USA3000 Airlines will launch new nonstop service from Orlando McCoy International to Cleveland, Newark, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh May 1. The carrier also will begin two weekly flights between Baltimore/Washington International and Nassau Sept. 1.
News from Travel Technology Update: Travelsky Technology Ltd., a unit of China Travelsky Holding Co. and the largest electronic air travel distribution system provider in China, signed an "exclusive strategic cooperation agreement" with American Express that designates Travelsky as the sole GDS service provider for American Express in mainland China for three years. Travelsky currently is the only GDS provider in China, but it is expected that other GDSs will enter the market.
EasyJet took delivery of its 100th aircraft. The new A319 will be based at Berlin Schoenefeld and is the 39th A319 to be delivered from the LCC's order of 120 aircraft that will be completed by 2007. An additional 20 A319s will be delivered this year to facilitate easyJet's continued expansion and a planned increase in passenger numbers by a further 15%-20% this financial year. It has an option for an additional 120 aircraft from 2007 onward.
Embraer announced a firm order for two 76-seat Embraer 170s and one 104-seat 190 from state-run Ecuadorian airline TAME, with deliveries scheduled for 2005 and 2006. Meanwhile, the manufacturer reported that it delivered 30 total aircraft in the first quarter, including 18 ERJ-145s and 10 Embraer 170s. It expects to deliver 145 aircraft in 2005, but approximately 60% will be concentrated in the second half, when first deliveries of the new 175 and 190 are scheduled to begin.
Continental Airlines will begin new daily nonstop service between Houston George Bush Intercontinental and Cali July 15 using a 737-700 in a two-class configuration.
Emirates SkyCargo increased its cargo capacity between Hong Kong and Dubai in response to high demand. The new freighter service, in partnership with SAS Cargo, began March 29, taking SkyCargo's 747-400F services between the cities to nine per week.
China Southern Airlines yesterday unveiled its new summer schedule, which includes flight increases on routes from Guangzhou to both Beijing and Shanghai. In addition, the airline is adjusting its schedules to Australia, the US, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Japan. The summer schedule will be in effect until Oct. 29.
Swiss International Air Lines announced a reorganization of its sales and marketing division last week. Christoph Beckmann will join the management board with responsibility for all marketing activities, while the worldwide sales organization will be headed directly by CEO Christoph Franz until the effects of the company's link-up with Lufthansa are identified more clearly. Oliver Evans, currently chief sales and marketing officer, will concentrate on the overall management of Swiss WorldCargo.
Thales was awarded a further three contracts by CAAC to provide six en route secondary radars in China's eastern corridor as part of the ongoing upgrade of civil aviation infrastructure throughout the country. Under the deals, Thales will supply its RSM 970S monopulse secondary surveillance radar at Zhanjiang, Baise, Changqing, Shanghai, Xiangfan and Zhangjiajie. Separately, Thales said it completed site acceptance tests for the Croatian air traffic management system, which took place in Zagreb.
Northwest Airlines said it completed a $147.8 million financing, the proceeds of which it used to pay the November 2005 principal amortization in the same amount under its $975 million credit agreement. The financing transaction was led by JP Morgan and Citigroup and included participation from existing and new lenders in the credit agreement. In connection with the move, the airline said it received consent from its lenders to waive the fixed charge coverage covenant until the second quarter of 2006.
Qatar Airways is nearing completion of its new $18 million maintenance hangar. The facility, the world's biggest "stretched arch" hangar, will be capable of simultaneously accommodating two A330s and an A380. Dimensions are 509 ft. in length, 443 ft. wide and 115 ft. high at its highest point. It is set to be finished in June.
Pegasus Aviation Finance Co. delivered the first 737-800 it has leased to WestJet. Pegasus will finance a total of five 737NGs for the airline through June.
Ryanair announced yesterday that it will not move forward with plans to offer its passengers digEplayer portable inflight entertainment units after a five-month trial on five Stansted-based aircraft failed to develop sufficient interest among customers. According to the Associated Press, the carrier said an initial lack of availability of non-English-language programs on the handheld players was also a factor in the decision.
Lufthansa Flight Training and Austrian Airlines Group , as previously reported ( ATWOnline , April 5), entered into a training cooperation agreement under which LFT will construct a simulator center at Austrian's technical base at Vienna International Airport. In conjunction with the existing AAG safety and service center, which trains cabin attendants and pilots, this will result in creation of a comprehensive training center to be called Vienna Aviation Campus.
TUI is launching its own airline in the Netherlands, TUI Airlines Nederland, which will operate under the brand name Arkefly. The new carrier starts up April 21 and will fly primarily to long-haul destinations. It will carry passengers for all the Dutch TUI tour operator brands as well as those of other travel companies. About 50% of TUI Nederland passengers will fly with Arkefly.
Alitalia raised the level of cost cuts included in its Business Plan 2005-08 because of an expected 30% rise in fuel costs and a "more conservative estimate" for unit revenues in the short- and medium-haul sector owing to increased competition from low-cost carriers.
Verona-based Air Dolomiti, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lufthansa and a member of Lufthansa Regional, will take delivery of five ex-Aer Lingus 100-seat BAE 146-300s this month and also is looking at other aircraft.
US Airways late Thursday night said it now has until the end of April to file a plan of reorganization with the US Bankruptcy Court after reaching agreement with two of its largest creditors, GECAS and GE Engine Services.
EU Council of Economics and Finance Ministers has deferred until as least May action on a European Commission recommendation to introduce a series of new taxes on commercial aviation to support humanitarian aid in developing countries ( ATWOnline , April 12). According to a statement from Ecofin, "this topic will appear at the forefront of the agenda for the informal Ecofin meeting in Luxembourg" May 13-14.
Travelsky Technology Ltd., a unit of China Travelsky Holding Co. and the largest electronic air travel distribution system provider in China, signed an exclusive strategic cooperation agreement with American Express that designates Travelsky as the sole GDS service provider for American Express in mainland China for three years. Travelsky currently is the only GDS provider in China, but it is expected that other GDSs will enter the market. China has committed to opening its markets to new competition to fulfill its membership requirements in the World Trade Organization.
US Transportation Security Administration last week began enforcing a ban on all types of lighters from the secure areas of airports and onboard aircraft. TSA announced the ban in February and set aside 45 days to educate the traveling public about it.
