Air Transport World

Aircraft News-Jan. 5, 2018

Following the December 2017 launch of eight international routes and subsequent indications of improving yields, Mexico City-based ultra LCC Volaris increased its profit guidance for fourth-quarter 2017 to 27%-29%, the airline said Jan. 5.

British Airways (BA) will substantially increase operations at London Gatwick Airport as it fights off the growing incursions of competitors such as LCC Norwegian.

UK LCC easyJet launched its first German flights and operations from a new base at Berlin Tegel Airport on Jan. 5.

Istanbul-based Turkish Airlines is targeting 74 million passengers carried in 2018, comprising 33 million on domestic and 41 million on international routes.

Turkish Airlines has signed an MOU with Airbus to acquire 20 A350-900s, plus five options.

Three more carriers are banning so-called smart bags from being checked into luggage holds unless the bag’s integrated lithium battery can be removed and carried separately.

Scandinavian LCC Norwegian carried a record number of passengers in 2017 as it continued to step up its long-haul program.

Airbus has assembled the first A321neo ACF (Airbus Cabin Flex), a version of the re-engined narrowbody that allows for higher seating capacity.

Hong Kong-based lessor China Aircraft Leasing Group (CALC) has signed a purchase agreement for 15 A320neos, valued at $1.63 billion at list prices.

MRO Briefs-Jan. 4, 2018

Airbus has acquired Aurora, Colorado-based Strategic Simulation Solutions, expanding its North American flight training footprint.

Air cargo operators expect further growth for transporting goods by air in 2018, after a strong 2017, with e-commerce in particular driving the growth.

A winter storm moving up the US and Canadian east coast is the driving force behind more than 4,600 US flight cancellations—and counting—since Jan. 3.

Chorus Aviation Capital (CAC), the aircraft leasing subsidiary of Halifax-based Chorus Aviation, said Jan. 4 that a CAC subsidiary has delivered two new Bombardier Q400 turboprops placed on long-term lease to Ethiopian Airlines.

A US-based marine survey firm expects a contract award from the Malaysian government within days to resume searching for the Boeing 777-200 that disappeared almost four years ago while operating as Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Irish LCC Ryanair has named Porto International Airport, in northern Portugal, as its third connection hub.

Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co. (SCAC) produced 34 Sukhoi Superjet 100s (SSJ100) in 2017 and delivered 30 of the type last year, the Russian manufacturer said in a statement.

Kazakhstan’s Air Astana has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo, which is on an operating lease from Dublin-based lessor AerCap.

Asia-Pacific airlines continue to see healthy growth in passenger demand, and an even stronger uptick in cargo demand.

Southwest Airlines has exercised 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 options while deferring 23 737 MAX 7 deliveries, a fleet adjustment the Dallas-based carrier said was driven by the tax bill passed in late December by the US Congress.

Leisure travel group Thomas Cook has acquired Airberlin Aviation, an affiliate of bankrupt airberlin, to speed up its growth in the German market.

North American airlines and airports along the US and Canadian east coast are bracing for a winter storm forecast to affect operations from northern Florida to Newfoundland between Jan. 3-Jan. 6, 2018.

LCC Norwegian has made three C-level management changes, as it prepares for further network expansion and an upgrade of its long-haul product to include Wi-Fi and an improved premium cabin.

Swedavia and Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) have signed a loan agreement of SEK2 billion ($245 million) for the construction of a new pier at Stockholm Arlanda Airport.