The EU and US yesterday reached a provisional agreement on a second-stage open skies accord, building on the original air services agreement that entered effect in March 2008 and setting a strict timetable and framework for approving the final second-stage agreement.
US Airways asked the US Dept. of Transportation for an exemption to the impending tarmac delay rule because its Philadelphia hub is affected by traffic congestion spilling over from New York. Continental Airlines last week sought relief from the 3-hr. cutoff because of Newark's proximity, joining American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways in seeking exemptions because of runway construction at New York JFK
Japan Airlines' restructuring includes the retirement of a significant number of pilots this year, which could change the landscape of the Japanese air transport industry. Geoffrey Tudor, a leading analyst with the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation who also is the principal analyst with Tokyo-based Japan Aviation Management Research, said Japanese cockpit crew always have been in short supply and the need to hire foreign pilots has been a major barrier to expansion or entry.
The public sniping between British Airways and the Unite union continued yesterday, while TAP Portugal and its pilots struck a more conciliatory tone and reached a deal that cancelled a potentially devastating six-day strike. TAP pilots represented by the SPAC union called off the March 26-31 work stoppage after agreeing to a new contract. "The agreement includes a pay rise of 1.8%, the same as for the other TAP unions, and equal sharing of productivity gains by pilots and the airline," TAP said.
EasyJet tapped media executive Carolyn McCall, who ran the UK's Guardian Media Group, as its new CEO, succeeding the departing Andy Harrison. The LCC said McCall "has a proven track record of successful operational delivery in a fast-changing online consumer facing business combined with extensive plc board and government and lobbying experience."
Amadeus IT Holding yesterday announced plans for an IPO in the first half of this year. The travel reservations technology provider hopes to raise €910 million ($1.23 billion). It currently is 52.8% -owned by WAM Acquisition, whose shareholders are London-based private-equity firms BC Partners and Cinven. Air France holds 23.1% and Iberia and Lufthansa 11.6% each. Amadeus said 2009 revenue rose 1.8% from 2008 to €2.46 billion and EBITDA was up 2.3% to €894 million.
US Air Transport Assn. said February passenger revenue rose 4.5% year-over-year based on data provided by a sample of its member carriers. Passenger numbers fell 2.9%, largely owing to the February snowstorms, and the average price to fly 1 mi. climbed 5%. International passenger revenue rose 7.9%. January cargo revenue ton-miles were up 14% (2% domestically and 27% internationally). February data was not available.
AirTran Airways said it expects first-quarter unit revenue to rise 4.8%-5.3% year-over-year on a 6% lift in capacity. Nonfuel unit cost is expected to increase 4.5%-5%.
Ukraine International Airlines said it resold a 6% stake that it acquired from AerCap in December 2008 to an unnamed Ukrainian investment company. Other shareholders are the State Property Fund of Ukraine (61.6%), Austrian investor UIAB (22.5%) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (9.9%).
South Korean Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs reported that February passenger numbers and cargo volume recovered to pre-crisis levels, according to the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. International passenger numbers rose 12.6% year-over-year to 3.1 million while domestic numbers were up 26% (and by 14% compared to February 2008) to 1.5 million. Cargo gained 21.8% to 215,000 tonnes, with a 1.4% increase from February 2008.
Air France said it expects "normal" operations this weekend after the majority of the six unions representing cabin crew called off a proposed strike scheduled for March 28-31
FAA yesterday announced a proposed $1.5 million penalty against the former Northwest Airlines for operating 32 757s without required windshield wiring inspections. NWA was acquired by Delta Air Lines in late 2008 and the carriers began flying on a single AOC in December, but the flights in question took place between Dec. 1, 2005, and May 27, 2008.
British Airways yesterday said that more than 3,000 flight attendants crossed the picket line and worked during the March 20-22 strike, equivalent to 97% of the rostered crew at London Gatwick and 53% at Heathrow
The US Senate late Monday passed an FAA reauthorization bill that sets deadlines for implementation of the NextGen ATC system and increases pilot hiring and training requirements.
The US government and the European Commission yesterday confirmed receipt of the World Trade Organization's final ruling on the US's 2004 claim that Airbus received state aid for the A380 program in violation of international trade rules, and both Boeing and Airbus claimed the confidential decision validated their arguments.
Lufthansa Technik signed a five-year exclusive deal with Wizz Air for approximately 150 C checks on the LCC's current and future A320 fleet. Work ranging from C1 up to C4/C8 will be carried out by Lufthansa Technik Budapest.
Pan Am International Flight Academy is taking delivery of two Level D 737NG simulators. A Rockwell Collins simulator will be delivered to its Miami headquarters and a Sim-Industries device will be delivered to Pan Am's Las Vegas center.
United Airlines parent UAL Corp. named Schering-Plough Executive VP and General Counsel Thomas Sabatino Jr. senior VP, general counsel and corporate secretary effective March 29. AWAS announced the resignation of President and CEO Franklin Pray.
Air New Zealand, Virgin Blue and Qantas, together with Boeing and Australia's Defence Science and Technology Organization, commissioned a world-first study aiming to accelerate the development and commercialization of sustainable aviation fuel in the region. The initiative, which commences today in Sydney, is being convened by the Australian and New Zealand group of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group and will be carried out by the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Org., Australia's peak scientific body.
Icelandair machinists went on strike early yesterday morning over a pay dispute, disrupting operations for several hours. The airline said it planned to resume flights at 4 p.m. local time. Virgin Atlantic Airways said it will open a customer service office in Swansea in September and hire more than 200 new employees. Welsh government is investing in the project.
JetBlue Airways announced its intention to maintain its headquarters in New York City. It had been considering a move to Orlando. It will combine its corporate offices currently located in Forest Hills, N.Y., and Darien, Conn., into one Long Island City location by mid-2012. CEO Dave Barger said New York City "is an important part of our heritage and culture, our brand and our customer connection, as well as our operation with our base at JFK's Terminal 5."
Philippine Airlines expects to post another loss in its fiscal year ending March 31, President Jaime Bautista told reporters in Manila. PAL was $301.4 million in the red in 2008-09, but anticipates an improvement in 2009-10. It lost $40.2 million through the nine months ended Dec. 31. It expects to report more than 9 million passengers and revenue of approximately $1.4-$1.5 billion for the full fiscal year.
Royal Jordanian will take delivery of two A330-200s on May 21 and an E-175 in the fourth quarter. A330s will seat 24 in business class and 259 in economy and will operate to London Heathrow, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Colombo and Kuala Lumpur. A twice-weekly Amman-Madinah service will launch on March 28 and the thrice-weekly KUL flights begin in June. RJ currently operates 29 A330s and seven E-175s/195s. Delivery of its 11 787s is scheduled to start in 2013. It did not reveal the source of the aircraft it is receiving.
