Qantas is expected to announce the restart of Airbus A380 flights on its key Los Angeles to Sydney and Melbourne routes this week. Based on indications from reservations systems, the airline could resume operations Jan. 17.
Bombardier Aerospace announced that Utah-based SkyWest Airlines ordered four CRJ700 NextGens. The aircraft will be flown by SkyWest under the Delta Connection banner in a dual-class configuration with 65 seats. Based on the list price of the type, the contract is valued at approximately $148 million.
Emirates SkyCargo completed its first paperless flight aboard a 777-300ER from Mauritius to Dubai, processing all shipments carried by the aircraft electronically. AirBridgeCargo Airlines took delivery of its 11th Boeing 747F, its eighth -400F. The lease will commence on Dec. 24 for the aircraft, which will be utilized to support its existing route network and to "keep pace with a year of record-breaking growth," the carrier said.
Garuda Indonesia completed its financial restructuring with creditors by finalizing a re-worked $277 million debt agreement with the European Export Credit Agency. Garuda decreased its debt from $868 million in 2005 to $464 million (as of Nov. 30) through a combination of payment, debt buy-back and equity conversion strategies. The $277 million, which was used in part to fund six Airbus A330s in 1996, was restructured to allow repayment through 2016.
Singapore Airlines will begin to operate its daily Los Angeles-Tokyo Narita-Singapore service with an A380 beginning March 27, a move that will offer passengers 100 additional seats on each flight versus the 747 currently operating the route.
Xiamen Airlines received a CNY810 million ($121.5 million) capital injection from majority owner China Southern Airlines to fund a rapid fleet expansion. CZ, which currently holds 51% of Xiamen, said in a statement that Xiamen Construction & Development Co., which owns 34% of the carrier, additionally injected CNY540 million into the airline. Meanwhile, more money was raised when Hebei Aviation Investment Group invested CNY1.46 billion to purchase a 15% stake in Xiamen.
(Corrected Version) Transaero Airlines is planning to purchase four more Boeing 777s that are operated by Singapore Airlines and come off lease in 2011 and is increasing its commitment from nine to 12 747-400s, a spokesperson confirmed to ATW.
Qantas is believed to be closer to restarting Airbus A380 service on the Los Angeles to Sydney and Melbourne routes after regulators eased engine inspection rules. According to The Australian, Qantas is in discussions with Rolls-Royce about how it can lift restrictions on Trent 900 engines that prevent the aircraft flying from the US with a full payload. EASA this week relaxed its requirement of a Trent 900 inspection every 20 flights, designed to detect oil leaks, to an inspection every 200 flights.
United Continental Holdings, following a review of technology used by United Airlines and Continental Airlines as well as solutions used by neither currently, this week informed employees which systems will be used by the merged airline in the future. "After a thorough study, we have made the technology systems decisions that will create the best technology platform for the new United," EVP Technology Keith Halbert said in a communication with workers.
American Airlines revoked the ticketing authority of Orbitz.com and Orbitz for Business after a Chicago judge denied a request by Travelport for a preliminary injunction to prevent the move. Orbitz had refused to connect directly with American via the carrier’s XML technology.
Air New Zealand is examining “a host” of fleet options, including the Boeing 777-200LR, to mitigate the expected further delay in the 787 program owing to the inflight fire sparked by a power board short circuit during a test flight last month.
Air New Zealand received and unveiled its first Boeing 777-300ER on Wednesday in Seattle, claiming it has redefined air travel by including "beds" for economy passengers among a string of industry firsts on the aircraft.
India's Ministry of Civil Aviation reported that the country's airlines carried 18.9% more domestic scheduled passengers in the first 11 months of 2010 compared to the corresponding period in 2009. As of Nov. 30, Jet Airways mainline had the highest share of the fragmented Indian domestic market at 19.2%, followed by Kingfisher at 19.1%, IndiGo at 17.3%, Air India at 17.1%, Spicejet at 13.2%, Jet affiliate JetLite at 7% and Go Air at 6.9%, the ministry stated.
British Airways cabin crew represented by the Unite union on Tuesday started voting on whether to take fresh industrial action in their long-running dispute with the airline ( ATW Daily News, Dec. 15). Ballot papers were sent to more than 10,000 cabin crew at BA as the confrontation between the parties “deepens,” according to Unite.
WestJet said Tuesday it will wet lease a Boeing 757-200 from North American Airlines to be used on Calgary-Honolulu-Maui and Edmonton-Maui routings from Feb. 12-April 30, 2011, subject to Canadian government approval. NAA will operate the aircraft on behalf of WS, providing pilots, flight attendants and maintenance personnel. WS operates an all 737NG fleet comprising 91 aircraft.
Airbus said Tuesday that LAN Airlines finalized a previously-announced order for 50 new A320 family aircraft. The order was initially announced as an MOU at the Farnborough International Airshow in July ( ATW Daily News, July 21). It represents the largest single airline order for Airbus in Latin America and brings LAN's total Airbus orders to 152 aircraft.
The New Zealand Ministry of Transport followed the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission, giving the green light to the alliance between Virgin Blue and Air New Zealand.
