Airlines & Lessors

American Airlines on Tuesday lowered its full-year 2011 consolidated capacity growth projection to 3.3% from 4.3% previously, and also revealed that it ordered a third Boeing 777-300ER in February in addition to two it announced in January for delivery in late 2012.

EgyptAir Group Chairman and CEO Hussein Massoud said the late January/early February civil unrest in Cairo and other parts of Egypt that led to the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak "reduced our income by as much as 80%," but he downplayed suggestions that the carrier is in serious trouble.

After a surprisingly strong performance in 2010, US airlines fear that rising fuel costs threaten their continued profitability.

Continental Airlines parent United Continental Holdings announced Friday that CO's 9,300 flight attendants, represented by the International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, ratified a new labor contract ( ATW Daily News, Oct. 1, 2010). UCH VP-Inflight Service Sam Risoli said, "Our Continental flight attendants took a big step to keep us moving forward as we integrate Continental and United."

Thai Airways International Public Co. and Tiger Airways Holdings formally signed a shareholders' agreement to launch Thai Tiger Airways, the low-fare joint venture carrier the companies announced last summer ( ATW Daily News, Aug. 3).

Lebanon's Middle East Airlines on Monday formalized its previously announced decision to join SkyTeam in 2012. MEA joins Saudi Arabian Airlines as future Middle East members of the alliance ( ATW Daily News, Jan. 20). "The addition of MEA to the alliance network will enable SkyTeam to compete more efficiently, not only within the Middle East, but also to and from Western Africa," SkyTeam said in a statement.

Aer Lingus reported net income of €46.5 million ($64 million) for 2010, reversed from a €130.1 million deficit in 2009.

AirAsia X has ordered three Airbus A330-200s with an option for two more, bringing the airline’s total orders for the A330 to 28.

Brazil's TAM signed an MOU with Airbus to order 32 A320s, including 22 A320neos, and also ordered two additional Boeing 777-300ERs.

The Middle Eastern carrier is beset with challenges but believes in its ability to create success out of adversity.

Includes: World airline traffic Top 20 airlines system traffic Jet fuel prices Exchange rates

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

Newly appointed

Brazil's TAM signed an MOU with Airbus to order 32 A320s, including 22 A320neos, and also placed a firm order for two additional Boeing 777-300ERs.

GOL operated 3.15 billion RPKs in January, up 5.9% year-over-year, on a 5.6% increase in capacity to 4.16 billion ASKs. Load factor grew 0.2 points to 75.6%. Swiss International Air Lines flew 2.46 billion RPKs in January, an 11.5% leap from the year-ago month. Capacity rose 12.5% to 3.24 billion ASKs as load factor fell 0.7 points to 75.8%.

SAS announced Friday that CFO Mats Lonnqvist, who joined the carrier in December 2008, is leaving. He will be succeeded March by Goran Jansson, who also will take on the position of deputy president of SAS. Lonnqvist will continue until April 1 "to ensure efficient handover of assignments and responsibilities,” the carrier said.

The Virgin Blue Group on Thursday launched its inaugural V Australia flight to Abu Dhabi, becoming the first Australian airline to operate to the Middle East in more than 20 years. Qantas has used the Middle East only as a refueling stop prior to the introduction of the Boeing 747-400 and no Australian airlines have ever used that region as a hub to Europe and Africa.

AerCap Holdings earned $207.6 million in 2010, up 25.7% over income of $165.2 million in 2009. The Amsterdam-based operating lessor's net income, excluding the impact of mark-to-market interest rate caps and share-based compensation, was $223.9 million, an increase of 49.1% compared to $150.2 million in 2009.

SkyWest Inc., parent of SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast Airlines (which now includes ExpressJet), last week reported 2010 net income of $96.4 million, up 15.2% over the $83.7 million profit earned in 2009. Full-year revenue lifted 6.1% to $2.77 billion while expenses rose 6.7% to $2.56 billion, producing operating income of $201.8 million, down 4.9% from an operating profit of $212.2 million in 2009.

Shanghai-based Spring Airlines, China's most profitable LCC, said it will launch a new four-times-weekly charter Airbus A320 Shanghai-Takamatsu service, part of a planned expansion in the Japanese market over the next few years.

Malaysia Airlines on Friday reported 2010 net income of MYR237.3 million ($77.6 million), down 54.6% from a MYR522.9 million profit in 2009 that benefited from a MYR1.16 billion derivative gain.

Wings Air, a subsidiary of Indonesia’s Lion Air, firmed up options for 15 ATR 72-500s. Wings signed a contract with ATR at the 2009 Dubai Air Show for 15 72-500s plus 15 options; it now has 30 of the type on firm order with 10 already in operation.