A new Egyptian charter carrier -- Koral Blue -- is preparing for a March debut on flights from Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada to Europe. Tunisian charter carrier Karthago Airlines is launching Koral Blue, with Karthago's principal shareholder owning about 65% of Koral. Arab investor Samih Sawiris plans to hold a 25% stake in Koral Blue, with Karthago Airlines holding the final 10%. Karthago has the option of boosting that stake to 51% in two years. -LR
The Danish travel trade association Rejsearrangorer i Danmark (RiD) said its members suspended all services to Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia following a Danish government recommendation to avoid traveling to these countries unless it is absolutely necessary.
FAA for the second year in a row proposed hefty cuts to its Airport Improvement Program (AIP) in its budget request, and airports will have to wait to see whether Congress will again restore the axed funds.
US Airways yesterday reported a 20% jump in systemwide unit revenue in January thanks to strong traffic and loads. Until US Airways and America West operate under one certificate, data on the two carriers' flights will continue to be reported separately. For America West-operated flights, traffic rose 2.5% and capacity was up 0.5%, leading to a record 75.8% load factor. For US Airways mainline-operated flights, traffic sank 11.7%, less than the 12.3% capacity drop. The passenger load factor was a record 68.7%, up 0.4 points from last year.
FAA plans to require Embraer ERJ-145 operators to inspect crew seat tracks to ensure proper locking and to swap locking pins on certain seats. FAA estimates the fix will cost up to $749 per aircraft for those needing new parts. The agency estimates there are about 550 U.S. aircraft affected, but only 459 will need the pin replacements.
Delta decided to drop Deloitte & Touche at its independent auditors, instead choosing Ernst & Young for 2006. The audit committee annually considers the selection of Delta's independent auditors and the selection "followed a competitive bid process, which included proposals by large accounting firms." The audit committee chose Ernst & Young "because of its experience both with airlines and companies involved in reorganization proceedings."
Guillermo Lopez Meyer, Mexico's director of civil aviation, said the government will not fix minimum or maximum domestic fares as several new LCCs start competing with legacy carriers, according to DAILY affiliate AvNews Latin America & Caribbean. "We have seen that when intense competition exists, such as we are seeing today, airlines do not disappear, but rather are strengthened, and so we are optimistic about the future."
CFM International finished a 63-hour flight test program on the company's CFM56-5B and -7B Tech Insertion package, paving the way for engine certification in June and entry into service in 2007. The first full Tech Insertion engine was installed on GE's modified 747 flying test bed in Victorville, Calif. in November and finished performance and operability tests. "Results of all tests to date have been outstanding, with the engine meeting or exceeding requirements," the company said.
World Airways yesterday said it is resuming commercial operations after it reached a three-year contract agreement with its pilots union on the weekend, ending a week-long strike. The pilots are returning to work while the contract ratification process is completed, which is likely to take up to 30 days.
Gulf Air yesterday posted a jump in passenger traffic through its hubs in Bahrain and Muscat, while traffic through Abu Dhabi fell due to a switch in capacity from the airport.
FAA yesterday ordered Airbus A330 and A340 operators to inspect the plane's trim tanks for "detached or damaged" float valves and repair, if necessary.
Ryanair's profits fell in the third quarter as the airline faced a 59% hike in fuel costs despite its hedges, and the carrier plans to take its chances in terms of fuel costs once its current hedge agreements expire in March.
The JAL Group yesterday unveiled plans to add frequencies to North America and cut other international routes, while accelerating the retirement of some Boeing 747 Classics.
DOT this spring will complete a legislative proposal for reforming FAA's funding mechanisms, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey says. This 10-year proposal is expected to be sent to Capitol Hill by March or April. It will be followed by another proposal for FAA's four-year reauthorization, which will focus more on FAA's programs than financing questions, Blakey says.
The Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer and pilot Steve Fossett are planning a dawn takeoff as early as today from the space shuttle runway at the Kennedy Space Center in a risky bid to eclipse the Breitling balloon and Voyager aircraft world absolute distance flight records.
Goodrich posted strong fourth-quarter and yearly profits, and the company believes its 2006 sales should approach the higher end of the $5.6 billion-$5.7 billion range. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2005 reached $70 million, compared with $37 million a year ago. Engine systems led segment sales at $576 million, followed by airframe system sales at $472 million.
Virgin America Chairman Mark Lanigan stepped down from the airline's top job only two months after he was named to the position to make room for former American CEO Don Carty.
The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) yesterday for the fourth time in as many years proposed an increase to the aviation security passenger fee as a way to raise $1.3 billion.
American last week reported slight growth in mainline load factor for January as traffic increases outpaced a modest capacity hike. Load factor grew 1.8 percentage points to 75.1%, traffic was up 4.4% and capacity rose 1.9%. Domestic loads were up 2.6 points to 75.8%, and traffic grew 3.5% on flat capacity. For international markets, loads rose by just 0.2 points to 73.7%, traffic grew 6.1%, and capacity rose 5.8%. Loads dropped in the Atlantic and Pacific markets, but rose in Latin America. -AS
