Iberia's MRO division converted an Airbus A330-200 passenger aircraft into a Multi Role Tanker Transport equipped for mid-air refueling. The conversion is part of a contract between Iberia Maintenance and Airbus Military to convert civilian aircraft into MRTTs, and reflects IB's strategy of reorienting its maintenance business toward technologically challenging, high value-added activities, said Iberia EVP-Maintenance and Engineering Jose Luis Ruiz de Castaneda.
British Airways and Iberia will combine their cargo business and network into a single business unit reporting to International Airlines Group although both cargo operations will retain their current brands, the carriers and IAG announced last week. There will be a small cargo management team within IAG, while all other cargo employees will continue to work for their current airline. The combined business will be led by MD Steve Gunning and Deputy MD Ignacio Diez Barturen. They were previously managing directors of BA World Cargo and Iberia Cargo, respectively.
China Southern Airlines is accelerating the pace of its international expansion this year in response to mounting competition from China’s expanding high-speed railway network.
Lufthansa said that "too many problems remain unresolved" regarding implementation of airlines' inclusion in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, leaving open the prospect that the initiative will become a "fiasco" when it goes into effect at the beginning of next year.
SAS Group said Monday it will lease five new 737-800NGs from GECAS and signed an MOU to lease a further 12 737-700s from the same company as it phases out its remaining nine MD-80s and 11 737 Classics at its Stockholm and Oslo hubs, where it also operates 67 737NGs.
SAS Group announced Monday it will lease five new 737-800NGs from GECAS and signed an MOU to lease a further 12 737-700s from the same company as it phases out its remaining nine MD-80s and 11 737 Classics at its Stockholm and Oslo hubs, where it also operates 67 737NGs.
GOL reached a 39.8% domestic market share in February, slightly surpassing previous Brazilian market leader TAM for the first time since GOL launched in January 2001. TAM posted a 39.6% market share in February.
Air India Chairman and MD Arvind Jadhav met with a consortium of Indian bankers on Friday to present a turnaround plan aimed at making the struggling carrier "operationally profitable by 2015."
Austrian Airlines said additional cost-cutting measures will be necessary owing to escalating expenses driven by the Japanese nuclear crisis, unrest in North Africa, rising fuel costs and stiff competition on many of its main routes.
Shenzhen-based Jade Cargo named Lufthansa Cargo VP-Margin Management Frank Naeve its new CEO, replacing Kay Kratky. Jade pointed out that Naeve previously served as LH Cargo GM-Sales-Greater Shanghai, giving him familiarity with the Chinese air cargo market.
UPS Airlines aircraft mechanics, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, voted to ratify a new labor agreement that will run through Nov. 1, 2013.
The Chinese government raised domestic jet fuel prices to CNY6,840 ($1,044) per ton, up 7.9% from CNY6,340 per ton in February, in response to escalating oil prices. This is the second price hike this year.
Japan Airlines said it will offer a limited number of administrative and maintenance staff, flight attendants and pilots “special unpaid leave during the months of May and June” as a result of capacity reductions in the aftermath of the devastating natural and nuclear disasters in Japan. Last week, JAL announced a temporary reduction in capacity on international and domestic routes ( ATW Daily News, April 4).
Alaska Airlines will this year begin a "major renovation project" for its facilities at Los Angeles International, moving from Terminal 3 to Terminal 6 in late 2011, and integrating its "Airport of the Future" check-in process and "modernized" gate facilities. The new location will open for operations in spring 2012.
Qatar Airways and Boeing said Wednesday that the airline has placed firm orders for three 777 freighters and two 777-300ERs valued at $1.4 billion at list prices.
Qantas' international operations are in serious jeopardy within months if Australian unions press ahead with claims for guaranteed job security, the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation warned.
Southwest Airlines promoted Matt Buckley to vice president-cargo and charters. Arik Air received IOSA certification from IATA, the second Nigerian carrier to receive the certificate, but the only Nigerian carrier on IOSA registration to be fully operational under its own AOC. It operates more than 150 flights daily from its Lagos hub.
AeroSvit Ukrainian Airlines received two additional Boeing 767-300ERs on operating leases. It plans to launch nonstop services from Kiev Borispol to Colombo, Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City later this year. This summer, VV will operate about 80 international routes in 33 countries, including transcontinental services to New York JFK, Toronto, Beijing, Delhi and Bangkok. Two 737-800s will be delivered in March and April 2012. In 2013-2014, VV will also receive four 737-900ERs, becoming the first East European operator of this type.
