After less than two years of intensive effort and just four formal meetings, the Asia-Pacific region is close to finalizing its seamless air traffic management (ATM) plan—a blueprint for addressing the fragmentation that constrains the region’s airspace.
Air New Zealand (ANZ) has received US Customs and Border Protection approval for transit access for passengers arriving at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from Auckland or London. On completion of US visa requirements, ANZ transiting passengers will receive a token that allows access to the general terminal area, including ANZ’s LAX lounge, for those who are eligible, without clearing security.
Small jet manufacturers are planning to invest heavily in their platforms and increase the size of current aircraft. Superjet International VP business development John Buckley revealed plans at the ISTAT Americas 2013 conference in Orlando in March to stretch the 100-seat Sukhoi SuperJet to 120-130 seats. “As we move forward, we will be stretching the aircraft to 120-130 seats and begin to have a family of aircraft,” he said.
All European airlines have been caught in the eye of the economic storm, but smaller carriers are finding the turbulent market conditions harder to weather than their larger counterparts. This is illustrated in a recent study by Hamburg-based aviation consultancy firm Prologis that revealed a third of Europe’s regional airlines have disappeared over the last five years, with the number of carriers tumbling from 195 to just 130 since 2008, resulting in 12,000 job losses.
Dubai International Airport handled 5.08 million passengersin February, up 11.4% from February 2012. Aircraft movements reached 28,085 in February, up 3.8%. The average number of passengers per aircraft movement was 201, up 4.4% over 2012. The figure increased primarily due to Emirates Airbus A380s serving the airport. Freight traffic at the airport in February was 182,580 tonnes, up 15.9% year-over-year.
The Regional Airline Association (RAA) holds its 38th annual convention May 6-9 in Montreal, the first time the event will be outside the US. Cohen has led Washington DC-based RAA since December 2006.
Like the music after which it is named, Canada’s largest regional airline is versatile and adaptable, operating a diverse fleet of aircraft on one of the more distinctive route networks in the world. Flying as far south as US cities Houston and New Orleans and as far north as remote Canadian destinations Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Goose Bay, Jazz Aviation contends with a wide range of operating environments and serves a varied mix of passengers.
IATA slightly improved its 2013 financial outlook for the world’s airlines in March, citing strong passenger demand and signs that cargo markets are starting to grow again. IATA now expects airlines to produce a combined net post-tax profit margin of 1.6%, up from the previously forecast 1.3%, with a net post-tax profit of $10.6 billion, up from the previously projected $8.4 billion.
Japan Airlines (JAL) reported net income of ¥171.6 billion ($1.75 billion) for its full fiscal year ended March 31, down 8% from a net profit of ¥186.6 billion in the prior fiscal year, and said Tuesday that 787 service will resume June 1.
Turkish low-cost carrier (LCC) Pegasus Airlines has floated 34.5% of its share capital on the Istanbul stock exchange, completing its long-awaited initial public offering (IPO).
