Airlines & Lessors

China’s Hainan Airlines has reported a first-half net profit of CNY1.67 billion ($227 million), up 4.4% over a net income of CNY1.6 billion in the year-ago period.

On Sept. 11, 2001, the unthinkable happened. And while Europe was an ocean away on that tragic day, the ripples are still being felt today.

If something like 9/11 happened today—airspace in the world’s largest air transport market completely shut down for more than two days, plus weeks of tepid air travel demand—would a bailout akin to the one provided to US airlines in September 2001 be necessary?

With each 9/11 anniversary, we rightly and naturally reflect on loss.

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, I was listening to Canadian transport minister David Collenette address the Airports Council International-North America Conference and Exhibition at the Montreal convention center.

Sept. 11, 2001: Four US passenger aircraft are hijacked by 19 terrorists.

In the approach to the 15th anniversary of 9/11, the terrorist attack on the US using hijacked airliners as the weapons, ATW editors reflect on the commercial air transport industry then and now. Contributing Editors: Linda Blachly, Aaron Karp, Victoria Moores, Mark Nensel, Karen Walker

Airbus and Boeing commercial aircraft deliveries for 2016 year-to-date, sorted by most-recent delivery date.

Airbus and Boeing commercial aircraft gross orders for 2016 year-to-date, sorted by most-recent date of order placement with manufacturer.

Air France-KLM low-cost carrier (LCC) Transavia has appointed Erik-Jan Gelink as its new head of commercial, effective Sept. 15.

Total market air passenger traffic increased 5.9% year-over-year (YOY) in July, improved on June’s 5.2% growth, according to IATA’s latest Air Passenger Market Analysis.

Low-cost carrier (LCC) flydubai reduced its deficit for the 2016 first half, registering a net loss of AED89.9 million ($24.5 million), a 39% improvement on the same period a year ago.

Global air freight market demand increased 5% year-over-year (YOY) in July—the sector’s biggest rise since February 2015—according to IATA’s Air Freight Market Analysis.

Russia’s Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co. (SCAC) has appointed Kamil Gainutdinov as president for three years, effective Sept. 7.

China Eastern Airlines reported a 2016 first-half net profit of CNY3.23 billion ($486 billion), down 9.3% compared to net income of CNY3.56 billion in the same period last year.

Airberlin group has promoted Dimitri Courtelis to the position of CFO, succeeding Arnd Schwierholz who has resigned to pursue challenges outside the aviation industry.

Indianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings, the parent company of regional carriers Republic Airlines and Shuttle America, announced Sept. 2 an agreement had been reached with Dallas/Fort Worth-based American Airlines “[securing] a long-term relationship between the two airlines.”

Delta Air Lines lost about $100 million in revenue because of the August system crash that led to 2,300 canceled flights over three days.

A computer problem in a new British Airways (BA) check-in system caused delays on the airline’s network Sept. 6.

Vietnamese low-cost carrier (LCC) Jetstar Pacific has firmed up a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for 10 A320ceos, which it will use for network expansion.

Vietnamese low-cost carrier (LCC) Vietjet has placed a firm order for 10 Airbus A321ceos and 10 A321neos, and finalized an agreement to establish a new training center.

Vietnam Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for 10 more Airbus A350-900s, which it plans to use on nonstop flights to the US.

Lufthansa became the first European airline to participate in the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Pre-Check program Aug. 31.

Irish low-cost carrier (LCC) Ryanair has downgraded its UK growth plan to just 6% in 2017-18, down from 15% in 2016-17, because of uncertainty triggered by the UK’s vote to leave the European Union (Brexit).

Malaysia-based AirAsia aims to set up a Chinese subsidiary with a local partner, Kathleen Tan, newly appointed president for North Asia, said—just six weeks after the group said it was not pursing airline joint ventures.