The C919 158-seat airliner will achieve airworthiness certification at the end of 2017, state manufacturer Comac says, setting out a delivery schedule over the next few months for the airframe modules of the first prototype. Comac aims to roll out the first aircraft in mid 2015, fly it four months later and achieve airworthiness certification for the type at the end of 2017.
Japan’s major airlines say that while economic conditions are improving, the weakness of the yen and resulting high fuel costs will continue to dampen their financial results for the fiscal year that began March 31. All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines both recorded healthy net profits for the 2013 fiscal year, but in both cases they were significantly lower than in the previous year. ANA is forecasting a profit increase for the current fiscal year, and JAL anticipates another decline.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) submitted opening terms for a new contract for American Airlines’ and US Airways flight attendants and hopes a new, “industry-leading” collective bargaining agreement can be hammered out before the 150-day negotiating period ends. The company and the flight attendants union plan to meet May 13 to discuss the opening terms, which remain confidential.
Two federal programs to help small U.S. communities maintain commercial air service are being put under the microscope as lawmakers begin to formulate plans for the next FAA reauthorization bill, which will be crafted next year and go into effect in 2016.
Increasing competition, difficult Mexico macroeconomics and overcapacity in some markets led to a first-quarter loss for Volaris, but the Mexican ultra-low cost carrier is not planning to stray from its leisure strategy and its campaign to attract first-time fliers to its routes.
Arguing that it is very early in its growth, Spirit Airlines says it sees almost boundless potential for entering new markets and plans to address complaints about its service through a new marketing campaign. “The people on our airplanes are people who wouldn’t have been on an airplane, but for our fares,” CEO Ben Baldanza told analysts during the Spirit’s first-quarter earnings call on April 29. “We are in a different segment of the business and do not take market share away from other carriers.”
BRUSSELS – Royal Jordanian (RJ) President and CEO Amer Hadidi has resigned, with Chariman Nasser Lozi taking over his role in the interim. The carrier did not elaborate on the reasons for Hadidi’s departure and said in a brief statement that the board had accepted his resignation as of May 1.
BRUSSELS—Air France-KLM narrowed its losses during the first quarter, even as revenues were hurt by negative currency and Easter calendar effects, but its cautious recovery could be hampered by a month-long strike by pilots in France. The country’s leading pilots union, SNPL France Alpa, has filed a strike notice for its members to stage a work stoppage twice a day for several hours (0345 GMT to 0545 GMT and 1045 GMT to 1345 GMT) between May 3 and May 30.
Lufthansa’s new CEO Carsten Spohr insists the airline will hold to a tough position with its pilot union VC as its dispute over the future of a pension scheme escalates. Spohr (47) said on the sidelines of the company’s annual general meeting that he would even be prepared to deal with further strikes if needed.
/site-files/aviationweek.com/files/uploads/2014/04/avd_04_30_2014_datawatch.pdf Nonstop Passengers Per Day Each Way, Los Angeles - Tokyo Narita Singapore Airlines United Others 2008Q4 287
