Austrian Airlines reported a EUR166 million (US$146 million) loss in 2001, reflecting the company's structural problems as well as the economic downturn. Sales stood at EUR2.1 billion, up 10.4% due to the full consolidation of Lauda Air in the group's results. Without the effect, sales would have declined by EUR 210 million. Austrian also posted an operating loss of EUR88 million down from a EUR84 million profit in 2000.
Italian regional airline Air Dolomiti and United have signed a new transatlantic code-share agreement, the companies announced yesterday. Air Dolomiti, which is 20.7% owned by Lufthansa, operates domestic flights as well as European services from several secondary Italian cities, including Verona, Venice and Pisa.
Southwest eked out a first quarter $21.4 million first quarter profit thanks to its shrewd cost management and predicted more profits in the current quarter, albeit at far lower levels than a year ago. The airline's profit was down 82.3% from last year's $121 million as officials noted that significant weakness remains in the full-fare business travel sector. "If the economy improves, our business will too," Chief Financial Officer Gary Kelly told analysts yesterday.
Boeing Chairman Phil Condit does not entirely rule out an investment in struggling regional aircraft manufacturer Fairchild Dornier. Boeing is "aware of the possibilities in the regional aircraft market," Condit told German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Asked if Boeing would be interested in buying FD, Condit said, "We don't comment on things that could possibly happen." He hinted at the fact that the regional market was worth only about 10% of the commercial aircraft market. "That's why we move very cautiously.
Emirates installed the Real Fire Fighting Trainer at its Emirates Aviation College and will use it to train flight and cabin crews, as well as employees who serve as volunteer fire wardens at the company's offices. The $1 million training tool, located within its own facility at the college, was built and installed by Finland's Interfire.
General Electric got FAA type certification for CF34-8 growth engine versions slated to power the Bombardier CRJ900 (CF34-8C55), Fairchild Dornier 728 (CF34-8D) and Embraer 170-175 (CF34-8E). All three engine models are derivatives of the CF34-8C1, which entered service on CRJ700s last year.
Global Supply Systems Ltd. requested an exemption from DOT to operate cargo charters, under wet-lease from British Airways, between the points in the U.K. and points in the U.S., directly and via intermediate points or beyond points with or without stopovers. The U.K. carrier would carry mail and property for BA's U.S.-U.K.
Emirates installed the Real Fire Fighting Trainer at its Emirates Aviation College and will use it to train flight and cabin crews, as well as employees who serve as volunteer fire wardens at the company's offices. The $1 million training tool, located within its own facility at the college, was built and installed by Finland's Interfire.
ExpressJet Holdings had no luck capitalizing on the success of JetBlue's recent initial public offering. Operating as Continental Express, ExpressJet's IPO of 30 million shares yesterday closed at $16 per share, the same price that it started the day. The IPO raised $480 million, and Continental's ownership of ExpressJet falls to 53.1%.
Northwest yesterday reported a $171 million first quarter net loss, but the airline's revenue performance exceeded management's expectations. The loss topped analyst expectations and was the same as in the 2001 quarter, which included $48 million in one-time charges. Northwest generated a profit in March, largely due to an early Easter and Passover holiday, but the weak economy is expected to keep pressure on yields, said CEO Richard Anderson.
Maryland Governor Parris Glendening this week named Paul Wiedefeld to be the new executive director of the state's aviation administration. Wiedefeld, 46, is VP with the engineering firm Parsons Brinckerhoff, Quade and Douglas, Inc. and manages the company's Baltimore Office. As head of the aviation administration, Wiedefeld will oversee the operation of Baltimore/Washington International Airport and the $1.8 billion expansion program now underway. -SL
DOT granted Aloha U.S.-Canada rights, which the carrier plans to use for daily Honolulu-Vancouver service beginning June 15, using Boeing 737-700 aircraft. (Docket OST-02-12077)
Taino Airlines asked DOT for authority for U.S.-Dominican Republic cargo service using DC-8-63 aircraft wet-leased from ABX Air, a U.S. carrier. Taino, a carrier of the Dominican Republic, which is in FAA's Category 2, wants to operate scheduled flights between Santo Domingo and Miami, New York, and San Juan and Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. (Docket OST-02-12138)
Austrian Airlines reported a EUR166 million (US$146 million) loss in 2001, reflecting the company's structural problems as well as the economic downturn. Sales stood at EUR2.1 billion, up 10.4% due to the full consolidation of Lauda Air in the group's results. Without the effect, sales would have declined by EUR 210 million. Austrian also posted an operating loss of EUR88 million down from a EUR84 million profit in 2000.
Northwest yesterday reported a $171 million first quarter net loss, but the airline's revenue performance exceeded management's expectations. The loss topped analyst expectations and was the same as in the 2001 quarter, which included $48 million in one-time charges. Northwest generated a profit in March, largely due to an early Easter and Passover holiday, but the weak economy is expected to keep pressure on yields, said CEO Richard Anderson.
Southwest eked out a first quarter $21.4 million first quarter profit thanks to its shrewd cost management and predicted more profits in the current quarter, albeit at far lower levels than a year ago. The airline's profit was down 82.3% from last year's $121 million as officials noted that significant weakness remains in the full-fare business travel sector. "If the economy improves, our business will too," Chief Financial Officer Gary Kelly told analysts yesterday.
SAS plans to dispose of four Boeing 767-300ERs this year. The airline has appointed Gatwick based Aircraft Leasing and Management to sell or lease out the aircraft. The first of the long-haul jets that are being replaced by Airbus A340-300s is up for sale immediately, while the other three will be phased out by October.
General Electric got FAA type certification for CF34-8 growth engine versions slated to power the Bombardier CRJ900 (CF34-8C55), Fairchild Dornier 728 (CF34-8D) and Embraer 170-175 (CF34-8E). All three engine models are derivatives of the CF34-8C1, which entered service on CRJ700s last year.
CCAIR and its pilots' representatives reached a tentative deal on a new contract Wednesday night, concluding discussions that began on the weekend. The contract proposal will be presented to pilots at meetings today and tomorrow. A ratification vote will be expedited, although no date has yet been set, Air Line Pilots Association Communications Specialist John Perkinson told The DAILY.
Incheon International Airport in Seoul, in a bid to step up security, plans to install additional X-Ray scanners and metal detectors to check arriving passengers' carry-on baggage.
Boeing Chairman Phil Condit does not entirely rule out an investment in struggling regional aircraft manufacturer Fairchild Dornier. Boeing is "aware of the possibilities in the regional aircraft market," Condit told German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Asked if Boeing would be interested in buying FD, Condit said, "We don't comment on things that could possibly happen." He hinted at the fact that the regional market was worth only about 10% of the commercial aircraft market. "That's why we move very cautiously.
US Airways yesterday reported a $269 million net loss for the first quarter, a deficit that new CEO Dave Siegel called "disappointing and unacceptable." The carrier's business traffic has been slow to return, officials report, leading to a depressed revenue performance. Revenues were 1.7 billion, down 23.7% from last year, while passenger revenue per available seat mile was off 11%. Results for the first quarter included a $149 million tax benefit and a $17 million credit related to an accounting change.
Italian regional airline Air Dolomiti and United have signed a new transatlantic code-share agreement, the companies announced yesterday. Air Dolomiti, which is 20.7% owned by Lufthansa, operates domestic flights as well as European services from several secondary Italian cities, including Verona, Venice and Pisa.
