Arizona-based investment firm Indigo Partners introduced its new ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC), JetSMART, on Feb. 3 in Santiago, Chile. Photo: JetSMART A320
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hears from US carriers on Open Skies
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
The three US network carriers wasted no time after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s confirmation before asking him to review the Open Skies policy and the subsidies they allege Gulf carriers illegally get from their national governments.
Wizz Air may set up UK AOC
Wizz Air
Central and Eastern European low-cost carrier (LCC) Wizz Air is considering whether it should set up a UK air operator’s certificate (AOC) in the wake of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union (EU) (Brexit).
Etihad Airways and Lufthansa signed a multi-faceted commercial partnership agreement Wednesday that will see the two companies cooperate via codeshares and across catering and MRO services. The agreement was signed in Abu Dhabi Feb. 1 by Etihad Aviation Group president and CEO James Hogan and Lufthansa Group chairman and CEO Carsten Spohr.
Chao confirmed as US transportation secretary
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The US Senate has overwhelmingly confirmed Elaine Chao to be the new US transportation secretary. Photo: US transportation secretary Elaine Chao at her Jan. 11 Senate confirmation hearing.
Airlines, travelers deal with new travel ban
Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
The executive order issued by US President Donald Trump barring nationals from seven countries from entering the US led to “confusion among both airlines and travelers” and has placed a number of “burdens” on airlines, according to IATA.
Companies work on volcanic ash detection technology
Nicarnica Aviation
Technology firm Elbit Systems and Norway’s Nicarnica Aviation have performed ground trials on a new system, aimed at detecting volcanic ash up to 100 km ahead of an aircraft.
Delta back online after IT failure
Rob Finlayson
Delta Air Lines experienced its second systems outage in six months Jan. 29, triggering a ground stop and cancellation of approximately 280 flights, with additional cancellations possible for Jan. 30, the Atlanta-based airline said.
This winter, Irish low-cost carrier (LCC) Ryanair will expand by 10% at Barcelona, 12% in Madrid and 54% at Milan Malpensa, as it continues an aggressive growth strategy.
New Turkish CEO will not cancel aircraft orders
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines is on a cost-savings drive and has grounded 25 narrowbodies after events last year hit demand for travel to Turkey, but the carrier’s new CEO, Bilal Eksi, says he has no plans to cancel any new aircraft orders.
Sweden's BRA takes off on first biofuel flight
ATR
Swedish regional carrier BRA has operated a flight from Stockholm Bromma Airport to Umeå in northern Sweden with an ATR-72-600 using a fuel blend comprised 45% of used cooking oil.
Linda Blachly is Senior Associate Editor for Air Transport World and Aviation Week. She joined the company in July 2010 and is responsible for producing features for Air Transport World’s monthly magazine and engaging content for the aviationweek.com. She is based in the Washington DC office.
