Ethiopian Airlines was officially invited to join Star Alliance Wednesday, and aims within 12 months to become the group’s third member on the African continent following EgyptAir and South African Airways (ATW Daily News, July 22). ET’s integration, under the mentoring of Lufthansa, will begin “shortly.”
Ethiopian Airlines was officially invited to join Star Alliance Wednesday, and aims within 12 months to become the group’s third member on the African continent following EgyptAir and South African Airways (ATW Daily News, July 22). ET’s integration, under the mentoring of Lufthansa, will begin “shortly.”
Iberia and British Airways received all regulatory approvals for their merger. Last week, Iberia agreed to the pension deficit reforms of BA ( ATW Daily News, Sept. 24). Shareholders of both carriers will vote on the merger in the coming months.
Safi Airways CCO Claus Fischer told ATW that the Afghanistan airline is undergoing a restructuring plan to be able to begin a moderate international expansion in early 2011. “We are currently in a consolidation process… [and have] stopped services from Kabul to Kuwait,” said Fischer, who noted the carrier’s single 767-200ER will be available for ACMI leases. Its two 737-300s are for sale, leaving the airline with one A320 and one A340-300.
Boeing and Air China Monday finalized a previously announced commitment for four 777-300ERs, valued at $1.1 billion ( ATW Daily News, Sept. 13). "This is a great day in the history of our long and enduring partnership with Air China," said Boeing Commercial VP & Marketing Marlin Dailey.
US Dept. of Justice announced Monday that China Airlines Ltd. agreed to pay $40 million in criminal fines for its role in a conspiracy to fix prices in the air cargo industry on flights to and from the US between 2000 and 2006. The plea agreement is subject to court approval.
Air Nostrum CEO Carlos Bertomeu said he is confident the carrier will post a profit this year although yields, particularly on the Spanish domestic routes, remain depressed.
News from Travel Technology Update: Southwest Airlines has narrowed its choice of a new reservations platform to “two players,” chief executive officer Gary Kelly said.
US Dept. of Justice announced Monday that China Airlines Ltd. agreed to pay $40 million in criminal fines for its role in a conspiracy to fix prices in the air cargo industry on flights to and from the US between 2000 and 2006. The plea agreement is subject to court approval.
Tianjin Airlines will launch its first international route with services to Tianjin–Hohhot–Ulan Bator on Oct. 19. The Hainan Airlines subsidiary was originally launched in June 2007 under the name of Grand China Express Airlines ( ATW Daily News, June 15, 2009).
ATR won an order from Caribbean Airlines for nine 72-600 aircraft, with deliveries starting in late 2011. The order is valued at $200 million. The aircraft will be configured with 68 seats, featuring ATR’s new Armonia cabin.
Southwest Airlines on Monday morning announced an agreement to acquire Orlando-based AirTran Airways for $1.4 billion in cash and Southwest common stock in a deal that brings together the world's largest LCC with the third largest LCC in North America.
Southwest Airlines' acquisition of AirTran Airways for approximately $1.4 billion in cash and SWA stock (see item below) is expected to yield net annual synergies of more than $400 million by 2013, SWA said on Monday. One-time costs related to the acquisition and integration of AirTran are expected to be in the range of $300-$500 million.
Southwest Airlines on Monday morning announced an agreement to acquire Orlando-based AirTran Airways for $1.4 billion in cash and Southwest common stock in a deal that brings together the world's largest LCC with the third largest LCC in North America.
LOT Polish Airlines subsidiary EuroLOT is in talks with ATR and Bombardier regarding an order for 14 ATR72-600s or Q400s, respectively, and a further six options to renew its ATR fleet, EuroLOT President and CEO Leszek Sieluk told ATW on the sidelines of the European Regions Airline Association AGM in Barcelona late last week.
Norwegian Air Shuttle announced Friday it plans to order wide-body aircraft as it gears up to begin its first long-haul flights in 2011. CEO Bjoern Kjos told Bloomberg that the carrier held talks with Airbus and Boeing and will choose between ordering the A350 or 787. Because there are delivery backlogs for both aircraft, Kjos said Norwegian may agree to take older models such as the A330 or 767. According to Bloomberg, the carrier is planning its first routes from Oslo Gardermoen and Stockholm Arlanda to New York JFK and Bangkok respecitvely in the second half of 2011.
Etihad Airways Head of Network Planning Imed Ben Abdallah said the carrier is pursuing a growth strategy "distinct" from Gulf rivals Emirates and Qatar Airways by focusing on developing point-to-point traffic to/from its Abu Dhabi base rather than pursuing broad based East-West transit traffic.
Ukraine International Airlines said it operated 2,157 flights and carried 228,000 passengers in August, up 10% compared to August 2009. Kenya Airways and Travelport jointly announced a global, full-content 5-yr. agreement for Galileo and Worldspan-connected users worldwide that will enable full access to KQ’s flights and fares.
The US National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating a "near midair collision" near Minneapolis-St. Paul International on Sept. 16 between a US Airways A320 and a Bemidji Aviation Services Beech 99 freighter. The incident occurred shortly after the A320 took off from MSP en route to La Crosse under a 900 ft. ceiling and 10 mi. of visibility.
