A series of maintenance situations with Sukhoi Superjets (SSJs) operated by an ACMI supplier to Brussels Airlines produced a rash of cancellations in the latter half of May, but the operator of the grounded aircraft has denied media reports they were caused by a shortage of spare parts.
RAM Cargo, the air freight entity within Royal Air Maroc, has added a Boeing 767-300BCF to its fleet, bringing in an additional 45 tons of capacity with the converted freighter.
Global airline passenger traffic growth remained strong in April, with an 82.3% passenger load factor—the third record-setting monthly load factor in a row.
Global air cargo demand grew 4.1% year-over-year in April, recovering from a 23-month low in March but showing increasing signs that trade growth worldwide—in both air freight and global containerized trade—may be weakening as protectionist measures accelerate worldwide, according to IATA’s Air Freight Market analysis released May 30.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has issued an air operator’s certificate (AOC) for Tianjin Cargo Airlines, which helped it move one step closer toward formal launch.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has said only a “tiny” number of passengers are connecting with Spanish carrier Air Europa, but he is expecting a new deal with Aer Lingus to be the acid test for the model.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary is considering new bases in the French regions and going back to Copenhagen, now that the Irish LCC is willing to recognize unions.
Aeroflot Group reported a 2018 1Q net loss of RUB11.5 billion ($2 million), nearly doubled from a year-ago period. Revenue for the quarter was RUB111.9 billion, up 8.5% year-over-year (YOY).
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) reported a 2018 first-half net loss of SEK597 million ($68.8 million), narrowed from SEK876 million in the year-ago period.
Irish LCC Ryanair is continuing to plan for a “hard Brexit,” by limiting the voting rights of non-EU shareholders and setting up a UK air operator’s certificate, which should be granted by the end of 2018.
South African regional airline SA Express was forced to stop operations May 24 after the Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) suspended its air operator's certificate (AOC), citing safety concerns.
Greece-based Aegean Airlines reduced net losses 14% in the first quarter, reporting a net loss of €30.8 million ($38 million), narrowed from a net loss of €35.8 million in the year-ago quarter.
The AirAsia Group almost doubled its first-quarter net profit to MYR1.1 billion ($276.3 million), boosted mainly by the sale of assets, but also fueled by higher passenger volume.
New Austrian carrier LaudaMotion plans to launch an extensive European network—called City Shuttle—from Vienna beginning with the winter schedule 2018/19.
Pre-tax earnings for US airlines fell 27%—down approximately $700 million year-over-year—in the first quarter of 2018, as fuel, labor, airport and aircraft expenses outpaced revenues, according to an industry overview by Airlines for America (A4A) released May 23.
AirAsia X reported a first-quarter group net profit of RM41.5 million ($10.4 million), up from a profit of RM10.3 million in the same period last year.
