delivery of two new Bombardier Q400 aircraft, for which it placed a $61 million order in March. The carrier has four outstanding options for Q400s that it anticipates exercising within two years. United Airways (Bangladesh) took delivery of a third MD-83 (ex-Meelad Air) on lease from Phoenix Aircraft Leasing (Singapore). Taikoo Spirit Aerosystems, a composite joint venture between HAECO and Spirit AeroSystems, took delivery of two GE90 thrust reversers to be overhauled.
Jetstar Airways (JQ) has reiterated its commitment to Jetstar Pacific (BL) and dismissed erroneous claims that the Vietnam-based low-cost carrier will be absorbed as part of a proposed airline deal. BL is majority owned by the Vietnamese State Capital Investment Corp. (SCIC) and 27% owned by the Qantas Group (QF). JQ said the misleading claims stem from reports of a proposed ownership swap between SCIC and Vietnam Airlines (VN)—a swap QF has publicly said it supports. QF’s 27% stake would be unaffected by the deal.
Qantas (QF) CEO Alan Joyce is convinced the future of travel in Asia, the world's fastest-growing market, is just as much about premium airlines as LCCs. Joyce told a conference in Sydney last week that within two decades, 16% of the world's middle class would be in East Asia. ''We are convinced the future of Asia is not just about low-fares airlines travel,'' he said. ''Chinese visitors are pouring into Australia. And we know that Chinese travelers rate prestige brands and safety as among their top travel priorities.''
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approved the enhanced Package B version of the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine, which powers the Boeing 787. The Package B version of the Trent 1000 is certified to 70,000 lb. take-off thrust.
Domestic flights in Russia have decreased 10% over past decade in favor of international flights because achieving profitability on domestic routes is difficult, it was announced at the annual meeting of Russian Assn. of Air Transport Operators (AEVT). Even though the total number of Russian passengers has nearly doubled in the past five years, the country’s 834 flight connections are still small, with airlines linking to only 202 cities. In the last Soviet Union airline schedule in 1992, there were 4,780 connections joining 432 cities via airline routes.
The Hungarian Ministry of National Development has denied that Malev Hungarian Airlines (MA) is nearing bankruptcy as was reported by several media outlets last week.
Two Cargolux Airlines International (CV) executives, including its former CEO, have entered into a plea agreement with the US Dept. of Justice (DOJ) in which they agreed to serve 13 months in prison for fixing surcharge rates on air cargo shipments.
Malaysia Airlines (MH) unveiled a plan to return to profitability by 2013 that includes launching a new regional premium airline, shrinking its network, focusing on costs and making aggressive efforts to win back customers.
US trade representative Ron Kirk adamantly rejected the EU's recent contention that it has taken appropriate action to comply with the World Trade Organization's (WTO) ruling earlier this year that Airbus benefited from illegal subsidies.
The Hungarian Ministry of National Development has denied that Malev Hungarian Airlines (MA) is nearing bankruptcy as was reported by several media outlets earlier this week.
Two Cargolux Airlines International (CV) executives, including its former CEO, have entered into a plea agreement with the US Dept. of Justice in which they agreed to serve 13 months in prison for fixing surcharge rates on air cargo shipments.
Estonian Air (OV) has joined the European Regions Airline Assn. The carrier operates two Boeing 737-500s, two Bombardier CRJ900NextGens and two Saab 340s. This month, OV will add the third CRJ900 NextGen. In 2010 the airline carried 582,320 passengers. Etihad Airways announced a reciprocal frequent flyer agreement with codeshare partner Malaysia Airlines.
Boeing has rolled out its first 737NG at the production rate of 35 aircraft a month ( ATW Daily News, June 16, 2010) and is on track to deliver the aircraft to launch customer Norwegian Air Shuttle ( ATW Daily News, June 22) in January, the company said.
Boeing finalized an order with Air Lease Corp. (ALC) for four 787-9s. ALC also exercised options for four 737-800 NextGens. The order, worth more than $1.2 billion, marks the completion of an agreement announced during the Paris Air Show in June ( ATW Daily News, Aug. 16). The aircraft join the 74 737-800s and five 777-300ERs that ALC has on order.
