Commport Aerospace Services launched its fuel administration software, realTimeFuel, at IATA's fuel forum in Istanbul. Compatible with most hardware and management systems, the technology could save airlines "at least $300 per flight, while airport authorities and into-plane agents will be able to reduce labor costs and manage the fueling process much more efficiently and effectively," CEO David Ralph said.
Etihad Airways is targeting 6 million passengers in 2008 compared to the 5 million it served last year. The Arab Air Carriers Organization reported that the airline will relocate to the new passenger terminal at Abu Dhabi, where 10 aircraft parking stands will be available and a dedicated runway for Etihad will be ready in April. The carrier is preparing to launch flights to Beijing and Moscow in March.
Singapore Airlines today will become the first carrier to operate from Changi's new Terminal 3. First outbound flight is SQ318 en route to London Heathrow. SQ will continue to operate out of T2 as well. The airline's flights to North America, Northern/Western Europe, East Asia (save certain Japanese services) and Oceania will operate out of T3.
AerVenture Ltd., a joint venture among AerCap Holdings, LoadAir and Al Fawares, will lease six new A320-200s to TAP Portugal under eight-year lease agreements. Aircraft will be delivered in 2009 and are part of a 2005 order from Airbus.
JetBlue Airways will increase 2008 capacity 6%-9% year-over-year, CEO Dave Barger said. "Given an uncertain economic environment and record high fuel prices, we plan to grow more conservatively in 2008," he said. "Assuming market conditions remain favorable, we expect to take advantage of continued strength in the worldwide aircraft market to manage our fleet growth." JetBlue's December passenger RASM rose 5% from the year-ago month while traffic increased 6.4% to 2.16 billion RPMs. Capacity climbed 10% to 2.81 billion ASMs, dropping load factor 2.6 points to 76.8%.
US FAA yesterday proposed extending the requirement that the US's 75 largest airports make enhancements to taxiway centerline markings to all 567 certificated airports as part of its ongoing effort to mitigate the risk of runway incursions.
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly told Bloomberg News that the airline will cut its 2008 capacity increase to 4%-5%, compared to 7.5% last year, and that it must realize $1 billion in new annual revenue before it increases its growth rate. The airline has, however, identified several possibilities for new revenue growth, such as marketing seats on ATA Airlines flights to Mexico and selling vacation packages on Southwest's website, Kelly told Bloomberg. "There is a $1 billion-plus potential there.
IATA blasted the Brazilian government's proposal to raise per-hr. aircraft parking fees at Sao Paulo Guarulhos significantly, asserting that the hike could cost international airlines operating there as much as $90 million per year and likely violates bilateral aviation accords. It is not uncommon for aircraft operated by international carriers to land at GRU early in the day and remain parked before departing again that night.
GA Telesis finalized its acquisition of AMT and its 19,812-sq.-m. MRO facility at Tucson International. Maintaining its AS9100 accreditation, AMT will be re-branded as GA Telesis Component Repair Group Southwest in the coming months.
Air India will launch daily Delhi-New York JFK service Feb. 8 aboard a 777-200LR. It took delivery of its fourth aircraft of the type on Jan. 2. It is equipped with eight seats in first class, 35 in business and 195 in economy. AI already serves JFK from Mumbai. It will take a sixth -200LR next month and the remaining three it has on order in mid-2009.
John Keells Computer Services unveiled its eCheck-in Suite technology aimed at streamlining the passenger check-in and boarding pass process. Features include BCBP capabilities and check-in via mobile phones, PDAs and other Web-based tools.
Standard Aero announced completion of a $1.6 million transformation project at its PT6A MRO facility in Winnipeg. Enhancements are expected to boost overhaul capacity and accelerate turn times.
British Airways flew 9.08 billion RPKs in December, up 1% from the year-ago month, against a 2% rise in ASKs to 12.35 billion. Load factor slipped 0.7 point to 73.5%. Northwest Airlines flew 6.27 billion consolidated RPMs in December, a 1.7% drop from the year-ago month. Capacity declined 2.2% to 7.72 billion ASMs, lifting load factor 0.5 point to 81.2%.
Rockwell Collins was contracted by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to provide primary flight control computers, pilot controls and the horizontal stabilizer trim system for the MRJ.
China National Aviation Holding Co. and Air China announced yesterday that CNAC will make its own bid for China Eastern Airlines in two weeks if the latter's stake sale to Singapore Airlines is vetoed by shareholders at a meeting scheduled for today.
Finnair shut down Estonian subsidiary Aero Airlines Sunday as part of its strategy to concentrate on its mainline business and development of its Asian route network. The closure also ends its propeller aircraft era, as the ATR 72s owned by Finnair Aircraft Finance and operated by Aero have been sold ( ATWOnline, Jan. 7). Finnair took control of Aero in 2001, hoping to develop a cost-effective model for a regional operator while increasing its market share in the Baltic.
UPS is launching a "simplified global portfolio for shipping airfreight" that appears to leverage the company's position as both a cargo airline and a freight forwarder. In recent years, UPS has built up its express delivery airline operation and its supply chain management business significantly, attempting to become a wide-ranging service provider for all forms of time-sensitive cargo transport.
News from Travel Technology Update: Social networking was undoubtedly the hot trend of the year, at least according to the people who plan travel industry conference agendas. The travel industry is still grappling with how to monetize the huge and amorphous phenomenon. "Two-thirds of online customers use social media," Cindy Estis Green, managing partner of the Estis Group, said.
US Aerospace Industries Assn. elected Rockwell Collins Chairman, President and CEO Clayton Jones as its 2008 chairman, succeeding Raytheon Chairman, President and CEO William Swanson, who held the post last year.
Pinnacle Airlines announced the purchase of its Class A Preferred Share from Northwest Airlines for $20 million ( ATWOnline, Dec. 3, 2007). "This is the last step in the process of becoming independent that began with our IPO in 2003, and well positions us to take advantage of future opportunities," President and CEO Phil Trenary said. "We remain firmly committed to Northwest Airlines, our largest customer."
Pratt & Whitney and Turkish Airlines Technic signed a joint venture agreement yesterday to build a major engine overhaul center at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen ( ATWOnline, Oct. 8, 2007). The facility will be P&W's eighth commercial engine overhaul center. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Pratt & Whitney Turkish Technic Aircraft Engine Maintenance Center will overhaul V2500 and CFM56(r) engines. Construction will begin shortly and the facility will induct its first engine in 2009.
Air Berlin now is airberlin following the release of a revised identity and logo that the airline said will be part of its repositioning as a global company. First aircraft with the familiar red color but new logo, featuring a red tail and stylized lower-case a, will roll out this month, along with a new advertising campaign. Rapp Collins led the rebranding effort.
BAE Systems received a $29 million award from the US Dept. of Homeland Security to equip three American Airlines 767-200s with its Jeteye infrared aircraft missile defense systems on a test basis. DHS already has conducted trials of the system's missile-defeating capability at government test ranges. Systems on AA aircraft will be used to evaluate Jeteye's compatibility with daily passenger airline operations and maintenance.
Virgin Atlantic Airways and the Unite union reached agreement yesterday on a two-year pay deal for cabin crew, averting the first flight attendant strike in the carrier's history. Unite planned 48-hr. strikes on Jan. 9-10 and Jan.16-17 ( ATWOnline, Jan. 7). "The outcome is a triumph of common sense," Virgin's Richard Branson said. Agreement includes a 4.8% pay increase in the first year and a guarantee of RPI in the second.
