JDA Aviation Technology Solutions was recognized by US FAA as one of only two companies qualified to assist air carrier applicants in preparing for the FAR Part 121 certification process. JDA was founded by former FAA senior regulator Joe Del Balzo.
Air France-KLM Group posted "an excellent performance" in terms of both traffic and unit revenue in September. Traffic increased 9.6% to 16.07 billion RPKs on 4.9% higher capacity of 19.35 billion ASKs and load factor gained 3.6 points to 83.1%. The number of passengers rose 7.3% to 6.2 million. Traffic on the European network, including France, increased 7.6% on a 1.3% rise in capacity and load factor was up 4.4 points to 74.4%. Cargo activity saw a slight improvement, with traffic ahead 2.3%. Capacity grew 6.6%, causing cargo load factor to slip 2.7 points to 65.2%.
Lufthansa Systems said Asiana Airlines decided to deploy its Sirax revenue accounting system. LHS will work closely with Asiana IDT, the carrier's IT subsidiary, to implement the solution.
Independence Air announced the departure of CFO Richard Surrat, who "resigned in order to pursue other opportunities." His replacement is David Asai, a seven-year veteran of the company who served most recently as VP, controller and assistant secretary.
European Union transport ministers agreed last week in Luxembourg on a common EU approach to protecting persons with reduced mobility against discrimination and ensuring they receive appropriate assistance when traveling by air.
TNT Express signed a contract with GECAS for two additional 737-300SFs, bringing the total number of 737s in its fleet to nine. The new aircraft will be converted from passenger to freighter configuration by IAI's Bedek Aviation Services and modified to comply with Chapter IV noise emission standards. TNT will introduce the aircraft to its European Air Network in August and December 2006.
Prisma Aviation Services remarketed an ATR 42-300 together with a package of spare parts to aircraft inventory and parts specialist Dart Aviation in France. The aircraft, which had been stored at Rome Fiumicino since March 2005 following the voluntary liquidation of Air Industria in 2003, will be parted out.
US and Russia agreed yesterday to open up more polar routes for US airlines as part of a broader package of amendments to the 1994 US-Russia air agreement. According to the US Dept. of Transportation, the changes "significantly [increase] the rights of US carriers to fly over Russian airspace on flights between the US and Asia," including using polar routes for services to China. And for the first time, the agreement allows US airlines to transit Russian airspace on nonstop flights between the US and India.
Goodrich will support its components on GoJet CRJ700s under a long-term agreement with the Trans States Holdings affiliate, which operates as a United Express partner. The deal covers Goodrich products such as sensors, lighting, fuel and utility systems, seating and actuation systems.
RASSA Holdings said Aeropostal Alas de Centroamerica signed an agreement to use its R@N Web-based passenger service system. The proposed startup airline is based in Costa Rica and plans to begin operations this month using DC-9s and MD-80s.
Italian government, as expected ( ATWOnline Oct. 6), approved a financial assistance package for Italian airlines amounting to €200 million ($239 million). Deputy Transport Minister Mario Tassone stressed that the aid package is directed to the Italian airline industry as a whole to "help them overcome moments of crisis owing to the rising fuel price," La Republica reported. It added that Alitalia will receive approximately €80 million.
American Airlines Cargo raised its fuel surcharge from $0.50/kg. to $0.55/kg. for most international shipments of US origin and from $0.20/lb. to $0.22/lb. for US domestic shipments. New rates take effect Oct. 19. The fuel surcharge also will be adjusted in local currency for most shipments not of US origin unless the adjustment is not allowed for regulatory reasons.
Ray Siegfried II, who built Nordam Group into one of the largest privately owned aerospace companies in the world, died Thursday at the age of 62. He had been suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Siegfried, who stepped back from the CEO position in 2001 when he was diagnosed with ALS, served as chairman. When he took over what was then Northern Oklahoma Research, Development and Manufacturing Co. in 1969, the firm was bankrupt and had only eight employees. Today it has more than 2,300 people at locations around the globe.
Iberia financed an A340-600 on a 12-year Spanish operating lease. Equity was supplied by Madrid Leasing while the debt was underwritten by Caja Madrid and Royal Bank of Scotland.
Launch of the A350 reignited the trade conflict between the US and EU over state subsidies to Boeing and Airbus for the development of large civil aircraft. The US and EU currently are engaged in litigation at the World Trade Organization over the subject. Airbus has asked for and received approval for repayable launch aid loans amounting to a third of the €4.35 billion development cost of the program from the partner governments.
Ultra said its Airport Systems business signed a $9 million contract to provide IT integration services to Shanghai Pudong. Ultra will install its UltraIB integration broker product at the airport. It is supplying UltraIB services for the London Heathrow T5 project as well.
Lufthansa and the ver.di public service workers union reached agreement yesterday on a new contract that will secure the jobs of 12,000 ground staff employed by Deutsche Lufthansa AG and seven other group companies. In return for layoff protection through March 31, 2009, the union accepted changes to the pay structure. Although no current employee will see his or her pay reduced, "the future salary progression may change in some cases," LH said.
Globe Air Cargo will become Ethiopian Airlines' cargo general sales agent in the UK. Ethiopian currently operates six weekly 757 flights from London Heathrow to Addis Ababa and plans to increase its capacity later in the year when 767s will be introduced on the route.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, "there is no clear evidence" that US airlines operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection "harm the industry by contributing to overcapacity or underpricing their competitors," according to a new study by the US General Accounting Office, the investigative and research arm of Congress.
Michael Brag was appointed acting CEO of SAS Component following the departure of Per Boll. Brag is CCO at SAS Technical Services and will retain this position.
AirBaltic celebrated its 10th anniversary Oct. 1. Over the decade, the Latvian carrier enplaned more than 3 million passengers, launched direct flights to 46 destinations and opened a second hub in Vilnius. Main shareholders are the Latvian state with 52.6% and SAS AB with 47.2%. The fleet numbers seven 737-500s and seven F50s.
Wideroe, a Norwegian Regional carrier belonging to SAS Group, said negotiations between itself and labor organizations NFO and Parat have broken down. The labor dispute has resulted in a go-slow action among the organized technical and catering/cleaning personnel. Wideroe said it is doing everything possible to maintain a normal operation.
Gol today begins operating six weekly flights from Sao Paulo to Campina Grande via Recife. Separately Gol said it flew 890 million RPKs in September, up 77.8% over the year-ago period. Capacity rose 59.1% to 1.18 billion ASKs and load factor jumped 8 points to 75.5%.
Rep. John Linder (R-Ga.), a member of the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means, has sent a letter to Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-Calif.) and Ranking Member Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) expressing support "for a one-year suspension of the 4.3 cents-per-gallon excise tax on aviation fuel as the House [of Representatives] considers ways to facilitate recovery and mitigate the economic impact of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita."
Sichuan Airlines selected Air France Industries to carry out three A320 D checks scheduled for completion by the end of November. The carrier operates 20 A320 family aircraft.
