Air Transport World articles from April 2007

Air Transport World archives from April 2007

World Airline Traffic.(TRENDS)
April 1, 2007... WORLD AIRLINE TRAFFIC [GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Jet Fuel Prices.(TRENDS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... JET FUEL PRICES* February 23, 2007 New York 174.97 US Gulf Coast 173.53 Los Angeles 184.66 Rotterdam 178.25 Singapore 169.29 *Spot cash markets (average). Source: US Dept. of Energy

Top 20 Airlines System Traffic: January 2007.(TRENDS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TOP 20 AIRLINES SYSTEM TRAFFIC JANUARY 2007 RANK AIRLINE RPKs (000) 1 American 33,193,934 2 Air France KLM 30,516,000 3 United ...

Fix it now.(airlines face problems forecasting weather)(Editorial)
April 1, 2007... Back in the days when most people still got their information from the local newspaper, editors had a saying: "Never foul up on a slow news day." Unfortunately, in the era of the 1,440-min. daily news cycle, every day is a slow news day because...

China plans to challenge Boeing, Airbus.(News Briefs)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... China plans to enter the large aircraft manufacturing fray, declaring last month via the official state Xinhua News Agency that the "dream" of challenging Boeing and Airbus with domestically produced jets "is expected to come true by 2020 if...

EU, US reach tentative open skies agreement.(News Briefs)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Prospects for creation of an Open Aviation Area between the EU and US improved March 2 when negotiators announced a tentative agreement had been reached in Brussels. Terms were not released, but the deal apparently does not include cabotage but...

Airbus details Power8.(restructuring plan)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Warning that its current structure is "unsustainable and unacceptable," Airbus at the end of February unveiled its Power8 restructuring plan, which includes 10,000 job cuts, closing or selling three plants, spinning off three others,...

Boeing may double down on 737 successor.(News Briefs)
April 1, 2007... Environmental pressures may influence Boeing to offer two solutions for the 737 successor market, although the effort on that front still is relatively low-key. Speaking to ATW, Commercial Airplanes President Scott Carson suggested that...

Passenger rights bill sought in US.(News Briefs)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... US airlines hope once again that a series of voluntary measures will thwart a federal "passenger bill of rights" springing from operational problems experienced by American Airlines and JetBlue Airways in late December and mid-February...

ICAO outlines global emissions trading.(International Civil Aviation Organization )(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... ICAO's Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection in mid-February released proposed guidance to the organization's 189 member states for incorporating aviation emissions into national emission trading schemes. ICAO proposed that member...

Air France KLM Group.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Air France KLM Group credited "dynamic" passenger activity, "buoyant unit revenues" and a "favorable economic backdrop" for a tripling in net profit to [euro]229 million ($297.4 million) for the fiscal third quarter ended Dec. 31, up from...

Lufthansa Group.(1st quarter results)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Lufthansa Group posted record net income of [euro]803 million ($1.1 billion) for 2006, a 77.3% increase over [euro]453 million earned in 2005, on a 9.9% lift in revenue to [euro]19.85 billion. Operating profit increased 46.4% to [euro]845...

Iberia Group.(1st quarter earnings)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Iberia Group reported a net profit for the 11th consecutive year, though earnings of [euro]57 million ($75 million) in 2006 fell a precipitous 85.6% from the [euro]396 million posted in 2005 when it benefited from gains from the sale of Amadeus...

Spain's Vueling Airlines.(EUROPE Report)(financial reports)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Spain's Vueling Airlines lost [euro]10.8 million ($14.2 million) last year, a slight widening of the [euro]10.6 million loss suffered in 2005. Results were affected by new international accounting regulations, higher-than-expected publicity...

Aer Lingus.(EUROPE Report)
April 1, 2007... Aer Lingus posted a [euro]69.9 million ($91.9 million) full-year loss for 2006 compared to a 2005 profit of [euro]88.9 million owing to a lengthy list of exceptional items led by a [euro]104 million pension-related charge as well as expenses...

Bmi.(expands operations )(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Bmi is reconfiguring and expanding its regional and medium-haul operations following its acquisition of BA franchise partner BMED and BA's sale of BA Connect to Flybe, which created new opportunities for Bmi. It acquired a 99% stake in BMED...

Pakistan International Airlines.(on European Commission's blact list)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Pakistan International Airlines was put on the EC's airline blacklist, with the ban extending to all PIA aircraft save for its six 777s. At the same time, Thailand's Phuket Air and DAS Air Cargo/Dairo Air Services of Kenya and Uganda...

Aeroflot.(EUROPE Report)
April 1, 2007... Aeroflot said it expects to report a 2006 net profit of RUB6.98 billion ($267.1 million), which would represent a 15.6% improvement over the RUB6.03 billion earned in 2005. Revenues grew 13.5% to RUB71.32 billion. It carried 7.3 million...

Austrian Airlines Group.(1st quarter results)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Austrian Airlines Group reported a widened net loss of [euro]49.1 million ($64.5 million) for 2006 compared to a [euro]29.6 million deficit in 2005. Revenue rose 8.4% to [euro]2.59 billion and expenses climbed 6.4% to [euro]2.75 billion,...

Air Berlin.(EUROPE Report)(financial reports)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Air Berlin earned [euro]50.1 million ($65.9 million) in 2006, reversing a [euro]115.9 million loss in 2005. Sales rose 28.6% to [euro]1.57 billion and operating income was [euro]64.1 million compared to a [euro]5.5 million loss in 2005.

Adria Airways.(EUROPE Report)
April 1, 2007... Adria Airways swung to profit in 2006, posting net earnings of [euro]70,102 ($92,424) compared to a 2005 loss of [euro]9.6 million. Revenues rose 16.6% to [euro]159.4 million.

Sweden's FlyMe.(EUROPE Report)(suspends flight services)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Sweden's FlyMe suspended all flights in early March. The Gothenburg-based LCC served four Swedish and 15 European destinations. It launched in 2004 and never was profitable.

Icelandair Group.(first quarter results)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Icelandair Group reported a ISK550 million ($8.3 million) loss in the three months ended Dec. 31, its first quarter since being split off from investment company FL Group. Separately, it announced contracts for a new Thales IFE i4500...

Malev Hungarian Airlines.(EUROPE Report)
April 1, 2007... Malev Hungarian Airlines' sale to AirBridge, a consortium led by Russia's KrasAir, concluded at the end of February.

LOT Polish Airlines.(EUROPE Report)(appoints Marek Mazur)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... LOT Polish Airlines named company newcomer Marek Mazur chairman and CEO, according to press reports. He replaces Tomasz Dembski, who took over in November for the fired Krzysztof Kapis.

CSA Czech Airlines.(EUROPE Report)(Ceskoslovenske Aerolinie's financial reports)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... CSA Czech Airlines had a loss of CZK397 million ($18.5 million) last year, narrowed from a CZK496 million deficit in 2005. Revenues rose 5.9% to CZK23.48 billion and expenses fell 1.5% to CZK23.59 billion.

SkyEurope.(EUROPE Report)(earnings of SkyEurope Airlines a.s.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... SkyEurope posted a net loss of [euro]13.8 million ($18.2 million), widened from a [euro]12 million deficit in the year-ago quarter. Revenue climbed 27.1% to [euro]33.6 million against a 13.3% rise in expenses, narrowing operating loss to...

Airbus.(EUROPE Report)
April 1, 2007... Airbus difficulties "dominated" EADS' full-year results, the company said as it reported a 94% plunge in net earnings to [euro]99 million ($130.3 million) compared to a [euro]1.68 billion profit in 2005. Airbus's operating loss of [euro]572...

SR Technics.(EUROPE Report)(contracts with Vueling and appoints Georg Radon)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... SR Technics signed a 12-year contract with Vueling covering CFM56-5B4/P services on its 16 A320s, with a possible extension of 6-12 years. Separately, SRT Group named company veteran Georg Radon CFO effective March 1.

Lufthansa Technik and Croatia Airlines.(contract)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Lufthansa Technik and Croatia Airlines signed agreements under which LHT will subcontract overflow third-party C checks to Croatia. In addition, Croatia will send A319 and A320 landing gear to LHT. Separately, LHT will overhaul landing gear on...

Sabena technics.(EUROPE Report)
April 1, 2007... Sabena technics signed a three-year contract with Martinair covering MRO on V2500-powered A320-200s.

Amadeus.(EUROPE Report)
April 1, 2007... Amadeus announced the successful implementation of the Amadeus Ticketing Platform for Hahn Air.

British Airways.(EUROPE Report)
April 1, 2007... British Airways signed a new three-year distribution agreement with Galileo.

Lufthansa Systems.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Lufthansa Systems added Russia's SkyExpress, Vladivostok Air and AirBridge Cargo as customers for its FMS database of worldwide aeronautical data. LHS will provide its ELWIS cargo handling solution to M & M Air Cargo Service of Bulgaria.

Eurocontrol.(European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation and Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH contracted with Sofreavia/SITA )(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Eurocontrol and Germany's DFS contracted the Sofreavia/SITA consortium to supply the next generation of data link gateway systems known as the Data Link Front End Processor.

Berlin's Templehof International Airport.(EUROPE Report)(airport closes)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Berlin's Templehof International Airport will close on Oct. 31, 2008, following a decision by a German court. Berlin Airports CEO Rainer Schwarz said the company has lost [euro]115 million ($149.4 million) on THF in the past decade as the...

Aeroports de Paris.(EUROPE Report)
April 1, 2007... Aeroports de Paris sold its interest in Beijing Capital International Airport Co. for HK$1.97 billion ($252.1 million). ADP held 16.2% of BCIA's Hong Kong-listed shares.

OnAir.(names Benoit Debains chief executive officer)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... OnAir named former Airbus Senior VP-Finance Benoit Debains as its new CEO effective March 1, replacing George Cooper. It also named SITA VP David Russell as OnAir COO.

TAM.(EUROPE Report)
April 1, 2007... TAM selected Globe Air Cargo as its GSA in the UK and Ireland.

Icelandair.(EUROPE Report)
April 1, 2007... Icelandair chose SAS Ground Services as its new provider at CDG.

Aviapartner.(EUROPE Report)
April 1, 2007... Aviapartner started handling Iberia's flights at Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate.

Proposed sale of Qantas.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Qantas Airways Ltd. to Airline Partners Australia )(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Proposed sale of Qantas to Airline Partners Australia for A$11.1 billion ($8.61 billion) is in the hands of the shareholders after Australian Treasurer Peter Costello announced that the government had no objections to the sale and that the...

Cathay Pacific Airways.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Philip Chen resigns)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Cathay Pacific Airways CEO Philip Chen, who led the airline's landmark equity alliance and partnership with Air China, will leave effective July 1 to lead Swire Pacific's China investment strategy as chairman of John Swire & Sons (China), Swire...

Malaysia Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(earnings of Malaysia Airline System Bhd.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Malaysia Airlines narrowed its net loss for 2006 to MYR136 million ($39 million) from a loss of MYR1.7 billion in 2005. MAS said it would have earned a net profit of MRY676 million if fuel costs and aircraft lease rates had remained constant....

Air New Zealand.(1st quarter results)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Air New Zealand enjoyed a 61% hike in net profit to NZ$74 million ($52.4 million) for the six months to Dec. 31, with long-haul yields jumping 12.7% as passengers upgraded to its new Premium Economy and Premier Business products. Operating...

Virgin Blue.(1st quarter earnings)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Virgin Blue reported an 80.9% year-over-year increase in net earnings to A$124.3 million ($97.8 million) for the six months ended Dec. 31 on a 16.7% lift in revenue to A$1.12 billion. It is forecasting fiscal year earnings of approximately...

Indian government.(approves Air India and Indian Airlines merger)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Indian government in early March gave final approval to the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines. The two state-owned carriers will become a single entity when all legal formalities are completed, a process that is expected to take no longer...

Indonesia.(conducts investigations after Garuda Indonesia mishap)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Indonesia's air safety record was under intense scrutiny following a second fatal 737-400 accident in 10 weeks, this one involving a Garuda Indonesia aircraft that skidded off a runway upon landing in Yogyakarta March 7 and caught fire in an...

China Southern Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
April 1, 2007... China Southern Airlines received its IATA Operational Safety Audit certification.

CFM International and Indian Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
April 1, 2007... CFM International and Indian Airlines signed an MOU to establish a CFM56 MRO joint venture in India.

KLM Engineering & Maintenance.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
April 1, 2007... KLM Engineering & Maintenance signed a four-year deal covering C checks on 10 Nippon Cargo Airlines 747-400Fs.

MTU Maintenance.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
April 1, 2007... MTU Maintenance signed a contract with Cathay Pacific Airways for MRO on 15 CF6-50E2s powering 747-200Fs. Separately, MTU Hannover named Uwe Blocker president and CEO.

Goodrich.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
April 1, 2007... Goodrich will provide landing gear MRO on Korean Air's fleet of 747s and 737NGs.

Grupo Ferrovial.(Macquarie Airports exercise call options on stakes)
April 1, 2007... Grupo Ferrovial announced that Macquarie Airports exercised its call option on Ferrovial's 20.9% stake in the company owning the rights to Sydney Airport for the agreed price of A$1.01 billion ($799.2 million). Ferrovial Aeropuertos will net...

Northwest Airlines.(plans to energe from bankruptcy)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Northwest Airlines plans to emerge from bankruptcy by the end of the second quarter with an anticipated equity value of $6.5-$7.7 billion, according to its disclosure statement filed with the US Bankruptcy Court. NWA said the aggregate amount...

Delta Air Lines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Delta Air Lines reported a January net loss of $109 million, narrowed from $300 million in January 2006. Loss before reorganization items was $115 million compared to $213 million in the year-ago month.

WestJet.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... WestJet earned C$114.7 million ($97.8 million) in 2006, increased from C$24 million in 2005 and the highest profit in the Calgary-based LCC's 10-year history. Operating revenue increased 27.3% to C$1.77 billion while expenses rose 18% to C$1.57...

Brian Rowe.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Obituary)
April 1, 2007... Brian Rowe, a giant in the history of jet engines and a man closely associated with the rise of General Electric into the leadership position it currently enjoys in the jet engine business, died Feb. 22 following surgery. Rowe led GE-Aviation...

Hawaiian Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
April 1, 2007... Hawaiian Airlines parent Hawaiian Holdings cited high fuel prices and increased competition in the transpacific and inter-island markets as it reported a net loss of $40.5 million for 2006, widened from a deficit of $12.4 million in 2005.

Frontier Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
April 1, 2007... Frontier Airlines said the Frontier Airline Pilots Assn. ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement.

Spirit Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
April 1, 2007... Spirit Airlines launched a new fare structure in March that includes fees for all checked bags. It will charge $1 for soda, coffee and juice.

General Electric.(conducts tests on aircrafts)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... General Electric conducted the first test of the GEnx-1B on its 747 flying testbed in California. "Today's flight puts us another step closer to certification later this year," GEnx GM Tom Brisken said.

GE-Aviation.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
April 1, 2007... GE-Aviation signed a five-year, $20 million OnPoint Solutions maintenance agreement with North American Airlines covering CF6-80C2s powering five 767-300ERs.

MTU Aero Engines.(extends contract with JetBlue Airways)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... MTU Aero Engines extended the terms of an engine support contract with JetBlue Airways from 10 to 15 years, raising the deal's overall value to [euro]2.4 billion ($3.16 billion).

Messier Services.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
April 1, 2007... Messier Services signed a 10-year agreement with JetBlue for the support of select hydraulic and avionic LRUs on its A320 fleet.

Airbus.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
April 1, 2007... Airbus opened its second North American engineering center in Mobile. The facility is performing interior design and definition work for the A350 XWB.

IBM.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
April 1, 2007... IBM signed a 7.5-year, $217 million outsourcing agreement with American Airlines covering AA's human resources functions.

Infospectrum.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
April 1, 2007... Infospectrum acquired the Avexus family of IT solutions for asset management including airline MRO.

LAN Airlines.(LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN Report)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... LAN Airlines earned $241.3 million last year, a 64.6% improvement over the $146.6 million earned in 2005, and said its performance "provides a solid base for long-term growth and profitability" that will include a 19%-21% capacity boost in...

Copa Holdings.(LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN Report)
April 1, 2007... Copa Holdings, parent of Copa Airlines and AeroRepublica, posted record net income of $134.2 million in 2006, up 61.7% from $83 million the prior year, on a 39.9% jump in revenue to $851.2 million. Full-year operating income surged 51.8% to...

Air Arabia.(AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST Report)(initial public offering)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Air Arabia's AED2.57 billion ($698.9 million) IPO was scheduled to launch at press time as 2.57 billion shares, equal to 55% of its share capital, were put up for sale. The Sharjah-based airline, which reported a more than threefold growth...

Omani government.(increases stakes on Oman Air)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Omani government is planning to increase its holding in Oman Air from 33.4% to more than 80% through an injection that would lift the airline's capital to OMR50 million ($129.5 million) from OMR13.3 million. The recap would support plans to buy...

South African National Assembly.(takes control of South African Airways)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... South African National Assembly voted to take direct control of South African Airways, removing the carrier from the Transnet group of companies, as a step toward eventual privatization, the South African Press Assn. reported.

Ethiopian Airlines.(AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST Report)
April 1, 2007... Ethiopian Airlines said it moved to the Sabre Passenger Services Management IT system.

Royal Jordanian selected.(AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST Report)
April 1, 2007... Royal Jordanian selected IER to supply its Common Use Self-Service check-in platform.

UPS.(CARGO)(UPS Airlines cancels contract with Airbus S.A.S.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... UPS on March 2 said it will cancel its order for 10 A380Fs, leaving the manufacturer with no orders for the freighter version. UPS ordered the aircraft in January 2005 and at the same time dropped commitments for 37 A300-600Fs.

Singapore Technologies Aerospace and Boeing.(CARGO)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Singapore Technologies Aerospace and Boeing announced that ST Aero's ST Aviation Services Co. will perform passenger-to-freighter conversions under the 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter program, with ANA as its first customer. SASCO will...

Continental Airlines.(introduces booking services on the web)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Continental Airlines in late February became the eighth carrier to have its cargo booking system go live on the Unisys-operated Cargo Portal Services Web-based booking tool.

Telair International.(CARGO)
April 1, 2007... Telair International will design, manufacture and supply the full SFE cargo loading system for the A330 family and A340-300 lower deck.

Jettainer.(CARGO)
April 1, 2007... Jettainer signed a five-year deal with XL Airways of the UK to provide outsourced ULD management services.

Finnair.(EQUIPMENT)(Finnair Oy contracts with Airbus S.A.S.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Finnair made the first firm commitment for the A350 XWB powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB, signing a contract for 11 of the type along with a mix of seven A330s and A340-300s. A350 XWB deliveries will commence in 2014. Finnair did not...

Kuwaiti lessor ALAFCO.(contract with Boeing)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Kuwaiti lessor ALAFCO ordered 12 787-8s and six 737-800s worth $2.26 billion at list prices. The 787s will be powered by the GEnx. GE said the 787 deal was worth $530 million and included purchase rights on six more aircraft. CFMI valued the...

Volga-Dnepr Group's AirBridge Cargo.(EQUIPMENT)
April 1, 2007... Volga-Dnepr Group's AirBridge Cargo unit ordered five GEnx-powered 747-8Fs valued at $1.4 billion and took five options. Aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2010-13.

Continental Airlines.(EQUIPMENT)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Continental Airlines ordered five GEnx-powered 787-9s worth $900 million. CO also converted 12 of its previous 787 orders to -9s from -8s, giving it 17 -9s and eight -8s on order.