China Eastern Airlines expects to improve its financial and operational performance greatly on international routes through its planned cooperation with Singapore Airlines, according to CEA Board Secretary Luo Zhiping. "Currently we [lose] between CNY1 million ($134.000)-CNY2 million in one flight from Shanghai to New York," Luo said. "And our average load factor of business class/first class is 30%-40% in international routes while this figure is more than 90% [for] SIA, so we hope to raise our figure to 70%-80% in partnership with SIA."
TAM and United Airlines launched their new codeshare agreement yesterday, enabling both carriers' customers to earn and redeem frequent-flier miles/points on the partner. "By combining the two networks, TAM customers may now purchase tickets on United Airlines operated flights between Brazil and the United States. . .[and also] connect to several destinations in the United States," UA said. "United Airlines will offer service on flights operated by TAM from Miami and New York [JFK] to the cities of Sao Paulo and Manaus, enabling passengers to connect to several points in Brazil."
Jeppesen signed a contract with outsize freight specialist Volga-Dnepr Airlines for Jeppesen's e-Link services providing secure access to charts, Notams and data electronically.
Adria Airways, a regional airline based in Ljubljana, placed a firm order yesterday for two CRJ900s and one CRJ1000 collectively valued at $122.7 million. Adria currently operates seven CRJ200s and two CRJ900s.
Delta Air Lines acknowledged yesterday, after it was revealed that a shareholder is urging it to merge with United Airlines, that its board has established a "special committee. . .to review and analyze strategic options. . . including potential consolidation transactions."
Bmi launched a reciprocal codeshare agreement with EgyptAir on flights between London Heathrow and Cairo, effectively doubling the number of weekly nonstop services available to 14. The agreement follows on from the launch by bmi on Nov. 4 of a daily LHR-Cairo service and the formal invitation of EgyptAir into Star Alliance ( ATWOnline, Oct. 18). Separately, bmi will launch thrice-weekly LHR-Dammam flights early next year aboard A330s, bringing to three the number of destinations served in Saudi Arabia.
IATA said worldwide premium traffic growth slowed to 2.6% in September from 5.3% in August. "There is much volatility and distortion in the data at present but the [premium traffic] growth trend remains positive," IATA said. "Excluding structurally weak within-Europe markets, premium traffic grew 6.8% in September. . .Strong premium revenues have been key to protecting profitability from high fuel costs."
Dutch Transport and Water Management Inspectorate levied a €30,000 ($43,740) penalty on TAP Portugal and a €15,000 fine on Pegasus Airlines for repeated abuse of the legally set special noise regime during the night and early morning period at Amsterdam Schiphol. Compliance with the relevant environmental standards at AMS has been tightened since July following an agreement between Airport Coordination Netherlands, the Dutch slot coordinator, and the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works.
Etihad Airways and Virgin Blue announced a comprehensive interline deal that will provide passengers connectivity to 22 Australian cities and from Brisbane and Sydney to Abu Dhabi and beyond to Etihad's 45 international destinations. Deal is effective immediately. Etihad launched daily flights to Sydney in March (becoming 11-times-weekly in March 2008) and thrice-weekly service to Brisbane in September.
EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva yesterday said that an investigation of websites selling airline tickets showed that "over 50% used misleading advertising and unfair practices." According to a statement from the European Commission, the investigation covered "Europe's leading airlines, low-cost carriers as well as other websites selling airline tickets." Kuneva did not identify any airlines by name, but in a preemptive move Ryanair defended its pricing transparency and availability of low fares in a statement issued Tuesday: "Ryanair hasn't been contacted by the [EC] as part of
Qatar Airways signs agreement to explore GTL fuels Boeing, Emirates still discussing shorter 747-8I Gulf Air commits to refleeting, will order 35 aircraft within weeks Additional stories Dubai News from November 12, November 13, November 14
Precision Conversions said it redelivered a 757-200PCF freighter to DHL-European Air Transport following conversion. The RB211-535-powered aircraft is DHL's first 15-pallet-position converted freighter.
Lufthansa Systems said Silverjet chose its Lido Operations Center flight planning application. Silverjet operates three 767s in an all-business-class configuration from London Luton to New York.
SR Technics concluded a seven-year Integrated Component Solutions agreement with Air India covering component services for A330-200 aircraft with a potential worth of approximately CHF19 million ($16.9 million). Under the accord, SRT will provide full component support including exchange, component maintenance, logistics and access to a consignment stock based at Mumbai.
DAE Capital strikes first aircraft lease deals Bombardier's CSeries to be powered by Pratt's GTF Carson: Boeing slightly ahead of 787 schedule Airbus on a roll, firms three more orders in Dubai Additional stories Dubai News from November 12, November 13
Airbus received Category IIIb approval from EASA to utilize Thales' MLS precision approach and landing system on A320 family aircraft. British Airways will be the first to use MLS, implementing it at London Heathrow on A320s and A321s. "MLS uses microwave signals that are less susceptible to interference. . .from other aircraft moving on the airport surface or buildings than the current [ILS]," Airbus said.
Sky West Inc., parent of SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast Airlines, reported third-quarter net income of $42.9 million, up 5.4% from a $40.7 million net profit in the year-ago quarter. Operating revenue increased 10.6% to $875.6 million while expenses rose 11.2% to $783 million, producing operating income of $92.4 million, up 5.4%.
European Parliament yesterday voted as expected to include aviation in the EU's Emissions Trading System from 2011 and to place tighter pollution caps on airlines than initially had been proposed by the European Commission. The move sets up a likely legal challenge from the US and any number of nations opposed to the EU's unilateral action.
Transavia.com finalized an order for seven 737NGs valued at $523 million plus three options. The order, which is for -800s but allows for the substitution of other NG models, previously was listed by Boeing as unidentified. The Air France KLM subsidiary said the new 737s will be equipped with blended winglets and replace older aircraft in its fleet. CFMI valued the engine order at $95 million.
Emirates inaugurated its new engine test cell in Al Awir. The $45 million cell will be able to handle aircraft engines and APUs up to and including the GE90-115B powering the airline's 777-300ERs.
Spanair CEO Lars Nygaard "has requested to leave his position with immediate effect," parent SAS Group said yesterday. He plans to "assume a new position outside the SAS Group," it added. Spanair CFO Marcus Hedblom was named new CEO.
