Air Transport

Weakness in FedEx Corp.’s airline segment in the last quarter caused management to reduce its long-term target for the unit and lower the company’s earnings guidance for FY2019, despite strong growth in the FedEx Ground and Freight businesses.

Nigeria-based startup Green Africa Airways has committed to purchasing up to 100 737-8 aircraft— 50 firm orders and 50 options—Boeing said Dec. 21.

EasyJet has converted 580 of its 1,400 UK pilot licenses to Austrian permits as the UK-based LCC continues to prepare for a no-deal Brexit.

Chilean ultra-LCC JetSMART has initiated flights to Argentina after obtaining an operating certificate from that country, the airline said Dec. 21.

London’s Gatwick Airport shut down flight operations again Dec. 21 after yet another drone sighting, then reopened 1 1/2 hr. later.

Air Tanzania has become the first African carrier to take delivery of an Airbus A220, Airbus said Dec. 21.

Romanian flag carrier Tarom has reported third-quarter traffic and revenue growth of more than 20% as it continues a strategy of fleet and route expansion.

Amazon Air, forging tighter ties with the Air Transport Services Group (ATSG), will lease 10 more Boeing 767-300 freighters from the company.

Saudi Arabian LCC Flyadeal has signed a commitment with Boeing to order 30 737-8s, plus 20 options.

Italian aircraft manufacturer Tecnam has received full type certification from EASA for its P2012 Traveller next-generation aircraft, the company said Dec. 20.

Lagos-based Green Africa Airways has announced a commitment for up to 100 737 MAX 8 aircraft, evenly split into 50 firm aircraft and 50 options, as the airline gears up to begin commercial operations.

Air Tanzania as become the first African carrier to take delivery of the Airbus A220 aircraft, the newest addition to the Airbus family of commercial aircraft. Air Tanzania (The Wings of the Kilimanjaro) also becomes the latest member of Airbus aircraft operators.

Operators are keeping a close eye on the effect trade tensions, Brexit and high fuel prices will have on a sector still enjoying strong growth.

Digital change is happening fast in the civil aviation aftermarket—for those that adapt, payoffs are happening.

Physical scale is old news. Creating physical scale by combining facilities and operations through M&A has delivered benefits.

A combination of factors has changed the picture for the big three Gulf carriers fundamentally.

Infrastructure shortfalls, economic turmoil will burden Latin American airlines in 2019.

Expect the number of new transport aircraft deliveries to steadily grow over the next decade, especially in 2019.

Late 2018 fuel-price decline could be a boon for airlines in North America into 2019, if higher fares stick.

Workforce-development challenges lurk as MRO industry continues to grow.

Several innovative technologies are helping to make the jobs of MRO workers safer and easier.

A wide range of technical, operational and other challenges must be overcome before urban air mobility can become reality.

Fuel costs are just one of the factors making life difficult for European airlines

UK long-haul specialist Virgin Atlantic, facing a strike by one of its pilots’ unions in the run-up to Christmas, won a court injunction halting the industrial action Dec. 20.

The British Army has been called in to help police track down drone operators that have paralyzed London Gatwick, Britain’s second busiest airport since the evening of Dec. 19.