SkyWest Airlines posted a 1.3% decline in net income to $18.8 million for the first quarter ended March 31, down from net income of $19.4 million in the 2004 quarter. Total operating revenue rose 34.1% to $340.3 million, primarily owing to a 33.8% jump in capacity driven by an increase in fleet size year-over-year, along with increased fuel cost reimbursements by the company's Major partners that are recorded as operating revenues under contract flying arrangements. But operating expenses also increased, climbing 39.8% to $305.8 million during the quarter.
Mesa Air Group reported net income of $10.8 million for the fiscal second quarter ended March 31, up significantly over net income of $1.8 million in the year-ago period. Excluding a one-time gain of $0.6 million related to a settlement with a vendor and $1.6 million in net investment losses, pro forma net income was $11.9 million, a 23.5% increase over pro forma net income of $9.6 million in the 2004 period.
On the day that it celebrated the anniversary of the launch of the 787, Boeing wrapped up one of the longest sales campaigns in history as it won the widebody mandate from Air-India to supply up to 50 jets worth $6.8 billion. Yesterday's deal includes firm orders for five GE90-110B-powered 777-200LRs, 10 GE90-115B-powered 777-300ERs and 20 787-8s, with options on three 777-200LRs, five 777-300ERs and seven 787-8s. Engine selection on the 787s was not announced, but GE valued the 777 firm engine orders at more than $700 million.
China Southern Airlines blamed soaring fuel prices as it reported a loss according to International Financial Reporting Standards of RMB48 million ($6 million) for 2004. "Fuel costs rose substantially and accounted for more than 30% of the operating costs of the group," said Chairman Liu Shao Yong. Nevertheless, the results represented a significant improvement compared to 2003, when the SARS crisis pushed the airline into a deficit of RMB358 million.
Austrian Airlines raised its fuel surcharge for all long-haul flights to €27 ($35) from €22 for flights to Australia and €17 on all other routes. The surcharge of €7 per flight on short- and medium-haul flights remains unchanged.
Daimler Chrysler is negotiating to sell its stake in debis AirFinance to Cerberus Capital Management, the Associated Press reported. DaimlerChrysler holds 35% of debis while its Aerospace unit has 10%, AP said. Price was not disclosed.
America West and US Airways confirmed that they are currently in discussions regarding a potential merger ( ATWOnline, April 21.) However, both companies emphasized that there is "no assurance that the discussions will lead to a definitive agreement."
Despite a 30 million dinar ($79.6 million) increase in fuel expense for the year, Gulf Air reported a net profit of 1.5 million dinars for 2004, a complete turnaround compared to a net loss of 19.9 million dinars in 2003. Revenue rose 23.8% to 476.3 million dinars on a 27% jump in passenger revenue, which was driven largely by a 24.3% increase in premium passengers carried during the year. The company said similar growth was seen in cargo revenue, which climbed 20.4% year-over-year.
In a major victory for Boeing, Air Canada yesterday placed a fleet replacement/growth order for up to 96 777s and 787s, including two 777-200 freighters should that program be launched.
Singapore Airlines will increase its fuel surcharge from $4 to $10 per sector on flights between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur from May 1 and from $22 to $30 per sector on all long-haul flights. The airline said the surcharge on all other flights remains unchanged.
Rockwell Collins was selected by Jazeera Airways to provide avionics and inflight entertainment on four new A320s. The agreement also includes an option for four additional aircraft with deliveries beginning in October.
Copa yesterday placed an order with Boeing for up to 15 additional 737NGs. The deal includes five firm orders, with deliveries beginning in 2007 and extending through 2009. If all options are exercised, Boeing said the deal will be valued at $750 million. Copa currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of 21 737NGs, with three remaining to be delivered from prior orders.
Virgin Blue will equip its aircraft with inflight satellite television supplied by LiveTV, a subsidiary of JetBlue Airways. Under the agreement announced yesterday, LiveTV will outfit 51 Virgin Blue 737s with satellite receiving and distribution equipment, enabling the Australian low-cost carrier to provide its customers 24 FOXTEL and AUSTAR channels of programming at every seat. Installation is scheduled for the third quarter. The systems will be maintained by LiveTV as well.
Kingfisher Airlines took delivery of its first A320 last week. The aircraft is one of four that the Indian carrier will take on lease from debis AirFinance. Kingfisher also has placed firm orders for 10 A320s plus 20 options and three A319s.
Boeing and Mxi Technologies said Aloha Airlines completed installation of several modules of Boeing's Enterprise One maintenance software system into its maintenance operations and has turned off its legacy system. The carrier is using the new system for configuration management and maintenance tracking for its fleet of 737-200s and 737-700s.
United Airlines and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. reached an agreement that will allow United to terminate all of its defined benefit pension plans. According to PBGC, under terms of the agreement, which still must be approved by the US Bankruptcy Court, the agency would terminate and become trustee of the company's four pension plans and its claims against the company would be settled. PBGC estimates that United's pension plans are underfunded by $9.8 billion on a termination basis, $6.6 billion of which is guaranteed by PBGC.
Aer Lingus, as expected, appointed Dermot Mannion as its new CEO replacing Willie Walsh, who left the airline in January and recently was named CEO of British Airways ( ATWOnline, March 9). Mannion, 47, joined Dubai-based Emirates in 1987 and became president of Group Support Services in 2003. He will take up his new post in August.
Messier Services signed landing gear overhaul contracts with Mesaba Airlines and BWIA West Indies Airways. The Mesaba agreement covers 35 Avro RJs and the contract with BWIA represents the first A340 contract for Messier Services.
Qatar Airways and ANA finalized a new codeshare agreement under which ANA will place its code on all Qatar flights between Doha and Osaka while Qatar will add its code to ANA's flights between Osaka Kansai and Tokyo Haneda, Fukuoka and Sapporo.
Saudi Arabian Airlines became the first Middle East customer for the Embraer 170 with a firm order for 15. The contract, which will be signed in Riyadh, is valued at $400 million. The 170s will be configured with 66 seats, including six in first class. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in December. The aircraft will be deployed in domestic and regional markets, adding frequencies on existing routes and developing minihubs at Hail City in the north and Abha in the south, according to airline officials.
