Cathay Pacific Group reported that annual profits nearly tripled in 2010 to HK$14.04 billion ($1.8 billion) from a HK$4.69 billion surplus in 2009 on a 33.7% rise in revenue to HK$89.52 billion.
When Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, parent of Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo, posted third-quarter 2010 net income of $34 million, well more than double a $14.1 million profit in the year-ago period, the news was unremarkable. After all, throughout the global recession and the worst downturn in the history of air cargo, the 747 freighter operator was one of commercial aviation’s steadier financial performers. With the economy rebounding, it was little surprise to see the company boosting quarterly revenue 28% and earning strong profits.
When Donald Douglas Sr. said in 1958 at the first flight of the DC-8 that every major advance in aviation had been due to the development of the engine, he couldn’t possibly have imagined the GE90. The airline industry was still tolerating an inflight shutdown rate of 1 per 1,000 hr. on the DC-7C, and while the initial 11,000-lb.-thrust turbojets on the 707 and DC-8 (with a cruise SFC of 0.90 lb. of fuel per lb. of thrust per hr.) were better, the IFSD rate was still about 0.2 per 1,000 hr. with an unscheduled removal rate of almost twice that.
Alaska Airlines is a carrier that certainly won’t win any awards for patience. “If it doesn’t exist, invent it,” seems to be the modus operandi for the airline, which pioneered the development and introduction of Required Navigation Performance in the 1990s to address the safety and operational risks of flying into terrain- and weather-challenged places like Juneau. More recently, it created and implemented the “Airport of the Future” design concept at Anchorage and Seattle. This entrepreneurial spirit extends to the aircraft cabin as well; witness the digEplayer handheld movie player developed by a person employed by the carrier at the time.
The traffic and revenue performance of this year’s Market Leadership Award winner more closely resembles that of a low-fare carrier or Middle Eastern startup than a mature flag airline with more than 75 years of history. Turkish Airlines, however, defies the stereotypes. Taking full advantage of its geographic position astride the European and Asian continents, THY has morphed from a sleepy, nondescript flag carrier into an industry powerhouse in less than a decade under the ambitious slogan “Globally Yours.”
In a part of the world in which shrinking customer expectations are the rule rather than the exception, San Francisco-based Virgin America is like a brilliant lighthouse on the darkest night. The carrier, which launched operations in August 2007 and serves 14 destinations in the US, Canada and Mexico, is redefining passenger service in North America.
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity,” Albert Einstein said. This is exactly the approach ATW’s Regional Airline of the Year for 2011 adopted when the Spanish economy slid into a stinging recession at the end of 2008 and passenger numbers at Spain’s airports did the same. The unemployment rate in Europe’s fifth-largest economy reached almost 20% in 2009 and the GDP contracted 3.6% in the wake of the global financial crisis. In addition to this challenging environment, LCCs significantly increased their presence in the country. The combination led to an unprecedented drop in yields and pushed Air Nostrum into its first red ink in more than a decade.
Twenty-three years is a long time in human years, let alone airline years. Yet that is how long it has been since Emirates Airline ended a financial year in the red. It is an amazing feat, one rarely duplicated in this business. But ATW’s 2011 Airline of the Year has done far more than turn a profit year-in and year-out for nearly a quarter of a century, regardless of the business cycle. Since launching in 1985 with a leased Boeing 737 and Airbus A300, it has become a leader in commercial air transport, driving innovation in operations, aircraft performance and customer service.
Cathay Pacific Group on Wednesday reported that annual profits nearly tripled in 2010 to HK$14.04 billion ($1.8 billion) from a HK$4.69 billion surplus in 2009 on a 33.7% rise in revenue to HK$89.52 billion.
NavAero was selected by Condor Airlines to supply its tBag C22 Electronic Flight Bag system for the carrier's fleet of Boeing 757-300 and 767-300ER aircraft. OAG Cargo reached a contract with Saudi Airlines Cargo to supply the carrier with its new Route Mapper product. OAG is the launch customer for the solution, which will begin roll-out from April 1, incorporating Arabic, customized branding, future schedules and full integration into the carrier's website.
SITA announced that it was selected by the air navigation service providers of France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland to provide air/ground communication infrastructure (ATN and VDL Mode 2). The ANSPs are all members of the Functional Airspace Block–Europe Central covering 55% of all European traffic and SITA said the deal "will enable FABEC to meet the EU’s 2013 deadline for the implementation of controller pilot data link communications across Europe."
Three unions representing Spanish airport workers on Tuesday confirmed plans to call a series of strikes over the next several months on key travel dates, including the Easter holiday weekend, to protest government plans to privatize airport operator AENA, which they fear could lead to lay-offs and the closure of smaller airports.
Turkish Airlines ordered 10 Airbus A321s and three A330-200 freighters to meet its growth plans in the passenger and cargo markets, Airbus said on Tuesday.
Boeing's slow selling 747-8 Intercontinental got a boost this week as Air China ordered five of the aircraft valued at a combined $1.5 billion based on list prices, although the Beijing-based carrier noted it would get a "significant price concession."
United Continental Holdings, citing rising fuel prices, announced Monday evening that full-year 2011 consolidated (mainline and regional) capacity for United Airlines and Continental Airlines will be flat compared to 2010, reduced from prior guidance of a 1%-2% rise.
ILFC signed an MOU with Airbus covering orders for 100 A320neo family aircraft including 25 A321neos and became the first of four companies committing to the narrowbody to make an engine selection, choosing Pratt & Whitney's PurePower PW1100G. Deliveries are slated to begin in 2016.
United Continental Holdings, citing rising fuel prices, announced Monday evening that full-year 2011 consolidated (mainline and regional) capacity for United Airlines and Continental Airlines will be flat compared to 2010, reduced from prior guidance of a 1%-2% rise.
Dragonair will for the summer season increase Hong Kong service to Kaohsiung (32-times-weekly to 42), Xiamen (thrice-daily to four-times-daily), and Ningbo (seven-times-weekly to 10) March 27. It will also increase service from HKG to Chongqing (to daily) and Nanjing and Chengdu (to twice-daily), for the season.
