Singapore Airlines will increase its fuel surcharge from $4 to $10 per sector on flights between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur from May 1 and from $22 to $30 per sector on all long-haul flights. The airline said the surcharge on all other flights remains unchanged.
Rockwell Collins was selected by Jazeera Airways to provide avionics and inflight entertainment on four new A320s. The agreement also includes an option for four additional aircraft with deliveries beginning in October.
Virgin Blue will equip its aircraft with inflight satellite television supplied by LiveTV, a subsidiary of JetBlue Airways. Under the agreement announced yesterday, LiveTV will outfit 51 Virgin Blue 737s with satellite receiving and distribution equipment, enabling the Australian low-cost carrier to provide its customers 24 FOXTEL and AUSTAR channels of programming at every seat. Installation is scheduled for the third quarter. The systems will be maintained by LiveTV as well.
Boeing and Mxi Technologies said Aloha Airlines completed installation of several modules of Boeing's Enterprise One maintenance software system into its maintenance operations and has turned off its legacy system. The carrier is using the new system for configuration management and maintenance tracking for its fleet of 737-200s and 737-700s.
United Airlines and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. reached an agreement that will allow United to terminate all of its defined benefit pension plans. According to PBGC, under terms of the agreement, which still must be approved by the US Bankruptcy Court, the agency would terminate and become trustee of the company's four pension plans and its claims against the company would be settled. PBGC estimates that United's pension plans are underfunded by $9.8 billion on a termination basis, $6.6 billion of which is guaranteed by PBGC.
Aer Lingus, as expected, appointed Dermot Mannion as its new CEO replacing Willie Walsh, who left the airline in January and recently was named CEO of British Airways ( ATWOnline, March 9). Mannion, 47, joined Dubai-based Emirates in 1987 and became president of Group Support Services in 2003. He will take up his new post in August.
Messier Services signed landing gear overhaul contracts with Mesaba Airlines and BWIA West Indies Airways. The Mesaba agreement covers 35 Avro RJs and the contract with BWIA represents the first A340 contract for Messier Services.
Austrian Airlines raised its fuel surcharge for all long-haul flights to €27 ($35) from €22 for flights to Australia and €17 on all other routes. The surcharge of €7 per flight on short- and medium-haul flights remains unchanged.
Daimler Chrysler is negotiating to sell its stake in debis AirFinance to Cerberus Capital Management, the Associated Press reported. DaimlerChrysler holds 35% of debis while its Aerospace unit has 10%, AP said. Price was not disclosed.
America West and US Airways confirmed that they are currently in discussions regarding a potential merger ( ATWOnline, April 21.) However, both companies emphasized that there is "no assurance that the discussions will lead to a definitive agreement."
PACE announced that Hawaiian Airlines has joined the Pacelab Mission/SCAP user group and the aircraft performance analysis tool will be applied by the carrier's performance engineering group for planning and simulation purposes.
Mxi Technologies announced that Air Mauritius has selected the Mxi Maintenix software product as its maintenance and materials system to replace the legacy Maxi-Merlin system in use at the carrier today.
China Cargo Airlines signed a four-year agreement for use of Air Cargo Manager software from Champ Cargosystems, a Cargolux subsidiary in which SITA took a majority 51% participation in December.
Cyprus Airways confirmed that its Hellas Jet subsidiary will cease operations May 10. "This decision was deemed necessary as the conditions of the market proved to be against the company's plans," Cyprus Airways said in a statement. Cyprus Airways Group established the Athens-based scheduled airline in June 2003, anticipating a sharp growth in air travel related to the 2004 Olympic Games. Reportedly, Hellas Jet is posting losses of €1.5 million ($2 million) a month.
Lufthansa Systems signed a contract with Austrian Airlines, which will use the NetLine/Sched modules Slot Manager and Slot Monitor with implementation set to be completed by summer.
The commercialization of air navigation services in Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and the UK has "generally resulted in lower fees for major carriers," while "safety has not eroded," according to a study by the US General Accountability Office, an investigative arm of Congress. As of March 2005, 38 nations worldwide had commercialized their ANS providers, according to GAO. The US is one of the few remaining holdouts among major westernized nations. FAA remains responsible for operating the air traffic control system as well as for regulatory oversight.
Swiss International Air Lines said Thursday it will reintroduce complimentary food and drinks in Swiss Economy class on its European network effective "as early as May 25."
Hawaiian Airlines reported a net loss of $2 million for March in its Monthly Operating Report filed with the US Bankruptcy Court. This compares to net income of $3.3 million in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 9.4% to $69.7 million while operating expenses climbed 17% to $65.3 million, resulting in an operating profit of $4.4 million, a 43.6% decrease from an operating profit of $7.8 million in March 2004. During the month, Hawaiian improved its RASM by 8.9% but its CASM jumped 16.3% year-over-year. Excluding fuel, CASM climbed just 11%.
Canada and China signed a new and expanded bilateral air transport agreement this week that provides for a threefold increase in passenger and cargo flights between more city-pairs that can be operated under "more flexible operating conditions" than with the previous agreement. The accord includes possibilities for additional passenger, all-cargo and codesharing services by Canadian and Chinese airlines. It also contains "strong aviation safety and security provisions." Subsequently, Air Canada announced a range of new services to China.
Austrian Airlines subsidiary Lauda Air wants to base up to four 737s or A320s in the US for the coming winter season and is in talks with US tour operators, MD Thomas Suritsch told ATWOnline. The aircraft will operate from November until April on routes between the US and Caribbean. Lauda will base its own maintenance staff in the US. Although plans call for the aircraft to be dry-leased to tour operators, the airline is exploring the possibility of a wet-lease deal subject to FAA approval.
European Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot hopes to receive support from European transport ministers today to re-start talks with the US to create a transatlantic open aviation area. EU transport, telecommunications and energy ministers are expected to discuss the issue when they meet in Luxembourg today. "Our expectation is to get a clear political signal to relaunch negotiations and get a good deal with the Americans," EC spokesperson for transport Stefaan de Rynck said.
Iberia is considering taking over or setting up a low-cost airline of its own to compete on a level playing field with the ever-increasing presence of LCCs in the short- and medium-haul markets, Europa Press reported. "Either we fight with the same weapons as these airlines or we will have to stay out of these markets," MD Angel Mullor told the Spanish news agency. An Iberia spokesperson said Mullor's remarks were reported accurately. In recent months, Iberia has been vocal over what it calls unfair competition from budget airlines.
Airclaims reported that the trend of fewer accidents that has been evident since the end of 2001 continued in the first quarter of 2005. According to a report released yesterday, Western-built jets, which carry about 90% of traffic worldwide, recorded four total losses and one fatal accident, killing 96 passengers and eight crew. The cost of hull claims (total losses and partials) currently stands at $72 million and estimates of incurred passenger liability also are very low, Airclaims said.
