/site-files/aviationweek.com/files/uploads/2014/11/avd_11_05_2014_cht1.pdf Overall Percentages Of Reported Domestic Flights Arriving On Time, August 2014 Airline 3Q 2013 4Q 2013 1Q 2014
Virgin America expects to make only slight increases in capacity for most of 2015 before ramping up operations as it puts new Airbus A320s into service toward year-end, the carrier said this week in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
BEIJING—ATR, struggling to increase production amid strong demand for its turboprop airliners, plans to build over 90 aircraft next year, up from a target of more than 80 this year. Of the 2015 deliveries, 10 aircraft will be ATR 42s, compared with seven this year, an ATR spokesman said. The rest will be ATR 72s. ATR is jointly owned by Airbus Group and Alenia Aermachi.
Singapore’s Changi Airport, challenged by changes in airlines’ long-haul strategies and its hub carrier’s stagnation, saw key metrics decline in September with a 0.5% reduction in passenger numbers and a 5% drop in aircraft movements compared to year-ago figures. Changi Airport saw 4.25 million passengers and just over 27,020 aircraft movements, down from 4.65 million passengers and 28,360 movements in August 2014. Cargo volumes, which saw upticks at other cargo hubs in the region, including Hong Kong, slipped 2.7%, to 147,800 tons.
XIAN, China—By mid-2015, Avic plans to begin detail design of the MA700, the first all-new turboprop airliner for more than 30 years, with a target to fly it two years later. The aircraft is due to enter service in 2019 as a larger alternative to the ATR 72 and Bombardier Q40, featuring new propulsion technology. Pratt & Whitney Canada is promising that its PW150C engine, when combined with the highly efficient Dowty R504 propeller, will “provide significant fuel-burn economics for the new aircraft.”
Qantas has struck a setback in its attempt to impose an 18-month wage freeze on all employee groups as its short-haul pilots rejected a new contract including the clause. Of the 554 pilots that voted on contract terms, 79% opposed the airline’s four-year offer. Qantas short-haul pilots are represented by the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA).
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) assessed Air Canada Rouge with a $90,000 penalty late last month after determining the carrier violated a five-year old rule on tarmac delays.
Southwest Airlines says its merger with AirTran Airways is on target for year-end completion and that it has already integrated the frequent-flyer and booking programs. In addition, the Dallas-based carrier has fully taken over all of AirTran’s legacy-international routes and is operating them with Southwest aircraft. The final routes to be integrated — to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and Mexico City — shifted to Southwest aircraft over the weekend.
Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) regional offshoot, SilkAir, will start daily flights to Bali’s Denpasar International from the start of December 2014, in time for the European winter holiday season. The SilkAir flights will complement SIA’s existing flight shedules to the tourist island destination’s newly revamped airport, but will offer point to point schedules rather than the parent carrier’s existing “last leg” options. SilkAir said the move was part of a plan to “synergize the networks of both airlines.”
Financially struggling carrier Air Berlin is taking more-drastic action in its efforts to turn around by replacing CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer with a veteran German airline executive, Stefan Pichler.
Ryanair will expand winter capacity by 16% compared to last year as well as increase frequencies on several domestic and international routes as it aims to gain market share from both full-service and low-cost competitors and raise passenger numbers by 9% during the fiscal year.
For a complete list of Aviation Week’s upcoming events, and to register, visit www.aviationweek.com/events Nov. 4-6—MRO Asia, Singapore EXPO Convention and Exhibition Centre, Singapore Nov. 19-20—A&D Programs, Wigwam Resort, Liltchfield Park, Ariz. Jan 13-14, 2015—MRO Latin America, Buenos Aires, Argentina Feb. 2-3, 2015—MRO Middle East, Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai, UAE
