United Parcel Service (UPS) reported first-quarter net income of $911 million, down 12.2% from a net profit of $1.04 billion in the prior-year quarter, as earnings were hit hard by severe winter weather in the US.
San Francisco-based Virgin America will take on Southwest Airlines at the Dallas-based airline’s home airport, launching flights from Dallas Love Field (DAL) in October.
Italy’s Unione Italiana del Lavoro (UIL) union has said it should part of negotiations as Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways considers making an investment in Italian flag carrier Alitalia.
London’s Heathrow Airport says a report it commissioned from Frontier Economics estimates that by 2030 the average price of return ticket for passengers using the airport could cost £300 ($504) less if the airport is allowed to expand and add a third runway.
Alaska Air Group, parent of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, reported $94 million net income for the first-quarter, more than doubling the $37 million net income reported in the year-ago period.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co., parent of Allegiant Air, reported first-quarter net income of $34 million, up 7% from $31.8 million in the year-ago quarter.
Embraer Commercial Aviation forecasts that airlines in Africa and the Middle East will take delivery of 530 new 70-130 seat aircraft, valued at $25 billion at list prices, over the next 20 years.
Ukraine International Airlines has launched Kiev Boryspil-New York JFK services, its first transatlantic flight following the reinstatement of Ukraine’s Category 1 status by FAA in September 2013.
UK carrier bmi regional will launch Embraer E-145 6X-weekly service between Karlstad, in southern Sweden, and Frankfurt from May as the airline steps up its search for new routes with growth potential.
Japan Airlines (JAL), which recently expanded its codeshare agreement with Korean Air, has signed an eight-route agreement with Bangkok Airways as it pushes further into Southeast Asia.
Central Asia-based Uzbekistan Airways is on track to join the SkyTeam global alliance, the carrier’s European regional manager Timur Kerimov told ATW in Vienna.
American Airlines Group, parent of merging carriers American Airlines and US Airways, reported net income of $480 million for the three months ended March 31—the first reporting period for the combined entity.
United Continental Holdings, parent of United Airlines, reported a first-quarter net loss of $609 million, including $120 million of special charges, deepened from a net loss of $417 million in the 2013 first-quarter.
Southwest Airlines earned first-quarter net income of $152 million, a significant improvement over a net profit of $59 million in the prior-year period, and expects continued strength throughout 2014.
Italy-based Lufthansa subsidiary Air Dolomiti, which operates as a hub feeder carrier for Lufthansa and provides point-to-point service at its own risk, is evaluating new opportunities including European regional routes.
JetBlue Airways CEO Dave Barger has expressed his disappointment with the decision of the carrier’s pilots to unionize and predicted negotiations on an initial labor contract will take nearly three years.
Irish regional airline Stobart Air has appointed former bmibaby chief Julian Carr as its new managing director and promoted interim managing director Sean Brogan to chairman.
