Delta Air Lines said yesterday that systemwide capacity for both it and new subsidiary Northwest Airlines will be down 6%-8% in 2009, comprising a 3%-5% international cut and an 8%-10% domestic reduction. The capacity down-gauging from 2007 to 2009 collectively will total around 20%, equaling the capacity slashed by United Airlines over the two-year period. It likely will necessitate further job cuts, DL CEO Richard Anderson and President Ed Bastian told employees in a memo.
Nordic Aviation Capital and KIRK Kapital announced a sale and leaseback deal with AMR Leasing Corp. covering 39 ATR 72s operated by San Juan-based Executive Airlines, which flies as American Eagle. NAC and KIRK, both based in Denmark, established a joint venture called NK Aviation Ltd., Ireland that will lease the aircraft back to Executive. AMR said the deal was worth approximately $200 million, according to press reports.
Aeroports de Paris and Schiphol Group obtained all approvals and authorizations required to complete the 8% cross-shareholding announced in October ( ATWOnline, Oct. 22). Schiphol acquired an 8% stake in ADP from the French government for €530 million ($671 million), or €67 per share. ADP spent €370 million an 8% stake in Schiphol through its subscription to a reserved capital increase. The airport operators' initial cooperation agreement will last for 12 years.
TAM's Technological Center in Sao Carlos received EASA 145 certification for MRO services including C and D checks on A321s and A330s. The center also has been approved for A319s, A320s and F100s.
Noncash losses on fuel hedges and currency fluctuations dragged AirAsia to its first quarterly loss since going public in 2004, a MYR465.5 million ($128.2 million) third-quarter deficit that represented a reversal from the MYR180 million earned in the year-ago period.
Air Europa parent Globalia signed a contract converting purchase rights for six E-195s worth $237 million at list prices, Embraer announced. Globalia placed its initial order in February ( ATWOnline, Feb. 8). Delivery of the first newly ordered aircraft is scheduled for mid-2010. Air Europa will be the first carrier to operate the E-195 in a single-class, 122-seat configuration, Embraer said.
British Airways and Qantas are exploring a potential merger "via a dual-listed company structure," both carriers confirmed yesterday in a brief statement responding to recent speculation. The oneworld partners warned that there is "no guarantee that any transaction will be forthcoming" and did not offer any timeline for a possible transaction.
UPS Airlines added its first 747-400F to its European fleet, replacing an MD-11 freighter. Aircraft is powered by CF6-80C2B5Fs and will operate a five-times-weekly Cologne-Hong Kong service.
Lufthansa confirmed to ATWOnline yesterday that it temporarily has removed four A300-600s from service as a result of reduced demand. "We have parked the aircraft for an unspecified time," a spokesperson said. LH has no current plans to park additional aircraft, but if further capacity adjustments are necessary it will consider removing A340-300s from the fleet, the spokesperson added.
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi's week-long siege by antigovernment protesters appeared to be at an end yesterday after Thailand's Constitutional Court banned Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from politics for five years, forcing his resignation. The protesters announced they would leave BKK and domestic hub Don Muang, both of which shut down after being stormed on Nov. 25 ( ATWOnline, Dec. 2). An estimated 100,000-300,000 foreign passengers have been stranded in Bangkok.
Teledyne Controls won a contract with Wizz Air to provide its Flight Data Interface Management Unit for installation on 70 A320s and possibly 25 more. Technology will handle flight data acquisition, aircraft condition monitoring and data recording. Wizz also selected Teledyne's Application Generation Software to enhance aircraft condition monitoring capability.
Qantas and Virgin Blue welcomed the Australian government's draft National Aviation Policy Statement or "Green Paper" as "forward-looking and balanced." The new policy allows a single overseas interest to take up to a 49% stake in Qantas, up from 25%. The government also said it will relaunch its effort to select a site for a new Sydney airport well away from the so-called "Sydney basin."
Alitalia's relaunch under the ownership of the Compagnia Aerea Italia investor group will be delayed until "after Christmas vacations to avoid the most congested holiday period," Italian Minister of Productive Activities Claudio Scajola told reporters in Rome, according to Reuters. "I don't see any major problems if it becomes operational after 10-15 days. With all the problems we've had, this is definitely the least of them," he said. CAI originally was supposed to take control of AZ on Nov. 30 but now will assume ownership on Dec.
Airbus donated $6 million to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum to help cover Phase 2 construction of the Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles. The new buildings will be dedicated to behind-the-scenes care and storage of the Smithsonian's collection of historic aircraft, spacecraft, related artifacts and archival materials.
Air New Zealand is allowing economy passengers to purchase an otherwise empty seat for NZ$75 ($41.12) per sector. Called a "comfort seat," it has been available for the past month at check-in for flights from Auckland to Los Angeles and San Francisco and was added to Vancouver service last week. GM-International Airline Ed Sims said response has been enthusiastic despite the fact that ANZ has "not marketed the product as yet." Inbound availability is expected soon, with the entire long-haul network to follow.
Ryanair launched a new takeover bid for rival Aer Lingus yesterday with an all-cash offer valuing the Irish flag carrier at €748 million ($949 million). The LCC's hostile offer of €2.80 per share was thwarted two years ago ( ATWOnline, Dec. 22, 2006). It now intends to offer €1.40 per EI share, a price that represents a premium of 25% over last Friday's closing price of €1.12. Ryanair already is EI's largest shareholder at 29.82%.
China Southern Airlines last week received notice that China's Ministry of Finance agreed to inject CNY3 billion ($438.9 million) in the carrier's holding company, it said in a filing with the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. China's beleaguered national carriers have been appealing to the government for aid ( ATWOnline, Oct. 31). Trading in CZ shares was suspended Nov. 26-27.
Saudi Arabian LCC Sama named Bruce Ashby CEO, replacing Andrew Cowen. Ashby formerly was president and CEO of IndiGo and US Airways executive VP-marketing and planning.
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International remained closed yesterday, but antigovernment protesters who seized the airport allowed 37 aircraft carrying no passengers to take off late Sunday and early Monday. While an estimated 100,000-300,000 foreign passengers remain stranded in Bangkok, airlines are trying to get aircraft out of the facility. There reportedly were 88 aircraft at BKK when protesters seeking the resignation of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat stormed it on Nov. 25 ( ATWOnline, Nov. 27).
Arik Air took delivery of the first of three Trent 500-powered A340-500s. Aircraft will be operated on flights to London Heathrow, New York JFK and Houston, Airbus said.
Mesa Air Group announced a settlement with the former controlling shareholder of Aloha Airlines, Yucaipa Cos., ending the latter's lawsuit against the go!
Malev Hungarian Airlines took delivery of the first of four former SAS Group Q400s. It plans to introduce four new Q400s beginning in 2012, replacing its F70s and CRJ200s.
Tiger Airways and Tiger Airways Australia parent Tiger Aviation posted a S$9.9 million ($6.5 million) profit in the fiscal year ended March 31, the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation reported. Result compares to a S$24.7 million loss the previous year. The Singapore-based mainline reported a S$37.8 million profit ( ATWOnline, Aug. 11), while the new Australian subsidiary posted a A$12.2 million ($8 million) operating loss.
WestJet yesterday began offering passengers a "blanket and pillow kit" for C$7 ($5.64). Passengers may keep the pillow and fleece blanket or continue to use WestJet's reusable blankets for free during flights.
Volvo Aero Services Corp. reached a five-year preferred supplier agreement with Ethiopian Airlines to position more than $20 million in engine material to support MRO activities. In exchange, ET will provide VAS with MRO support on select engines and material.
