EasyJet launched easyJet Plus, a "membership card" that offers passengers free access to its so-called Speedy Boarding or priority boarding without a reservation. At selected airports, the card also will allow access to priority check-in service. EasyJet is expanding its "Speedy Boarding Plus" offering, a combination of priority boarding with a dedicated check-in desk, throughout its network. It currently is available at some 30 airports. EasyJet Plus costs £75 ($150.63) for one year if purchased before April 30 and £100 thereafter.
Lufthansa reported a net profit of €1.66 billion for 2007, more than double the €803 million earned in the prior year, on a 13% rise in revenue to €22.42 billion, both records for the German airline group as results were boosted by a book gain of about €503 million from the sale of its shares in Thomas Cook.
Shanghai-based Spring Airlines posted a record net profit of CNY70 million ($9.8 million) in 2007, more than double the previous year's result. Operating revenue rose to CNY1.23 billion, but industry analysts credited effective cost control for the profit result. According to CAAC statistics, Spring's operating expenses were 18% lower than the domestic average. The carrier is one of the few profitable Chinese LCCs and operates a single fleet type (A320) with an all-economy cabin configuration.
Southwest Airlines removed 38 737 Classics from service yesterday for inspections, leading to cancellation of 4% of its schedule, a move that resulted from its "ongoing internal review of. . .maintenance programs, policies and procedures" launched in the aftermath of last week's FAA-proposed $10.2 million civil penalty for alleged safety lapses.
Jet Aviation Handling will be rebranded as Dnata Switzerland. The new name follows the acquisition of the Swiss airport services provider by Dnata in November 2007.
The European Commission yesterday conducted so-called unannounced inspections at the premises of a number of international passenger airlines operating long-haul flights to Japan, suspecting them of price-fixing. "The Commission has reason to believe that the companies concerned may have violated EC rules on restrictive business practices," it said in a statement that followed the release of a regulatory filing by Lufthansa admitting its offices were raided.
BAA announced an agreement to sell World Duty Free Europe to Italy's Autogrill for £546.6 million ($1.1 billion) "as part of its ongoing noncore asset disposal program." WDFE will enter into a 12-year concession agreement to operate duty free shops at BAA's seven airports. Autogrill operates more than 5,200 shops in more than 1,100 locations and had sales of £4.8 billion last year.
SITA and Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority announced forthcoming installation of air traffic information system Digital-ATIS and an air-ground data link service at Kigali. The technology, which is in keeping with ICAO's Comprehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Safety in Africa, will reduce reliance on voice communications and is expected to be in place by year end.
European Parliament yesterday adopted a new regulation that lays down common rules and standards for aviation security throughout the EU. The vote follows the agreement reached two months ago in conciliation between European Parliament and Council representatives ( ATWOnline, Jan. 15). The regulation will enter into force on the 20th day after publication in the Official Journal and will be applied not later than 24 months later.
Singapore Airlines took delivery of the third production A380 (MSN006) Saturday. The Trent 900-powered, 471-seat aircraft will be placed into Singapore-London Heathrow service on March 18 ( ATWOnline, Jan. 31).
The chief executives of Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines both warned this week that rising oil prices are having a severe impact on carriers and jeopardizing the industry's recent return to profitability. Speaking at the FAA Aviation Forecast Conference in Washington, DL CEO Richard Anderson said high fuel costs are the "first and foremost issue" for the airline industry, with $105-plus per-barrel crude oil prices "really having a debilitating, negative effect."
Austrian Airlines Group's principal shareholder, state holding company OIAG, reached a deal with Saudi-Austrian investor Mohamed bin Iassa Al-Jaber to take a stake in the carrier through a capital increase ( ATWOnline, Feb. 22). The investment of approximately €150 million ($230.1 million) will enable Austrian Airlines to purchase three A320s for operations to the Middle East, Austrian media reported.
Indonesia's dismal safety record is in the headlines again, and Adam Air faces a potential grounding after one of its 737-400s skidded off the runway at Batam Island's Hang Nadim Airport Monday, injuring five of the 176 passengers and crew onboard. The right wing, hydraulic system and main landing gear were damaged. The incident, Adam's third in 18 months, prompted Indonesian Transport Minister Jusman Syafii Djamal to warn that he may ground the airline. "We are giving them a chance to improve.
Airbus parent EADS reported a net loss of €446 million ($685.3 million) for 2007, reversed from a net profit of €99 million the previous year, as the company was hurt by Power8 restructuring costs, A350 XWB program startup charges, the declining value of the US dollar and a 6-12-month delay to the A400M military transport aircraft program.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines selected Boeing for its long-haul fleet renewal, Civil Aviation Minister Mahbub Jamil told reporters this week in Dhaka, according to widespread press reports ( ATWOnline, Feb. 27). BG will purchase four 787-8s (for delivery in 2017) and four 777-300ERs (2013 delivery) for $1.26 billion, Jamil said, and plans to sign a preliminary agreement by Saturday and a contract by April 15.
Ukraine International Airlines will add blended winglets to its fleet of 737-300s and -500s. Five aircraft will be upgraded before year end. It currently operates 15 737-300s/-400s/-500s.
AirBaltic will undergo the largest fleet expansion in its history owing to parent SAS Group's contract with Bombardier announced Monday ( ATWOnline, March 11). The carrier will take delivery of at least eight Q400 NextGen aircraft starting next year and will hold options for four more. New aircraft will replace F50s. AirBaltic also plans to add two 757-200s and three 737-300s this year.
Barco said UK NATS selected its OSYRIS arrival management software for London Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and City airports. Contract includes software integration with the existing ATC system.
US Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced that airlines serving Newark International have agreed formally to cap flights temporarily 83 per hr. beginning in early May. DOT, which imposed a cap at New York JFK of 83 flights per hr. beginning this month, announced in December that it would impose a similar cap at EWR and pegged the airport's capacity at 83 flights per hr. ( ATWOnline, Dec.
Shannon Aerospace, the Ireland-based narrowbody airframe and MRO subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik, is targeting a 30% increase in productivity and a 30% reduction in ground times using "lean" initiatives. The company recently welcomed Ken Kreafle, a GM of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Co. USA and an authority on the Toyota Production System, to its Shannon facility.
Air France KLM board met yesterday and authorized the company to submit an offer for Alitalia Friday subject to certain pre-conditions, "including notably the commitment of the trade unions." Meanwhile, AF KLM dismissed a Le Figaro report that Chairman and CEO Jean-Cyril Spinetta will resign as CEO in October when he reaches age 65. He would remain chairman, the newspaper said, adding without citing sources that President and COO Pierre-Henri Gourgeon would succeed him.
US FAA projected a "near term. . .definite pause in growth" for the domestic airline market in its annual aerospace forecast released yesterday but emphasized that growth will be "vibrant down the road." Speaking at the FAA Aviation Forecast Conference in Washington, Acting Administrator Bobby Sturgell said, "We're talking flat growth in operations and slow growth in passengers." He cited a "series of cascading events" that led to the slowdown, including "$100 oil, an economic picture that's in flux, potential consolidations, and credit market woes."
