US Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that US airlines employed 1% more workers in February compared to the same month last year. BTS said three network airlines (American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines) decreased employment. Delta Air Lines reported 4.2 % more workers in February 2011 than in February 2010. Continental Airlines, which now includes employees who formerly worked for Continental Micronesia, reported a 1.1% increase, according to the report.
Transaero Airlines last week strongly denied a Kommersant Daily report that it had approached the Russian government about buying state-owned Orenburg Airlines. Privately-held Transaero, however, conceded that it is assessing the "idea of participating in other carriers' equity" but insisted its interest "lies outside Russia." Transaero General Director Olga Pleshakova said he has "never considered Orenburg Airlines as [Transaero's] competitor due to completely different business models."
Kazakhstan's Air Astana is in talks with Boeing to order up to six new 767-300ERs for a 2013-2014 delivery, President Peter Foster told ATW in Almaty. Foster said the aircraft could serve as an interim solution as it awaits the 787, the first of which it now does not expect to receive until 2019 owing to the program's multiple delays ( ATW Daily News, Jan. 19).
Allegiant Travel Company, parent of the airline, reported earnings of $17.2 million for the first quarter, down 24.1% compared to income of $22.6 million in the year-ago period in large part owing to a 38% rise in fuel costs.
All Nippon Airways posted a ¥23.3 billion ($284.4 million) net profit for its fiscal year ended March 31, reversed from a ¥57.3 billion net loss in the prior fiscal year.
Norwegian Air Shuttle said that high oil prices “strongly contributed” to a first-quarter net loss NOK293.2 million ($55.3 million), widened from a NOK199.1 million deficit in the year-ago period.
Finnair Group reported a loss of €33.8 million ($49.6 million) for the first quarter ended March 31, widened from a deficit of €21.7 million in the year-ago period. CEO Mika Vehvilainen cited the impact of events in Japan, as well as rising fuel prices and excess industry capacity for the lower results.
Chinese airlines continue to post large profits, but Air China and China Southern Airlines both saw earnings dip in the 2011 first-quarter compared to the year-ago period, despite strong revenue growth.
All Nippon Airways posted a ¥23.3 billion ($284.4 million) net profit for its fiscal year ended March 31, reversed from a ¥57.3 billion net loss in the prior fiscal year.
Hawaiian Holdings, parent of Hawaiian Airlines, reported net income of $855,000 in the three months ended March 31, an almost fourfold improvement over a profit of $216,000 in the year-ago period as $8.4 million in gains on fuel derivative contracts offset a 56% rise in fuel costs between the two quarters.
LAN Airlines overcame a 32 % rise in fuel prices to post a net profit of $97.2 million in the first quarter ended March 31, up 10.1% compared to income of $88.3 million in the year-ago period.
Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney on Wednesday all but eliminated any possibility that Boeing will make an announcement at the upcoming Paris Air Show (June 20-26) regarding a successor plan for the 737NG.
Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney on Wednesday all but eliminated any possibility that Boeing will make an announcement at June's Paris Air Show regarding a successor plan for the 737NG.
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 (N799SW) slid off runway 13C while landing at Chicago Midway Airport on Tuesday, marking the second time a SWA 737 has had a runway excursion at the airport. Flight 1919 was en route from Denver. There were no injuries among the 134 passengers, five lap children and five crew members on board, the airline said, noting that the passenger count was still preliminary. Passengers were deplaned using air stairs.
Bombardier Aerospace said that Pluna Lineas Aereas Uruguayas signed a follow-on order for three CRJ900 NextGen regional jets, from an order announced last year ( ATW Daily News, April 15, 2010). It is valued at approximately $129 million based on list prices. The Montevideo-based airline already operates 10 of the type.
Sichuan Airlines on Tuesday launched a Yunnan subsidiary to enhance its position in the lucrative Yunnan market and take advantage of the fast-growing Chinese economy. The Chengdu-based carrier operates four aircraft in Kunming and plans to expand its fleet to 25 aircraft by 2015. In the next five years, Sichuan expects to open 33 domestic routes to other province capitals and major cities starting from Kunming, which will increase its share of the Yunnan market from 6% to 20% by the end of 2015.
US Airways reported a first-quarter net loss of $114 million, widened from a $45 million net deficit in the year-ago quarter, as surging fuel costs outweighed revenue gains.
Delta Air Lines reported a hefty first-quarter loss of $318 million, significantly widened from a deficit of $256 million in the year-ago period, as a 29% rise in fuel costs added $483 million to the operating expense ledger in the current period.
US Dept. of Justice said Tuesday it has approved Southwest Airlines' acquisition of AirTran Airways, clearing the way for the transaction to close on May 2.
Bombardier Aerospace said that Pluna Lineas Aereas Uruguayas signed a follow-on firm order for three CRJ900 NextGen regional jets, from an order announced last year.
An Alitalia Airbus A321 en route from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Rome Fiumicino landed safely at FCO on Sunday night after cabin crew and passengers overpowered a passenger who attacked a flight attendant, Italy's ANSA news agency reported. According to ANSA and other news reports, the alleged attacker threatened a female flight attendant with some kind of knife and asked that the flight be diverted to Tripoli. He was reportedly subdued quickly. The flight attendant was treated for what were described as "minor abrasions" after landing.
Boeing last week said 787 training campuses in Seattle, Singapore, Tokyo, London and Shanghai have received approval from US FAA, UK CAA, EASA, CAAC and the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau.
American Airlines applied to the US Dept. of Transportation for the right to fly 10 additional weekly frequencies from Miami to destinations in Brazil starting as early as December.
Austrian Airlines will launch thrice-weekly Vienna-Baghdad service from June 8 using an A320, marking the carrier's return to the Iraqi capital after a 21-year absence. It previously operated to Baghdad from 1982-1990. It currently operates flights from VIE to the Iraqi city of Erbil; it will operate six-times-weekly service on the route during its summer schedule.
