AirAsia will introduce a fee for all checked baggage on flights booked from April 21. Passengers who pre-book their bag will pay MYR3 ($0.94) for each piece up to 15 kg. and those paying at the check-in counter will pay MYR5 per piece. Bags weighing more than 15 kg. will cost extra, although there is no limit on the number of bags that can be checked, while the restriction to one piece of carry-on luggage will remain. "AirAsia believes that guests should be given the option to choose the services they require and pay only for those services.
Boeing yesterday released details of its revised 787 program schedule, as well as data concerning the program's progress, in conjunction with the announcement that the aircraft's first flight will be delayed until the 2008 fourth quarter (see story above). Pat Shanahan, 787 VP and program manager, said, "The work that remains to be done on the first airplane is well defined and we can see our way to, and have confidence in, the new milestones we have set for it."
Aviapartner reported consolidated turnover of €378.6 million ($595.6 million) in 2007, up 35% from 2006. The Brussels-based handler did not release net or operating profit, but CEO Peter Oostenenk told ATWOnline that "operational performance is on track. . .Our profitability is above the sector average," although he conceded that "margins in the market are under pressure." The airport services company, which is majority controlled by 3i, is confident it can maintain strong growth this year.
Alitalia said late Tuesday that its financial situation allows it to continue operations in the "short term" and reiterated the need for "substantial financial support" as forecast in both its budget and the takeover proposal by Air France-KLM. "Only by means of such support will it be possible to regain the required confidence to pursue the company's business plan and hence to confirm continuity of operations," the carrier said following a board meeting. Union representatives are scheduled to meet with AZ management today.
Air France-KLM flew 17.68 billion RPKs in March, up 3.2% from the year-ago month. Capacity rose 4.8% to 21.83 billion ASKs, dropping load factor 1.3 points to 81%. Northwest Airlines flew 7.16 billion consolidated RPMs in March, up 2% over the year-ago month, against a 0.6% lift in capacity to 8.24 billion ASMs. Load factor rose 1.3 points to 87%.
Hit hard by surging oil prices and fierce competition from Cathay Pacific Airways, Oasis Hong Kong Airlines, the 17-month-old low-cost, long-haul carrier, ceased operations yesterday. Oasis CEO Stephen Miller said the airline applied for a voluntary liquidator and that two representatives of KPMG were appointed by the Hong Kong Court to oversee the liquidation.
American Airlines cancelled "several hundred" flights yesterday in order to conduct additional MD-80 inspections and "ensure precise and complete compliance with the FAA's airworthiness directive related to the bundling of wires in the aircraft's wheel wells." AA said the cancellations could number as many as 500 by the end of yesterday and that additional cancellations are likely today.
US Dept. of Transportation named Marie Kennington-Gardiner as its New York Aviation Czar. She will direct the newly formed New York Integration Office and "coordinate regional airspace issues and all projects and initiatives addressing problems of congestion and delays in New York." Creation of the position was part of a December compromise reached between DOT and US airlines ( ATWOnline, Dec. 20, 2007).
CSA Czech Airlines will continue to lease an A310-300 to Air India under the terms of a recently signed extended agreement. Aircraft has been operating out of Mumbai since March 2007.
US Airways mechanics represented by the International Assn. of Machinists ratified a three-year labor agreement that transfers all US maintenance-and-related employees to one contract. It covers some 3,300 employees (comprising 2,500 former US Airways and 800 former America West Airlines staff) and becomes amendable Dec. 31, 2011.
Aer Lingus and United Airlines signed a codeshare agreement under which EI will place its code on UA flights departing from all seven of EI's US gateways while UA will add its code to EI's transatlantic flights to/from Dublin and Shannon. Agreement takes effect Nov. 1 pending US government approval.
Bangkok's downtown airport terminal will open by year end, providing remote check-in and high-speed train service to Suvarnabhumi International, according to Bangkok's Daily Xpress. The three-story Makkasan terminal will have 200 parking spaces and a connection to the city's rapid rail system. Commuter trains with intermediate stops will reach the airport in 27 min.
AiRUnion COO Gustav Baldauf told ATWOnline that the airline group comprising KrasAir, Domodedovo Airlines, Samara Airlines, Omskavia and Sibaviatrans is making every effort to get its own AOC by June. "We have finalized plans to increase productivity and efficiency. The final agreement and approval just depends now on the owners of AiRUnion, the Russian government and [CEO] Boris and [President] Alexander Abramovich," he said. A decision is expected this month.
IATA yesterday announced a $3.7 million initiative, the Implementation Program for Safe Operations in Africa, that will give 30 African carriers access to the organization's Flight Data Analysis tool over a three-year period. IATA DG and CEO Giovanni Bisignani said in Lagos that the partnership is designed "to improve both safety and efficiency." IATA said that just 25 African airlines are among the 193 on the IOSA registry and that 15 have open findings ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline.
US FAA removed Southwest Region Manager-Flight Standards Thomas Stuckey from his position, the latest fallout from the ongoing controversy over the agency's oversight of Southwest Airlines.
Airbus received 54 aircraft orders in March, including its second for a VIP version of the A350 XWB, and delivered a record 48 aircraft, including the third A380 to Singapore Airlines. Last month's orders comprised 27 A320 family aircraft (including six Airbus Corporate Jetliners), 26 A330s and the A350. Deliveries comprised 39 A320 family aircraft, eight A330s/A340s and the A380. Previous delivery record was 46 in October 2006.
Mesa Air Group filed a lawsuit in a US federal court against Delta Air Lines, which last week terminated Mesa subsidiary Freedom Airlines' ERJ-145 regional flying contract ( ATWOnline, April 3), according to press reports.
Gulf Air announced a major rebranding project that will include new livery, aircraft interiors, staff uniforms and airport lounges. It appointed London/Singapore-based designers James Park Associates to implement the redesign, which it said "will coincide with an expansion and updating of Gulf Air's aircraft fleet." CEO Bjorn Naf said, "With the help of James Park Associates, we will redesign every aspect of the passenger experience to blend traditional comfort with cutting-edge technology and materials, giving our customers an unforgettable journey with Gulf Air."
Avianca will purchase Tampa Cargo and form a strategic alliance with Martinair, which currently holds a 57% share in the Colombian cargo airline. Avianca also will acquire the remaining shares held by private local investors. "In Bogota, Colombia, the parties reached a principle agreement on the sale of 100% of the shares. The transaction is expected to be finalized in June 2008," Martinair said. Value of the transaction was not disclosed.
Boeing is expected to announce another delay to the 787 program today, but the manufacturer is emphasizing that the 747-8 freighter and passenger programs will not be affected.
Etihad Crystal Cargo signed a contract to publish airfreight rates and post operational announcements to freight forwarders on OAG Cargo Solutions' worldwide cargo portal.
Airberlin announced that Sapinda and Vatas Holding subsidiary Harlem One BV sold its 18.6% share in the airline group. It had bought a 15.4% stake in early January, becoming the company's largest shareholder, before raising its share shortly thereafter. AB said "an institutional investor has agreed to acquire shares in the same amount" but did not elaborate. AB and its subsidiaries transported 2.2 million passengers last month up 5.5% from the year-ago period. Load factor rose 3.9 points to 77.8% and unit revenue was up 0.6% to €5.23 cents.
China Eastern Airlines admitted yesterday that last week's "disgraceful" incidents at its Yunnan Branch Co., where 21 flights departing the airport turned around and returned, were the result of a "human factor," most likely disgruntled pilots. The flights, which were scheduled to leave Kunming for Dali, Lijiang, Banla, Mangshi, Simao and Lincang, took off but then returned, causing significant delays at the airport. CEA originally cited weather as an explanation even though other carriers operating from the provincial capital completed their flights successfully.
