A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that Republic Airways’ regional airline subsidiaries filed against the union representing their pilots, maintaining that the content of a union website was hindering the carriers’ ability to hire enough cockpit crewmembers. The website created by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 357, encourages prospective pilots not to apply because of the state of the contract and working conditions.
Hawaiian Airlines is continuing its push into the South Pacific with a new route to Auckland, starting in March, which will open one-stop flights to New Zealand from multiple U.S. cities. Hawaiian likely will be the only U.S. carrier serving New Zealand directly when it begins flying from Honolulu to Auckland with Boeing 767-300ERs. The service also will connect to Hawaiian’s interisland and U.S. mainland networks.
Boeing Capital Corp. is shifting its strategic focus from financing aircraft to offering services that help airlines find commercial and government financing, saying the commercial markets are more efficient at backing aircraft sales. “We are not a bank,” Kostya Zolotusky, managing director for capital markets and leasing, tells Aviation Week. “We can always step in and finance [aircraft], but we don’t provide the best rates.”
Click here to view the pdf Aircraft Operating Costs and Statistics, 12 Months Ended December 2011, Regional Jets Page 2 CRJ 200 Manufacturer: Bombardier
Click here to view the pdf Top Carriers: Oslo - Stavanger, June 15-21, 2012, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Top Carriers: Oslo - Stavanger, June 15-21, 2012, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Daily Each Way
It is an interesting time for U.S. aviation. Airbus, by unveiling plans to assemble narrowbodies in the U.S., has created the perfect opportunity for a turf war between the world’s two largest airframers. Delta Air Lines’ new pilot contract indicates a major shift in mainline feed, and US Airways and AMR Corp.—as has become the norm since the beginning of the year—continue to battle for the hearts and minds of workers, legislators and investors to support their respective views on what may be the last consolidation among legacy carriers for decades to come.
Can Europe’s civil aerospace industry reach across national borders and competitive barriers to join forces in effective aeronautical research? At the halfway mark in the European Commission’s seven-year, €1.6 billion ($2 billion) Clean Sky aeronautical research program, the answer appears to be “yes,” leaders of the effort say.
Lao Airlines’ decision to order two more ATR 72-600s is a further sign the Laos national carrier is moving away from Chinese aircraft, particularly those without Western certification. The national carrier’s turboprop fleet had been equally split between ATR and China’s Xian Aircraft, but with this latest order, the airline will have a total six ATR 72s and four Xian Aircraft MA60s. Delivery of the first ATR 72-600 is due in November and the other in June 2013. Both aircraft will be deployed on existing routes, says VP Sengpraseuth Mathouchanh.
You can now register online for Aviation Week events. Go to www.aviationweek.com/conferences or contact: Lydia Janow, 212-904-3225 or 800-240-7645 ext. 5 (U.S. and Canada only) Sept. 20-21 —Aviation Week MRO IT Conference & Showcase, Hyatt Regency Miami, Miami, Fla. Oct. 9—Aviation Week Aircraft Composite Repair Management Forum, Amsterdam RAI, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Oct. 9—Aviation Week MRO IT Europe, Amsterdam RAI, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
STS Aviation Group , Jensen Beach, Fla., promoted Mark Smith to group president of AeroStaff Services, Line Maintenance and Engineering Solutions. Tom Covella was promoted to group president of Component Solutions, and Philip Anson and Bob Greene to CEO and executive chairman, respectively, of the Aviation Group.
Click here to view the pdf Aircraft Operating Costs and Statistics 12 Months Ended December 2011, Turboprop Aircraft Page 1 of 1 EMB 120 Manufacturer: Em
Click here to view the pdf Top Carriers: Bergen - Oslo, June 15-21, 2012, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Top Carriers: Bergen - Oslo, June 15-21, 2012, Ranked By Scheduled Seats
Wichita Aero Club , Wichita, Kan., elected six new board: John Ek, publisher of The Wichita Business Journal; Sean Weaver, executive VP of Assurance Services at Allen, Gibbs & Houlik; Stephanie Harder, manager of community affairs and internal communications at Cessna Aircraft Co.; Kim Nussbaum, publisher of The Wichita Eagle, and David Van der Wee, VP-marketing, business & general aviation for Pratt & Whitney Canada.
Hawker Beechcraft’s proposed sale to a Chinese firm was not a complete surprise. But that the smaller Superior Aviation Beijing emerged as the possible bidder instead of the larger Avic or China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co. (Caiga) leaves some industry experts wondering whether the deal will close at the $1.79 billion asking price.
Delta Air Lines’ plan to encourage its regional airline partners to end their 50-seat regional jet flying before feeder contracts expire could run into resistance at SkyWest, the largest regional operator in the U.S., unless the affected aircraft can continue to generate revenue.
John Seeliger, Derek Constanza, John Seeliger, Derek Constanza
In this economy, airlines have been under tremendous pressure to cut costs and improve revenues. Spiking fuel costs, narrower RASM increases, uncertain demand in mature economies and intense competition have become constant struggles. In addition, Oliver Wyman’s 2012 analysis of airlines in the U.S. found a disheartening trend: With breakeven load factors above 80% for most carriers, there is little room for more load factor growth. In other words, future profits will depend on yield increases or cost improvements.
Privately owned, low-cost Thai carrier Nok Air plans to launch international passenger services next year. CEO Patee Sarasin says the plan will be discussed at Nok’s next board meeting, and the first destinations could be announced by the end of September. Thai Airways International owns 49% of Nok and holds several board seats.
