Despite an estimated $25 million net negative impact from the massive earthquake that struck Chile in late February, LAN Airlines reported a first-quarter net profit of $88.3 million, up 35.8% from net income of $65 million in the year-ago period.
JetBlue Airways reported a first-quarter net loss of $1 million, down from a profit of $12 million in the year-ago period, and said it is "taking the right steps to return to sustained profitability."
representing ground staff signed a new labor agreement covering Jan. 1, 2009-Dec. 31, 2012. The accord calls for a salary increase of 0.6% for 2009, a wage freeze this year, a scaled increase for 2011 in relation to the company's EBIT performance in 2010 and a minimum 2% raise in 2012. It also establishes productivity measures at its airport handling and maintenance divisions. IB committed "not to segregate these units" until at least the end of 2010. The new contract affects some 14,750 employees, or nearly 70% of the total staff.
will provide Chinese airline Jade Cargo International with its Lido RouteManual solution until this summer. The electronic version, Lido eRouteManual, will be introduced at a later time, it said.
Delta Air Lines A330 en route from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Atlanta was diverted to Bangor " out of an abundance of caution" after a passenger made a bomb threat, according to the US Transportation Security Administration.
News from Travel Technology Update: American Airlines does not intend to charge travel agents for content as part of its direct-connect strategy, Cory Garner, director of merchandising strategy, said. Garner said he was responding to "misinformation" about American's distribution plans that are being circulated in the industry.
United Airlines parent UAL Corp. posted a first-quarter net loss of $82 million, significantly narrowed from a $382 million deficit in the year-ago period, and noted that it was profitable on an operating basis for the first time in a year's initial reporting period since 2000.
US Airways reported a first-quarter net loss of $45 million, narrowed from a $103 million deficit in the year-ago period, and touted a continuing "rate of improvement" that it said likely will result in a "profitable second quarter."
Iraqi Airways resumed scheduled Baghdad-London Gatwick flights this week aboard a 737 Classic more than 20 years after the service was suspended. The carrier plans to operate up to two weekly flights to LGW. According to its UK-based English website, Iraqi Airways' fleet comprises two 737-200s and one 737-300. Separately, Lufthansa launched four-times-weekly service between Frankfurt and Erbil. LH has said it plans to operate Baghdad service but has not announced a start date.
American Airlines does not intend to charge travel agents for content as part of its direct-connect strategy, Cory Garner, director of merchandising strategy, said. Garner said he was responding to "misinformation" about American's distribution plans that are being circulated in the industry.
Merger talks between United Airlines and Continental Airlines--which neither airline has confirmed officially--apparently have hit a snag over how to price what is expected to be an all-stock transaction. According to The Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the matter, Continental wants to use the average share price in the 30 days prior to April 7 while United wants to use the share price the day before a deal is signed.
American Airlines said it will delay the launch of Chicago O'Hare-Beijing service set to commence May 4 and Beijing-Chicago O'Hare service starting the following day "because it has not received commercially viable landing and takeoff slots for Beijing Capital International Airport from Chinese aviation authorities."
Emirates Chairman Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum said the airline may announce more aircraft orders later this year, Reuters reported. "I'm sure you'll be hearing more announcements during this year on maybe more aircraft to come to Emirates, or signing new aircraft to be bought by Emirates," he was reported as saying. He also said the carrier is ready to launch an initial public offering whenever the Dubai government gives it the green light.
Hainan Airlines reported net income of CNY334.7 million ($49.1 million) for 2009, a big turnaround from a net loss of CNY1.41 billion in 2008, citing gains from the government's return of the civil aviation fund and real estate investments. Operating revenue climbed 14.7% to CNY15.55 billion while operating expenses rose 6% to 13.26 billion. Passenger boardings jumped 21.2% to 17.4 million with average load factor decreasing 0.5 point to 78%. Cargo volume increased 26.5% to 236,000 tonnes.
Vueling Airlines reported a €6.3 million ($8.4 million) first-quarter net loss, on par with the deficit it posted in the year-ago quarter as a standalone company, despite a 90% rise in revenue to €141.8 million.
Air China posted a record profit of CNY4.85 billion ($711.5 million) in 2009, significantly reversed from a net loss of CNY9.26 billion in 2008, saying its fortunes were boosted by a growing domestic market and fuel hedge gains.
United Airlines, in an 8-K document filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, announced that owing to a change in accounting for unused frequent-flyer miles it would recognize an additional $64 million of incremental passenger revenue for the recently ended first quarter of 2010.
said its Frontier Airlines subsidiary, consolidating Frontier Airlines and Midwest Airlines, will introduce Aircell's Gogo inflight Internet product on its 32 E-170s and E-190s by year end. Republic said it "will continue to research inflight connectivity options" before making a decision whether to install a system on its fleet of 52 A320 family aircraft. Those aircraft, part of the original Frontier fleet, already are equipped with JetBlue's DirecTV live television product.
Transaero Airlines said passenger traffic during the first quarter rose 72.7% year-over-year to 5.56 billion RPKs with both domestic and international operations experiencing growth.
