Air Transport World articles from August 2008

Air Transport World archives from August 2008

Trends.(Statistical table)
August 1, 2008... WORLD AIRLINE TRAFFIC JANUARY-APRIL 2008 US Europe 2008 2007 % chg. 2008 2007 % chg. RPKs (mil.) 416,892 425,259 2.0 245,688 238,070...

Time for a new model.(EDITORIAL)
August 1, 2008... The launch of a new aircraft engine or airframe program is always a historic event, so last month's Farnborough Airshow, while it may have lacked the frenzied commercial atmosphere of recent shows past, nevertheless will be remembered for many...

CSeries launches with Lufthansa.(NewsBriefs)(Deutsche Lufthansa AG)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Bombardier struck first in the 110/130-seat market as it launched its CSeries aircraft program at Farnborough with a "letter of interest" from Lufthansa for 30 firm orders plus 30 options. The aircraft, which will be powered by Pratt &...

CFM launches LEAP-X.(NewsBriefs)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... CFM International moved forward on a new-generation powerplant for the eventual successors to the 737 and A320 families with launch of the LEAP-X engine. "CFM is committed to the future, the LEAP-X program is launched and we are ready to go...

Airbus pushed.(GREEN GIANT)
August 1, 2008... Airbus pushed the green theme on its A380 that flew at Farnborough. The words, "A better environment inside and out," decorated the tail. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

787 faces new challenge.(NewsBriefs)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... A certification issue with the 787's brake control system is the latest challenge for the troubled program, VP and GM-787 Program Pat Shanahan told reporters at the Farnborough Airshow. "It's not that the brakes don't work," Shanahan explained....

Airbus, Boeing sales strong despite downturn.(NewsBriefs)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... In what President and CEO Tom Enders characterized as "probably the second most successful Farnborough for us," Airbus received orders and commitments from 10 customers for 256 aircraft worth $40.5 billion including 247 firm. Etihad...

Embraer logs E-Jet sales.(NewsBriefs)(Aerovias de Mexico S.A. de C.V. contract with Embraer Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Austrian LCC Niki placed a firm order for five E-190s valued at $187.5 million plus options for five more. Embraer also confirmed that Aeromexico ordered 12 E-190s on behalf of regional subsidiary Aeromexico Connect. In addition, Saudi...

AerCap launches A320 conversion program.(NewsBriefs)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... AerCap will be the launch customer for the A320/A321 converted freighter following signing of a firm contract with Airbus Freighter Conversion to convert 30 of its passenger A320s/A321s into cargo aircraft. The deal is valued at about $135-$140...

The first 787.(START ME UP)
August 1, 2008... The first 787 achieved Power On in June, 11 months after rollout. First flight is expected in the fourth quarter. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Euro Parliament approves ETS as Single Sky moves forward.(NewsBriefs)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Europe one day may have a Single European Sky. It almost certainly will have emissions trading after the European Parliament on July 8 adopted legislation to include aviation, including airlines from outside the EU, in the body's ETS beginning...

UA, Continental in cooperation pact.(NewsBriefs)(United Air Lines Inc. contract with Continental Airlines )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Continental Airlines and United Airlines on June 19 signed a "framework agreement to cooperate extensively, linking their networks and services worldwide" including domestic codesharing, and CO revealed that it will leave SkyTeam to join Star...

FAA lifts ORD flight caps.(NewsBriefs)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... US FAA Acting Administrator Robert Sturgell announced the elimination of flight caps at Chicago O'Hare when they expire this fall, saying the city "has outdone itself when it comes to boosting capacity" by completing the extension of one runway...

Concorde crash to go to trial in Paris.(NewsBriefs)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Eight years after the crash of an Air France Concorde, a French judge ruled that five individuals as well as Continental Airlines should stand trial for manslaughter in the disaster. The decision, announced July 3, did not specify a trial date....

American Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... American Airlines parent AMR Corp. will reduce its workforce by some 6,700 employees by year end, representing about 8% of the company's workers. The cuts are in line with large capacity reductions for the second half of 2008 announced earlier...

United Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... United Airlines said it will furlough 950 pilots, about 14% of its flight deck workforce, as a result of its previously announced decision to remove 100 aircraft from its fleet. Cuts are in addition to 1,400-1,600 salaried and management...

Air Canada.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Air Canada will reduce total system capacity by 7% year-over-year in this year's fourth quarter and the 2009 first quarter and cut its work-force by 2,000. It will suspend Toronto-Rome Fiumicino and Vancouver-Osaka flights from Oct. 26. It...

Northwest Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Northwest Airlines unveiled a further round of capacity cuts that will result in fourth-quarter mainline ASMs falling 8.5%-9.5% from the 5% reduction announced in April. The reductions will result in layoffs for 2,500 frontline and management...

Delta Air Lines and Northwest pilots.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Delta Air Lines contract with Northwest pilots)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Delta Air Lines and Northwest pilots reached a tentative agreement with DL management on a joint contract, a major milestone in the carriers' planned merger. If the leadership councils for both unions approve it, it will go to both groups' full...

Southwest Airlines and WestJet.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(WestJet Airlines Ltd. partnership with Southwest Airlines )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Southwest Airlines and WestJet agreed July 8 to form a "codeshare partnership" by late 2009 that would link the networks of the two LCCs and allow passengers flying on US domestic-only SWA to connect to Calgary-based WS's network throughout...

Continental pilots.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Continental pilots represented by the Air Line Pilots Assn. announced an agreement with CO management that will reduce the number of layoffs attributable to recently announced capacity cuts.

AirTran Airways.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... AirTran Airways will cut 180 pilots and 300 flight attendants effective Sept. 6, Senior VP-Marketing and Planning Kevin Healy told the Associated Press. The carrier previously said it would impose a 15% pay cut on officers and a 5%-8% reduction...

Spirit Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
August 1, 2008... Spirit Airlines last month announced a plan to reduce nonfuel expenses by 15% through the retirement of five A319s and layoffs.

Midwest Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
August 1, 2008... Midwest Airlines is grounding its 12 MD-80s, leaving a fleet of 25 717s.

Air Transat.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Financial report)
August 1, 2008... Air Transat parent Transat A.T. posted net income of C$40.7 million ($39.8 million) for its fiscal second quarter ended April 30, down 32.2% from C$53.8 million earned in the year-ago quarter.

US DOT.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... US DOT is considering an extraordinary request by the six US legacy carriers and Alaska Airlines to issue a "blanket waiver of all dormancy conditions" for up to two years that would allow airlines to scale back or stop serving "limited entry"...

IATA and ATA.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... IATA and ATA strongly objected to a US Dept. of Homeland Security proposed rule that would establish an "exit" program at US airports requiring airlines to fund and manage the collection of fingerprints from non-US citizens departing the...

FAA and EC.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... FAA and EC signed a safety agreement that "broadens and deepens the regulatory collaboration between the FAA and its European counterparts in EASA and national authorities," FAA said in a statement. The agency said the accord provides for...

Sunwing Airlines.(SUNNY SKIES)
August 1, 2008... Sunwing Airlines of Canada took delivery of its third 737-800 last month. Aircraft is leased from Aviation Capital Group. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Boeing.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Boeing achieved full power-on for its first 787 in late June. First flight is expected in the fourth quarter. Separately, Alenia Aeronautica said it successfully completed destructive testing of the 787's horizontal stabilizer in Naples...

General Electric.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(appointment of David Joyce)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... General Electric appointed David Joyce, 51, as president and CEO of GE Aviation, succeeding Scott Donnelly, who was named COO of Textron. Joyce was VP-commercial engines since 2003 and is a 21-year veteran of GE's engine business. He is the...

Rockwell Collins.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
August 1, 2008... Rockwell Collins will provide its WXR-2100 MultiScan Hazard Detection System and other avionics to US Airways for its A320s and A330s.

Meggitt safety systems.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
August 1, 2008... Meggitt Safety Systems won a contract from Airbus to design, develop, manufacture and support the fire protection system on the A350.

Nav Canada.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Nav Canada proposed to maintain a 1% reduction in its service charges that was implemented on a temporary basis on Aug. 1, 2007, and was set to expire Aug. 31, 2008. Continuation of the lower rates will save customers an estimated C$13 million...

Sensis Corp.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
August 1, 2008... Sensis Corp. announced that its Aerobahn Service is now operational with Continental Airlines at Houston Intercontinental.

ASIG.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
August 1, 2008... ASIG reached agreement with Air Canada to provide ramp and cabin cleaning services at Tampa International. ASIG also provides AC with fueling.

Smiths Detection.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Smiths Detection announced the launch of a hand-held vapor detector "for volatile chemicals commonly used in homemade bombs" similar to chemicals used by attempted shoe bomber Richard Reid. The Sabre EXV uses ion mobility spectrometry to...

US Majors Traffic June 2008.(FACT FILE)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... US Majors Traffic June 2008 * +/- RPMs % chg ASMs % chg. LF chg. Airline (bil.) 2007 (bil.) 2007 (%) 2007 AirTran 1.89 15.5 2.23 ...

Cathay Pacific Airways.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Cathay Pacific Airways issued a profit warning last month saying that first-half and full-year 2008 results "are expected to be disappointing" as its fuel expenses have risen by approximately 60% so far this year.

Guangzhou-based China Southern Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(China Southern Airlines Company Ltd.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Guangzhou-based China Southern Airlines became the first Chinese mainland carrier to operate a charter flight across the Taiwan Strait on July 4, using an A330. Taiwan's China Airlines followed suit later that day from Taipei to Shanghai. Other...

Chinese carriers.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Chinese carriers were dealt a blow to their bottom lines last month as authorities decided to raise the jet fuel price by CNY720 ($104.83) per ton. It is the third price hike this year, following a CNY210 per ton increase in the first...

Air New Zealand.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Air New Zealand will freeze senior executive salaries and has "challenged each division to identify opportunities to review nonessential activity and reduce employee numbers through attrition and nonreplacement of roles that are not...

Jet Airways.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(financial news)(Financial report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Jet Airways cited high fuel prices and overcapacity in the Indian domestic market as it reported a loss of INR2.53 billion ($58.9 million) for the fiscal year ended March 31, a marked reversal from the INR280 million profit it reported in the...

Malaysia Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Malaysia Airlines is prepared to "take the lead" in increasing fuel surcharges and perhaps raising fares by as much as 50% in order to negotiate a "frightening" economic environment, MD and CEO Idris Jala wrote in an open letter to media in...

AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes, in contrast, said the Malaysian LCC will be "comfortable" even if oil prices reach $200 per barrel, the Associated Press reported. "We have taken a very different approach in that we will market ourselves out of this...

Japan Airlines, Boeing and Pratt & Whitney.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
August 1, 2008... Japan Airlines, Boeing and Pratt & Whitney will team up to conduct a demonstration flight using "a second-generation biofuel." Aircraft will be a JT9D-powered JAL 747-300.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines.(FLEET RENEWAL)
August 1, 2008... Biman Bangladesh Airlines ordered two 737-800s with purchase rights for two more. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Singapore Technologies Aerospace.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Singapore Technologies Aerospace completed the purchase of SAS Group's remaining 28.7% shareholding in ST Aerospace Solutions (Europe) for [euro] 28.3 million ($44.4 million). STA Solutions now becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of ST Aerospace....

Rockwell Collins.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Rockwell Collins reached agreement with Xiamen Airlines to provide a suite of avionics for 12 737NGs with an option for 25 more. Technology includes WXR-2100 MultiScan Hazard Detection Systems.

TRAX USA.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
August 1, 2008... TRAX USA will supply Skynet Asia Airways with its EVO solution, the latest version of its TRAX Maintenance software.

American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia are close to applying for antitrust immunity to form a transatlantic revenue-and profit-sharing joint venture, the Financial Times reported last month, citing executives at the carriers. BA and AA...

Lufthansa.(EUROPE Report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Lufthansa in late June said it still expects its 2008 operating profit to match the [euro] 1.38 billion ($2.15 billion) reported in 2007 despite the challenging economic environment, as "efficiency gains" and cost cuts, along with surcharges,...

British Airways.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... British Airways will acquire French all-business-class operator L'Avion for [pounds sterling]54 million ($107.7 million) and integrate the company into its new transatlantic subsidiary OpenSkies. The combined airline will operate up to three...

European Airline Traffic June 2008.(FACT FILE)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... European Airline Traffic June 2008 Load RPKs % chg. ASKs % chg. factor +/- Airline (billions) 2007 (billions) 2007 (%) 2007 ...

Air Berlin.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Air Berlin withdrew its bid to acquire Condor Airlines from Thomas Cook. The deal was announced last fall. AB was scheduled to acquire 75.1% of Condor next February and the balance in February 2010. Thomas Cook would receive 29.9% of AB worth...

SAS Group.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... SAS Group abandoned its effort to sell Spanair, saying that as a result of the "challenging market conditions in the Spanish aviation market coupled with record oil prices and pressure in the financial sector," it has been unable to "reach its...

Ryanair.(EUROPE Report)
August 1, 2008... Ryanair boosted its stake in Aer Lingus to 29.8% through the acquisition of 3.5 million ordinary shares worth [euro] 175,000 ($275,919).

Finnair.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Finnair in June said it will begin negotiations with unions regarding cuts in production that it anticipates will affect approximately 500 employees. Carrier has said it needs to save at least [euro] 50 million ($77.5 million) per year. ...

Icelandair.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Icelandair will cut 20% of its work-force of 1,230 employees as a result of financial pressures brought on by rising fuel prices. The reduction of approximately 240 staff will occur in the fall. It also will reduce its winter flying schedule by...

TAP Portugal.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... TAP Portugal launched a six-month commercial trial of Mobile OnAir, the Airbus/SITA joint venture's inflight mobile phone and broadband service. Passengers on one TAP A319 will be able to use their PDAs and certain mobile phones to send and...

UK-based Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... UK-based Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways will begin operating jointly under the name Thomson Airways from May 1, 2009; they have been operating under one UK AOC since May 1, 2008. The rebranding of the two leisure carriers follows the...

Germanwings.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Germanwings will phase out four of its 29 A319s Nov. 1, citing higher fuel prices and the need to be profitable. "We don't want to make the mistake of expanding at any cost," MD Thomas Winkelmann said. It was not clear whether any destinations...

Sterling Airlines.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Sterling Airlines no longer will staff bases permanently at Aalborg, Billund, Malmo and Gothenburg Landvetter from Jan. 1 and will focus on its operations at Copenhagen, Stockholm Arlanda and Oslo Gardermoen, the LCC announced at the end of...

Serbian government.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Serbian government will offer for sale a 51% stake in Jat Airways for a starting price of [euro] 150 million ($231.9 million), with an option to acquire up to 75% of the airline. Independent MRO concern Jat Technika also will be put up for bid....

US FAA.(EUROPE Report)
August 1, 2008... US FAA announced that Bulgaria has been raised to a Category 1 safety rating from the Category 2 imposed in September 2003.

EC.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... EC initiated a formal investigation into whether funding of Frankfurt Hahn Airport by two regional authorities and publicly owned company Fraport, its airport charges and its contracts with Ryanair break EU state aid rules.

Airbus.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Airbus began transporting A320 segments from Hamburg to the new Tianjin FAL, where the first aircraft (headed for Sichuan Airlines) will be assembled starting this month for delivery next year. Separately, Airbus said it has selected...

Spirit AeroSystems Europe.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Spirit AeroSystems Europe won deals with Airbus to design and produce a portion of the wing for the A350 XWB program and reached a $1.7 billion extension on its existing contract to supply leading and trailing edges and other wing structures on...

Ukraine International Airlines.(SECOND ACT)
August 1, 2008... Ukraine International Airlines took delivery of its first 737-300SF converted freighter to provide additional cargo capacity between Kiev and Vienna. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Russia's Irkut Corp.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Russia's Irkut Corp. announced plans to develop a large transport as a successor to the Tu-154, with certification planned for 2015. The MC-21 will be offered in three models seating 150-210 passengers. A total of $3 billion has been "earmarked...

Lufthansa Technik and EADS EFW.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Lufthansa Technik and EADS EFW signed a two-year agreement to expand cooperation in conversion and modification of Airbus aircraft. Closer collaboration with cockpit upgrades and freighter conversion is aimed at new markets.

Iberia Tecnologia and Singapore Technologies Aerospace.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Iberia Tecnologia and Singapore Technologies Aerospace entered into a 50/50 joint venture establishing Madrid Aerospace Services, a landing gear maintenance company for A320s, A330s and A340s. Startup capital is [euro] 2.57 million ($4.06...

SR Technics.(EUROPE Report)(contract)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... SR Technics signed 10-year agreements with Aer Lingus to provide line maintenance services at Dublin for A320, A321 and A330 aircraft. Contracts cover A checks, ground handling, deicing and cosmetic service.

MNG Technic.(EUROPE Report)
August 1, 2008... MNG Technic reached agreement with Nordic Airways to provide C checks on the carrier's MD-81.

Condor Technik.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Condor Technik will launch line maintenance operations on Condor's 757-200s in November and on its nine 767-300s and 13 757-300s next spring. Staffing is expected to reach 170 by next year.

SITA.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... SITA signed a five-year, $6.2 million deal with Sweden's Skyways Express to migrate the carrier to its Passenger Management and Revenue Optimization Solution Suites. SITA concluded a partnership with Singapore's Stratech Systems to make...

Oxford Aviation Academy.(EUROPE Report)(Oxford Aviation Academy acquired with Parc Aviation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Oxford Aviation Academy acquired Dublin-based Parc Aviation, which supplies flight crew on medium/long-term contracts to airlines. The acquisition is backed by STAR Capital, Oxford's majority shareholder. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Lufthansa systems.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Lufthansa Systems will provide its NetLine technology to Braathens Aviation subsidiaries Transwede Airways and Malmo Aviation under a five-year deal. EasyJet will begin using the Lido Operations Center dispatch solution in October and LHS...

IER.(EUROPE Report)
August 1, 2008... IER was selected by ARINC and Flybe to supply more than 100 IER 918 self-service check-in kiosks for installation at 22 airports.

IBS Software Services.(EUROPE Report)
August 1, 2008... IBS Software Services will provide KLM with its AvientCrew solution.

ITA Software.(EUROPE Report)
August 1, 2008... ITA Software reached agreement with TAP Portugal for provision of its QPX airfare pricing and shopping system.

Motorola.(EUROPE Report)
August 1, 2008... Motorola will provide Lufthansa Technik with its RFID solution for tracking components.

US and Brazil.(LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... US and Brazil announced an enhanced air services agreement that will provide for a nearly 50% increase in passenger flights between the countries. The previous agreement allowed only four airlines from each country while the new deal removes...

Kalitta Air.(LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Kalitta Air 747-200F crashed into a home July 7 shortly after taking off from Bogota, killing three occupants in the house, fewer than 24 hr. after a USA Jet Airlines DC-9F crashed on approach to Saltillo, Mexico, killing one pilot and...