When Jürgen Weber became chairman and CEO of Lufthansa in 1991, the German airline was in a troubled state emblematic of many airlines around the world at the time. It was a government-owned, loss-making enterprise with a relatively limited, German-centric network. Over the course of his 12 years at the helm of the company, Weber—who started his career at Lufthansa in 1967 in the carrier’s engineering/maintenance division—undertook a series of changes that not only turned around Lufthansa, but in many ways helped transform the airline industry as a whole.
To merit ATW’s top award, an airline must demonstrate excellence and outstanding performance across the board. The ATW editors look for superb innovation and leadership by executive management; strong financial discipline; a consistent and excellent safety record; proven leadership in community, eco and technology endeavors; and consistent high standards of customer service. When the airline achieves all this in a tough and highly competitive market, as our winner has done, then it surely exhibits the hallmark qualities that set it apart.
Turkish Technic signed a C check maintenance contract with Nordwind Airlines for two Airbus A321s. Services will be carried out in March at the Turkish Technic facilities in Istanbul. Saab won a five-year contract with British Midland Regional for component maintenance and the repair of BMI Regional’s 18 Embraer 145 and Embraer 135 aircraft. The contract is valued at SEK105 million ($16.4 million) and covers approximately 400 components.
Embraer reported a 2012 net profit of $348.6 million, significantly widened over $120.4 million in net income in 2011, on a 6.5% rise in revenue to $6.18 billion.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), which has made strong progress toward the airline’s 4 Excellence NG turnaround plan, is moving forward with plans to harmonize its fleet.
Includes: Top 20 World Airports, Top 20 Reporting Airlines, World Airline Traffic, Jet Fuel Price Monitor, US Fuel Cost and Consumption, Aircraft Values, US Denied Boarding, US Ontime Performance, US Consumer Complaints, Transport Aircraft Deliveries, Airline Traffic by Region, IATA Traffic Growth by Region, US Mishandled Baggage
Includes: Top 20 World Airports, Top 20 Reporting Airlines, World Airline Traffic, Jet Fuel Price Monitor, US Fuel Cost and Consumption, Aircraft Values, Aircraft Data, US Ontime Performance, US Consumer Complaints, Aircraft Deliveries, Airline Traffic by Region, IATA Traffic Growth by Region, US Mishandled Baggage
“Go west, young man” was said a century ago. The South American continent promises to have several of the most vibrant, dynamic economies and societies in the world in the 21st century, which will have a profound impact on the airline industry. The continent has the potential to outstrip even that of Asia, based on the rich endowment of minerals and the entrepreneurial capabilities found in countries such as Chile, Brazil and Columbia.
Like a cloud of carbon dioxide, the sense of relief across the industry was palpable if not visible as European Union Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard announced a long-awaited decision that many began to think might not come.
In the last decade the Mexican commercial airline market has seen nearly a dozen airlines cease operations, including its oldest carrier, Mexicana, in 2010. In 2008 alone, five Mexican airlines closed their doors—Aero California, Aladia Airlines, ALMA de Mexico, Avolar Aerolineas and Nova Air. Through this turmoil, Mexico City-based Interjet (4O) has not only weathered the economic storm, but has taken advantage of the gaps left by those airline departures. Today, 4O is one of Mexico’s fastest-growing carriers.
Tunisair (TU) is working intensely to finalize a five-year restructuring plan by the close of 2012 that will see it shed 2,000 jobs, pace new aircraft deliveries and expand the reach of its network in the wake of Tunisia’s recent revolution.
The year was 1990 when Ryanair (FR) switched from a full-service carrier to a low-fare model. The next year it made its first profit. Sixteen years later the airline began charging for checked baggage. Ancillary fees and a la carte options are now an important part of many airline revenue streams. They have prompted criticism from the public and lawmakers, but these types of fees are not unique to the industry.
If the global economy is still in the doldrums, someone forgot to tell attendees at the 2012 Farnborough Airshow in July. Airbus alone logged sales at the show valued at a list-price total of $16.5 billion and which included 26 A350-1000s for Cathay Pacific, 20 A321s for Russia’s UTair and a commitment by Irish lessor Avolon for 15 A320neos.
Delta Air Lines’s plan to remove 66 SkyWest Bombardier CRJ200s from service and close its Comair subsidiary has renewed speculation about the fate of smaller and older jets in an age of high fuel prices that favors larger and newer aircraft.
Over the years, an airline flight came to be seen by many travelers, especially business passengers, as a reprieve from the constant communications that have become a common part of modern life. In a sense, the aircraft itself also was on a communications reprieve. While pilots and radar kept planes in contact with ATC, information about the aircraft’s condition and precise navigation was usually not available while a flight was in the air.
