Europe's largest airline group, Air France/KLM, is expected to announce a partnership today with GoodPlanet.org to allow passengers to donate money to environmental projects to offset their carbon footprint. Since July, their passengers have been able to calculate the carbon dioxide emissions of flights.
JetBlue in a filing with the U.S. Transportation Dept. unveiled a service plan that includes a route that Colombia-aspirant Spirit hopes to serve: Fort Lauderdale-Bogota. JetBlue wants the seven U.S.-Colombia frequencies becoming available on April 1 to launch daily nonstop Orlando-Bogota service and would use the seven frequencies becoming available on Oct. 1 to launch daily nonstop Fort Lauderdale-Bogota flights, all with 150-seat Airbus A330 aircraft [DOT-OST-2007-0017].
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) board has voted to approve a proposed settlement in a noise mitigation lawsuit brought two years ago by residents around Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. Under the proposal, MAC will spend about $130 million on four separate programs and another $2.5 million on the plaintiff's legal fees. The lawsuit was brought by the cities of Minneapolis, Richfield and Eagan, together with the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority.
Airbus and Boeing should sit down at the negotiating table and hammer out what they think is an acceptable level of government support for large civil aircraft, rather than letting the current cases in the World Trade Organization run their courses, Allan MacArtor, chairman of Airbus North America, said yesterday.
Chicago O'Hare's central role in the national air transportation system and a broad and diverse economic base that creates strong local demand for air service to complement hub operations has caused debt watcher Fitch Ratings to give an A rating on $764 million of the city's general airport third lien revenue bonds (GARBs). Fitch gave an A rating to $197 million in Passenger Facility Charge revenue refunding bonds. It also upgraded the rating on $644.8 million in outstanding second lien PFC revenue bonds to A+ from A
Czech Airlines is adding a "novelty" route to its schedule this winter -- daily Prague-Bordeaux (France) service via Munich. The airline will use Airbus aircraft on the route, which it said in a statement is used "primarily by businessmen." CSA will launch the route on March 2.
As the Dubai Air Show approaches next month, Emirates Airline is in final talks with Airbus and Boeing on long-haul fleet purchase plans; however, President Tim Clark says the carrier and airframers still aren't at a point to where deals are ensured. Emirates is in the market for long-range twin widebodies, with the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 in the running, and also is considering buying the 747-8. It has already committed to eight more A380s, a transaction expected to be firmed up at Dubai.
Mexico's Institute for the Protection Public Bank Savings (IPAB) and its fellow public sector equity holders in Consorcio Aeromexico yesterday decided to sell Aeromexico to the highest bidder, an investor group that includes Jose Luis Barraza and Citibank's Mexican subsidiary Banamex, for US$249 million (US$0.25 per share) plus an investment package (DAILY, Oct. 18.) The government, which owns 62% of Aeromexico, is expected to ratify the sale shortly. Aeromexico's stock traded 8% higher than in previous days on the announcements.
Continental CEO Larry Kellner yesterday stressed that the airline is seeing no slackening of demand for the fourth quarter despite a gloomy outlook for the wider economy from some analysts.
Southwest will make noticeable changes to its business model in the next two quarters as it chases the corporate traveler and joins conventional distribution systems, among other initiatives, in search of increased revenues.
Aeroflot flights between Moscow and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport that previously operated from Terminal 2C will move to Terminal 2E, effective Oct. 28, the carrier announced last week. The move will put the airline's Paris operations in the same terminal as its SkyTeam partners China Southern, Air France and Northwest.
Singapore Changi Airport International (CAI) has signed a deal with the Aqaba Development Corp. (ADC) to create a master plan to develop Jordan's King Hussein Airport. The master plan will cover land use development at Hussein Airport and include three goals: enable the airport to expand passenger and cargo traffic; minimize any adverse effect on the environment because of the airport's proximity to Petra Temple and the Red Sea coral reefs; and develop a land use strategy to attract and accommodate investment in aviation-related businesses.
Delta will likely sell Comair, and buyers could be Republic, Mesa or SkyWest, Calyon Securities' analysts said following Delta CEO Richard Anderson's statement that he will make a decision on a sale in the fourth quarter. "We doubt that an IPO will be done in light of the current low valuations of regional airlines," according to Calyon.
American, reporting strong profit growth and a positive outlook for passenger demand, is still having trouble keeping overall costs under control, and it sees a return to fuel cost increases in the fourth quarter.
BMI is taking its time in developing a transatlantic network from London Heathrow, said CEO Nigel Turner. "We don't want to be part of a bloodbath," Turner told The DAILY at the Star Alliance event in Cairo. "Just because we don't jump in, that doesn't mean we don't do it at all."
CFM International named Oliver Savin Executive VP to replace Francois Planaud after his appointment as VP and General Manager of Snecma's Commercial Engine Division.
Just as the sale of ACE Holding's 70% stake in Air Canada Technical Services (ACTS) -- now Aero Technical Support & Services Inc. -- became final, ACTS inked a new C$70 million (US$71 million) deal with U.S. regional carrier SkyWest Airlines.
Two jumbo jets on a taxiway leading to the active runway for takeoff clipped wings at London Heathrow Airport on Oct. 15 at 10:10 p.m. local time, and a British Airways 747 lost the top piece of its winglet.
FAA is proposing a new rule to supersede a rulemaking it released earlier this year regarding CRJ200 flap failures. Most of the requirements in the first rulemaking have remained intact, with the new proposed rule including what appears to be additional training for flightcrew members. A full copy of the proposed rule is available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/ 2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-20465.htm
United Technologies subsidiary Hamilton Sundstrand's research and development spending on the systems the company is supplying for Boeing's 787 should by rise by nearly $50 million from previous estimates for 2007, with the six-month delay of the aircraft's first delivery putting pressure on Hamilton's cash flow.
