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.
Iberia's maintenance arm struck an agreement with Pluna, based in Uruguay, covering A-checks on a Boeing 767 and engine maintenance for Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4 engines powering a 757. Work covered under the one-year contract will be performed in Madrid. Iberia, meanwhile, has said it wants to double income from third-party maintenance clients in the 2006-2008 timeframe. [email protected]
A joint venture between Delta and Air France under which the carriers will share revenues and costs on some transatlantic routes had analysts painting a rosy picture for the duo after the signing of the agreement yesterday in Roissy.
Global demand for new airliners should reach close to 14,000 planes between next year and 2017, with replacement aircraft generating the bulk of demand. Specifically, operators will need 13,753 aircraft for the forecast period, released this week at the Boyd Group Aviation Forecast conference. Of that total, 55% falls into the replacement aircraft category, with the remaining 45% slated for new growth aircraft.
FAA says it will reveal its desired flight caps for New York Kennedy Airport at least 48 hours before an airline scheduling conference is to begin Tuesday. Industry observers believe Friday is the likely release date for the caps. The scheduling conference will begin at 9 a.m., and continue "at least through the following day" until adjourned by FAA.
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) has lowered landing fees and terminal charges at Toronto Pearson International Airport by 3.1% and 4.7%, respectively. GTAA said it was able to make the fee cuts -- effective Jan. 1 -- because of employee ideas to increase revenue and efficiencies at Pearson, regularly cited as one of the most expensive airports in the world. Ideas included additional advertising spaces; valet parking energy savings initiatives; and reviewing maintenance work flows and schedules.
