TAM's Technological Center in Sao Carlos received EASA 145 certification for MRO services including C and D checks on A321s and A330s. The center also has been approved for A319s, A320s and F100s.
Noncash losses on fuel hedges and currency fluctuations dragged AirAsia to its first quarterly loss since going public in 2004, a MYR465.5 million ($128.2 million) third-quarter deficit that represented a reversal from the MYR180 million earned in the year-ago period.
Air Europa parent Globalia signed a contract converting purchase rights for six E-195s worth $237 million at list prices, Embraer announced. Globalia placed its initial order in February ( ATWOnline, Feb. 8). Delivery of the first newly ordered aircraft is scheduled for mid-2010. Air Europa will be the first carrier to operate the E-195 in a single-class, 122-seat configuration, Embraer said.
British Airways and Qantas are exploring a potential merger "via a dual-listed company structure," both carriers confirmed yesterday in a brief statement responding to recent speculation. The oneworld partners warned that there is "no guarantee that any transaction will be forthcoming" and did not offer any timeline for a possible transaction.
UPS Airlines added its first 747-400F to its European fleet, replacing an MD-11 freighter. Aircraft is powered by CF6-80C2B5Fs and will operate a five-times-weekly Cologne-Hong Kong service.
Air New Zealand is allowing economy passengers to purchase an otherwise empty seat for NZ$75 ($41.12) per sector. Called a "comfort seat," it has been available for the past month at check-in for flights from Auckland to Los Angeles and San Francisco and was added to Vancouver service last week. GM-International Airline Ed Sims said response has been enthusiastic despite the fact that ANZ has "not marketed the product as yet." Inbound availability is expected soon, with the entire long-haul network to follow.
Ryanair launched a new takeover bid for rival Aer Lingus yesterday with an all-cash offer valuing the Irish flag carrier at €748 million ($949 million). The LCC's hostile offer of €2.80 per share was thwarted two years ago ( ATWOnline, Dec. 22, 2006). It now intends to offer €1.40 per EI share, a price that represents a premium of 25% over last Friday's closing price of €1.12. Ryanair already is EI's largest shareholder at 29.82%.
China Southern Airlines last week received notice that China's Ministry of Finance agreed to inject CNY3 billion ($438.9 million) in the carrier's holding company, it said in a filing with the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. China's beleaguered national carriers have been appealing to the government for aid ( ATWOnline, Oct. 31). Trading in CZ shares was suspended Nov. 26-27.
Saudi Arabian LCC Sama named Bruce Ashby CEO, replacing Andrew Cowen. Ashby formerly was president and CEO of IndiGo and US Airways executive VP-marketing and planning.
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International remained closed yesterday, but antigovernment protesters who seized the airport allowed 37 aircraft carrying no passengers to take off late Sunday and early Monday. While an estimated 100,000-300,000 foreign passengers remain stranded in Bangkok, airlines are trying to get aircraft out of the facility. There reportedly were 88 aircraft at BKK when protesters seeking the resignation of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat stormed it on Nov. 25 ( ATWOnline, Nov. 27).
Arik Air took delivery of the first of three Trent 500-powered A340-500s. Aircraft will be operated on flights to London Heathrow, New York JFK and Houston, Airbus said.
Mesa Air Group announced a settlement with the former controlling shareholder of Aloha Airlines, Yucaipa Cos., ending the latter's lawsuit against the go!
Malev Hungarian Airlines took delivery of the first of four former SAS Group Q400s. It plans to introduce four new Q400s beginning in 2012, replacing its F70s and CRJ200s.
Tiger Airways and Tiger Airways Australia parent Tiger Aviation posted a S$9.9 million ($6.5 million) profit in the fiscal year ended March 31, the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation reported. Result compares to a S$24.7 million loss the previous year. The Singapore-based mainline reported a S$37.8 million profit ( ATWOnline, Aug. 11), while the new Australian subsidiary posted a A$12.2 million ($8 million) operating loss.
WestJet yesterday began offering passengers a "blanket and pillow kit" for C$7 ($5.64). Passengers may keep the pillow and fleece blanket or continue to use WestJet's reusable blankets for free during flights.
Volvo Aero Services Corp. reached a five-year preferred supplier agreement with Ethiopian Airlines to position more than $20 million in engine material to support MRO activities. In exchange, ET will provide VAS with MRO support on select engines and material.
United Airlines parent UAL Corp. entered into agreements with J.P. Morgan Securities and Morgan Stanley & Co. to sell up to $200 million in stock "from time to time" through either broker. Air Canada reached agreement with Aeroplan to "accelerate" approximately C$70 million ($56.4 million) in payments by Dec. 31 for reward tickets issued for travel through May 29, helping AC boost near-term liquidity.
China's ARJ21-700 made its first flight on Nov. 28, GE Aviation announced ( ATWOnline, Oct. 10). The GE CF34-10A-powered regional jet reached an altitude of 9,000 ft. during the 1-hr. flight, which took place approximately 11 months after rollout. The aircraft is produced by Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China. A second flight is planned for this month, "followed by engineering flight tests in early 2009," GE stated.
A French rescue team yesterday recovered the flight data recorder from the Air New Zealand A320 that crashed into the Mediterranean Sea Nov. 27 on approach to Perpignan during a test flight, but the FDR and previously recovered cockpit voice recorder reportedly are badly damaged.
US Airways was selected by the US Dept. of Transportation to operate daily Washington National-Akron/Canton service beginning by Jan. 25. Slots became available when AirTran Airways ceased operating DCA-Milwaukee on Sept. 3. Midwest Airlines also applied for the slots.
Austrian Airlines Group said it expects €240-€290 million ($304.5-367.9 million) in one-off impairment charges to appear on its full-year financial report, which could drag the company's net loss to nearly €500 million. In late October it said it expected a €100-€125 million net loss before special items ( ATWOnline, Oct. 29). AAG said €150-€200 million will be related to the falling value of its fleet, especially its 767-300ERs, while around €90 million is related to tax deferrals.
SITA said Malaysia Airlines selected its in-house reservations system as part of a $130 million improvement program. Ten-year deal includes e-ticketing and departure control system upgrades allowing for self-service options including kiosk and Web check-in. Separately, SITA reached a deal with Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Computer Informatics Service Center to offer its AirportConnect Open common-use check-in systems and baggage management solutions to regional hubs in China.
Cathay Pacific Airways unveiled new measures to "help the airline deal with a serious downturn in business as a result of the global financial crisis," including scaling back capacity growth and grounding two freighters. It also is offering unpaid leave to pilots and flight attendants and requesting a two-year delay in the completion of a new cargo terminal at Hong Kong International.
