AirBaltic is confident it will post a net profit this year despite the volcanic ash-related airspace closures in April and an uncertain economic climate, President and CEO Bertolt Flick told ATW.
The prospective LAN Airlines/TAM merger, if it is cleared by both companys' shareholders and relevant regulators, will create a new airline company that aims to be the dominant operator in Latin America and a formidable presence on the world stage, with a major battle over alliance membership likely on tap.
TAM and LAN Airlines entered into a nonbinding memorandum of understanding to merge under a single parent company called LATAM Airlines Group that the carriers said would be "the clear number one player in South America."
Lufthansa's second A380 underwent an inflight engine shutdown Aug. 6, 1 hr. before landing in Frankfurt en route from Tokyo Narita, it was learned last week. The Rolls-Royce Trent 900-powered aircraft was delivered on July 19. LH said the engine shutdown decision was made after "confusing numbers" related to oil pressure appeared on a cockpit indicator. LH replaced the engine with a new one and the aircraft returned to service the next day.
Defunct Lithuanian scheduled services airline flyLAL's assets continue to be operated by flyLAL Charters, but the company has decided to rebrand as Small Planet Airlines. It said in conjunction with the new name, it is embarking on a product upgrade to enable it to add more services. It plans to install ergonomic seats from Acro Aircraft Seating on new 737NGs arriving that are replacing its 737 Classics.
Delta Air Lines last week launched the industry's first Facebook-integrated "Ticket Window" to allow bookings directly from its Facebook page. DL has over 35,000 followers on its company Facebook page. "Our customers are spending more time online and are looking for new ways to connect with us," said VP-eCommerce Bob Kupbens. "We're now delivering technology where our customers are—from our own website to our Facebook page to Internet news sites and beyond. We already know Facebook is the most used website by inflight WiFi users on more than 2,000 Delta flights every day."
Emirates announced it is doubling services to Los Angeles and Houston Intercontinental from Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 respectively to twice daily aboard a 777.
Chinese carriers earned collective net income of CNY5.52 billion ($815 million) for the month of July owing to robust domestic demand growth, according to CAAC.
Korean Air posted a second quarter net loss of KRW233.1 billion ($197 million), reversed from a KRW78.5 billion profit in the year-ago period, blaming the negative swing in part on a 30% year-over-year surge in fuel costs and the falling value of the won.
Air New Zealand has achieved 0.1 RNP for operations into Queenstown, giving it the ability to operate down to a cloud deck of 600 ft., 423 ft. lower than the previous 0.3 RNP, with the 737-300. The ceiling for the A320 in RNP 0.1 is even lower at just 400 ft.
Qantas has warned that it will be seeking new hubs in Europe and thus new travel destinations because of the UK’s recent decision to halt further runway development at London Heathrow and Gatwick on environmental grounds.
An Azerbaijan Airlines A319 (msn 2588, built 2005) sustained substantial damage at Istanbul Ataturk International Airport yesterday after it veered off the runway on landing and its nose undercarriage collapsed, according to Ascend. No injuries were reported among the 128 passengers and crew, who safely evacuated the aircraft. The accident happened at 11 a.m. local time Ascend reported. Flight AHY075 was arriving from Baku, Azerbaijan.
Responding to an upswing in demand, Cathay Pacific Airways plans to increase its flights in November to Australia and New Zealand, along with additional flights to Canada, France and Japan. Beginning Nov. 15, the airline will expand its Sydney service from 24 times a week to four times daily; Perth will move from daily to 10 weekly. Brisbane and Cairns will get another weekly linked flight beginning Nov. 21. Cathay will add two more flights to Auckland, making a total of 12 flights per week starting Nov. 27.
AirAsia claims to have set a new world record of selling over 538,000 seats in one day with its “Mind Blowing Fare” campaign, which offers fares from just MYR1 ($0.31) for both domestic and international flights. The airline’s previous best record was 390,000 seats sold in a day, achieved when it ran its “Free Seats” campaign across the entire AirAsia Group of AirAsia, Indonesia AirAsia and Thai AirAsia last November.
Air Astana said it enjoyed record first-half pre-tax earnings of $33.5 million, a jump of 34% over the year-ago period. Revenue rose 24% to $245 million.
Copa Holdings, parent of Copa Airlines and Aero Republica, reported net income of $18.6 million in the second quarter ended June 30, down 66.3% compared to earnings of $55.2 million in the year-ago period.
Qantas reported a A$116 million ($104.4 million) net profit for its fiscal year ended June 30, down 5.7% in the prior year, crediting improving international yields, a robust frequent flyer program and its two brand–Qantas and Jetstar–strategy.
International Lease Finance Corp.said it plans to offer $500 million of senior unsecured notes due in 2017. Proceeds will be used to repay a portion of outstanding secured loans from AIG Funding, as well as for general corporate purposes, it said. Barclays Capital Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities LLC are co-managers of the offering.
Airbus said Thai Airways signed a firm order for seven A330-300s, confirming a commitment announced at last month's Farnborough Airshow ( ATW Daily News, July 22). Deliveries will begin at the end of 2011. Engine selection was not announced but Thai's 20 in service A330-300s are powered by a mix of Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney engines.
In response to robust domestic demand growth, Okay Airways plans to expand its fleet from eight to 12 aircraft by year’s end and to 20 aircraft by the end of 2011. The current fleet consists of three 737-800s, two MA60s and three 737 freighters operating on more than 20 domestic routes. The Tianjin-based carrier placed an order with AVIC for 10 MA60s in 2007. But owing to the carrier’s suspension of operation at the end of 2008, it introduced only one MA60 earlier this month. It operates on the carrier's Shenyang-Dalian route.
United Airlines and Continental Airlines yesterday unveiled their post-merger livery, which features the "United" name in block capital letters on the fuselage but utilizes CO's logo and colors including its blue-gold-white globe image on the tail.
Vueling Airlines CEO Alex Cruz confirmed to ATW that the carrier plans to add six aircraft next year and said the company is in talks “with all the major aircraft manufacturers as well as current and some potential [new] lessors.”
ExpressJet Holdings posted a second quarter net loss of $18.5 million, widened from a $13.1 million deficit in the year-ago period, and said it will continue to make an effort to reduce operating costs as it prepares to be acquired by SkyWest, Inc.
