Belgian regional wet-lease operator VLM Airlines joined IATA Dec. 1 and has signed an online sales deal with WorldTicket, laying the foundation for its return to scheduled services in 2015.
El Al Israel Airlines posted third-quarter net profit of $10.1 million compared to $57.9 million in the year-ago quarter, due to disruptions caused by Israel’s military operations against Palestinian forces in Gaza over the summer.
Switzerland-based Helvetic Airways will buy seven 112-seat Embraer E-190s from Austria-based airberlin subsidiary FlyNiki, which is expanding its fleet capacity with five 150-seat Airbus A319s and two 180-seat A320s, a source close to airberlin’s management confirmed to ATW.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a contract with mobile satellite communications services provider Inmarsat for development of a space-based aviation data link for European airspace.
Ukraine’s State Aviation Administration has banned several Russian and Ukrainian airlines on the Moscow-Dnepropetrovsk route from Dec. 1 for safety reasons.
As airline consolidation takes hold in much of the world, commercial air transport in the Caribbean remains a fragmented industry, a big reason why connectivity is so poor within the region.
The shooting down of a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200, killing all 298 innocent citizens onboard, never should have happened. Even more awful to contemplate, it could have been worse.
As many as 70 Boeing 747-400 and MD-11 freighters were parked in the years following the 2008 global financial crisis, with many remaining unused for long stretches or retired altogether.
Chroniclers of the air transportation industry last year were cautiously optimistic that an economic recovery in the airline business had arrived finally as large orders for new commercial aircraft from airlines and lessors rolled in. Orders for new equipment continued this year at a brisk pace but there is a debate within the industry about too many planes chasing too little traffic.
Ten or more years ago, it would have been rare to hear anyone in the airline industry and based in Southeast Asia to talk with envy of the US carriers. But times have changed. These days, East is definitely looking West with a newly learned respect.
When Qatar Airways was relaunched in 1997, there would have been few people who would have predicted that in less than 20 years, this Doha-based carrier would be a Skytrax five-star operation and a oneworld global alliance member flying to more than 140 destinations. On top of those achievements, Qatar is about to become the world’s first airline to operate the Airbus A350 XWB.
The Korean government has ordered Seoul-based Asiana Airlines to suspend its flights to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) for a 45-day period as a penalty for the July 6, 2013 crash of a Boeing 777-200ER at that airport.
On the Cover 20 A New Era Qatar Airways prepares to launch A350 XWB service. By Kurt Hofmann and Karen Walker Features 24 The State of Leasing The leasing business is thriving, but concerns persist about over ordering, consolidation and dropping fuel prices. By Robert W. Moorman
Azul Brazilian Airlines has signed a purchase agreement for 35 CFM-powered A320neo family aircraft and will lease a further 28 for long-haul domestic and high-density routes.
Irish budget carrier Ryanair has finalized its order for 100 737 MAX 200s and 100 options, confirming its status as launch customer for the high-capacity variant.
Lufthansa pilot union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) has called for its ninth strike action Monday and Tuesday in a series of ongoing protests over transition payments for early retirees.
