Air Astana President Peter Foster told ATW that Ukraine-based AeroSvit approached Air Astana about forming a possible partnership and will hold talks this month. Foster said the two carriers “have a lot in common,” such as a Boeing fleet, and he believes the network of both carriers would “fit perfectly,” but didn’t provide additional details on the potential deal.
Shenzhen International Total Logistics Co., a subsidiary of government-controlled Shenzhen International Holdings, purchased a 24% stake in Shenzhen Airlines for CNY789 million ($121.4 million), increasing its holding in carrier to 49% from 25%.
Airbus parent EADS incurred a €12 million ($17.1 million) first-quarter net loss, reversed from a €103 million net profit in the year-ago period, but pointed to gains in revenue and operating income as evidence of "positive momentum" warranting a potential A320 production increase.
The US's eight largest airline companies (counting United Airlines and Continental Airlines as one and Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways separately) incurred a collective 2011 first-quarter net loss of $1.01 billion, ATW calculated.
Airbus parent EADS incurred a €12 million ($17.1 million) first-quarter net loss, reversed from a €103 million net profit in the year-ago period, but pointed to gains in revenue and operating income as evidence of "positive momentum" warranting a potential A320 production increase.
All Nippon Airways announced Thursday it signed a cooperation agreement with Mongolia-based Eznis Airways in a broad range of areas, such as “management, operations and charter flight services between Mongolia and Japan.” Although details are still being worked out, ANA said the partnership “will benefit customers of both countries by providing them with greater choice and flexibility.”
Air Berlin reported a loss of €120.6 million ($159.8 million) for the first quarter ended March 31, significantly widened from a deficit of €93.6 million in the year-ago period, or €102.4 million on a pro forma basis to include the results of Niki, which was fully incorporated into the group as of July 1, 2010.
[Corrected] American Airlines and Qantas said they are seeking approval for a joint business agreement "on their services between Australia/New Zealand and the US, within these regions and beyond to third countries."
British Airways and its cabin crew, represented by the Unite union, reached an agreement Thursday aimed at ending their long-running industrial dispute.
Singapore Airlines earned a S$1.09 billion ($885.3 million) net profit for its fiscal year ended March 31, a more than fivefold increase over net income of S$215.8 million in FY2009-10 and exceeding the S$1.06 billion profit posted in FY2008-09.
American Airlines and Qantas said they are seeking approval for a joint business agreement "on their services between Australia/New Zealand and the US, within these regions and beyond to third countries."
Air Lease Corp. signed long-term lease agreements for 29 aircraft with Asian airlines. China Eastern Airlines will lease 10 new Airbus A320-200s and five new Boeing 737-800s, for delivery in 2012 and 2013, in a transaction valued at approximately $700 million. It will also acquire from CEA three 767-300ERs, two under lease with MIAT Mongolian, for delivery in May and November 2011, and one to Orient Thai Airlines for delivery in August 2011.
SkyWest Inc., the Utah-based parent of regionals SkyWest Airlines, Atlantic Southeast Airlines and ExpressJet, on Wednesday named longtime CFO Bradford Rich to the newly-created post of president, effective immediately. Rich will oversee the strategic development and operational and financial performance for all of the company's entities and investments, it said in a statement. Jerry Atkin will remain chairman and CEO. VP-Finance and Treasurer Michael Kraupp will replace Rich as CFO. VP-Controller Eric Woodward was appointed chief accounting officer.
Chile-based LAN Airlines confirmed to ATW it reached a deal with Boeing for the purchase of five 767s, plus options for four more, in a deal valued at $870 million. Delivery is scheduled between December 2012 and August 2013, LAN said. A Boeing spokesman told ATW, “We look forward to finalizing this order for five 767-300ERs in the very near future. This order will bring LAN's total 767 order count to 40.”
Air China and Cathay Pacific Airways formally launched their joint venture cargo operation on Wednesday, consolidating the two carriers' airfreight divisions. The JV, called Air China Cargo, received Chinese government approval last year
GOL reported a first-quarter net profit of BRL31.9 million ($19.8 million), up 33.5% over net income of BRL23.9 million in the year-ago period, saying it continues to tap into a growing market of "emerging middle class" air travelers in Brazil.
Alitalia reported a first-quarter net loss of €89 million ($127.7 million), a 32.6% improvement over the €132 million deficit it incurred in the year-ago period.
GOL reported a first-quarter net profit of BRL31.9 million ($19.8 million), up 33.5% over net income of BRL23.9 million in the year-ago period, saying it continues to tap into a growing market of "emerging middle class" air travelers in Brazil.
AviancaTaca, the parent of Avianca and TACA, announced it raised $279 million from its IPO and noted it became the first airline to allocate 100% of its IPO among frequent flyers and company employees. The new shares will begin trading on Wednesday on the Colombian Stock Exchange.
China Southern Airlines said in a filing with the Shanghai Stock Exchange that subsidiary Xiamen Airlines will order six Boeing 787s to facilitate its international expansion. The order, which is not yet final, is valued at $1.1 billion at list prices, but the carrier will pay "significantly" below list prices, the filing said. Deliveries are slated for 2014-15. Xiamen GM Che Shanglun said the carrier plans to use the Dreamliners to launch routes to Europe and the US from its Xiamen base and Fuzhou.
EasyJet nearly doubled its net loss for the six months ended March 31 to £114 million ($186.6 million) from a £59 million deficit in the year-ago period, owing to sharply rising fuel costs, cautious consumers and passenger taxes.
Despite challenging conditions and rising fuel prices, the Emirates Group posted a record net profit of AED5.9 billion ($1.6 billion) for its fiscal year ended March 31, up 42.9% over net income of AED4.15 billion in its prior fiscal year, on a 26.4% rise in revenue to AED57.38 billion.
