Air Transport World

Global international passenger traffic increased 4.5% year-over-year (YOY) in October, according to IATA’s October Premium Traffic Monitor.

Baggage fees revenues for US airlines in 3Q 2015 rose 6.2% year-over-year, to $1.02 billion, according to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).

United Airlines is one step closer to placing an order for new small narrowbody aircraft, after a key union committee voted on Dec. 22 to approve a proposed two-year contract extension.

Discussions between All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Virgin Australia could lead to a new codeshare agreement covering domestic Australian routes.

Canada and Australia are doubling the number of seats airlines can fly per week between the two countries under an expanded air transport agreement, effective immediately, the Canadian government has said.

South Korean low-cost carrier (LCC) Jin Air has begun a new 5X-weekly schedule from Seoul’s Incheon International Airport to Honolulu, Hawaii.

A Kalstar Aviation Embraer E-195 overran the runway at El Tari Airport in Kupang on Dec. 21 and suffered substantial damage, including a landing gear collapse.

Gulf Air’s efforts to restructure are bearing fruit among passengers, the carrier said Dec. 24.

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. has announced another major delay to the service introduction of its Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ).

Embraer plans to roll out its first next-generation E-Jet, an E190-E2, on Feb. 25 at its headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil.

Aircraft News-Dec. 23, 2015

Silver Airways is hiring advisors at Raymond James to “evaluate a range of strategic alternatives,” including a merger or “ownership transition,” strategic partnerships, or new investments from outside groups.

Rayani Airlines has launched Malaysia’s first sharia-compliant airline using a Boeing 737-400 aircraft.

Spain-based low-cost carrier (LCC) Vueling is to launch three new interline agreements with long-haul carriers Cathay Pacific, Hainan Airlines and Royal Jordanian.

Delta Air Lines’ pilots have returned to labor contract negotiations more than five months after rejecting a tentative agreement.

US Airlines ranked by year-to-date total reservation cancellation/change fee revenue. Data is current as of December 15, 2015.

German flag carrier Lufthansa has taken another swipe at the “Big Three” Gulf carriers, warning that Europe’s civil aviation infrastructure risks being damaged by the Arabian airlines.

US airlines ranked by year-to-date 2015 baggage fees revenue, in US $ thousands. Data is current as of December 15, 2015.

Russia’s Ingosstrakh insurance company has paid out $23 million in the aftermath of the Metrojet Airbus A321-200 crash over Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula on Oct. 31.

[UPDATED] Pegasus Airlines said an explosion at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport at 2:05 am local time on Dec. 23 killed one cleaning staff member and injured another who was on board a Pegasus aircraft.

Brussels Airlines plans to add two Airbus A330 aircraft to its fleet and launch flights from Brussels to Toronto, as well as increase its presence in Africa and the US.

China Southern Airlines has ordered 10 Airbus A330-300 twin-aisle aircraft in a deal worth $2.3 billion at list prices, according to a disclosure filed with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Worldwide airlines ranked by available reported year-to-date 2015 Passenger Load Factor, high-to-low.

CAE’s full-flight simulator (FFS) for the Bombardier CS100 has gained regulatory approval from Transport Canada, FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Belgian regional carrier VLM has taken over routes from Friedrichshafen Airport in south Germany after Austrian regional carrier InterSky ceased operations in early November.