Lufthansa Cargo said it no longer transports dogs or cats intended for use in animal experiments, a policy it implemented April 1. A self-imposed embargo for the transport of apes, whales and dolphins has been enforced by Lufthansa Cargo for "many years," it said, adding that "on principle" it does not transport any captured wild animals.
Saudi Arabia will begin construction of its own flight academy at Thumamah near Riyadh. The Saudi Aviation Flight Academy is being developed in cooperation with the Saudi Aviation Club and the Saudi Binladin Group, according to the Arab Air Carrier Org. It said the academy will aim to have the capacity is to train up to 200 cadets to international standards. Campus facilities will include all training, residential housing, recreational and administrative offices.
ANA President and CEO Shinichiro Ito questioned whether public aid for bankrupt Japan Airlines distorts Japan's competitive environment. Testifying before a government committee, Ito said JAL's turnaround program is progressing "haphazardly," according to a Nikkei report. JAL is receiving around ¥900 billion ($9.6 billion) in government support to ensure its survival as it navigates through a court-monitored bankruptcy restructuring.
AirBridgeCargo Airlines said it took delivery of its sixth 747-400 freighter this week. The Volga-Dnepr scheduled service subsidiary, which now operates nine 747Fs, said the latest -400F is being leased from Air France. ABC earlier this month added its fifth -400F, saying the fleet expansion was necessitated by the delay in delivery of its first new 747-8F that was due to join its fleet this year
UPS, considered a harbinger of global economic performance, said its adjusted first-quarter earnings per share to be announced later this month will be up 37% year-over-year owing to a stronger revenue environment than anticipated, and the express delivery giant considerably heightened its outlook for the remainder of the year.
AirBaltic next month will start evaluating an order for up to 30 new narrowbodies to replace its current fleet comprising 10 737-500s, eight 737-300s and two 757-200s, VP Corporate Communications Janis Vanags confirmed to this website.
Air France and American Airlines separately conducted the first "next-generation technology and procedures" on transatlantic flights in April as part of the Atlantic Interoperability Initiative to Reduce Emissions. The AF flight was operated by a 747-400ER from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Miami on April 6 while the AA flight was a 767-300ER the next day in the reverse direction.
Air New Zealand CFO and Group GM Rob McDonald says the carrier aims to be recognized as "the world's most environmentally sustainable airline." It has 40 environmental projects underway at the moment.
Etihad Airways said passenger numbers for the first quarter increased 11% year-over-year with a 5% rise in premium traffic. Load factor was 75%, up 2 points. RPKs climbed 25.4% to an undisclosed figure, growth it attributed to the "continued expansion" of its route network, addition of 10 aircraft to its fleet and "aggressive sales and marketing" of its services. ASKs lifted 22%. "Our 2010 performance is already showing positive results, with all major indicators showing strong improvements on January and February of last year," CEO James Hogan said.
Cathay Pacific Airways captain and first officer are being lauded after successfully overcoming apparent erratic power surges in the A330 they were operating and landing at an unusually high speed at Hong Kong International Tuesday afternoon. Problems started for the crew of CX Flight 780 en route to HKG from Surabaya when the aircraft, with 309 passengers and 14 crew aboard, was on descent about 20 min. from Hong Kong. Its two Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines began to behave erratically with significant variations in thrust. When the A330 touched down at 239 kt.--109 kt.
US Sens. Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.) and Mary Landrieu (D-La.) joined a growing chorus of lawmakers taking on Spirit Airlines, introducing legislation to prohibit air carriers operating in the US from charging fees for carryon baggage.
Bombardier Aerospace announced that Pluna Lineas Aereas Uruguayas signed a follow-on firm order for three CRJ900 NextGen regional jets and has taken options on an additional six. The Montevideo-based airline already operates seven of the type from an order announced in July 2007. Based on the list price for the aircraft, Bombardier valued the order at approximately $120 million, rising to $370 million should all six options be exercised.
An AeroUnion A300B4-200 freighter crashed on approach to Monterrey at around 11 p.m. local time Tuesday, hitting a roadway leading to the airport and striking a car, killing all five crew and a motorist on the ground. Flight 302 operated by the Mexico City-based cargo carrier was en route to Los Angeles via MTY after originating at MEX. According to the Aviation Safety Network, it had been cleared to land but came down about 2 km. short of the runway threshold and "burst into flames."
Korean Air reported 2010 first-quarter net income before taxes of KRW226.9 billion ($202.3 million), its fourth consecutive quarterly profit and a major reversal from a deficit of KRW673.9 billion in the year-ago period, citing "surging growth" in its international passenger business and "rising demand" for premium services for the strong result.
Bmibaby appointed Julian Carr MD succeeding Crawford Rix. Carr joined the airline in May 2008 as commercial director, responsible for revenue management, network planning, marketing, PR, customer relations and e-commerce.
Baltia Air Lines signed a lease agreement for office space at St. Petersburg Pulkovo. "The signing of the lease agreement in addition to our recently signed fuel and cargo agreements in St. Petersburg were made in preparation for the start of scheduled service," the New York-based startup said. It commenced the FAA Air Carrier Certification process last February ( ATWOnline, Feb. 10, 2009).
Merpati Nusantara Airlines 737-300 crashed yesterday while attempting to land at Rendani in Manokwari in the remote Indonesian province of West Papua. The accident occurred at approximately 9:36 a.m. local time, according to the Aviation Safety Network. The runway was described as being wet owing to drizzle. There were no fatalities but the number of injured was put at between 20 and 78 by various press reports. The flight, carrying 109 passengers and crew, originated in Sorong, also in West Papua.
Virgin Blue Group canceled two 777-300ERs on firm order for its V Australia subsidiary scheduled for delivery next year, converting the order to two options for 2012 delivery. The company said the move is designed to allow new CEO John Borghetti an opportunity to review fleet strategy. One option under consideration is to take a few "early 787s that have become available," sources tell ATWOnline. Last month, Virgin Blue ordered up to 100 737s for its domestic, New Zealand and regional international flights.
China Southern Airlines reported a 2009 net profit of CNY358 million ($52.5 million), reversed from a net loss of CNY4.83 billion in 2008. The Guangzhou-based carrier said its improved performance was driven by a "domestic market rebound stimulated by economic recovery in the second half of 2009." Industry analysts pointed out that a CNY3 billion "subsidy" from Beijing last year also helped CZ return to the black.
Republic Airways Holdings yesterday unveiled its decision to unite Milwaukee-based Midwest Airlines and Denver-based Frontier Airlines under the Frontier brand, a process it said should be completed by October 2011. Republic CEO Bryan Bedford said the decision was "an emotional one for everyone involved" that followed months of "exhaustive research." Both brands had strong loyalty but Frontier had a stronger identity and brand preference, he explained.
American Airlines flew 10.58 billion system RPMs in March, a 2.5% rise from the year-ago month, while capacity dipped 0.7% to 12.95 billion ASMs. Load factor rose 2.6 points to 81.7%. American Eagle Airlines flew 664.4 million RPMs, up 3.3%, against a 3.4% rise in capacity to 924.4 million ASMs. Load factor matched the year-ago month at 71.9%.
Air New Zealand and Continental Airlines last week began a reciprocal codeshare agreement under which ANZ will place its code on more than 540 weekly flights to and from CO's Houston, Newark and Cleveland hubs. Passengers will be able to connect to the codeshare flights from ANZ services from Auckland to Los Angeles and San Francisco. CO in turn will place its code on ANZ's LAX-AKL and SFO-AKL flights and onward flights from AKL to Rarotonga, Apia and Tonga as well as all transtasman services, ANZ domestic services and AKL-Hong Kong flights.
China Southern Airlines CEO Si Xianmin said his carrier is seeking to cooperate with other Chinese airlines as well as carriers from abroad to enhance its position in the domestic air cargo market. Si noted the cooperation could include launching a joint venture cargo airline. The Guangzhou-based company had planned to launch a cargo JV with Air France KLM but the plan has been postponed owing to the sharp drop in international cargo demand that started in late 2008. "Air France KLM is not our only choice," he revealed. "We are also negotiating with other carriers as well."
AirBaltic announced an insurance agreement with ERGO/ERV to offer passengers traveling on the airline "improved travel insurance," including coverage for sports injuries and sports equipment. ERGO Baltic States Management Board Chairman Kestutis Bagdonavicius said the "main advantage" of the "completely new travel insurance product" is that "winter sport and snorkeling [are] included into insurance coverage without any extra insurance payment."
Air Astana temporarily suspended four-times-weekly service between Almaty and Kyrgyzstan capital Bishkek "due to the political unrest in Kyrgyzstan," where President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was ousted last week following violent protests that led to his political opponents attempting to form a new government. Air Astana said it hoped to resume the flights on April 19 "subject to security improvements." It said it would offer passengers with tickets on the route full refunds.
