Air China projected it will earn a net profit of more than CNY10 billion ($1.51 billion) for 2010, doubling its net income of CNY5.03 billion in 2009, according to a filing released by the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
The Chinese government on Wednesday formally approved orders for 200 Boeing aircraft, a mix of 737s and 777s, for delivery to Chinese airlines from 2011-2013, clearing commitments valued at $19 billion at list prices that the manufacturer has booked over the last several years.
SkyTeam said Wednesday that Lebanon's Middle East Airlines will sign an agreement on Feb. 28 "to officially start the process" in 2012 to become a member of the alliance.
American Airlines parent AMR Corp. on Wednesday reported a 2010 net loss of $471 million, narrowed from a net deficit of $1.47 billion in 2009, and also announced an order for two Boeing 777-300ERs for delivery in late 2012.
SkyTeam said Wednesday that Lebanon's Middle East Airlines will sign an agreement on Feb. 28 "to officially start the process" in 2012 to become a member of the alliance.
Komy Mirrors was selected by Lufthansa to supply a total of 5,400 mirrors for installation in the overhead bins on the carrier's Boeing 737, 757, Airbus A319, A320 and A321 aircraft. Komy will deliver between 400 and 500 units a month, depending on LH's modification schedule, it said. LH has chosen the mirrors, which are intended to shorten security checks and allow passengers a clearer view of belongings, as a standard for all new A319, A320 and A380 aircraft.
US Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday proposed $359,000 in civil penalties against Utah-based SkyWest Airlines stemming from three separate alleged incidents. It assessed a $220,000 penalty against the carrier for allegedly operating five passenger flights between April 21 and May 25, 2010, with incorrect weight and balance data after failing to document heavy checked bags, motorized mobility aids and a heavy shipment carried in the cargo compartment of the passenger aircraft.
Ryanair on Tuesday announced it will seek a repeal of a Barcelona Commercial Court ruling deeming the carrier's €40/£40 ($53.26) boarding card reissue fee unlawful. The fee is charged if a passenger fails to bring a self-printed boarding card to the airport after checking in online (online check-in is mandatory at Ryanair).
Korean Air unveiled its initial Airbus A380 service schedule, saying it will launch daily short-haul flights from Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Narita and Hong Kong June 1. It will add Bangkok in July. Regarding long-haul routes, it will launch A380 flights from ICN to New York JFK from Aug. 2 and from ICN to Los Angles starting Oct. 1. The carrier is slated to take delivery of five A380s this year.
SuperJet International said Mexico's Interjet signed a firm order for 15 Sukhoi Superjet 100s for delivery beginning in the second half of 2012. Based on list prices, the order is valued at $650 million. The airline also has five options.
Virgin America placed a firm order for 60 Airbus A320s including 30 A320neos, marking the first firm order for the re-engined narrowbody offering. Indian LCC IndiGo last week signed an MOU with Airbus to place an order for 180 A320s including 150 A320neos ( ATW Daily News, Jan.12).
ATW named Emirates Airline as its Airline of the Year for 2011, citing its strong commitment to safety and operational excellence, its trendsetting customer service and its superb financial performance including a 22-year consecutive annual profit streak.
Buoyed by Virgin America's order for 60 A320s, including 30 A320neos (see Other Headlines) Airbus ended 2010 with orders for 644 aircraft (574 net), surpassing Boeing's order total of 530 net for a third consecutive year.
Boeing as expected delayed 787 first delivery again, announcing Tuesday that ANA will receive its first Dreamliner in this year's third quarter instead of the current quarter.
Delta Air Lines posted 2010 net income of $593 million, a major reversal from a $1.24 billion net loss in 2009, but warned that a "hyped" fuel cost environment in which per barrel crude oil prices continue to exceed $90 poses a challenge to profitability going forward.
Boeing as expected delayed 787 first delivery again, announcing Tuesday that ANA will receive its first Dreamliner in this year's third quarter instead of the current quarter.
Hong Kong Airport Authority and 40 airport business partners pledged to reduce... IATA updated the GHG savings the airline industry has achieved since 2004
Nav Canada, Canada's air navigation service provider, said it has achieved better-than-expected results in its efforts to reduce aviation greenhouse gas emissions and is rolling out a new initiative. The gains described in the company’s "Collaborative Initiatives for Emissions Reductions Status Update 2011" include an increase in projected fuel and GHG emissions savings of C$300 million ($302 million) and 700,000 tonnes compared to projections made a year ago.
Southwest Airlines this month commenced Required Navigation Performance procedures for approaches at 11 airports, asserting that "these new efficient flight procedures and enhanced avionics" will save the LCC $16 million annually. The airports at which SWA is inaugurating RNP are Amarillo, Birmingham, Boise, Corpus Christi, Los Angeles, Chicago Midway, Oakland, Oklahoma City, West Palm Beach, Raleigh-Durham and San Jose.
Qantas signed an LOI with Washington-based Solena Group to investigate the feasibility of a waste-based aviation biofuel production plant in Australia. A Qantas spokesperson told ATW’s Eco-Aviation Today that the aim is to get a business case for a plant within a year, although the airline is some way from establishing cost estimates and investment requirements.
ATW named Emirates Airline as its Airline of the Year for 2011, citing its strong commitment to safety and operational excellence, its trendsetting customer service and its superb financial performance including a 22-year consecutive annual profit streak.
A new report, "Regulating Air Emissions from Ships--The State of the Art on Methodologies, Technologies and Policy Options," has thrown into doubt the EU’s ability to include shipping in its Emissions Trading Scheme and may have significant implications for the legal challenge by airlines to the ETS. The EU previously warned the maritime sector that unless it reached an international agreement to reduce GHG emissions, the sector would be included in its ETS from 2013.
Sun-drenched and arid Western Australia is set to become a future biofuels hub, according to Michael Borowitzka, professor of marine phycology at Murdoch University. Borowitzka told ATW’s Eco-Aviation Today that Western Australia "has abundant sunshine, a key requirement for high productivity; large areas of marginal land, and, for algae production, abundant sources of saline water such as saline groundwater and seawater."
Boeing on Jan. 10 accepted the resignation of board member William Daley, following his appointment as President Barack Obama's chief of staff. Daley joined the board in 2006 and previously serviced as former President Bill Clinton's commerce secretary from Jan. 1997 to July 2000. Separately, the company named former VP-Information Technology Infrastructure Kim Hammonds CIO and VP-IT.
United Airlines will launch daily Boeing 737-800 Los Angeles-Guadalajara service May 3, to be operated by Continental Airlines. The route is subject to Mexican government approval. Air France will launch four-times weekly Airbus A320 Paris Charles de Gaulle-Tripoli service March 29, becoming five-times-weekly June 6.
