United Continental Holdings announced that Continental Airlines’ fleet service employees, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, ratified their collective bargaining agreement with the company Dec. 29 ( ATW Daily News, Nov. 30).
TAAG Angola Airlines grounded its fleet of three Boeing 777-200ERs Dec. 24 following two engine incidents within 17 days. “DT decided to suspend all flights for its 777-200ER fleet for the sake of caution and international security," a DT spokesman said. The carrier confirmed it canceled its Luanda-Dubai-Beijing service.
United Continental Holdings, parent of merger partners United Airlines and Continental Airlines, said it would comply with an arbitrator's ruling that placing the CO code on United Express flights operated with 70-seat regional jets violates the terms of the labor pact between Continental and its pilots. The accord prohibits CO from contracting out any flying on aircraft with more than 50 seats.
China Eastern Airlines said it expects its 2010 net income to increase tenfold over a CNY540 million ($81.6 million) net profit reported in 2009 owing to robust domestic market demand.
Continental Airlines said it reached a tentative agreement with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers representing 9,300 CO flight attendants. A ratification vote is expected in the coming weeks. "The negotiation teams were able to reach a fair agreement that is another positive step forward as we work to combine our companies,” said CO VP-Inflight Service Sam Risoli.
Korean Air will launch its first A380 service in May 2011 with the entire upper deck of the aircraft devoted to business class flyers. The configuration is designed to give business flyers “exclusivity like they’re traveling in their own private jet,” according to Senior VP-Passenger Business Division Walter Cho.
Lufthansa said Monday it will create 4,000 jobs for its Germany-based locations in 2011. LH is looking to hire 2,200 flight attendants in Frankfurt and Munich, as well as 900 ground personnel, 270 student pilots, 300 apprentices and other technical staff. LH CEO Christoph Franz said the carrier is expanding because of increased passenger capacity owing to more regional routes and the use of the Airbus A380 on long-haul flights.
Qantas is expected to announce the restart of Airbus A380 flights on its key Los Angeles to Sydney and Melbourne routes this week. Based on indications from reservations systems, the airline could resume operations Jan. 17.
Bombardier Aerospace announced that Utah-based SkyWest Airlines ordered four CRJ700 NextGens. The aircraft will be flown by SkyWest under the Delta Connection banner in a dual-class configuration with 65 seats. Based on the list price of the type, the contract is valued at approximately $148 million.
Emirates SkyCargo completed its first paperless flight aboard a 777-300ER from Mauritius to Dubai, processing all shipments carried by the aircraft electronically. AirBridgeCargo Airlines took delivery of its 11th Boeing 747F, its eighth -400F. The lease will commence on Dec. 24 for the aircraft, which will be utilized to support its existing route network and to "keep pace with a year of record-breaking growth," the carrier said.
Garuda Indonesia completed its financial restructuring with creditors by finalizing a re-worked $277 million debt agreement with the European Export Credit Agency. Garuda decreased its debt from $868 million in 2005 to $464 million (as of Nov. 30) through a combination of payment, debt buy-back and equity conversion strategies. The $277 million, which was used in part to fund six Airbus A330s in 1996, was restructured to allow repayment through 2016.
Singapore Airlines will begin to operate its daily Los Angeles-Tokyo Narita-Singapore service with an A380 beginning March 27, a move that will offer passengers 100 additional seats on each flight versus the 747 currently operating the route.
Xiamen Airlines received a CNY810 million ($121.5 million) capital injection from majority owner China Southern Airlines to fund a rapid fleet expansion. CZ, which currently holds 51% of Xiamen, said in a statement that Xiamen Construction & Development Co., which owns 34% of the carrier, additionally injected CNY540 million into the airline. Meanwhile, more money was raised when Hebei Aviation Investment Group invested CNY1.46 billion to purchase a 15% stake in Xiamen.
(Corrected Version) Transaero Airlines is planning to purchase four more Boeing 777s that are operated by Singapore Airlines and come off lease in 2011 and is increasing its commitment from nine to 12 747-400s, a spokesperson confirmed to ATW.
Qantas is believed to be closer to restarting Airbus A380 service on the Los Angeles to Sydney and Melbourne routes after regulators eased engine inspection rules. According to The Australian, Qantas is in discussions with Rolls-Royce about how it can lift restrictions on Trent 900 engines that prevent the aircraft flying from the US with a full payload. EASA this week relaxed its requirement of a Trent 900 inspection every 20 flights, designed to detect oil leaks, to an inspection every 200 flights.
United Continental Holdings, following a review of technology used by United Airlines and Continental Airlines as well as solutions used by neither currently, this week informed employees which systems will be used by the merged airline in the future. "After a thorough study, we have made the technology systems decisions that will create the best technology platform for the new United," EVP Technology Keith Halbert said in a communication with workers.
American Airlines revoked the ticketing authority of Orbitz.com and Orbitz for Business after a Chicago judge denied a request by Travelport for a preliminary injunction to prevent the move. Orbitz had refused to connect directly with American via the carrier’s XML technology.
Air New Zealand is examining “a host” of fleet options, including the Boeing 777-200LR, to mitigate the expected further delay in the 787 program owing to the inflight fire sparked by a power board short circuit during a test flight last month.
Air New Zealand received and unveiled its first Boeing 777-300ER on Wednesday in Seattle, claiming it has redefined air travel by including "beds" for economy passengers among a string of industry firsts on the aircraft.
