The return of air traffic to the near-saturation levels that existed prior to 9/11-with virtually no corresponding increase in airport capacity-means that congestion and delays are on the rise again. Thus it is no surprise that airlines are looking for information technology solutions to manage aircraft better in the airport environment. A number of IT providers are offering integrated packages to do just that. Sensis Corp. and Preston Aviation Solutions, a Boeing subsidiary, are two major players.
North American Airlines bills itself as "America's Greatest Little Airline." Little it certainly is and greatness, like beauty, lies in the eyes of the beholder. But the New York JFK-based carrier, which was acquired by World Air Holdings in late April for $35 million, has been a consistent moneymaker since its first plane took to the skies in 1990.
When this magazine reviewed the status of elite and unconventional air travel two years ago (ATW, 6/03, p. 42), we talked quite a lot about a startup called Indigo, which planned to connect Chicago Midway with Teterboro using 16-passenger Embraer Legacy jets. Indigo, like so many all-premium airlines, is no longer with us, but that has not squelched enthusiasm for a different kind of air service aimed, as the Concorde was, at a premium market.
Wizz Air is still very young and only time will tell if it will survive in Europe 's overcrowded low-cost arena, which already has claimed many victims over the past year including Air Polonia, V-Bird, Volare and Ciaofly. But its start has been strong, with 1.2 million passengers carried at an average load factor of 60% in its first full year of operations to May 19. Revenue in its first financial year, which covered the 11 months to March 31, amounted to E60 million.
National Mediation Board accepted an application from the pilots union at AirTran Airways for mediation services in its negotiations with management, the National Pilots Assn. said Friday. The application was filed earlier this month ( ATWOnline, July 29).
Assn. of Asia Pacific Airlines last week released preliminary traffic results for June. International passengers carried by AAPA members reached 10.6 million, an increase of 5.2% year-on-year. RPKs grew 6.7% on a slower capacity rise of 6%, resulting in a 0.5-point improvement in load factor to 74.7%. FTKs rebounded from last month's decline to increase 3.3% year-on-year. However, the increase in capacity outpaced FTK growth at 5.9%. As a result, load factor declined 1.7 points to 66.6%.
Pakistan opened up its air routes to the US, UK and Scandinavian countries to the nation's private airlines. Aero Asia, Shaheen Air International and Air Blue, which had been limited to Gulf and ASEAN destinations, are mulling further expansion to take advantage of the new opportunities. The government's move was prompted by the reported inability of Pakistan International Airlines to meet demand, which has been filled by Gulf carriers such as Emirates.
World scheduled passenger airline traffic is expected to reach 3.71 trillion RPKs this year, up 7.6% compared to 3.44 trillion RPKs in 2004, followed by 6.5% growth in 2006 and 6.2% in 2007, according to ICAO's latest medium-term forecast. The strongest growth is expected from Middle East airlines, with an average annual growth rate of 10.9% over the three-year forecast period.
United Airlines cabin staff, represented by the Assn. of Flight Attendants, went on the offensive yesterday with coordinated demonstrations at airports in the US, Europe and Asia, threatening to strike in protest over the termination of their pension plan. "Current United management has held its employees and creditors hostage in Chapter 11 for nearly 1,000 days," union head Greg Davidowitch said. "We're hitting the streets around the globe to demonstrate our resolve. We want our pensions back, and we want this management team out."
JP Morgan analyst Jamie Baker does not believe Delta Air Lines will file for Chapter 11 this year despite CEO Gerald Grinstein's Tuesday letter to employees warning them that the level of savings being achieved "is not enough" ( ATWOnline, July 28). In a report released after Grinstein's memo was made public Wednesday, Baker noted that, "market speculation appears largely focused on a bankruptcy as early as. .
China will allow its airlines to recruit foreign pilots to relieve the chronic shortage there. According to China Daily, CAAC has drawn up a policy for recruiting pilots. About 11,000 are employed to fly more than 770 aircraft operated by the major airlines. Another 145 aircraft will be delivered this year. According to CAAC, China needs 1,220-1,600 pilots per year, far more than the 660 turned out by Chinese flying schools. Okay Airways, the country's first private airline, is employing foreign nationals as copilots, the newspaper reported.
IATA reported an 8.3% increase in RPKs for the industry in June compared to the year-ago period, with the Middle East (14.8%), Latin America (12.4%) and Africa (11.2%) showing the largest gains. Capacity rose 7% and load factor stood at 76.6%. In freight traffic, FTKs rose 2.9% on an ATK increase of 6.3%. For the first half, RPKs were up 8.8% over the first half of 2004 while ASKs rose 7.4%. As a result, load factor averaged 74%. FTKs during the period climbed 3.4% on an ATK increase of 7.2%. "The story for the first half of the year is cargo.
Alaska Airlines aircraft technicians rejected a new four-year tentative contract reached with the company earlier this summer ( ATWOnline, June 17). According to the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Assn., of the 654 eligible voters, 325 voted against the agreement. However, the group did vote to move forward with a new method of profit-sharing.
Austrian Airlines named Paul Paflik area manager-the Americas for sales and marketing based in New York. He succeeds Herbert Koschier, who becomes the new area manager-Australia, New Zealand and South West Pacific based in Sydney.
European Aeronautical Group announced that British Airways and BA CitiExpress will become launch customers for eAerad, EAG's electronic adaptation of Aerad aeronautical charts. The airlines initially will use eAerad for office, planning, and crew briefing purposes.
KLM said it has seen a 45% increase in the usage of its website by UK passengers to book tickets and check in for flights over the past 12 months, and it now receives an average of 105,000 UK visitors per week. In addition, nearly 85% of UK flyers now travel on an e-ticket, the highest penetration in its network, the airline said. Separately, KLM said it appointed CIO Peter Somers to succeed Ad Rutten as executive VP-KLM Engineering & Maintenance, effective Sept. 1. Boet Kreiken, currently senior VP and area manager-Asia/Pacific, will take over as CIO.
United Eagle Airlines, China's latest private carrier, launched operations yesterday with a flight from Chengdu to Shenzhen but resisted the lure of publicity from discounting its fares. It is using a fleet of leased A230s. China's first private airline, Okay Airways, formerly Shenzhen Airlines, started service in March, while privately owned Aukai Airlines, Western Airlines and Eastern Express are expected to fly later this year.
Cathay Pacific Airways, along with 22 other airlines, received approval from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Dept. to increase long-haul fuel surcharges from the beginning of August. The new charge will be $42.60 per sector, up from the current $32. The long-haul surcharges apply to all Cathay flights between Hong Kong and Australia, North America, Europe, the Middle East and South Africa. The short-haul surcharge, which applies mainly to the airline's regional flights in Asia, remains at $11 per sector.
Lufthansa yesterday opened a new first class area at its Munich hub for its top frequent travelers, HON Circle and first class passengers. The offering features exclusive curbside service, Fast Lanes and a new 150-sq.-m. lounge. Commenting on the strong demand for first class travel from Munich, Executive VP-Services and Human Resources Carsten Spohr said during the opening ceremony that Lufthansa will again introduce first class on long-haul routes out of the airport.
Short-haul, point-to-point services from secondary destinations in China and India are set to expand dramatically in the next 12 months, according to the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. CAPA cited Malaysia Airlines' decision to lease five 737-800s to tap the rapid growth in demand for flights to secondary airports in the two countries ( ATWOnline, July 26). MAS will start service to Fuzhou, Cochin, Trichy, Shenzhen and Guilin. Jetstar Asia will become the first LCC to launch flights to India when it starts thrice-weekly Singapore-Kolkata service Aug. 18.
Singapore Airlines became the first carrier to introduce live TV on international flights. The infotainment option was enabled by SIA's installation of Connexion by Boeing and TV is free for passengers paying for Connexion for their laptops. The airline is proceeding with plans to bring TV to seat-back IFE by 2006. The four international channels to be beamed live are BBC World, EuroNews, Eurosportnews and CNBC.
Island Air selected Avexus to "enhance the management of its aircraft maintenance operations." Component Control said Wizz Air selected its Quantum Control aviation ERP software to replace a third-party parts inventory and maintenance system to support maintenance functions for its fleet of six A320s.
AirTran Airways pilots, represented by the National Pilots Assn., applied to the National Mediation Board for mediation services in their negotiations with management. According to the union, the two sides have been in "Section-six contract negotiations" since December and management only has made it to the bargaining table for a total of six and one-half days of talks. "We are calling on the NMB to step in and play its time-honored role of honest broker.
Air New Zealand released details of the new three-year agreement reached with its long-haul cabin crew ( ATWOnline, July 25), represented by FARSA. According to the carrier, the deal calls for a 3.3% pay increase over the next three years, increased allowances including one additional inflight meal on certain services, and an agreement to use 10 cabin crew on each 777 flight with the provision to review the size of the crew complement at seven monthly intervals for a period of 21 months from the introduction of the first aircraft.
