Aviation Daily

By Jens Flottau
Any major push into fifth-freedom operations appears to be unlikely, however, because it would change an already highly successful business model.
Air Transport

De Juniac’s proposal draws its inspiration from European Union (EU) maritime guidelines in place since 1997 to address the lack of competitiveness of EU/European Economic Area (EEA) fleets in the global-shipping market and end the flagging-out of the European fleet and loss of EU seafarer jobs.

The airline’s decision will hinge on price and availability. The A321neo is likely best for the network—it could operate most routes without restrictions and allow the airline to add longer ones while reducing cost per seat-mile—but the aircraft is also most expensive with few delivery slots.

Trans States is supposed to take the MRJ90, but the base model of that aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 87,303 lbs., making it just heavier than the permitted scope limit at major U.S. carriers.

By Adrian Schofield
Thai reported a solid first-quarter profit this year, which it attributed to its recovery plan and an increase in demand.

By Sean Broderick
The Total Component Support deal includes spares-pool access and repair, LHT said. Finnair is slated to receive its first four A350s in the second half of this year. It has 19 on order, with deliveries slated to last through 2022.

/site-files/aviationweek.com/files/uploads/2015/04/avd_05_13_2015_cht1.pdf

/site-files/aviationweek.com/files/uploads/2015/04/avd_05_13_2015_cht2.pdf

“We have now concluded our reviews of the three major worldwide airline alliances—and are one step closer to a genuine level playing field in transatlantic aviation markets,” said Margrethe Vestager, European commissioner in charge of competition policy.

By Adrian Schofield
During a presentation to analysts, the carrier outlined details showing its ambitious plan to slice A$2 billion ($1.6 billion) in costs is firmly on track.

“The Asia network continues to be an important part of our network,” American Vice President-Network Planning Chuck Schubert told Aviation Daily.

Installed after a housecleaning of senior executives, Cromer has been on the job for only four weeks, while chief salesman Colin Bole only joined the company this week.
Air Transport

By Sean Broderick
“The first step is to reform industry finances,” ICF says in its paper, the second in a planned series on FAA reauthorization.

By Jens Flottau
“We have to answer the question whether cargo and maintenance are part of our core business,” Pichler said on May 12 when Air Berlin presented its first-quarter results. “If the answer is no we will bring them into a partnership or sell them.”

One useful mobile phone application could be WhatsApp, a system that allows users to exchange text messages without having to pay usual phone-company charges.

By Bradley Perrett
The aircraft from Air Lease will apparently begin flying for the Chinese airline in the first half of next year.

By Graham Warwick
Alaska Airlines is to conduct the first commercial flights on alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) biofuel under an agreement with fuel developer Gevo. Lufthansa has also been testing the fuel, as well as the U.S. Air Force and NASA. The demonstration flight is expected to take place middle to late this year after the feedstock-to-fuel pathway is approved for use in aircraft by standards developer ASTM International. ATJ will be used in a blend of up to 50% with conventional jet fuel.

By Karen Walker
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona--American Airlines' fleet-planning strategy hinges on having a variety of different-sized aircraft that can match varying route needs, but there is a gap in an aircraft type that would fill the role of the Boeing 757, the airline's head of network planning said May 7. Speaking as a panelist at the Phoenix International Aviation Symposium here, American Airlines Vice President-Network Planning Charles Schubert said that tailoring aircraft to routes is a major part of the carrier's strategy.

Bureau of Transportation Statistics
View the PDF

By Adrian Schofield
A major Australian transport lobby group is urging the government to reduce passenger taxes in its next federal budget, which is due to be released May 12. The Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) says the A$55 (U.S.$43.48) Passenger Movement Charge is levied on every outbound passenger, regardless of the distance they are flying. It represents “the highest travel charge in the developed world” for short-haul trips, the TTF says.

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona—While senior executives at Virgin America and United Airlines said U.S. carriers are generally holding the line on capacity discipline despite cheaper fuel, American Airlines president Scott Kirby has a different view, suggesting that “because of low fuel prices, you have more capacity in the market than you would have if oil was at $110 a barrel.”

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona—The U.S. government is “taking very seriously” the request from Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines and their labor groups to pursue consultations with the governments of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar on alleged subsidies for the airlines from those countries, a State Department official said here.

Negotiators from Republic Airways and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have reached an agreement on about two-thirds of articles in a tentative agreement, leading airline CEO Bryan Bedford to conclude the process might be completed “in the very near future,” a development that almost certainly will improve the carrier’s operational performance.

By Adrian Schofield
Philippines low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific has taken another important step in the integration of its Tigerair Philippines subsidiary, rebranding it Cebgo.

By Bradley Perrett
The complete wing of an Avic MA60 turboprop airliner became partly detached then pivoted on the fuselage when the aircraft ran on to grass on landing on May 10.
Air Transport