Iberia flew 3.9 billion RPKs in January, up 3.1% over the year-ago month, on a 0.4% rise in capacity to 5.4 billion ASKs. Load factor improved 1.9 points to 73.2%. Number of passengers grew 3.6% to 1.96 million, of which 1.05 million flew on the domestic network. Norwegian reported a 101% increase in January traffic to 226 million RPKs. Capacity climbed 76% to 313 million ASKs and load factor rose 8 points to 72%. The carrier expected a yield of NOK0.72 (10.7 cents), a decrease of 8% from the year-ago month.
Kenya Airways unveiled its new website, which features a state-of-the-art online booking engine developed by E-Travel. The carrier is offering a 10% discount on tickets purchased on the site. It said it carried more than 2 million passengers in 2005 and recorded turnover in excess of KES42 billion ($583.5 million). It plans to launch service to Paris and Freetown "in the near future."
Air France-KLM announced the signing of a protocol agreement finalizing implementation of a European Works Council to "inform and consult workers about all matters concerning the Group as well as issues of a transnational character." The joint body, established to conform with European law, will supersede those of the individual airlines but will not replace staff representative bodies from each company and in each country. The council will comprise 37 members appointed or elected for a period of four years.
China Eastern Airlines contracted EADS EFW for the conversion of three A300-600 passenger aircraft to freighters. The first is expected to enter EADS EFW's Dresden facility in December. The remaining conversions will take place during 2007.
Caribbean Sun Airlines and Caribbean Star Airlines are working with Decision Strategies Inc. on a comprehensive "strategic business plan" for long-term growth and development, the companies said in a statement. The carriers are affiliated but operate as separate companies providing Regional service to 18 Caribbean destinations, although they now are considering expanding "to other areas of the region and beyond," according to CEO Skip Barnette.
Embraer 170 has been certified by Brazilian and European aviation authorities to perform CAT IIIa autoland operations. Aircraft also is certified for CAT I and CAT II operational conditions. Certification is expected soon from US FAA.
US Dept. of Transportation reported yesterday that domestic traffic in November grew 2.3% to 43.87 billion RPMs. Capacity fell 2.2% to 59.87 billion ASMs, lifting load factor 3.3 points to 73.3%. Southwest Airlines led with 7.4 million enplanements. Mountain Air Cargo of North Carolina carried 8.2 million lb. of freight in January.
India and Italy signed an expanded air services agreement Wednesday in New Delhi adding frequencies, destinations and fifth freedom rights on specified city-pairs.
Northwest Airlines and its unions were given an extra week to reach an accord by a US Bankruptcy Court yesterday. Judge Allan Gropper originally was scheduled to rule Thursday whether the carrier could cancel agreements with its pilots and flight attendants, but after meeting with attorneys during the day he gave NWA and its unions until close of business on Feb. 24 to negotiate. "We will continue our efforts to reach a consensual agreement," Professional Flight Attendants Assn. President Guy Meek said.
SITA and Airservices Australia announced an alliance to offer ADS-B services across Australia's entire upper-level airspace by early 2007. The two also will support an Indonesian Directorate General for Air Communications ADS-B trial in Indonesia.
Airbus said it is studying two types of wingtip devices for the A320 family to improve aerodynamic performance and reduce fuel burn. The devices will be flight-tested on Airbus's A320 development aircraft in March. In addition, JetBlue Airways will provide an A320 for part of the test program. Winglet Technology LLC, located in Wichita, will supply one of the winglet designs for testing. Airbus said development of the devices is the result of "more sophisticated analysis techniques," in particular arising out of the A380 program.
Swedish LCC FlyMe has committed to acquiring Lithuanian Airlines. FlyMe will be issued a 33% stake in Lithuanian and gain control through the appointment of a new MD and the majority of the board. It will purchase the remaining shares over the next three years. FlyMe, headquartered in Gothenburg, launched two years ago and operates five 737s. Lithuanian, which was privatized last year, flies five 737-500s and two Saab 2000s and runs its own MRO operation.
In an effort to recapture some of the single-aisle market, reestablish its relationship with certain carriers and set the stage for its role in developing a next-generation single-aisle engine, Pratt & Whitney yesterday announced its intention to manufacture, certify and market replacement CFM56-3 parts for the 737-300/-400/-500 series through its new Global Material Solutions business.
European Commission and US Dept. of Justice investigation into alleged price-fixing and anticompetitive activity among major airlines' cargo operations took on a worldwide character as antitrust officials raided the offices of several Asian carriers yesterday following similar unannounced raids at major European carriers and American counterparts American Airlines and United Airlines Tuesday ( ATWOnline Feb.
US FAA named Dr. Frederick Tilton the new Federal Air Surgeon. He served as deputy Federal Air Surgeon for the past six years and replaces recently retired Dr. Jon Jordan.
Bombardier said it delivered 337 aircraft in 2005, up slightly over the 329 delivered in 2004. But the increase was owing to robust business jets sales rather than commercial aircraft. Of last year's delivery total, 149 were commercial aircraft compared to 200 in 2004.
Thai Airways said it earned a profit of THB3.8 billion ($96.6 million) in its first fiscal quarter ended Dec. 31, a 33% drop from the THB5.72 billion profit posted in the year-ago quarter, Reuters reported.
Major European airlines including British Airways, Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, SAS and Cargolux are under investigation by the European Commission, European national authorities and the US Dept. of Justice for alleged price-fixing and anticompetitive activity. The EC and several carriers acknowledged that the airlines' European offices were raided yesterday morning, while an FBI spokesperson in Chicago told reporters that Air France-KLM's O'Hare cargo terminal was searched as well. There were no arrests or charges at ORD.
Freddie Laker, whose name became synonymous with low fares, died Feb. 9 in Hollywood, Fla. He was 83. Aviator, showman, entrepreneur and populist, Laker briefly shook up the transatlantic established order with his Skytrain service before going bust as a result of his own mistakes, a ruthless and even illegal response by incumbent competitors, fallout from the DC-10 grounding and the global recession of the early 1980s.
SAS Group yesterday overruled objections by its pilots unions in Sweden and Denmark and announced it is implementing "the operational transfer" of the pilots into the individual airline units in each country effective March 1.
Aegean Airlines extended its engine maintenance and repair agreement with Snecma Services for two more years, until 2009. The deal covers Aegean's CFM56-3s. The original contract, signed in March 2004, encompassed engine MRO plus analysis of inflight performance. The extension includes an exclusive Time & Material provision.
Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. said Airbus is the launch customer for its EP-10 visual system, which was installed and certified in December on an A320 FNPT II trainer in Toulouse.
Sabre Airline Solutions said Gulf Air and TAP Portugal signed to use its AirServIn-Flight Solutions systems "allowing them to integrate their entire range of catering and cabin services management and drive savings of up to 15% from their total catering budgets." Separately, Sabre Travel Network signed a long-term GDS agreement with online travel agency priceline.com.
