The number of Russian commercial carriers fell from 159 to 118, down 26%, in the 2010-2013 period, according to Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia.
Europe’s smallest flag carrier has become one of the region’s most successful in growth and financial terms. Aegean Airlines’ achievements are all the more surprising given that its home base is Greece, a country that was one of the hardest hit by the European economic crisis.
With growing talk of a looming pilot shortage in the US—particularly at the regional airline level—flight deck crew at regional carriers feel they have leverage, leading them to reject new labor deals negotiated by union leadership. But the pilots are taking a big gamble. Instead of forcing management to offer better deals, the pilots’ rejection of new contracts may just lead executives at US regional airlines to conclude they have no choice but to downsize.
IATA is calling on governments to ratify important changes to the Tokyo Convention that were agreed upon at a diplomatic conference in Montreal in April. The Tokyo Convention provides the legal framework for dealing with passengers whose unruly or disruptive behavior leads to physical assault or poses a threat to the safety of a flight.
United Parcel Service (UPS) reported first-quarter net income of $911 million, down 12.2% from a net profit of $1.04 billion in the prior-year quarter, as earnings were hit hard by severe winter weather in the US.
San Francisco-based Virgin America will take on Southwest Airlines at the Dallas-based airline’s home airport, launching flights from Dallas Love Field (DAL) in October.
Italy’s Unione Italiana del Lavoro (UIL) union has said it should part of negotiations as Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways considers making an investment in Italian flag carrier Alitalia.
Alaska Air Group, parent of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, reported $94 million net income for the first-quarter, more than doubling the $37 million net income reported in the year-ago period.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co., parent of Allegiant Air, reported first-quarter net income of $34 million, up 7% from $31.8 million in the year-ago quarter.
Ukraine International Airlines has launched Kiev Boryspil-New York JFK services, its first transatlantic flight following the reinstatement of Ukraine’s Category 1 status by FAA in September 2013.
UK carrier bmi regional will launch Embraer E-145 6X-weekly service between Karlstad, in southern Sweden, and Frankfurt from May as the airline steps up its search for new routes with growth potential.
Japan Airlines (JAL), which recently expanded its codeshare agreement with Korean Air, has signed an eight-route agreement with Bangkok Airways as it pushes further into Southeast Asia.
Central Asia-based Uzbekistan Airways is on track to join the SkyTeam global alliance, the carrier’s European regional manager Timur Kerimov told ATW in Vienna.
American Airlines Group, parent of merging carriers American Airlines and US Airways, reported net income of $480 million for the three months ended March 31—the first reporting period for the combined entity.
United Continental Holdings, parent of United Airlines, reported a first-quarter net loss of $609 million, including $120 million of special charges, deepened from a net loss of $417 million in the 2013 first-quarter.
Southwest Airlines earned first-quarter net income of $152 million, a significant improvement over a net profit of $59 million in the prior-year period, and expects continued strength throughout 2014.
Italy-based Lufthansa subsidiary Air Dolomiti, which operates as a hub feeder carrier for Lufthansa and provides point-to-point service at its own risk, is evaluating new opportunities including European regional routes.
