Airbus and China’s COMAC are the latest aircraft manufacturers to collaborate on air traffic management and sustainable aviation, with senior executives signing an agreement to pursue joint projects.
On the back of regional sales at the Singapore Airshow, manufacturer Airbus is putting serious money back into the Asian region with a swathe of support and infrastructure deals valued at some US$70-80 million. With Boeing predicting 12,820 new aircraft and Airbus 10,940 across Asia Pacific over the next 20 years, there is an agreement on the importance of the market. But with—so far—a claimed 80+% market share, Airbus is eager to maintain its lead in the US$1.5+ trillion potential sales bonanza.
Click here to view the pdf Denied Boardings, October - December 2013 Denied Boardings Enplaned Involuntary Per 10,000 Passengers Rank Airline Voluntary
Qatar Airways has acquired a pair of slots at London Heathrow Airport to launch an all-business-class service to its hub at Doha, using an Airbus A319 fitted with 40 lie-flat seats in a 2-2 configuration, despite the unsuccessful history of scheduled all business-class products. The daily service—which will start on May 15—will be Qatar’s sixth daily frequency on the route and London Heathrow’s first all business-class service.
Despite delivering record revenues and profits in 2013, MTU Aero Engines faces a challenging near-term stretch in part due to slow aftermarket growth and aircraft program delays that will hold up the flow of its engines into service.
Air France-KLM is expanding its existing alliance with Gol, investing €100 million ($137 million) in the Brazilian carrier, including $52 million in a 1.5% stake in the carrier. The transaction strengthens Gol’s ties with important Skyteam members, but it does not necessarily mean the airline will become an alliance member in the short term. In fact, Gol itself has indicated that it sees that option as a more medium-term possibility, if at all. Delta bought a 3% stake in the carrier in late 2011 for $100 million.
A new “North American Trusted Traveler” program among Canada, Mexico and the U.S. is winning plaudits from airport lobbyists across the continent, including the Airports Council International- North America and Canadian Airports Council. They spoke the day after the presidents and prime minister of the three countries announced the move at their Toluca, Mexico summit. The program entails “mutual recognition” of the countries’ Nexus, Global Entry, Sentri and Viajero Confiable programs, according to the White House.
Flybe plans to phase out its entire fleet of 14 Embraer 195s from its UK scheduled operation and is seeking 16 additional aircraft, as it shifts to a turboprop-focused fleet off the back of a £150 million ($250 million) capital increase. The moves are the latest steps in the restructuring of Flybe, Europe’s largest regional, which has been through a complete senior management and shareholder overhaul over the last year.
Click here to view the pdf Fuel Watch: Global Jet Fuel Prices (midpoint) As of February 20, 2014, compared with previous week and previous year cts/gal prev. week prev.
Embattled Kuwait Airways has achieved another step in its complex restructuring process with Airbus confirming the Kuwaiti national carrier has ordered 25 aircraft, comprising ten A350-900 and 15 A320neo family aircraft. According to the official KUNA news agency, Kuwait Airways also has taken options for ten more aircraft—five A320neos and five A350s—and has also signed lease contracts for seven A320s and five A330s.
Middle East lessor Dubai Aerospace Enterprise is considering reinventing itself as a widebody specialist and may be in the market for more aircraft in 2014. DAE, which has a $3.3 billion portfolio including Airbus A320s, Boeing 737s, A330s and 777s, has been through a turbulent few years triggering it to cancel orders for a number of aircraft including 70 A320s, 30 A350s and 35 737NGs. Talks over a potential tie-up between UK-based BBA Aviation and “certain parts” of DAE also collapsed without a deal last September.
Budget carrier Norwegian is playing down reports that it might buy into U.S. carriers, should its newly formed Irish arm fail to secure a permit for trans-Atlantic operations. Norwegian Air International (NAI), the long-haul division of Norwegian Air Shuttle, recently secured an Irish air operator’s certificate (AOC) even though it has no operations to or from Ireland.
SkyWest Airlines is on track to take delivery of its first Embraer E175 next month, earn required certifications, and put the type into service under the United Express brand in May, the regional airline’s executives say. The airline has invested about $3 million in training and certification and $10 million in spare parts, including an engine, to ramp up for the new type, Skywest parent SkyWest Inc. CFO Mike Kraupp told analysts during a recent earnings call.
Southwest Airlines is beginning to run up against reliability, parts obsolescence and supply challenges with the attitude display indicator (ADI) on the 737 Classic fleet, says Kent Horton, Southwest’s director of engineering.
Airbus plans to boost its stake in China’s Harbin Hafei Airbus Composite Manufacturing Center (HMC) to 25% from its current 20% shareholding. HMC, set up in late 2009, is a joint venture between Airbus China (20%), Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (50%), Hafei Aviation Industry (10%), AviChina Industry & Technology (10%) and Harbin Development Zone Infrastructure Development (10%).
An administrative court in Munich has turned aside all objections against the construction of a third runway for Munich airport in what could become a landmark decision for capacity expansion in the long term. Even so, it will be years at best until the runway will actually be built.
Turkish leisure airline Sun Express has placed an order for up to 50 Boeing 737s. The deal includes firm commitments for 25 737-800s and 15 737-8 MAX aircraft, plus an additional 10 MAX options.
Challenged in getting FAA endorsement for the Chinese certification of the C919 narrowbody airliner, Comac is raising the possibility of relying instead on the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The Chinese manufacturer is also playing down the immediate prospects for foreign sales of type, emphasizing that the program always aimed at initially supplying the domestic market.
Click here to view the pdf Top Carriers: Chicago O’Hare - New York LaGuardia, February 15-21, 2014, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Top Carriers: Chicago O’Hare - New York LaGuardia, February 15-21, 2014, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Daily Each Way Departures Share ASKs (000) Share
