The National Mediation Board will launch a deeper investigation into claims Delta Air Lines interfered in three more union representation elections, bringing additional scrutiny to a carrier that already is bristling at what it considers a biased board.
Garuda Indonesia has to wait until 2013 before receiving its first Boeing 777s on order, but it is looking to lease 777s before then. In a separate development, Garuda Indonesia will order sub-100-seat jet aircraft in the coming months.
Bolivian carrier AeroSur confirms it has again passed IATA’s operational safety audit. AeroSur is the only carrier in Bolivia to meet IATA’s safety standard and is among 365 airlines currently registered as an IOSA operator.
Introducing the Aero 100 Airfare Benchmark Index Designed for anyone with risk on the future level of airfares – for example Airlines, Banks/Credit Card Companies, Corporate Travel Managers, etc. The Aero 100 Airfare Benchmark Index tracks daily airfares within the domestic airline market. The Aero 100 delivers financial risk mitigation and protection against constant fluctuation of airline ticket prices by providing the price settling mechanism for Commodity Futures Contracts.
Tony Tyler, new director general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association, promises to keep pushing for changes after taking on his new role on July 1. Tyler was elected to succeed Giovanni Bisignani after nine years at the top of the global airline organization at the annual general assembly June 7 in Singapore.
Nav Canada has introduced an upgrade to its oceanic air traffic control system that handles flights on the busiest transatlantic corridors. The enhanced system is known as the Gander Automated Air Traffic System Plus (GAATS+), which is an improvement on the existing GAATS. The oceanic system is based in Gander, Newfoundland.
Thai Airways International is becoming increasingly frustrated by the political impasse that is impeding its attempt to establish a low-cost carrier in a joint-venture partnership with Singapore’s Tiger Airways.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Jim Albaugh believes Boeing’s potential investment in a re-engined 737 would be similar to what Airbus put into the A320NEO. Albaugh told Aviation Week on the sidelines of the IATA annual general meeting in Singapore that “we could put a 70-in. fan under our wing; we would just have to raise the front gear a little bit.” On the A320NEO, the PW1000G is planned for an 81-in. diameter, and the Leap-X option will be around 76 in.
Data Watch: Top Carriers-Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion), June 1-7, 2011, Ranked By Scheduled Outbound ASMs Airport ASMs Airport Seats Departures Share (mil) Share /Dept. El Al 263 35.3% 129
Air Nigeria is restarting long-haul operations, and will build up that part of its network starting with flights to London Gatwick in September. The airline will use an Airbus A340-300 for the daily service. The carrier is acquiring three aircraft of the type. It also has plans to expand to other destinations in Europe, as well as fly to Asian and American destinations.
Interpol sees the airline industry and governments around the world as failing to fully protect passengers from terrorist threats, particularly regarding checking for stolen or missing passports.
JPMorgan Chase has named Glenn Tilton chairman of its Midwest operation and a member of its executive committee. JPMorgan Chase cites Tilton’s years in the oil business as well as his experience in the airline industry as contributing factors for his appointment. Under a transition plan with Continental’s chief Jeffery Smisek, Tilton was to retain the role of non-executive chairman of United Continental Holdings until the end of 2012. JPMorgan Chase was a key adviser to United during its merger talks with Continental (Aviation Daily, May 10, 2010).
Virgin Australia is forming an alliance with Singapore Airlines, the final pillar in the Australian carrier’s strategy of securing partners covering major international markets. The agreement was revealed June 7 at the International Air Transport Association’s annual meeting in Singapore. It includes interlining from Aug. 1 and will be broadened to cover code-sharing and commercial cooperation pending regulatory approvals. Executives from the two carriers expect these approvals to be granted by the beginning of 2012.
Air Lease Corporation (ALC) is in negotiations with Embraer to order more aircraft and may conclude the deal in June, in time for an announcement at this month’s Paris air show.
Japan Airlines says the demand slump following the March earthquake and tsunami has plateaued and traffic is beginning to recover, and the airline is confident it can reinstate capacity as planned and achieve profit goals. All indicators point to business traffic returning, although the decline was less than in the leisure sector, JAL CEO Masaru Onishi says at the International Air Transport Association annual meeting in Singapore. The carrier says leisure traffic is much stronger outbound than inbound.
Looming environmental concerns, competing modes of transportation and the economy are chief concerns for air cargo executives who wonder which of those will cause more harm than rising fuel costs.
Shifting winds are pushing ash from a volcanic eruption in southern Chile across the border between the South American nation and neighboring Argentina, although indications suggest airports may reopen as early as June 7. The Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcanic complex erupted June 4, but continued to spew ash into June 6. Winds caused the ash cloud to move across the Andes into Argentina, where several resort airports were forced to close.
JetBlue Airways aims to add another two or three interline partners this year, most likely including Japan Airlines and another Asian carrier, says CEO David Barger. JAL earlier revealed that it wants to interline with JetBlue through Boston, and discussions are progressing well, Barger tells Aviation Week on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association’s annual meeting in Singapore. The Japanese carrier says it is looking to connect to JetBlue’s domestic network when it launches Boeing 787 service to Boston in April 2012.
Malaysia Airlines (MAS), as expected, will be joining the Oneworld alliance as early as next year, the alliance announced June 6 in Singapore at the International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting. The Kuala Lumpur-based carrier will join the alliance formally 18 months from now, a MAS spokeswoman told Aviation Week on the sidelines of the AGM. Oneworld member Qantas Airways is sponsoring its move to join the partnership, she adds.
The International Air Transport Association’s departing Director General Giovanni Bisignani called upon the industry to embrace more change and show greater unity in his last state of the industry address at the group’s annual general meeting.
