Barcelona-based LCC Vueling Airlines CEO Alex Cruz predicted that the ongoing transformation of the intra-European market will include a further shift toward "lower cost" operators and closer cooperation between legacy carriers and LCCs.
ATR landed its first-ever order from GECAS, which committed to taking 15 ATR 72-600s, plus 15 options. The deal, announced Monday at the Paris Air Show, is valued at approximately $680 million at list prices, including options.
Air Canada’s 3,800 customer service and sales workers, represented by the Canadian Auto Workers union, returned to work Friday following tentative agreement on a new labor pact ( ATW Daily News, June 16).
GoAir, the Wadia Group-owned airline based in Mumbai, announced at a Thursday press conference that it has ordered 72 Airbus A320neos. According to media reports from Mumbai, MD Jeh Wadia told reporters that former Air One Chief Revenue Officer Giorgio De Roni will take over as GoAir CEO and also revealed that the carrier has placed 72 "firm" A320neo orders. He added that deliveries will start in 2015 and the carrier will then receive 15 A320neos per year.
Flydubai expects to announce its first annual profit in 2012. "With 21 aircraft [by the end of 2012] we will have the right size to" operate sustainably, CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith told ATW in Dubai recently.
US Air Transport Assn. named Sean Kennedy, a special assistant to President Barack Obama for legislative affairs, senior VP-global government affairs. He will join ATA July 15. Intrepid Aviation named leasing industry veteran Frank Pray president and CEO. He was formerly president and CEO of AWAS from 2006-2010. Prior to that, he was with CIT Aerospace for nine years.
Saudi Arabian Airlines said an IPO of its catering unit, estimated to be worth up to $540 million, is expected to be delayed for the second time, Reuters reported. The IPO was initially planned for the third quarter of 2010 and was later delayed to the second quarter of 2011. "We have submitted our file to the Capital Market Authority and haven't been given a date yet but most likely it will be delayed," DG Khalid Almolhem told Reuters.
About 700 Frontier Airlines pilots voted this week on whether to ratify a tentative agreement that would give them an equity stake in the airline in exchange for reductions in pay and benefits. Ratification would potentially drop parent Republic Airways Holdings' stake in the carrier to below 50% while allowing it to raise $70 million. It would also clear the way for a restructuring plan aimed at cutting more than $100 million from Frontier's annual costs.
Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. said it signed an MOU with ANI Group Holdings, a Hong Kong-based lessor that places aircraft with Indonesian airlines, for five MRJs.
Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. said it signed an MOU with ANI Group Holdings, a Hong Kong-based lessor that places aircraft with Indonesian airlines, for five MRJs.
The Civil Air Navigation Services Organization elected Paul Riemens chairman of its executive committee in Bangkok Tuesday. Riemens is the CEO of the Netherlands’ air traffic control organization LVNL. He succeeds interim Chairman Eamonn Brennan, effective immediately, said CANSO.
Air Arabia decided to delay the launch of a base in Amman owing to the social and political unrest in the region and high fuel prices. “With the current environment, we have delayed the Jordan plans ... we will review the situation and take a decision,” said CEO Adel Ali. “Jordan is stable but countries like Syria, Egypt and Tunisia are still facing political instability. There is a lot going on in the region and with the current fuel prices, we thought this was not the right time.”
Air Canada customer services and sales members, represented by the Canadian Auto Workers union, set up picket lines at AC-serviced airports across the country Wednesday to rally against threatened back-to-work legislation by Federal Labor Minister Lisa Raitt. CAW’s 3,800 AC members went on strike Tuesday after the two sides could not reach a tentative agreement regarding the existing pension plan. AC says it is maintaining its schedule with the help of supervisory staff.
Qantas Group slashed A$700 million ($750 million) from its capital expenditure over the next 12 months as it pares back its planned domestic growth over the next year from 8% to 5.3%. The airline group now expects to take delivery of 34 narrowbody aircraft in 2011/12 compared with 43 previously planned deliveries. Orders for 12 aircraft will be canceled or deferred, including three aircraft in the second half of 2010/11, according to QF.
Virgin America, which operates a fleet of CFM56-5B-powered A319s and A320s, selected CFM's next generation Leap-X engine to power 30 Airbus A320neo aircraft it has on order with deliveries beginning in 2016, becoming the first to choose the CFM offering for the re-engined narrowbody.
Virgin America selected CFM's Leap-X engine to power 30 Airbus A320neo aircraft it has on order with deliveries beginning in 2016, becoming the first to choose the CFM offering for the re-engined narrowbody.
Ryanair vowed it will “not allow its passengers to be blackmailed” by the UGT union, which confirmed a work stoppage by baggage handlers will take place at Girona airport Wednesday. The LCC said it will operate a full schedule. Baggage handlers represented by the UGT also called for strikes June 17-19. GRO is one of Ryanair’s largest bases in Spain with some 50 routes.
Air Lease Corp. signed lease agreements for 25 additional aircraft as it focuses on “providing innovative fleet solutions for airlines around the world,” said ALC Senior VP Kishore Korde.
Hainan Airlines Group subsidiary Hong Kong Airlines plans to place an order for the A380 as it looks to challenge Cathay Pacific Airways and further explore the fast-growing Chinese market, an industry insider told ATW.
Alaska Air Group’s board of directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the company to buy up to $50 million of its common stock. AAG has repurchased a total of approximately 7.5 million shares of its common stock for nearly $212 million through similar programs over the past four years. AWAS announced it has secured a $500 million non-recourse warehouse facility to aid in its planned expansion and growth.
