US Dept. of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that US airlines collected almost $5.7 billion from baggage fees and reservation change fees in 2010. According to BTS, the airlines received $3.4 billion from baggage fees and $2.3 billion from reservation change fees in 2010. “These are the only fees paid by passengers that BTS can identify separately. All other fees paid by passengers are included in larger categories with other types of revenue,” said BTS.
Oman Air CEO Peter Hill told ATW the carrier is "here to stay for the long term" and "the government of Oman is ready to support us in a difficult time."
Airbus said it finalized an agreement with Singapore Airlines under which the carrier will lease 15 new A330-300s to be delivered by the manufacturer from 2013-2015 to join an existing fleet of 19 A330-300s currently operated by SIA.
Oman Air CEO Peter Hill told ATW the carrier is "here to stay for the long term" and "the government of Oman is ready to support us in a difficult time."
Air Canada and the Canadian Auto Workers said the airline's approximately 3,800 call center and airport customer service agents in Canada have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement ( ATW Daily News, June 16). The four-year accord, which has been approved by AC's board of directors, will remain in effect until Feb. 28, 2015.
Former UPS Airlines President Robert Lekites was named Airbus Americas' executive VP-customers, effective Aug.1, giving him responsibility for North American sales. In the newly-created position, he will report directly to Airbus Americas President and CEO Barry Eccleston.
AerCap Holdings completed an amendment to its $775 million non-recourse revolving debt facility, arranged by UBS Securities in April 2006. The amendment extends the facility to June 2016, granting AerCap an additional two-year revolving period with a three-year term-out period.
Dublin-based aircraft lessor Avolon said it is aiming to establish itself as a leader in the Asia/Pacific and Middle East markets and plans to open an office in one of the two regions during the next 12 months. It already maintains offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai and has leased 26 aircraft to nine airlines between the two regions.
Cathay Pacific Airways and its subsidiary Dragonair have recorded a 5.1% improvement in CO 2 efficiency in relation to traffic volume carried (revenue tone-kilometer) for 2010 bringing the overall improvement to 23.4% since 1998. One of the big contributors has been the 777-300ER, which is 26% more efficient than the 747-400 it has been replacing. The figures are contained in the airline’s Sustainable Development Report 2010 released this month.
Florida-based Spirit Airlines, which has led the US airline industry in charging passengers fees for anything other than their low base airfares, has added another to its stable. Beginning Nov. 1, Spirit said it will institute a new $5 charge for passengers asking agents to print their boarding pass at the airport. Passengers who check in on-line or at an airport kiosk will not be charged the $5 fee, although next summer, even those checking in at kiosks will be charged $1.
SAS Group said Finnish subsidiary Blue 1 will phase out its remaining five Avro RJ-85 aircraft and focus on operating Boeing 717s. The phase-out of the Avro fleet is expected to start in August 2011 and will result in a maximum of 85 job redundancies at Blue1, SAS said in a statement. SAS said it will close of a number of European destinations and will make some capacity adjustments on Finnish domestic routes. At the same time, a Tampere-Copenhagen route will be opened.
India’s SpiceJet is seeking Reserve Bank of India permission to raise $270 million from Canada’s export finance agency Export Development Canada for aircraft acquisition and expansion of its operations, company officials told wire services in Mumbai.
As FedEx predicted following the end of its fiscal third quarter, the company posted a strong financial performance for its fiscal fourth quarter ended May 31.
Swiss International Air Lines CEO Harry Hohmeister told ATW he is expecting a difficult second half of 2011 for the carrier owing to high fuel prices, political unrest in the Middle East and North Africa and the natural and nuclear disasters in Japan.
As FedEx predicted following the end of its fiscal third quarter, the company posted a strong financial performance for its fiscal fourth quarter ended May 31.
Spirit Airlines named Tony Lefebvre senior VP and COO, effective immediately. Lefebvre, who previously served as senior VP-Airports, Customer Service and Inflight, replaces Kevin McKenzie, who is joining Airbus North America as senior VP-Customer Services, effective Sept. 1.
Kenya Airways received compensation from Boeing for the delay of its Dreamliners, although the amount does not fully cover the expenses associated with the delay, Group Finance Director Alex Mbugua told ATW on the sidelines of an investors briefing in Nairobi earlier this month.
Tibet Air is scheduled to start formal operations in July, according to CAAC, which will soon grant an operating certificate to the Lhasa-based carrier.
US Airways is planning two offerings of enhanced equipment trust certificates totaling $471 million, with proceeds of both generally intended for aircraft financing. One will offer approximately $388 million in Class A and Class B enhanced equipment trust certificates. The second offering is for Class C enhanced equipment trust certificates in the amount of approximately $83 million.
Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance confirmed it will expand its service offering to include the 787, adding the Dreamliner to a Boeing aircraft MRO portfolio that currently includes 737 Classics/737NGs, 747s, 757s, 767s, 777s and MD-11s.
Boeing and American Airlines announced a partnership at the Paris Air Show Wednesday to bring an "evolutionary ecoDemonstrator program" to reality next year.
China Eastern Airlines and subsidiary Shanghai Airlines formally joined SkyTeam in Beijing this week, making the alliance the first global airline grouping to have two major Chinese member carriers; China Southern Airlines joined SkyTeam in November 2007.
Bombardier's CSeries program achieved two milestones as Korean Air signed a letter of intent to purchase 10 CS300s, becoming the first Asian airline to commit to the aircraft, and Pratt & Whitney test flew for the first time the PW1500G geared turbofan engine designated to power the aircraft.
EasyJet will set up a base at London Southend from April 2012 with three Airbus A319s operating some 70 flights per week to about 10 European destinations including Barcelona, Faro and Ibiza. The carrier signed a 10-year partnership agreement with SEN owner Stobart Group, which is building a new passenger terminal due to be opened in the fall. It also invested in a new control tower and a runway extension.
