Southwest Airlines reported first-quarter net income of $11 million, reversed from a $91 million loss in the year-ago period, and reiterated that it will stick to its no-growth strategy for the foreseeable future.
Continental Airlines reported a first-quarter net loss of $146 million, slightly widened from a $136 million deficit in the year-ago quarter, and cautioned that the economic recovery is still in its "early stages."
DeTect said it was awarded a contract to supply a Merlin Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radar system to Riga International. The company said RIX will become the second commercial airport in the world to deploy the bird radar technology in the air traffic control tower, the first being the new King Shaka International near Durban, South Africa, that installed a Merlin system in 2009.
Delta TechOps signed a long-term contract with Global Avia Logistics to support overhaul and repair services on Nordwind Airlines' PW2000s and GTCP 331-200 APUs supporting the airline's 757 fleet.
Quintiq was awarded a 9.5-year ATC employee scheduling contract from FAA worth up to $17.6 million to provide its workforce planning solution. The employee scheduling software features "advanced optimization engines" and "what-if" capabilities. The solution will manage annual leave planning, create shift plans, allocate shifts to individual employees and support short-term absenteeism management, Quintiq said.
Hawaiian Airlines and the International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers announced that union members approved a new four-year contract negotiated last month. The new contract features increased compensation for 600 of HA's employees working as aircraft inspectors, mechanics, line service personnel, cleaners and contract service personnel. The airline previously reached agreements with its pilots ( ATWOnline, January 5), flight attendants, clerical workers and dispatchers
African Airlines Assn. Executive Committee meeting in Kenya endorsed a restructuring strategy intended to revitalize the organization. "AFRAA has lost relevance in the eyes of some of its members, has seemed to lack the international stature, authority and prestige needed to command global attention on key issues and currently faces financial challenges," said Secretary General Nick Fadugba.
US Air Transport Assn. said March passenger revenue rose 15.4% compared to March 2009 based on data provided by a sample of its member carriers, marking the third consecutive month of year-over-year improvement. Passenger numbers were up 1.4% in the month, while average yield grew 11.7%. Domestic yield climbed 12.5% to 15 cents, Atlantic yield rose 17.4% to 12.37 cents and Latin yield lifted 4.9% to 13.36 cents, marking the first positive yield growth since January 2009 for that region. Pacific yield gained 7.4% to 12.25 cents.
ICAO Council Tuesday welcomed the decision by EU transport ministers to gradually reopen European airspace and cited the success of the International Airways Volcano Watch system established by ICAO and the World Meteorological Organization in "providing critical information to states, allowing them to exercise their responsibility as regards the use of their airspace." But the organization said "more effort needs to be undertaken to establish a global safety risk framework for routinely determining safe levels of operation in airspace contaminated by volcanic ash" in light of "the unpr
After leading US majors with a $134.7 million 2009 profit, AirTran Airways slipped to a $12 million net loss in the first quarter owing to higher fuel costs and severe winter weather that disrupted operations during the period. The deficit was a reversal from a $28.7 million profit in the year-ago quarter. "This winter proved to be one of historic inclement weather for much of the East Coast and particularly for some of our busiest operations like Baltimore/Washington and Atlanta," Chairman, President and CEO Bob Fornaro said.
American Airlines parent AMR Corp. reported what executives called a "disappointing" first-quarter net loss of $505 million, sharply higher than a loss of $375 million in the year-ago quarter. Results for the quarter included the impact of a $53 million special charge related to devaluation of the Venezuelan currency in January, while 2009 first-quarter results were net of a $13 million charge related to A300 retirements. Excluding both items, the 2010 loss widened to $452 million from $362 million last year.
Boeing yesterday reported "solid" first-quarter net income of $519 million, down 15% from a $610 million profit in the year-ago quarter, and touted "clear progress" on the 787 and 747-8F flight test programs including securing expanded Type Inspection Authorization late Tuesday on the Dreamliner from FAA.
With air traffic beginning to return to normalcy in Europe, airlines are tallying the bill for the six-day disruption in service caused by volcanic ash, with IATA estimating cumulative lost revenue at $1.7 billion.
Ship it AOG, the Addison, Tex.-based aircraft parts distributor, was named factory-authorized south-central US distributor of Lektro electric towbarless aircraft tugs. Under the terms, Ship it AOG assumes responsibility for sales of Lektro tugs and parts in Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
Sabre Travel Network was selected by AeroMexico to provide its SabreSonic Customer Sales and Service solution and "several" of Sabre's revenue management and accounting solutions from the Sabre AirVision Marketing and Planning suite including AirVision Competitive Revenue Management Service, Group Management and Revenue Manager and its Group e-Commerce portal.
AerCap Holdings subsidiary AeroTurbine reached a 10-year deal with Chromalloy Gas Turbine to provide supply chain management services for Chromalloy-owned surplus engine/APU material. Initial inventory selected includes more than 50,000 line items of CFM56, CF6, PW4000, PW2000, V2500, JT8D, various whole APUs/APU piece parts and ground power engine piece parts.
GE Aviation said Gol Airlines became the launch customer for its OnPoint Fuel & Carbon Services through which "GE Aviation will work with Gol to identify and track operational improvements that could reduce the airline's fuel spend by up to 5%."
Honeywell said GoJet Airlines extended to 2023 its maintenance agreement, increasing aftermarket service and support on Honeywell products to include six recently delivered CRJ700s and bringing the total number of aircraft covered to 25. Contract is valued at $4.5 million. Honeywell equipment covered by the agreement includes EGPWS, start control valves and air turbine starters. Honeywell signed a 10-year contract with US Airways to provide inventory management and maintenance for 331-200 APUs on its fleet of 757s and 767s.
