The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has approved the comprehensive integrated network alliance between Virgin Australia (VA) and Singapore Airlines (SIA).
The FAA announced Thursday it is awarding $7.7 million in contracts to eight companies engaged in developing/producing alternative fuel to power commercial flights.
Airlines in the EU will be allowed to buy and sell slots under clear and transparent conditions across the 27 member states under legislation proposed by the European Commission (EC).
Airbus said Thursday that the EU has made "limited changes" that remedy the illegal aid the World Trade Organization (WTO) had earlier this year ruled the manufacturer received on the A380 program.
Transaero Airlines (UN) has accused Rosaviatsia—Russia’s Dept. of Aviation/Ministry of Transport—of restricting competition and supporting a monopoly after it said the regulator withdrew permission for the carrier to operate charter flights from Moscow to Rome, Milan and Venice in the winter season.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has approved the comprehensive integrated network alliance between Virgin Australia (VA) and Singapore Airlines (SIA).
Emirates and AFI KLM E&M have signed a five-year nonexclusive agreement for component services, and a general terms agreement, on its Boeing 777 and Airbus A330/A340 fleets. Airbus signed an agreement with SR Technics and Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies, both part of Mubadala Aerospace’s global MRO network, for the implementation of the Airbus Managed Inventory (AMI) service. The implementation of AMI will ensure the replenishment of the high-usage and non-repairable Airbus parts.
Airbus has completed the first flight of its fuel-saving sharklet wing-tip devices on the company’s A320 development aircraft (MSN 001). The flight marks the start of flight testing to capture data for fine-tuning the flight laws, as well as for certification and performance validation.
Finnair (AY) will return four Airbus A320s at the end of their lease periods in the fall of 2012 as part of its €140 million ($186.6 million) cost-savings program, to be completed by 2014 ( ATW Daily News, Oct. 10). As a result of this move, AY said it “expects to realize a boost in narrowbody aircraft utilization.” The move will not impact personnel.
Inflight Wi-Fi rivals Gogo and OnAir have been selected by Inmarsat as partners to bring its Global Xpress satellite service to the aviation market. Global Xpress will enable the two to utilize the first global Ka-band solution, which OnAir CEO Ian Dawkins dubs “the next generation of inflight connectivity,” with expected transmission speeds of up to 50 megabits per second.
Qatar Airways’ (QR) outspoken CEO Akbar Al Baker took another swing at American and European regulators and governments, calling their comments that Gulf carriers distort the level playing field “pure hypocrisy.” Speaking during a debate at the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) annual general meeting in Abu Dhabi, Al Baker criticized the new practice by some EU member states to include a fair competition clause in their air services agreements (ASA) with a number of Gulf States.
Honeywell Process Solutions will invest its engineering services and equipment to accelerate the commercial deployment of AliphaJet’s renewable drop-in biofuels, it announced Wednesday at the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative Expo in Washington. AliphaJet will use Honeywell Controls, instrumentation and advanced solutions, including its Experion Process Knowledge System and UniSim process simulators and field instrumentation.
Reports from London indicate that Wednesday's UK public sector strike, in which a large number of Border Agency immigration officers are participating, has not caused gridlock at London Heathrow (LHR) and other major UK airports as had been feared ( ATW Daily News, Nov. 29).
United Continental Holdings received FAA approval Wednesday for a single operating certificate, the final regulatory step integrating United Airlines (UA) and Continental Airlines (CO).
The European Union (EU) should withdraw plans to impose a unilateral European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) on non-EU airlines, the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) said at its annual meeting in Abu Dhabi.
Reports from London indicate that Wednesday's UK public sector strike, in which a large number of Border Agency immigration officers are participating, has not caused gridlock at London Heathrow (LHR) and other major UK airports as had been feared.
Lufthansa will launch 2X-daily Frankfurt-Moscow Vnukovo service from March 25, increasing weekly services between Germany and nine Russian destinations to 153. Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) announced an expansion of its codeshare with Japan Airlines (JAL) under which its CX code will be placed on selected JAL service from Tokyo Haneda to Izumo, Miyazaki, Misawa, Matsuyama, Nagasaki, Oita, Tokushima and Ube; Tokyo Narita-Nagoya; and Sapporo-Nagoya.
Boeing has implemented 10 initiatives that will eliminate 5.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide and 300,000 gallons of jet fuel used annually during the 777 delivery process. The first customer to benefit from all 10 initiatives is Air New Zealand, which took delivery of a 777-300ER earlier this month.
Air Berlin (AB) is looking for strategic investors and has contacted Etihad Airways and Haikou-based HNA Group, parent of Hainan Airlines, the German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung has reported. The financially troubled AB operates a codeshare agreement with HNA.
Qantas (QF) has denied Australian media reports that its Asian strategy has been put on hold and confirmed that discussions were continuing with Malaysia Airlines (MH) and Singaporean interests. In August, the Qantas Group announced it was setting up a joint venture with Japan Airlines and Mitsubishi to form Jetstar Japan, and it would also launch a premium branded airline in Asia to tap the rising middle class ( ATW Daily News, Aug. 15).
Brussels Airlines (SN) will add three frequencies on its Brussels-Moscow route, nearly doubling the number of flights between the two capitals to 13 weekly flights by the summer schedule 2012.
News from Travel Technology Update: Behind the rancor and noise surrounding American Airlines’ attempts to change the current distribution model, Travelport president and CEO Gordon Wilson sees something quite different going on.
