Air Transport World

The Lufthansa Group has reported a third-quarter net profit of €1.42 billion ($1.6 billion) up 79% from a net income of €794 million in 3Q 2015, as the Group stabilizes in a difficult market environment.

Boeing and Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) have agreed to expand the research objectives of their joint technology center in Beijing to support long-term sustainable growth for the aviation industry, the companies announced Nov. 1 at the Zhuhai Airshow.

Virgin Australia reported a net loss of A$34.6 million ($26.4 million) for the three months through Sept. 30, reversed from a net profit of A$1.7 million for the same period last year.

Air China will test Los Angeles-based Global Eagle Entertainment’s (GEE) inflight entertainment (IFE) and connectivity service on an Air China Boeing 777 aircraft, the two companies announced Nov. 1.

Accident investigators are puzzling over the causes of the first-ever failure of a second-stage high-pressure (HP) turbine stage on a GE Aviation CF6-80C2 engine, which experienced an uncontained release of debris during the Oct. 28 takeoff run of an American Airlines Boeing 767-300ER from Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

China Development Bank (CDB) Leasing has chosen CFM International’s LEAP-1A engines for its first batch of Airbus A320neos.

Connectivity-Nov. 1, 2016

Southwest Airlines’ flight attendants have ratified a new two-year contract, the Dallas-based airline announced Oct. 31.

TAP Portugal has completed a cabin overhaul on its first Airbus A319, marking the start of a 48-aircraft roll-out.

UK low-cost carrier (LCC) easyJet has reached an agreement with pilots in a dispute over fatigue, averting industrial action.

Canadian low-cost carrier (LCC) WestJet reported a third-quarter net profit of C$116 million ($88.6 million), a 13.9% increase compared to a C$101.8 million net income in 3Q 2015.

Lufthansa Group low-cost (LCC) subsidiary Eurowings flight attendants, represented by the UFO union, have postponed a two-day strike for this week even though the latest negotiations failed to reach a solution.

Jazeera Airways has reported a third-quarter net profit of KD6 million ($19.8 million), down 27% on the year-ago period, as continued low oil prices and fare cuts by competitors took their toll.

SaudiGulf Airlines has launched operations, triggering the next stage in the liberalization of Saudi Arabia’s domestic flight market.

Icelandair Group reported a third-quarter net income of $102.8 million, down 0.4% from a $103.1 million profit in the year-ago period.

Garuda Indonesia reported a third-quarter net profit of $19.6 million, down 11.6% compared to the year-ago period, but a marked improvement on the $63.2 million loss in the first half of 2016.

Shenzhen-based Donghai Airlines has finalized an order for five Boeing 787-9s, valued at $1.32 billion at list prices.

Bombardier has identified a previously announced order from an unidentified customer for its CRJ900 regional jet as China’s Industrial Bank Financial Leasing Co.

China Eastern Airlines is expected to become the launch customer of the Chinese-produced 150-seat C919, according to a cooperation framework agreement signed at the Zhuhai Air Show Nov. 1.

Worldwide airlines ranked by available reported Passenger Load Factor year-to-date 2016, as of October 31, 2016.

Airline Routes-Oct. 31, 2016

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic will expand the airlines’ existing cooperation agreement with India’s Jet Airways, the carriers announced Oct. 31.

Embraer reported a $32.5 million net loss for the 2016 third quarter, narrowed from a $105.4 million net loss in the 3Q 2015.

Boeing has delivered Intrepid Aviation’s first direct ordered Boeing 777-300ER, which will be leased and operated by Philippine Airlines (PAL).

Russia’s Aeroflot Airline plans to increase international services as it launches daily Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO)-London Gatwick Airbus A320 service Nov. 15.