SunExpress, the Antalya-based joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, is setting the stage to launch its new subsidiary, SunExpress Germany, and plans to double its fleet to 50 aircraft by 2015.
The European Commission said it initiated infringement procedures against Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK regarding their bilateral air service agreements with Russia.
Garuda Indonesia’s IPO, which is set for next month, will likely only raise $526 million, less than half the $1.1 billion initially planned, according to a Reuters report Thursday.
JetBlue Airways reported 2010 net income of $97 million, up 59% over a $61 million profit in 2009, and signaled it will continue to expand its reach through interline accords.
Emirates will launch four-times-weekly Airbus 330-200 Dubai-Basra service Feb. 2. Japan Airlines subsidiary Japan Air Commuter will launch daily Fukuoka service to Amami-Oshima and Yakushima March 27. Aeromar and Continental Airlines reached a codeshare arrangement under which CO will place its code on Aeromar service from Mexico City to 13 destinations in Mexico beginning Feb. 1.
Cargolux confirmed on Tuesday it will appeal the European Commission’s penalty of €79.9 million ($109.4 million) for allegedly taking part in an international airfreight cartel. In 2010, the EC imposed fines totaling €799 million on 11 companies for their involvement in fixing fuel surcharges and security costs from 1996 to 2003 ( ATW Daily News, Nov. 10, 2010).
Lufthansa said it will launch daily Frankfurt-San Francisco A380 service on May 10, marking the entry of the large aircraft to SFO. "San Francisco has been a US stronghold for Lufthansa for more than 50 years," VP-Americas Jens Bischof said."I applaud the airport's management for their dedication in becoming A380-ready." San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee added, "The economic windfall generated by international flights such as Lufthansa's new service spreads throughout the entire region in the form of jobs and local revenues."
Shanghai-based Juneyao Airlines reported a net profit of CNY416 million ($63.1 million) for 2010, nearly tripling its net income of CNY108 million in 2009. The carrier credited strong market demand, "especially stimulated by the 2010 Shanghai World Expo," for the improved result. Passenger boardings climbed 46.8% to 3.6 million with an average load factor of more than 86%.
Virgin Blue Holdings said it expects its first-half net profit to be down more than 50% owing to the Queensland floods, a slowdown in consumer spending and disruptions to the airline's check-in system last September.
US Airways posted net income of $502 million in 2010, reversed from a net loss of $205 million in 2009 and the second highest annual profit in its history. For the first time since 2006, it achieved a profitable fourth quarter, earning $28 million, turned around from a $79 million deficit in the prior-year period.
Korean Air reported a 2010 net profit of KRW468.4 billion ($418.6 million), reversed from a net loss of KRW98.9 billion in 2009, marking its first profitable year since 2007.
The European Commission blocked a merger between Aegean Airways and Olympic Air, concluding that the proposed tie-up would have resulted in a “quasi-monopoly on the Greek air transport market.”
United Continental Holdings, parent of merger partners United Airlines and Continental Airlines, reported pro forma 2010 net income of $854 million, reversed from a combined UA/CO loss of $718 million in 2009.
The Boeing Company said it expects to deliver 25 to 40 787s and 747-8s this year, roughly equally split between the two types, as it reported that earnings for the 2010 fourth quarter dipped 8%, to $1.16 billion from $1.27 billion in the year-ago period on fewer transport deliveries and higher pension expense.
Turkish Technic signed an APU repair services contract with Thomas Cook Airlines, covering one APS3200 model APU repair. Services will be carried out at Turkish Technic's APU shop in Istanbul. Separately, it announced it signed a total care contract for one Airbus A319 with Bosnia and Herzegovina Airlines. It additionally said it will perform one C check on a Spanair A320 this month and one C check on a Kolavia Airlines A320 in February.
Aircraft leasing group Avolon announced it raised $465 million in its third capital raising, bringing its total funds raised since May 2010 to more than $2.5 billion for debt finance. Proceeds will be used to support the continued growth of the fleet, which includes more than 60 committed aircraft valued at more than $2.8 billion. "This debt raising is an important step in broadening our lender base, introducing three new, US-based lenders to Avolon," CFO Andy Cronin said.
IATA has urged the Canadian government to improve its global competitiveness in air transport, travel and tourism by working with industry to address key issues of taxation and regulation, security and the environment.
Aer Lingus on Tuesday was again forced to cancel several flights as cabin crew who are members of the IMPACT union maintained their refusal to accept new duty rosters. The rosters were introduced last week as part of the carrier’s objective of increasing the cabin’s crew overall working time to 850 block hours a year.
Chile's LAN Airlines posted 2010 net income of $419.7 million, up 81.6% over earnings of $231.1 million in the year-ago period, crediting the improvement to "strong recovery and growth in both the cargo and passenger businesses."
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told reporters Tuesday that Monday's "well-planned terrorist attack" at Moscow Domodedovo that killed 35 and wounded many more exposed "breaches" in security at the country's busiest airport, and suggested passengers will have to get used to tighter, more time-consuming security "at virtually all transport hubs" in Russia.
Concur agrees to acquire TripIt In Expedia deal, US Airways ‘commits’ to GDS channel BCD Holdings, Beins Travel Group merge online businesses Virgin America to tap into travel agency channel Amadeus releases latest version of e-Travel Management In Focus: A U.S. company is riding the rails of the E.U. train boom World news briefing
Airbus announced that Thomas Cook Group ordered 12 CFM56-5B-powered Airbus A321s as a first step in its single-aisle fleet harmonization and renewal plan, which is based on the A320 family.
Alaska Air Group, parent of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, reported 2010 net income of $251.1 million, its highest single-year profit ever and more than double the $121.6 million earned in 2009.
American Airlines and Sabre Travel Network called a truce, putting their litigation on hold until June 1. The companies said they will “begin work shortly in an effort to reach a new agreement.” In addition, they will “return to operating as they were prior to Jan. 5.” On Jan. 5, Sabre began biasing American’s displays in the U.S. and most of the rest of the world (it was prohibited from doing so in Canada and the European Union).
News from Travel Technology Update: American Airlines and Sabre Travel Network called a truce, putting their litigation on hold until June 1. The companies said they will “begin work shortly in an effort to reach a new agreement.” In addition, they will “return to operating as they were prior to Jan. 5.” On Jan. 5, Sabre began biasing American’s displays in the U.S. and most of the rest of the world (it was prohibited from doing so in Canada and the European Union).
