Lufthansa Systems said it will launch a solution transforming iPads into full-fledged Electronic Flight Bags "centered around an advanced version" of its Lido/iRouteManual. The iPad EFB is slated to become available in the current quarter. The suite of applications will consist of three modules: The Lido/iRouteManual and a document viewer—both in the form of iPad apps—and a document management system in the form of a Web service. "Further modules are already under consideration," LHS said.
Virgin America enjoyed its first profitable reporting period in the 2010 third quarter but was unable to sustain the momentum in the fourth quarter, posting a $25.1 million net loss, widened from an $18.8 million net deficit in the 2009 December quarter and pushing the company to a $68.7 million full-year net loss.
The Thai government gave Thai Airways the right to decide how it acquires aircraft, clearing the way for the carrier to move forward with a plan to buy or lease up to 75 aircraft over a 12-year period.
Hainan Airlines reported net income of CNY273.3 million ($41.9 million) in the first quarter, up 8.2% over a CNY252.5 million profit in the year-ago period, owing to the rapid growth of Chinese domestic market demand and revenue generated by fleet expansion, according to a Shanghai Stock Exchange filing.
Virgin America enjoyed its first profitable reporting period in the 2010 third quarter but was unable to sustain the momentum in the fourth quarter, posting a $25.1 million net loss, widened from an $18.8 million net deficit in the 2009 December quarter and pushing the company to a $68.7 million full-year net loss.
AirBaltic beginning April 26 will offer a vacant adjacent seat to its business class passengers flying Bombardier Q400 NextGen and Fokker 50 aircraft. It says it plans to make "further improvements" to its business class travelers by offering the service at "more attractive prices" to those who book early.
AirTran Airways announced its flights attendants, represented by the Assn. of Flight Attendants, ratified a new collective bargaining agreement ( ATW Daily News, March 24), which will take effect May 1. In a statement, AirTran said that 96% of its 2,200 voting members approved the agreement, which provides for “increased compensation, improved benefits and preservation of key service and reliability functions.”
Alaska Air Group, parent of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, earned $74.2 million in first-quarter net income, considerably widened from a $5.3 million net profit in the year-ago period. Revenue lifted 16.3% year-over-year to $965.2 million.
Southwest Airlines earned $5 million in the first quarter, a 54.5% decline compared to $11 million earned in the year-ago period but a solid showing in view of rapidly rising fuel costs and tough winter weather.
JetBlue Airways overcame soaring fuel prices and severe winter weather on the East Coast to eke out a modest net profit of $3 million in the three months ended March 31, a $4 million positive swing from a loss of $1 million in the year-ago period.
United Continental Holdings, parent of merger partners United Airlines and Continental Airlines, incurred a first-quarter net loss of $213 million, widened from a $183 million pro forma net deficit reported by the two carriers in the March 2010 quarter.
United Continental Holdings, parent of merger partners United Airlines and Continental Airlines, incurred a first-quarter net loss of $213 million, widened from a $183 million pro forma net deficit reported by the two carriers in the March 2010 quarter.
Lufthansa will integrate subsidiaries Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines and British Midland into the antitrust immunized Atlantic Plus-Plus joint venture by July 1, an LH spokesperson confirmed to ATW.
Virgin Blue is set to announce another significant partnership, this time with Hawaiian Airlines. Addressing the Australian-British Chamber of Commerce in Sydney on Wednesday, Virgin Blue CEO John Borghetti said the airline was in the "process of having advanced discussions with Hawaiian Airlines" on codeshare flights to Hawaii.
Etihad Airways reported a 21.2% year-over-year rise in first-quarter revenue to $770 million. It said the year's first three months represented its "most successful first-quarter to date."
Chinese carriers posted collective first-quarter net income of CNY5.73 billion ($879 million), up 31.8% over the year-ago period, according to CAAC, which credited the continuing growth of domestic market demand.
American Airlines parent AMR Corp. on Wednesday reported a first-quarter net loss of $436 million, narrowed from a $505 million net deficit in the year-ago period, and announced a further capacity reduction in the 2011 fourth quarter.
American Airlines parent AMR Corp. on Wednesday reported a first-quarter net loss of $436 million, narrowed from a $505 million net deficit in the year-ago period, and announced a further capacity reduction in the 2011 fourth quarter.
Lufthansa Cargo Chairman and CEO Karl Ulrich Garnadt said the Austrian Lufthansa Cargo joint venture launched last year, through which LH and subsidiary Austrian Airlines jointly market and manage the two carriers' cargo capacity ( ATW Daily News, Feb. 25, 2010), has been successful. The airlines integrated handling and distribution in Austria while freight activities in all other countries fall under LHC management.
Ryanair will trial reserved seating on two routes from Dublin to Malaga and London Gatwick from May 16 in yet another move to generate more ancillary revenue. The pre-booked service costs €10 ($14.32) each way and includes priority boarding and the reservation of a seat in the front two rows or in over-wing emergency exit rows, which have more leg room. The LCC said it will continue to offer priority boarding service for €4, and it intends to roll the reserved seating out selectively on other routes in the coming months if it proves to be popular with passengers.
Longtime airline equities analyst Jamie Baker of JP Morgan has called on US legacy carriers to develop a new pricing model better able to cope with the roller coaster fluctuations in the price of oil. In a brief investment report on Tuesday, he wrote, "We can think of few consumer products that can be purchased up to 330 days prior to consumption, where the manufacturer or service provider has virtually no knowledge or control over their largest input cost [fuel]."
