EasyJet flights from/to its Berlin Schoenefeld base were disrupted Saturday morning, owing to a wildcat “warning” strike by flight crew—represented by the trade union ver.di—in a pay dispute. U2 employs around 110 pilots and 240 cabin crew at SXF.
Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia Airlines said Monday they will revamp their networks across the Tasman Sea linking Australia and New Zealand as part of their alliance, which was approved in December ( ATW Daily News, Dec. 22, 2010). The alliance connects ANZ’s domestic network of 26 cities to Virgin’s domestic network of 31 domestic destinations, offering the largest Australasian route network for transtasman travelers.
For the second time in two months, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce lashed out at “ridiculous” union demands and warned that the airline’s international operations are losing money.
Chinese carriers posted aggregate net income of CNY3.18 billion ($489 million) in April, up 57.9% from a net profit of CNY2.01 billion in the year-ago period, according to CAAC.
Aer Lingus reported a deepening of its first-quarter operating loss to €55.9 million ($78.9 million), reversed from negative EBIT of €37.9 million in the year-ago period, and warned that its €96 million cost-cutting plan might not be enough to keep the company out of the red. A net result was not supplied.
Chinese carriers posted aggregate net income of CNY3.18 billion ($489 million) in April, up 57.9% from a net profit of CNY2.01 billion in the year-ago period, according to CAAC.
Southwest Airlines announced Friday it reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year contract with the carrier’s approximately 260 appearance techs, represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Assn. The contract becomes amendable February 2015. The current agreement became amendable in February 2009 ( ATW Daily News, Feb. 2, 2009).
Air Astana President Peter Foster told ATW that Ukraine-based AeroSvit approached Air Astana about forming a possible partnership and will hold talks this month. Foster said the two carriers “have a lot in common,” such as a Boeing fleet, and he believes the network of both carriers would “fit perfectly,” but didn’t provide additional details on the potential deal.
Shenzhen International Total Logistics Co., a subsidiary of government-controlled Shenzhen International Holdings, purchased a 24% stake in Shenzhen Airlines for CNY789 million ($121.4 million), increasing its holding in carrier to 49% from 25%.
Airbus parent EADS incurred a €12 million ($17.1 million) first-quarter net loss, reversed from a €103 million net profit in the year-ago period, but pointed to gains in revenue and operating income as evidence of "positive momentum" warranting a potential A320 production increase.
The US's eight largest airline companies (counting United Airlines and Continental Airlines as one and Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways separately) incurred a collective 2011 first-quarter net loss of $1.01 billion, ATW calculated.
Airbus parent EADS incurred a €12 million ($17.1 million) first-quarter net loss, reversed from a €103 million net profit in the year-ago period, but pointed to gains in revenue and operating income as evidence of "positive momentum" warranting a potential A320 production increase.
All Nippon Airways announced Thursday it signed a cooperation agreement with Mongolia-based Eznis Airways in a broad range of areas, such as “management, operations and charter flight services between Mongolia and Japan.” Although details are still being worked out, ANA said the partnership “will benefit customers of both countries by providing them with greater choice and flexibility.”
Air Berlin reported a loss of €120.6 million ($159.8 million) for the first quarter ended March 31, significantly widened from a deficit of €93.6 million in the year-ago period, or €102.4 million on a pro forma basis to include the results of Niki, which was fully incorporated into the group as of July 1, 2010.
[Corrected] American Airlines and Qantas said they are seeking approval for a joint business agreement "on their services between Australia/New Zealand and the US, within these regions and beyond to third countries."
British Airways and its cabin crew, represented by the Unite union, reached an agreement Thursday aimed at ending their long-running industrial dispute.
Singapore Airlines earned a S$1.09 billion ($885.3 million) net profit for its fiscal year ended March 31, a more than fivefold increase over net income of S$215.8 million in FY2009-10 and exceeding the S$1.06 billion profit posted in FY2008-09.
American Airlines and Qantas said they are seeking approval for a joint business agreement "on their services between Australia/New Zealand and the US, within these regions and beyond to third countries."
Air Lease Corp. signed long-term lease agreements for 29 aircraft with Asian airlines. China Eastern Airlines will lease 10 new Airbus A320-200s and five new Boeing 737-800s, for delivery in 2012 and 2013, in a transaction valued at approximately $700 million. It will also acquire from CEA three 767-300ERs, two under lease with MIAT Mongolian, for delivery in May and November 2011, and one to Orient Thai Airlines for delivery in August 2011.
SkyWest Inc., the Utah-based parent of regionals SkyWest Airlines, Atlantic Southeast Airlines and ExpressJet, on Wednesday named longtime CFO Bradford Rich to the newly-created post of president, effective immediately. Rich will oversee the strategic development and operational and financial performance for all of the company's entities and investments, it said in a statement. Jerry Atkin will remain chairman and CEO. VP-Finance and Treasurer Michael Kraupp will replace Rich as CFO. VP-Controller Eric Woodward was appointed chief accounting officer.
Chile-based LAN Airlines confirmed to ATW it reached a deal with Boeing for the purchase of five 767s, plus options for four more, in a deal valued at $870 million. Delivery is scheduled between December 2012 and August 2013, LAN said. A Boeing spokesman told ATW, “We look forward to finalizing this order for five 767-300ERs in the very near future. This order will bring LAN's total 767 order count to 40.”
Air China and Cathay Pacific Airways formally launched their joint venture cargo operation on Wednesday, consolidating the two carriers' airfreight divisions. The JV, called Air China Cargo, received Chinese government approval last year
