Europe’s largest freighter carrier Cargolux Airlines International appointed Paul Helminger chairman of the board, following the acquisition by the Luxembourg state of a 35% stake in the airline from Qatar Airways.
CMC Electronics expects to earn U.S. FAA supplemental type certificate approval for a flight management system (FMS) upgrade for Airbus A300 and A310 widebodies by mid-year, opening the door to the potential sale of hundreds of its CMA-9000 systems. Dave Bailey, director of sales and marketing for the Montreal-based avionics manufacturer, says there are nearly 400 A300s and A310s in service, most of them flying with cargo carriers FedEx and UPS.
Air Berlin is getting ready to make deep cuts to its staff and general cost structure in a last-ditch effort to return to profitability. The airline plans to cut about 900 jobs and, for the first time in its history, does not rule out forced redundancies. The “Turbine” program targets measures totaling €400 million ($533 million).
Thai Airways International’s new narrowbody operation, Thai Smile, has signed up for Airbus’s new Flight Hour Services (FHS) support package, becoming the first A320 operator to commit to the program.
Amentum, a Dublin-based commercial aircraft asset management company, this year plans to increase its fleet and broaden the scope of its activity following the completion of a management buyout (MBO) by HSH Nordbank. The company’s management team says a growing interest from institutional investors will fuel the expansion. The MBO was led by Executive Chairman Jan Melgaard, CEO Martin Bouzaima and CFO Mitchel Simpson, along with head of sales Simon Clements, head of technical Rory Hensey and head of legal Jean O’Driscoll.
In a Jan. 14 Securities and Exchange Commission filing, American Airlines says it has agreed to new contracts with Boeing and Airbus to buy re-engined 737 and A320 single-aisle jets. The new agreements are part of American’s federal bankruptcy filing and must be approved by the court before the contracts with the airframers can be signed. American is keeping its original intent to buy 100 737 MAXs but has reduced its options to 60 from 100.
Click here to view the pdf Top Carriers - Bangkok, Jan 15-21, 2013, Ranked By Scheduled Outbound ASMs Top Carriers - Bangkok, Jan 15-21, 2013, Ranked By Scheduled Outbound ASMs Departures Airport Share ASMs (mil) Airport Share Seats/Dept.
A sweetened pay proposal made by Boeing late last week will get a frosty reception from the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (Speea) Wednesday afternoon when talks resume on a four-year contract.
Pinnacle Airlines pilots have ratified a seven-year union contract that includes significant pay cuts and longevity caps–but fewer than the beleaguered regional pushed for.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said it could test public-private partnerships as a way to expand expedited screening initiatives. The TSA first solicited suggestions from third parties about how to expand initiatives, such as its popular PreCheck program, in a recent General Services Administration notice. Now, a spokeswoman tells Aviation Week that the TSA may test those concepts for several months to help plan its next steps.
Speculation that one of Mexico’s largest industrial conglomerates may invest in bankrupt Mexicana de Aviacion are unfounded, a letter to the country’s main stock exchange reveals. Altos Hornos de Mexico (AHMSA), a Mexican industrial and steel conglomerate, told the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores that it has “no proposal, negotiations or intention” on its own or through its shareholders to invest in Mexicana’s stock.
American Airlines’ pilots union has begun to outline for its members some of the components of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) it has signed with the carrier and US Airways. The MOU would serve as an interim agreement for the Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents American’s pilots, and the US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA), which represents those at US Airways, should the two carriers merge. APA approved the MOU late last month, while USAPA’s board approved it on Jan. 4.
Papua New Guinea regional carrier Airlines of PNG has undergone a management change. Muralee Siva has replaced Gary Toomey as CEO, the airline says in a statement. “The board considered that, with the term of Toomey’s contract drawing to a close and the company entering a new phase in its development, it was an appropriate time and in the best interests of the company, its shareholders and employees to hand over to an incoming CEO, so that the new appointee becomes immediately involved in planning and implementing the next phase,” it says.
The bankruptcy court overseeing Mexicana de Aviacion’s restructuring could open the way for new investors to bid on recapitalizing the grounded carrier.
Spirit Airlines, which previously estimated Hurricane Sandy would cost it $33-$38 million in revenue because of a months-long decline in bookings, now says it overestimated the long-term impact of the storm and is reducing its estimate to $25 million.
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has filed a law suit against United Airlines and is planning similar action against American Airlines for allegedly operating “sham rural offices” to circumvent the higher tax obligations they would face in their Chicago offices.
The storage and retirement of Boeing 737 Classics increased by nearly 25% in 2012, reflecting the aging of the fleet and difficult in finding new homes for some of the models. An analysis using the Aviation Week fleets database shows that 114 Boeing 737-300, -400 and -500 aircraft were retired in 2012, up from 81 in 2011. That is a 41% increase. The number of stored Classics, meanwhile, rose from 140 as of Jan. 1, 2012, to 161 by year-end, a 15% increase. There were some series-dependent differences between the Classics.
Mexican low-cost carrier VivaAerobus and its Colombian counterpart, VivaColombia, may seek greater synergies in the near term, including flights between their two countries, Aviation Week has learned.
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee since 2009, does not plan to run for re-election in 2014. Rockefeller was a strong advocate for rural airports, resisting efforts by Republicans to scrap the Essential Air Service program. He led the Senate Intelligence Committee before taking on the committee overseeing telecommunications policy. Last year, he was among the Senate's champions of cybersecurity legislation but has observed that after failing in the last Congress, the bill has little chance of passing now.
Taiwan’s China Airlines will use its planned fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs on routes to North America and Europe, fitting the aircraft with a newly designed interior. “Our analysis indicated that the fuel savings from 777 operations will greatly enhance China Airlines long-haul cost structure,” a representative of China Airlines tells Aviation Week. “Also, the increased capability and reliability will improve our overall fleet performance” as the aircraft replace 747-400s on intercontinental routes.
Garuda Indonesia’s low-cost carrier Citilink has ordered 25 Airbus A320NEO aircraft. The deal is in addition to 2011’s orders for 15 A320s and 10 A320NEOs. The earlier orders were placed by Garuda Indonesia on behalf of Citilink, whereas Citilink placed the latest orders in its own right.
