Air Transport World

GKN Aerospace has become a tier one member of the UK’s Manufacturing Technology Center. The company joins other major UK-based aerospace manufacturers, including Airbus and Rolls-Royce, as a high level member of the center, which has been founded in direct response to the UK government’s national manufacturing strategy.

Hawaiian Airlines pilots have ratified a tentative agreement on new contract terms covering the operation of Airbus A321neos.

Lufthansa Technik has announced plans to cut 650 jobs by 2015 as part of an extensive reorganization program.

Finnair CEO Mika Vehvilainen has resigned to take a new position as CEO of Finnish cargo and load handling specialist Cargotec.

EasyJet chairman Michael Rake has announced plans to step down as easyJet non-executive director and chairman this summer.

OLT Express Germany ceased operations Jan. 27 after owner Panta Holdings B.V would not agree to support a restructuring program.

African low-cost carrier Fastjet and grounded Kenyan airline Jetlink Express have signed an MOU, paving the way for a joint venture (JV).

Ryanair has posted a net profit of €18.1 million ($24.3 million) for its fiscal third quarter, up 21% from €14.9 million year-over-year.

SELECTED AIRPORT TRAFFIC Passenger traffic

AIRLINE TRAFFIC BY REGION Airline

Price for Price for Jan. 18, 2013

Spot Cash Markets Price of aviation jet fuel as of January 18, 2013

December 2012 BOEING DELIVERIES

The Japan Airlines (JAL) Boeing 787 that caught fire Jan. 7 in Boston had been in the airline’s possession for just 18 days.

Avcorp ceased litigation it initiated against Bombardier in 2010 for its termination of production work relating to the CRJ700 program.

Sweden’s air navigation services provider LFV and Global Aerospace Logistics have signed a five-year agreement with Abu Dhabi Airports Co.

Airline groups are joining forces to protest Curacao Airport’s 150% fee increase in taxes and landing fees.

AJW Group said it is “significantly increasing” the size of its engine lease portfolio, aiming to grow its lease pool to over 60 engines this year. A J Walter Leasing and A J Walter Aviation have recently added three GE Aviation CF6-80C2s, five CFM International CFM56-3C1s and one Pratt & Whitney PW4056-3 to the lease portfolio of PW2040 and CFM56 series engines.

Pinnacle Airlines Corp. is preparing to move its headquarters from Memphis, Tenn. to Minneapolis, Minn.

Lufthansa German Airlines will cancel flights from Frankfurt to two Russian cities—Kazan and Perm—from April 1.

Russia’s Yakutia Airline has launched its Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) on its first commercial flight to the country’s Far East.

Turkey’s Transport Minister Binali Yildirim has unveiled plans for a third airport in Istanbul.

A US bankruptcy judge granted AMR Corp. permission to purchase new aircraft.

Airbus said production rates for the A320, A330 and A380 will remain the same this year.