UAE national carrier Emirates will add two flights per week on its Dubai- Mumbai route and introduce first-class service on six of its seven weekly flights to and from New Delhi, both effective Oct. 26, airline officials said Wednesday. The additional Airbus flights to Mumbai will increase the carrier's India winter schedule to 20 weekly flights, with 15% more seating capacity and 11% more cargo capacity on the route.
Used Jet Aircraft Deliveries June 1997 Carrier # Type Engines Previous Operator Aer Lingus 1 A330-300 CF6-80E1A2 Airbus Industrie Aeromexico 1 MD-83 JT8D-219 Alaska Airlines Air Niagara 1 F28-1000 Spey555-15N Horizon Air Air One 1 737-400 CFM56-3C1 Lufthansa
Canadian Airlines has signed a code-share agreement with Mandarin Airlines of Taiwan that will take effect Oct. 26. The pact includes expansion of operations between Vancouver and Taipei this winter. During off-peak periods in the winter, both carriers had reduced the service below daily frequency. "By working together and coordinating our schedules, we can jointly maintain daily service from Vancouver to Taipei, as well as service on six days of the week in the other direction," said Canadian's VP- Capacity Planning Don Casey.
The State of Hawaii is waiving airline landing fees at its airports for two years, effective Sept. 1, in an attempt to encourage tourism. Airlines currently pay the state about $40 million a year in landing fees. Reserving the right to reinstate fees if needed, Gov.
Western Pacific reported a 52% jump in revenue passenger miles for August 1997 compared with August last year, while capacity increased 38.3% and the load factor rose 6.3 percentage points. The airline said the data indicate consumer response to its move to Denver, a code-share schedule with Frontier, and marketing initiatives. Aug 97 Aug 96 8 Mths 97 8 Months 1996 RPMs 241,036,000 157,623,200 1,326,127,000 994,221,400 ASMs 362,687,000 262,194,500 1,328,127,000 1,709,487,400
Lufthansa Cargo cites fuel cost cuts as a factor in its first-half return to profitability (DAILY, Sept. 9). New airspace flexibility over Asia has shortened its Frankfurt-Seoul service by 706 miles, saving 32 tons of fuel per roundtrip. The carrier reduced specific fuel consumption of its 747- 200Fs by 3%, retired some DC-8s and adopted faster landing and takeoff procedures.
Nav Canada said the Transport Ministry has confirmed that its proposed user fees are consistent with the Civil Air Navigation Services Commercialization Act and it plans to introduce new user charges for en route and terminal air navigation services in March 1. Nav Canada also will increase existing charges, including overflight fees, said Kenneth Copeland, president. "The user fee schedule that was submitted to the minister, and which has now been confirmed, incorporates many of the suggestions from users" during consultations over the past seven months, he said.
United, answering FedEx's request at DOT for an exemption to operate scheduled all-cargo service between the U.S. and Ho Chi Minh City, questioned whether an exemption was necessary as FedEx holds a dormant certificate for U.S.-Vietnam service. United, which asked for renewal of its U.S.-Vietnam authority in 1991, asked the department not to act on FedEx's request "unless it is also prepared at the same time to grant other deferred applications for Vietnam authority."
China Airlines' revenues for the first half of 1997 reached US$990 million, 13.26 % more than in the first half last year. Pre-tax earnings were more than four times higher, growing to US$61 million. The company predicted that full-year revenues will exceed US$2.04 billion and pre-tax earnings will reach US$114 million. A CAL spokesman cited downsizing of the work force and strong growth in cargo operations as factors in first-half profitability growth. The cargo load factor topped 87.7%, up from 82.8% during the first half of 1996.
TWA has launched a "fly now, fly later" sale for weekend travel during September, "fly now," and between Nov. 1 and Dec. 17, "fly later." The sale covers domestic and international destinations, including Honolulu, London, Paris, Madrid and Milan. Tickets must be purchased no later than Sept. 12 and are non-refundable. "Fly now" roundtrip fares from St. Louis are $158 to Orlando or New York, $298 to London or Paris and $188 to Los Angeles. Roundtrip "fly later" fares from St. Louis are $498 to Honolulu and $438 to Paris or Milan.
National Civil Aviation Review Commission is seeking comments and suggestions regarding safety-related issues for its public hearing Oct. 8. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 2167 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Those interested in presenting testimony at the hearing can contact Margie Tower at 202-366-6942, or fax 202-493-2963.
Lufthansa yesterday labeled "inaccurate" European media reports that the company intended to cut 1,000 jobs. Reports cited a story due to reach newsstands today by German magazine Wirtschaftswoche. Lufthansa Group, including catering and maintenance companies, employed 57,569 as of June 30, down 2% from 58,852 in June 30, 1996.
National Civil Aviation Review Commission presented DOT yesterday with its preliminary report on aviation financing (DAILY, Sept. 4). The General Aviation Manufacturers Association said the report adopts the position of general aviation on a number of issues, such as the continuation of fuel taxes for GA, but the association expressed concern about a recommendation that air traffic control services be placed in a performance-based organization. GAMA said the PBO proposal "looks similar to some of the corporatization proposals GAMA has opposed in the past."
Society of Senior Aerospace Executives elected as its president Bob Gladwell, former marketing executive at British Aerospace, Rolls-Royce and GKN Westlands. Paul Johnstone, a former executive at Hawaiian and Eastern, will be VP, and Joseph Murphy will be secretary/treasurer. Asad Nasr, former chief executive of Middle East Airlines; Joseph Featherston, consultant, and Dan Morton, financial analyst, were elected directors. The society, which has 125 members, voted to increase attempts to solicit active versus retired and international versus U.S.
International Lease Finance Corp. said British Midland leased five new Airbus A321-200s and seven A320-200s, all powered by International Aero Engines V2500 series turbofans. The carrier currently operates three Boeing 737-500s from ILFC. The leasing company said Pegasus Airlines of Istanbul leased a new 737-400 high-gross-weight aircraft powered by CFM International engines, and Air Macau leased a new A320-200 with IAE engines. Air Macau currently operates two A320-200s and four A321-100s leased from ILFC.
Fuel Cost and Consumption U.S. Majors, Nationals and Large Regionals August 1996 - July 1997 Total Total Cost Gallons (Dollars) 1996 August Domestic 1,174,828,939 747,673,403 International 437,130,554 303,225,003 System Total 1,611,959,493 1,050,898,406
Boeing rolled out the first 777-300, powered by Rolls-Royce engines and destined for launch customer Cathay Pacific. First flight is scheduled in October, and Cathay is to take delivery of seven aircraft between May 1998 and October 1999. The 777-300 will have an innovative camera system from Ball Aerospace that will provide pilots with views of the main and nose landing gear. Ball said the cameras will be standard equipment on every 777-300 to assist pilots in ground maneuvering with the long-wheel-base aircraft.
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. is "continuing mistreatment" of former Pan Am employees and their families, according to the Association of Former Pan Am Employees.
SkyMall Inc. will display GTE Airfone free service on the cover of its 224- page holiday catalog as part of an agreement to promote Airfone's free service and increase impulse purchases. SkyMall officials did not comment on details of the agreement, but Christine Aguilera, VP of marketing, said it is an attempt to "close the gap on impulse purchases." Research shows that sales increase when Airfone is promoted on the catalog cover, she said. GTE is eliminating the credit card slide on its aircraft phones to make them easier to use.
Triumph Group said it acquired Hydro-Mill Co., which manufactures and overhauls precision machine parts and assemblies for the aircraft industry. The price was not disclosed. Hydro-Mill has annual sales of about $30 million and serves aircraft original equipment manufacturers, commercial airlines and air cargo carriers with aircraft parts and assemblies and overhaul and repair services. Triumph Group designs, engineers, manufactures, repairs and overhauls aircraft components.
Dutch authorities appointed Henny Wijkhuizen interim airport coordinator at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in an attempt to spread noise emissions more evenly throughout the day and comply with noise regulations by reorganizing traffic. Wijkhuizen, who has been scheduling manager at KLM's commercial planning department, will hold the interim job at Schiphol until the end of 1997. The airport is expected to qualify formally for the status of fully coordinated airport by that date, and the government will appoint an official coordinator.
Treuhand Osteuropa Beratungsgesellschaft (TOB) of Germany and Speedwing of the U.K., are seeking investors for the privatization of Balkan Airlines under a contract with the Bulgarian privatization agency that took effect Monday. Speedwing is a subsidiary of British Airways and TOB was set up by Treuhand, the privatization agency of the former East Germany. The Bulgarian privatization agency plans to sell between 25% and 100% of Balkan, said Executive Director Alexander Subotinov.
TWA plans to reintroduce its frequent flyer program early in 1998 and until then will roll out new program elements and incentives for business travelers, including rewards based on passenger spending levels. The carrier believes the innovations will enable it to leapfrog the competition and add a new dimension to airline loyalty. The program "will make the other airlines follow us," said Don Casey, executive VP-marketing. On Aug.
Foreign airlines operating to the U.S. would be required to file disaster assistance plans under a bill planned by Del. Robert Underwood (D), the non-voting representative from Guam. Korean Air Flight 801 crashed on Guam Aug. 6, and Underwood cited family member complaints about the carrier's response after the crash. The Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996 already requires U.S. carriers to file such plans.
