European airlines are bracing themselves for tough times ahead, against a backdrop of declining fares, labor actions and the impact of terrorist attacks.
Delta Air Lines took the preemptive step in May of lowering its planned second-half 2016 system capacity growth by 1% to below 2% year-over-year, citing rising fuel prices. The move was seen by many analysts as the latest evidence that the US airline industry has fundamentally changed to the point where sustained, strong profitability should be expected regardless of circumstances.
Russia and China signed an agreement during Russian president Vladimir Putin’s visit to China June 25 to establish a joint venture (JV) to design and develop new widebody aircraft.
Whichever way you look at it, 2016 is a daunting year for Airbus. In the narrowbody sector—Airbus’ bread-and-butter market—the A320neo entered service stutteringly. In the widebody sector, the manufacturer is pushing through A330neo development while also targeting delivery of 50 A350-900 aircraft by year end.
In the world of large new commercial airliner development, three-and-a-half years is no time at all. That’s why, with the Boeing 777X targeted at entry-into-service at the turn of the decade, initial engine tests have begun and the first structural components are already in development.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has launched an investigation into the June 27 Singapore Airlines (SIA) Boeing 777 fire at Singapore Changi Airport. CAAS’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau will lead the probe “and will get to the bottom of the matter,” Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a statement.
ON THE COVER 20 MEGA TWIN Boeing sets stage for building the world’s largest twin-engined airliner. By Guy Norris 26 SIZING UP Will the Airbus A350 XWB take the place of the Boeing 777-300ER as the next go-to widebody? By Karen Walker
Following the UK’s June 23 vote to leave the European Union (EU), IATA said preliminary estimates suggest UK air passengers could decline 3%-5% by 2020, following an expected economic downturn and predicted falling British pound sterling (GBP) exchange rates.
Florida-based Spirit Airlines and its ramp service team members located at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport have ratified a tentative agreement, completing negotiation of their first collective bargaining agreement.
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft’s Authorized Service Facility (ASF), SAMCO Aircraft Maintenance, has received its CSeries aircraft Part 145 base maintenance approval from the Civil Aviation Authority, The Netherlands.
