Chroniclers of the air transportation industry last year were cautiously optimistic that an economic recovery in the airline business had arrived finally as large orders for new commercial aircraft from airlines and lessors rolled in. Orders for new equipment continued this year at a brisk pace but there is a debate within the industry about too many planes chasing too little traffic.
Ten or more years ago, it would have been rare to hear anyone in the airline industry and based in Southeast Asia to talk with envy of the US carriers. But times have changed. These days, East is definitely looking West with a newly learned respect.
When Qatar Airways was relaunched in 1997, there would have been few people who would have predicted that in less than 20 years, this Doha-based carrier would be a Skytrax five-star operation and a oneworld global alliance member flying to more than 140 destinations. On top of those achievements, Qatar is about to become the world’s first airline to operate the Airbus A350 XWB.
On the Cover 20 A New Era Qatar Airways prepares to launch A350 XWB service. By Kurt Hofmann and Karen Walker Features 24 The State of Leasing The leasing business is thriving, but concerns persist about over ordering, consolidation and dropping fuel prices. By Robert W. Moorman
Azul Brazilian Airlines has signed a purchase agreement for 35 CFM-powered A320neo family aircraft and will lease a further 28 for long-haul domestic and high-density routes.
Irish budget carrier Ryanair has finalized its order for 100 737 MAX 200s and 100 options, confirming its status as launch customer for the high-capacity variant.
Lufthansa pilot union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) has called for its ninth strike action Monday and Tuesday in a series of ongoing protests over transition payments for early retirees.
Air France will improve its passenger product on medium-haul flights in a €50 million ($62 million) investment plan in a continuing move upmarket as it aims to differentiate itself from competitors and improve the performance of mid-haul services.
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) posted a hefty third-quarter net loss in what could be its last detailed quarterly earnings report for some years, highlighting the challenges facing the government as it prepares to delist the carrier’s shares.
Alitalia and Etihad Airways have finalized the board of directors for the “new” Alitalia, with former Ferrari chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo serving as non-executive chairman.
Aeroflot Group reported a nine-month net loss of RUB3.56 billion ($72.2 million) as of Sept. 30, reversed from a net profit of $545.2 million in the year-ago period.
Ryanair’s shareholders have voted to approve the low cost carrier’s plan to order 100 737 MAXs, plus 100 options, valued at around $22 billion at list prices.
Full-time-equivalent (FTE) employment at US scheduled passenger airlines grew 1.1% year-over-year in September, to a total FTE count of 384,439 personnel, according to the US Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).
The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has named Fatima Beyina-Moussa as its new president at the close of its 46th annual general meeting in Algiers.
LOT Polish Airlines, in the aftermath of a restructuring, has been banned by European Union regulators from growing capacity or adding routes until early 2016.
Finnair is to launch services to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the Israeli city of Eilat, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura on the Canary Islands, as well as Madeira in Portugal, for winter 2015-2016.
