Air Transport

Air Canada’s proposed joint venture (JV) with Air China, part of the Canadian carrier’s global expansion strategy, is taking longer to negotiate than expected, executives from both airlines have said.

Despite key congressional actions over the past 20 years aimed at helping the FAA operate more like a business, the agency’s operational productivity is down while employee costs have nearly doubled, according to an audit by the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (OIG).

AirAsia intends to further develop a hub operation on the Malaysian island of Langkawi by adding more international flights to the leisure gateway.

Unmanned aircraft in the news: UAV lands on car; Coyote prowls hurricanes; Black Hawk gives UGV a ride; DHL’s delivery drone evolves; Caterpillar teams up.

United Airlines pilots overwhelmingly ratified a contract extension that runs through January 2019, the carrier said on Friday, Jan. 22.

Allegiant Air has reshuffled its management team, expanding the duties of its CFO and promoting Jude Bricker from senior vice president-planning to chief operating officer.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. State Department have tightened restrictions on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows citizens of 38 mainly European countries to visit the U.S. without obtaining a visa.

Kenya Airways replaced Alex Mbugua, its long-standing group finance director, on Jan. 19, as it implements a comprehensive restructuring process to secure its survival and end years of losses.

Lufthansa and its cabin crew union UFO have agreed to a new pay deal and the basics of a new pension strategy.

Blaming the continuing slow recovery in the cargo market, Boeing plans to reduce the production rate of the 747-8 to just 0.5 aircraft per month in September 2016.

Airbus Group plans a pilot project with ridesharing network Uber that will enable users to connect air and ground transportation, airframer CEO Tom Enders said.

Sluggish aircraft industry growth is threatened by several looming macroeconomic trends, and the jetliner primes’ lofty production goals appear out of line with economic reality.

Canadian airline WestJet intends to escalate its expansion of European routes following successful trial venture.

For years, Air Canada struggled with long-haul aircraft too large for many routes. But with the 787, the airline says it has what it needs to compete.

Porter will not be able to add jets at its main hub in Toronto. What will it do next?

A 17-year-old pilot recounts how he got the flying bug and why the aviation industry is so important to him—and the world.

Inspector faults FAA’s productivity, program management; military leader encourages debate about deadly autonomous weapons.

European airlines set up new trade association as European Commission highlights new aviation push.

United Airlines is going smaller with its mainline fleet.

Copa Airlines’ travails have little to do with its business strategy and everything to do with the macroeconomic climate in the region it primarily serves.

Franco-Italian turboprop manufacturer ATR achieved record revenue of $2 billion and delivered 88 aircraft in 2015, though demand for the fuel-efficient ATR 72 fell below expectations owing to a steep decline in oil prices and softening of key markets in Asia and Latin America.

Lufthansa believes it can operate the Airbus A320neo at 23% lower unit costs than the current A320s.

European Union Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc promised quick action to support European airlines and improve their competitiveness at the EU Aviation Summit, but industry representatives were highly critical of Brussels’ past initiatives.

Alaska Airlines is planning to purchase new regional jets to replace Bombardier Q400s operated by its subsidiary Horizon Air, management told analysts during a Jan. 21 earnings call.

Cargolux will expand the group’s fleet of full freighters from 25 aircraft to 30 by the end of 2017, with three Boeing 747Fs operated by its planned Chinese venture, Cargolux China.