Emirates yesterday placed an order for four more Airbus A380s and reaffirmed its previous commitment as a launch customer. The deal takes Emirates' total order for A380s to 47 aircraft. The agreement is a welcome boost of confidence for the program that has slipped by two years.
American yesterday said it is sending out recall notices to 200 furloughed flight attendants. The recalls are intended to meet expected attrition through the remainder of this year.
Rising fuel prices and the higher public profile of environmental concerns have prompted CFM International to take another look at some promising technology first tried two decades ago -- the unducted fan. Rechristened "open-rotor" technology, the initiative has resumed within the past year as part of the GE-Snecma combine's two-year-old LEAP56 technology effort, aimed at a new class of more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly 18,000-32,000 lb. thrust engines for Airbus and Boeing when they replace the A320 and 737 families.
American Express Business Travel, which has expanded its online technology and data management for corporations to manage their business travel, reports that it has brought in $1 billion in new business in the first 100 days of 2007.
ATA Airlines reported an increase of 6.4 percentage points in its scheduled-service load factor for April, to 87.1%, drawing on a 6.8% increase in traffic despite a 1.1% reduction in capacity. In its traffic gain, the carrier overcame a 3.4% decrease in enplaned passengers with 10.6% growth in its average trip length. In charter service, which accounted for nearly 19% of ATA's total capacity in April, traffic and capacity decreased 3.5% and 1.4%, respectively.
Air Midwest on Aug. 1 will end essential air service to five East Coast communities, in one instance almost two years before the airline's obligation was due to end.
AirTran's capacity outstripped revenue passenger miles in April, posting 21.5% growth compared to 18.5% RPM growth year-over-year. Load factors fell two percentage points from 78.8% to 76.8%. Year-to-date, load factors at AirTran have dipped about one 1.1 percentage points from 72.9% to 71.8%.
In what has become an annual tradition, Senate lawmakers have once again signaled that they are not prepared to accept the administration's proposal for cutting FAA's airport spending.
To list an event, send information in calendar format to Ingrid Lee at [email protected] MAY 7 -- Greater Washington Aviation Open, GWAO, Lansdowne Resort, Leesburg, Va., [email protected] MAY 8-10 -- ATCA/FAA/NASA/JPDO Technical Symposium, Atlantic City, N.J., 703-299-2430, fax: 703-299-2437, [email protected] MAY 8-10 -- 52nd Annual Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar, Tucson, Ariz., 703-739-6700, fax: 703-739-6708.
The coalition attempting to take over Qantas appears to have failed to meet a crucial share purchase deadline, terminating the bid. The Airline Partners Australia coalition had to buy enough shares to gain 50% of Qantas' voting rights by Friday evening. An exact tally was not available Friday, but coalition spokesmen said the 50% milestone was not achieved. While APA set a 70% ownership threshold for the buyout to succeed, the coalition had to reach the 50% mark to trigger a two-week extension.
Named board member and Extra Space Storage CEO Kenneth Woolley chairman, replacing Richard Sharp. The airline named John Severson CFO, George Paul chief operations officer and Ceciley Bachnik VP-people services.
The Thai government through Airports of Thailand (AOT) commissioned ICAO to carry out a study on the need for a master plan at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, which opened in September for operations.
European private equity firm Bridgepoint has beaten out Barclays Private Equity and Churchill Airports to buy Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBIA) for GBP145.5 million (US$288.2 million). After the deal was announced, Bridgepoint unveiled a GPB70 million (US$139.1 million) capital expenditure plan to add terminal capacity to accommodate anticipated growing passenger volumes and meet infrastructure requirements.
The sale of Stewart International Airport took the next step to being finalized after the acting governor of New Jersey signed legislation allowing the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to designate one airport in each state for expansion. A similar bill has already been passed in New York and will allow the port authority to buy the lease of Stewart Airport as part of an effort to help ease air traffic at LaGuardia, Kennedy, Newark and Teterboro airports.
Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport has won the sweepstakes to become the Australian home to Singapore-based Tiger Airways, beating out others, including Sydney, Perth and Canberra.
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) says the Senate's FAA reauthorization bill would delay FAA's moves to consolidate the Palm Springs approach control facility into the Southern California facility.
Elected Maria Claudia Oliveira Amaro Demenato chairman, replacing Noemy Almeida Oliveira Amaro, who will stay on as a member of the board. Mauricio Rolim Amaro was elected vice-chairman, and Pedro Pullen Parente was named to replace Henri Philippe Reichstul.
US Airways executives tell employees the carrier is still several weeks away from announcing an order, noting the airline is talking to both Boeing and Airbus about replacement options for widebody and narrowbody fleets, and those discussions are continuing.
Nearly one in 10 men responding to a British Airways survey say they take an overseas getaway within a month of beginning a romantic relationship, and Italy has overtaken France as the most popular destination for romantic holidays. The survey also shows that shopping is climbing the list of top travel reasons for men, overtaking sports events and bachelor parties and equal with "lads' weekends," BA finds. Overall, 60% of the population and 70% of 25- to 34-year-olds are taking up to three European trips per year.
