China's airlines reported collective net income of CNY1.23 billion ($180 million) for the month of May owing to continuing domestic economic growth, according to CAAC.
Japan Airlines and American Airlines applied Friday to the Japanese Transport Ministry for antitrust immunity to operate as if they are one airline for commercial purposes on flights between North America and Asia, while ANA, United Airlines and Continental Airlines filed a similar application for ATI with the ministry.
Aer Lingus is "encouraged" by its financial performance in the first five months of the year but remains "cautious" about its full-year performanceowing to concerns about the broader economic environment, Chairman Colm Barrington told shareholders Friday at the airline's AGM.
The European Commission and US FAA Friday in Madrid signed a memorandum of cooperation regarding "civil aviation research and development" with a specific emphasis on jointly pursuing modernized ATC systems. The first technical annex of the memorandum is "dedicated to SESAR-NextGen cooperation," according to the EC, which called it "a major achievement" that will ensure "effective interoperability" between the satellite-based ATC systems that the US and EU previously had been pursuing on separate tracks.
Air Canada will today launch daily service from Toronto Pearson to San Diego and Portland, Ore., aboard an A319 and E-190 respectively. Norwegian will increase Stockholm Arlanda service to Copenhagen from five-times-weekly to six-times weekly and Arlanda service to Helsinki from 12-times-weekly to 23-times weekly Sept. 2 with the addition of a ninth aircraft to be based at the airport. It said it will add two flights to its Helsinki-London Gatwick service but did not disclose frequencies.
Ryanair made further changes to its baggage policy, offering passengers the choice of buying a larger (up to 20 kg.) checked bag allowance for £25/€25 as an alternative to its standard 15 kg. allowance that costs £15/€15. In the July-August peak season, the charges will be £30/€30 and £20/€20 for a first bag respectively. A second checked bag of up to 15 kg. can be purchased for £35/€35 off-season or £40/€40 in summer.
Aerolineas Argentinas announced it has revamped its brand image. It appointed FutureBrand to lead the strategy, which features a redrawn version of the condor symbol, a new typeface and a different, lighter shade of blue. "Aerolineas Argentinas proudly presents its new image, having now regained confidence, regularity and timeliness and also increasing the number of frequencies as well as improving its service," President Mariano Recalde said, adding that its new "identity system" will be implemented gradually.
Air Mauritius Group reported a net loss of €6 million ($7.4 million) for its fiscal year ended March 31, narrowed from an €85.3 million deficit in the prior year, and said it would have posted a €32.6 million profit for the year absent €38.5 million in fuel hedge losses. Revenue declined 16.6% to €371.7 million owing to lower capacity and declining yields while expenses dropped 24.6% to €346.8 million, producing a €24.9 million operating profit before administrative expenses.
Royal Jordanian President and CEO Hussein Dabbas confirmed that delivery of the first of the carrier's 11 787s is now scheduled for September 2013. "Almost three years late," he pointed out to ATW last week on the sidelines of the IATA AGM in Berlin. He said the Dreamliners will open up new opportunities for the carrier. "For example, nonstop Amman-Hong Kong services" will be possible, he noted.
The UK's Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service confirmed that it was unable to broker a deal between British Airways and the Unite union to end the long-running dispute between the airline and its flight attendants over pay and working conditions.
The first 787 test aircraft powered by GEnx-1B engines completed its first flight late Wednesday, landing at Boeing Field in Seattle at 6:29 p.m. local time following a 3 hr. 48 min. flight. The aircraft is the fifth of six 787s in the Dreamliner flight test program ( ATW Daily News, April 22). A second GEnx-1B-powered 787 will take flight before the end of July, Boeing said.
Excessive government fees and regulation, aging infrastructure and the emergence of major airlines in the Middle East and Asia are threatening European airlines' long-held position at the forefront of the global air transport industry, according to Swiss International Air Lines CEO Harry Hohmeister.
British Airways 777-200ER sustained substantial damage to its right Trent 895 engine while en route from Singapore to London Heathrow on June 15 and diverted to Amsterdam Schiphol "reporting multiple technical problems and a low fuel state,"according to Ascend. The consultancy and data services provider said the damage to the engine turbine and outlet area occurred approximately 5 hr. prior to landing. The aircraft, MSN 30315 built in 2001, landed safely and there were no injuries to anyone onboard.
CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organization) said it established an Americas office supported by CANSO members FAA, Aena of Spain, NAATC (Netherlands Antilles), NAV Portugal and SENEAM (Mexico). The office will be located in the SENEAM headquarters in Mexico City and will primarily be focused on "transforming air traffic management performance in the Caribbean and Latin America." Aena agreed to support the office by funding a fulltime Latin American and Caribbean liaison officer.
The global recovery in air travel was "dented" by the Icelandic volcano-related airspace closures in Europe, IATA reported, adding that European markets took a major hit. In its latest "Premium Travel Monitor" issued yesterday, the organization released figures on air traffic in April that detail the extent to which the nascent recovery was damaged by the closure of most of Europe's airspace April 15-21.
FedEx reported net income for its fiscal year ended May 31 of $1.18 billion, significantly improved over a $98 million profit in the prior year, despite a 2% dip in revenue to $34.73 billion. Total FY2009-10 expenses lowered 6% to $32.74 billion, helped in part by an 18% decrease in fuel costs to $3.1 billion. Operating income was $2 billion, well more than double $747 million in the prior year.
Building on the tremendous success of the CAST (Commercial Aviation Safety Team) program in improving US airline safety, aviation stakeholders embarked on the next major step toward eliminating fatal accidents.
Spirit Airlines last night reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract with its pilots, who agreed to return to work Friday following a six-day strike.
