Virgin America (VX) saw strong revenue growth for the 2011 third quarter, but higher fuel costs brought operating profit down by $4.8 million to $16.2 million and resulted in a $3.3million net loss.
Includes: World Airline Traffic World Airport Traffic IATA Fuel Prices Aircraft Data Aircraft Values Aircraft Deliveries US Major and National Airline Traffic US Ontime Performance U.S. Fuel Cost and Consumption US Mishandled Baggage US Consumer Complaints
China’s Hebei Airlines (NS) took delivery of two Embraer E-190s Tuesday, Embraer said in a statement. Embraer said the sale of the two E-190s was confirmed this month, and the purchase of another eight jets is still subject to Chinese government approval ( ATW Daily News, April 13).
Ethiopian Airlines (ET) said that Lome-based ASKY Airlines (KP), in which ET holds a 40% stake, is looking for potential investors to enable the carrier to operate as a multi-hub system within Africa. ET CEO Tewolde Gebremariam told ATW during the carrier’s Star Alliance event last week in Addis Ababa that KP, which was founded in 2009, is operated by ET via a five-year management contract. “We are looking for investors like South African Airways (SAA) or Egyptair (MS) and others.”
Thai Airways International (TG) will deploy its first Airbus A380 on regional routes, most likely Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK)-Hong Kong (HKG). Speaking to ATW during a visit to Toulouse to view the carrier’s first A380 on the final assembly line, TG executives said the carrier will operate between BKK and Frankfurt (FRA) only “after we receive the second aircraft delivery around November 2012. Upon receiving additional aircraft, Thai will operate to London [Heathrow (LHR)] and then Paris [Charles de Gaulle].”
All Nippon Airways, the launch customer for the Boeing 787 with two in service, said its third Dreamliner won't be delivered this month as scheduled owing to a Boeing "productivity" issue.
Air New Zealand (NZ) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) will establish a closer partnership from March 25 providing passengers on both airlines with improved access to destinations in Japan and New Zealand. The partnership, subject to regulatory approval, will give NZ passengers access beyond the gateways of Tokyo Narita and Osaka Kansai through ANA’s network of 700 flights a day to 48 domestic destinations.
Etihad Airways (EY) will increase its shareholding in Air Berlin Plc (AB) to 29.21% for €72.9 million ($95 million) as part of an agreement that includes far-reaching commercial cooperation and debt financing.
Qantas (QF) and the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Assn. (ALAEA) have reached an agreement, bringing to a close one of the most bitter disputes in Australian aviation history.
Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) has unveiled its new premium economy class and upgraded economy class seats on its long-haul flights from March 2012( ATW Daily News, Aug. 25). The first aircraft featuring the seats will be a Boeing 777-300ER, which will enter service in March on the Hong Kong-Toronto route.
Malaysia Airlines (MH) will cut routes to Europe, Africa and the Middle East starting in January to stem losses and return to profitability ( ATW Daily News, Dec. 12).
Turkish Airlines (TK) will focus on increasing feed to its long-haul network as it takes delivery of mainly narrowbody aircraft over the next years, CEO Temel Kotil told ATW in an interview at the Arab Air Carriers Organization’s (AACO) annual general meeting in Abu Dhabi.
Even though American Airlines (AA) is in a relatively strong position for a bankrupt airline—with $4.1 billion in cash on hand, more than $6 billion in revenue generated quarterly and an expansive network underpinned by oneworld membership and other international partnerships—chairman, president and CEO Tom Horton acknowledged last week that the Chapter 11 process will be "complex."
Egyptair Group chairman and CEO Hussein Massoud has been named Egypt’s new minister of aviation. Airlines for America (A4A) named Elizabeth Shaver as director of cargo services. She will join A4A in January from Delta Air Lines.
Qatar Airways (QR) has secured another slot pair at London Heathrow (LHR) and will add a fifth daily flight between Doha and LHR from March 25, lifting capacity on the route from 28 to 35 flights each week. The Doha-based carrier will deploy a Boeing 777 configured with 42 seats in business class and 217 seats in economy.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Gulfstream International Airlines has rebranded under the new name of Silver Airways. Gulfstream was founded in May when Victory Park Capital, a Chicago-based investment firm, acquired assets from the former Gulfstream International Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy in November 2010 ( ATW Daily News, Nov. 8, 2010).
Computer rendering of A320neo in JetBlue livery. Courtesy, Airbus JetBlue Airways has selected Pratt & Whitney engines to power its recently ordered fleet of Airbus A320neo aircraft, becoming the first US customer for PurePower engines ( ATW Daily News, Oct. 28).
FedEx revealed Thursday it has placed a firm order for 27 Boeing 767-300 freighters valued at $4.74 billion at list prices, but also has deferred delivery of 11 777Fs.
