LAN Airlines said it signed a definitive agreement to purchase 98.94% of Colombia's Aires for $12 million in cash and the assumption of $100 million in net liabilities including $18 million of bank debt.
China Eastern Airlines is considering canceling its order for 15 Boeing 787s owing to the aircraft program's continuous delays, according to a CEA insider.
British Airways and Iberia shareholders on Monday voted in favor of the merger of the airlines at special meetings in London and Madrid, respectively, ending years of speculation and on-and-off discussions that took off following IB's announcement in spring 2007 that it was open to a full or partial sale.
China Eastern Airlines is considering canceling its order for 15 Boeing 787s owing to the aircraft program's continuous delays, according to a CEA insider. "Most probably we [will] cancel," the source told ATW. "We are negotiating with Boeing about choosing [a] replacement aircraft type…now."
British Airways named Nick Swift CFO, effective March 7, 2011. He will replace Keith Williams, who will become CEO of the BA operating unit upon completion of BA's merger with Iberia early next year. Austral Lineas Aereas took delivery of the fourth and fifth Embraer 190s out of 20 it has on order. The aircraft are configured in a two-class, 96-seat layout. They will join the fleet immediately, serving domestic routes in the Argentine regional's network.
Aviation research firm OAG reported that US airlines have been adding domestic seat capacity at "an accelerated rate over the last four months, increasing 3% in November 2010" compared to the same month a year ago. Despite worldwide expansion, OAG said US domestic capacity "had been declining year-over-year and hadn't seen growth until recently when it grew 0.8% in August, and has remained steady since."
TAP Portugal said its privatization process could start next year. CEO Fernando Pinto stated at the ALTA meeting in Panama City that privatizing the carrier "is part of a [government] plan and this process could start in 2011." TAP enjoys high load factors on its long-haul routes, especially to South America and Africa, "but the high fuel price spoils everything," Pinto stated. Nevertheless, TAP operates up to 80 weekly flights to Brazil.
TAM President Libano Miranda Barroso told ATW in Panama City that the planned TAM/LAN Airlines merger will "have some similarity to the [British Airways] and Iberia merger" with both carriers' brands continuing to exist.
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
American Airlines and JetBlue launched a reciprocal frequent flyer agreement under which American Airlines AAdvantage and JetBlue's TrueBlue customer loyalty program members can earn points on either program, in select markets. Airbaltic has opened an office in Tbilisi, to which it operates flights up to seven times a week.
Austrian Airlines completed its first cabin retrofit on an Airbus A319, the first of its short- and medium-haul A319/320/321 and Boeing 737-600/700/800 fleetto be reconfigured by installing new seats ( ATW Daily News, Oct. 5). By September 2011, all 32 narrowbody aircraft will offer the new cabin features.
Brazil's TAM Airlines conducted a 45 min. A320 test flight using fuel partially derived from locally sourced jatropha, the airline and Airbus said Tuesday.
Qantas plans to initiate a cautious return to service of its Airbus A380 fleet starting Saturday using strict operational guidelines to limit high thrust takeoffs.
Qantas plans to initiate a cautious return to service of its Airbus A380 fleet starting Saturday using strict operational guidelines to limit high thrust takeoffs. The fleet has been grounded since an uncontained engine failure after take-off from Singapore Nov. 4.
Delta Air Lines said it was notified Monday by the National Mediation Board that its TechOps Stores employees rejected representation by the International Assn. of Machinists, making it the eighth workgroup at the carrier to reject unionization ( ATW Daily News, Nov. 22). Of 607 votes cast, 439 were against unionization and 166 were in favor with two write-ins, DL said.
Aegean Airlines posted a €24.1 million ($33 million) net profit for the third quarter, just slightly below the €24.3 million it earned in the year-ago period, on a year-over-year 3% decline in revenue to €198.8 million and an 8% fall in passengers carried.
Air China confirmed it has ordered 10 Airbus A330s and 10 A350s and plans to use the aircraft to facilitate international expansion, according to a CA filing with the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
