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.
Aigle Azur appointed APG as its commercial representative in 30 countries from Nov. 1. APG will provide full GSA services in Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the US, including sales and marketing activities, as well as call center and helpdesk support for the French carrier. The airline has signed for APG GET services, a hybrid GSA service for more limited routes, in 20 markets.
Delta Air Lines said it was notified by the National Mediation Board that its below-wing Airport Customer Service and Cargo warehouse employees rejected representation by the International Association of Machinists, which had sought to organize the workers (ATW Daily News, Oct. 11).
El Al Israel Airlines reported net income of $42.5 million in its third-quarter ended Sept. 30, more than tripling its $12.3 million profit in the year-ago period.
JetBlue Airways and Emirates announced this week that they entered into an interline agreement, which will allow customers seamless connections via New York JFK with joint Emirates-JetBlue itineraries. "Our new partnership with JetBlue will enable customers from across the United States to connect quickly and easily to Emirates' extensive network of worldwide destinations,'' said Emirates SVP-Commercial Ops for Americas and Africa Nigel Page.
Amsterdam-based AerCap Holdings announced Thursday it signed a Letter of Intent with Boeing for the purchase of “up to 15 737-800 aircraft, consisting of 10 firm aircraft and five purchase rights.”
GOL reported third-quarter net income of BRL110 million ($63.7 million), up 41.2% from a BRL77.9 million profit in the year-ago period, owing to “the upturn in demand in the domestic and international markets and the company’s continuous focus on reducing its operating costs,” GOL said.
Copa Airlines announced Wednesday it has signed lease agreements for 10 Boeing 737-800s, five for delivery in 2011 and five in 2012. Aircraft will be leased from GECAS (5), BOC Aviation (3) and Aviation Capital Group (2). Including these leases, Copa said it now has “firm orders and delivery commitments for 33 aircraft, all of which are 737-800s.”
The JAL Group announced Wednesday a change in the financially troubled airline’s organizational structure under renewed management. In order to “realize an effective and speedy revitalization,” JAL said it aims to create a “leaner financial constitution” while “maintaining the highest levels of safety” in its operation.
Air France KLM Group reported a consolidated net profit of €1.03 billion ($1.39 billion) for its fiscal first half ended Sept. 30, reversing a loss of €573 million in the year-ago period.
CFM International had a busy day at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai Tuesday. In addition to launching the LEAP-X1C on the C919, the company said that Air China finalized its order for CFM56-5Bs to power 20 firm Airbus A320 aircraft which will be delivered in 2011. The engine order, originally announced at the Farnborough International Air Show in July, is valued at approximately $300 million at list prices ( ATW Daily News, July 21).
Taiwan-based TransAsia Airways placed a firm order with Airbus for two A330-300s and six A321s. The aircraft will be used primarily on direct services between Taiwan and mainland China, as well as on new regional routes. The A330s will become the first widebody aircraft to join the airline's fleet. Engine selections for both the A330s and the A321s will be made in the near future, the carrier said.
EasyJet, which celebrated its 15th birthday last week, reported a £121.3 million ($195 million) net profit for its fiscal year ended Sept. 30, a 70.4% increase on the £71.2 million it earned in the prior year.
Cathay Pacific Airways has announced in a trading statement that it expects its consolidated profit for the year ending Dec. 31, 2010 will not be less than HK$12.5 billion ($1.62 billion), “as demand for passenger and cargo services had remained very strong with revenues at high levels.”
Air Canada announced it will begin charging economy passengers $20 for a second checked bag on domestic flights and flights to the Caribbean and Mexico, effective on travel booked from Nov. 11 on flights beginning Jan. 19. AC economy passengers will still be able to check one bag for free in addition to a permitted carry-on baggage.
Flybe graduated its first pilot candidates under the ICAO Multi Crew Pilot License program in a ceremony at the airline's headquarters in Exeter. Flybe said that the completion of the course by the six candidates, "under the supervision of the [UK] Civil Aviation Authority, marks the culmination of a successful relationship between Flybe, Flight Training Europe Jerez and the CAA and is an historic milestone not only for Flybe’s pilot training but also for the development of professional pilot training throughout the UK aviation industry."
SkyWest Inc. announced the completion of its acquisition of ExpressJet Holdings, the parent company of regional air carrier ExpressJet Airlines. As a result of a merger transaction, declared effective Monday, ExpressJet Holdings became a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlantic Southeast Airlines, which is in turn a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyWest ( ATW Daily News, Nov. 12).
Cargolux Airlines International President and CEO Ulrich Ogiermann has stepped down in the wake of his indictment on price-fixing charges by the US Justice Dept. “The decision to step down as CEO has jointly been reached by the board of directors of Cargolux and [Ulrich] Ogiermann,” Cargolux said, confirming that the decision “is related to Mr. Ogiermann’s indictment by a US court for alleged antitrust violations.”
S7 Airlines announced Monday it officially joined oneworld (ATW Daily News, Sept. 24), making it the second Russian airline to join an alliance behind Aeroflot, which became a member of SkyTeam in 2006. S7 subsidiary Globus also joined as an affiliate member.
