Alaska Airlines' September traffic increased 1.4% to 1.45 billion RPMs on a 1.4% cut in capacity to 1.86 billion ASMs, producing a load factor of 90%, up 2.2 points. AirTran Airways flew 1.37 billion RPMs in September, up 11.4%, while capacity lifted 7.2% to 1.78 billion ASMs, producing a load factor of 77%, up 2.6 points. US Airways' September mainline traffic lowered 1.6% to 4.57 billion RPMs on a 0.6% capacity decrease to 5.76 billion ASMs, producing a load factor of 79.3%, down 0.8 point.
United Airlines plans to borrow more than $659 million, using 31 of its aircraft as collateral, to refinance debt, the Associated Press reported. "We are seeking to refinance existing debt to take advantage of current market conditions to strengthen our balance sheet and reduce our debt payment obligations over the next couple of years," UA said in a statement.
Japan Airlines likely won't reach an accord with a potential foreign investor until after it and the Japanese government settle on a firm restructuring plan for the carrier, according to multiple media reports.
Navtech signed an agreement with Cebu Pacific Air to provide its flight planning software Navtech Flight Plan, which features cost indexing and least-cost route calculations that it says allows airlines to maintain the most efficient daily routes and optimized flight plans.
Alitalia took delivery of another three new A320s, bringing the number in its fleet to 35. A further five will be delivered by year end. The three newest A320s replace three MD-80s. AZ's fleet renewal plan calls for arrival of a further 55 A320s and 12 A330s. The carrier's new A320s feature leather seats equipped with individual LCD screens. Separately, AZ opened its first business-class lounge at Rome Fiumicino's Terminal C.
The European Commission confirmed Friday that it sent a "statement of objections" to American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia in September, warning the carriers that their proposed cooperation on transatlantic services "may be in breach of European rules on restrictive business practices."
Oman Air last week launched four-times-weekly Frankfurt-Muscat service and thrice-weekly Muscat-Munich flights aboard A330-200s. Wizz Air will launch service from its new base in Wroclaw to Paris Beauvais (twice-weekly starting Dec. 18), Oslo Torp (thrice-weekly starting Dec. 17), Eindhoven (twice-weekly starting July 19), Forli Bologna (twice-weekly starting July 19), Cork (twice-weekly starting July 18), Milan Bergamo (thrice-weekly starting July 17) and relaunch service to Dortmund (thrice-weekly starting Dec. 17) and Doncaster Sheffield (twice-weekly starting July 19).
Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. said Friday that it has signed a letter of intent with Trans States Holdings, parent of US regional carriers Trans States Airlines and GoJet Airlines, covering a firm order for 50 MRJs plus 50 options.
Air Niugini, the Papua New Guinea flag carrier, placed a firm order for two Q400 NextGen turboprops valued at $92 million plus one option. "The Q400 NextGen aircraft follows in the footsteps of a long line of robust and reliable de Havilland and Bombardier turboprops that have served our airline very well over the years," CEO Wasantha Kumarasiri said. Bombardier now has taken firm orders for 363 Q400s with 257 delivered as of July 31.
Etihad Airways moved its thrice-daily London Heathrow-Abu Dhabi service from LHR's Terminal 3 to the new Terminal 4. The carrier is investing £200 million ($124.2 million) in its space at the new terminal, building a lounge, spa and shower facilities and installing Wi-Fi capability.
Air Berlin and subsidiary LTU reached a tentative agreement with the Vereinigung Cockpit pilots union on a new labor contract retroactive to Jan. 1, 2009. It includes a guarantee of no pilot layoffs through Dec. 31, 2010, when the contract will expire. The VC membership will vote on ratification at a Nov. 13 meeting.
Continental Airlines revealed last week that its September mainline RASM plunged an estimated 20%-21% year-over-year, larger than its August mainline year-over-year RASM drop of 17.9%, raising concern across the US industry that carriers could be in for a difficult autumn. The RASM numbers were particularly alarming given that its mainline load factor for the month was 82.2%, up 4.8 points compared to September 2008.
JAT Airways resumed flying Friday after reaching an agreement with JAT Tehnika to begin paying debt it owes to the MRO company today. JAT Tehnika's mechanics, which service JAT Airways aircraft, stopped working for two days last week to protest the airline's failure to pay the maintenance company in a timely fashion, forcing the Serbian carrier to ground its fleet temporarily ( ATWOnline, Oct. 2). JAT Airways has admitted that it owes JAT Tehnika about $1.5 million and is a month behind in making payments.
Timco signed a five-year contract with Thomson Airways covering maintenance and modification on its 767-300s. Contract includes a two-year option. In the first year of the program, Timco will install APB 767 winglets and new inflight entertainment systems on the 767-300s. GE Aviation inked a 15-year OnPoint solution agreement with Azul covering maintenance, repair and overhaul of CF34-10E engines that power the carrier's 36 E-190s/-195s on firm order plus four on lease. The agreement is valued at $1 billion. Work will take place at the GE facility in Petropolis.
Malaysia Airlines' new MD and CEO Azmil Zahruddin told reporters Friday in Kuala Lumpur that the carrier will accelerate its "business transformation plan" with a focus on lowering costs while raising service standards.
Travelport said Brussels Airlines selected its ETAT e-ticketing solution to enable approved Galileo-connected users in Rwanda to issue e-tickets on bookings made with the airline.
TAP Maintenance and Engineering Brazil delivered two ERJ-145s formerly operated by Thai carrier PB Air to GECAS after performing a C check. The aircraft immediately went into operation with Passaredo Linhas Aereas.
Amadeus reached a five-year, full-content distribution agreement with TACA International Airlines covering all inventory from TACA as well as its subsidiaries Lacsa, Aviateca and TACA Peru.
AirBaltic yesterday launched daily service between Turku and Tallinn and will launch four-times-weekly service from Lappeenranta to Tallinn and Riga Nov. 12 aboard 737s.
Jeppesen said it received FAA certification to design, flight validate and maintain public Required Navigation Performance Special Aircrew and Aircraft Authorization Required procedures in the US. As part of the qualification process, Jeppesen designed a public RNP procedure to Runway 28 at Savannah/Hilton Head International. The procedure is expected to be operational in the 2009 fourth quarter.
Swissport will terminate its passenger handling activities at Vienna at the end of 2009, largely owing to the collapse of SkyEurope "and the insufficient prospects of positive local business development in the longer term." Approximately 70 employees are affected. It said the decision does not affect its cargo handling operation.
Greater Toronto Airports Authority announced that landing fees and terminal charges at Toronto Pearson will each be reduced by 10% effective Jan. 1. GTAA said that landing fees have been cumulatively lowered by 13.1% since 2007 while terminal fees have been cut by 15% over the same period. "This fee reduction is welcome because it helps us control costs in this challenging economic environment," Air Canada Executive VP and COO Duncan Dee said in a statement.
IATA reported yesterday that investors "looked more favorably" at airlines in September "as signs emerged of an upturn in this highly cyclical industry," but it reiterated that the worldwide industry is on pace for an $11 billion full-year loss.
SAS agreed to sell its 20% stake in bmi to Lufthansa-related UK holding company LHBD Holding, effectively giving LH full control over bmi when the transaction takes effect on Nov 1.
