Bankrupt Mexicana de Aviacion’s planned August relaunch has slipped as negotiations with creditors continue longer than expected. The airline in April unveiled plans to relaunch in June, but the date quickly slipped to August as terms of the deal with new owner, Med Atlantica, were finalized. Med Atlantica also initiated talks with the airline’s two largest creditors, Bancomext and Banorte, over outstanding debt.
Air Canada no longer has to fund defined benefit pension plans for new employees joining its maintenance and airport services workgroups after a government-appointed arbitrator backed a new contract proposed by the airline. The ruling was the result of mediated talks imposed on the two sides after negotiations failed and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents the two work groups, threatened industrial action.
International Aero Engines (IAE) continues to work on a permanent fix for a corrosion problem that has cracked about 90 V2500 high-pressure compressor drums in three years and forced the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) into recommending more stringent actions than the FAA settled on in a mandatory directive.
Aer Lingus’ shareholder structure is under scrutiny after the U.K.’s competition commission decided it will launch an investigation into Ryanair’s minority stake. The investigation seeks to determine if Ryanair’s 30% stake in its Irish competitor has a negative effect on competition and leads to higher fares on services between Ireland and the U.K., and if the low-cost carrier’s stake has kept other airlines from investing in Aer Lingus.
The union representing AMR Corp.’s American Airlines pilots has sent a signal that it may be amenable to the company’s latest labor deal, just days before a bankruptcy court is expected to abrogate the company’s current contracts. The Allied Pilots Association said the “last, best offer” American made late last week after two weeks of court-directed negotiations offered “clear improvements over the original 113 term sheet.” Details of the negotiations were not disclosed.
Click here to view the pdf Carrier Airport Operations - Atlanta, April 2012, Ranked By Flights Carrier Airport Operations - Atlanta, April 2012, Ranked By Flights % Arrive Avg
Silver Airways will continue to grow its in-house maintenance capabilities in Gainesville, Fla., and will add the Saab 340B+ heavy check program to its workload, the U.S. regional carrier says. The Florida-based operator currently operates 21 Beechcraft 1900Ds and five Saab 340B+ aircraft, but it plans to replace most of its 1900Ds with Saabs by next May. It will use Saab aircraft for all services in its Florida and Bahamas markets, retaining eight 1900Ds for its Cleveland and Billings, Mont., routes.
Low-cost carrier group AirAsia has named Aireen Omar as the new CEO and executive director of its Malaysian division. Omar, who joined AirAsia in 2006, is currently the group’s regional head of corporate finance, treasury and investor relations in Kuala Lumpur. She assumes the CEO role at AirAsia Malaysia from Tony Fernandes, who retains his title as group CEO. Fernandes is relinquishing his day-to-day management duties at the Malaysian airline to relocate to Jakarta, where AirAsia is establishing a regional office.
Matias Campiani, managing director of struggling Uruguayan regional operator Pluna Airlines, has resigned his position as the carrier seeks government protection and new capital to survive. Uruguay’s government has named Sebastian Hirsch as Campiani’s replacement. Hirsch had previously been a VP at Leadgate, one of Pluna’s investors, a spokeswoman for the airline confirms. Uruguay owns a 25% stake in Pluna.
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The Aeronautical Repair Station Association is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take on a case to ensure that the FAA enforces its own rules requiring manufacturers to make maintenance instructions available.
