Aeroflot Russian Airlines carried out successful e-ticket trials on its Moscow-Los Angeles and Moscow-Delhi routes. The tests demonstrated that from a technical perspective, Aeroflot is ready to introduce e-tickets and can comply with IATA's timetable for 100% transition to e-tickets in 2007. However, the carrier said "a practical introduction of this technology. . .is impeded by absence of regulatory and legal framework on electronic tickets circulation in Russia."
Continental Airlines launched service to five new Caribbean/Latin destinations over the weekend: From Houston, weekly service to Bonaire and twice-weekly flights to Punta Cana on Dec. 16; and from Newark, weekly service to Liberia, Costa Rica, and Curacao the following day. It also began weekly New York LaGuardia-Aruba service. All flights use 737-700s. American Airlines will end service to Asuncion Feb. 2. It flies to the Paraguayan capital daily from Miami through Sao Paulo.
Australian High Court let stand a lower court ruling ordering Air Nauru to return a 737-400 to a trustee for the Export-Import Bank of the US. Air Nauru stopped making payments on the aircraft in 2002.
CR Airways, a Hong Kong charter airline, said it agreed to buy 10 787s and 30 737-800s in a deal worth approximately $3 billion, according to media reports.
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air will implement a $10-per-ticket charge on transactions made through reservation call centers and at airport ticket counters from Jan. 18. The charge will not apply to group tickets or vacation packages. A $60 fee currently assessed for award tickets redeemed within three weeks of travel will be eliminated.
PACE Aerospace Engineering and Information Technology said UK aerospace design consultancy Engaero has chosen Pacelab Cabin, a cabin configuration tool, to develop interior concepts for aircraft cabin refurbishment. Also, Bombardier signed PACE to help develop the computerized flight manual for the CRJ705.
Air New Zealand said it will proceed with plans to outsource heavy maintenance of widebody engines but has deferred until February a decision on the future of its widebody airframe MRO activity amid signs it may be able to reach accommodation with its engineering union to keep the work in-house. Sending the engine work offshore next year will result in elimination of around 110 jobs. Outsiders already perform engine MRO on ANZ's narrowbody jets and turboprops.
Rolls-Royce and American Eagle extended their agreement for on-site engineering services for the carrier's 206 AE3007-powered ERJs. The new Engineering Care program provides the airline with an RR-certified engineer and enhanced engineering service team assistance.
AirNet Systems announced it was unable to reach a merger agreement with the private investment firm with which it had signed a letter of intent on Oct. 26. The aviation services company, which operates 113 cargo and 14 passenger aircraft, said it will continue as an independent company and will consider offers from "a qualified potential acquirer."
United Airlines' pilots union joined the chorus of dissent against a management plan to set aside 18.75 million shares of stock representing 15% of equity in the reorganized carrier for its salaried and management employees. "The so-called Management Equity Incentive Plan reeks of immorality," Air Line Pilots Assn.
World Air Holdings, parent of World Airways and North American Airlines, signed a letter of intent to lease for three years a 767-300ER for delivery to North American in December 2006. It also signed a two-year extension on a leased 757-200ER, now set to expire in May 2008.
A twin-engine Grumman G-73T Turbine Mallard turboprop seaplane operated by Chalks Ocean Airways crashed into the water shortly after takeoff from Miami yesterday afternoon, killing at least 19. Twenty people (18 passengers, two crewmembers) reportedly were on the aircraft bound for the Bahamas. The Port of Miami was shut down after the crash and ships were diverted so as not to interfere with the recovery operation. A National Transportation Safety Board investigative team was scheduled to arrive in Miami last night.
Cathay Pacific took delivery of its first 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter yesterday in Xiamen. The aircraft will enter service tomorrow. Cathay launched the Boeing passenger-to-freighter conversion program in January 2004 with an order for six firm conversions and options for a further six.
Volito Aviation of Sweden purchased two 737s from Tombo Aviation. The six-year-old aircraft will remain on lease to Copa Airlines until April and June 2009.
Cintra SA said its shareholders unanimously approved the sale of Mexicana and low-cost airline Click to Grupo Posadas, the country's largest hotel chain that agreed last month to purchase the carriers for $165 million, the assumption of $294 million in debt and $997 million in aircraft lease obligations ( ATWOnline, Dec. 1). Posadas also will take a 50% stake in other airline units including ground services and cargo, the Associated Press reported. Cintra declined to sell AeroMexico after bids from Posadas and pharmaceutical company Grupo Xtra were considered insufficient.
BAA finalized its acquisition of Budapest Airport Rt. Sunday, agreeing to take a 75%-minus-one-share stake in the company from the Hungarian government plus a 75-year asset management contract for Budapest Ferihegy International Airport for a cash consideration of £1.255 billion ($2.22 billion). BAA pledged an additional €261 million ($313.4 million) for capital improvements over the next six years. It outbid Fraport and Hochtief, with the latter filing a lawsuit in Hungary yesterday contending BAA did not comply with all the terms of the bidding process.
Sabre Holdings opened an office in Moscow to accommodate its growing presence in Russia and central Asia. The office will be staffed by Sabre Travel Network and Sabre Airline Solutions. Separately, Gulf Air will add Sabre CargoMax Revenue Manager to its portfolio.
