Air Transport World articles from January 2002

Air Transport World archives from January 2002

Clear! (Editorial).(Airline industry forecast)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... As the New Year dawns, it is only natural to have sincere concerns about the dismal prospects ahead. Never in the history of the airline industry has there been a two-year period to match the year just past and the probabilities of the coming...

A Long Night's Journey: Struck down by the dual blows of recession and terrorist attack, airlines fight through to the daylight of building traffic and profit recovery. (Forecast 2002).(Airlines report estimated 2001 losses of $11 bn)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... "Survival" is the goal for most airlines in 2002, a year in which ATW projects net losses for the global industry will reach $7.5 billion on top of estimated 2001 losses of $11 billion. Losses of $18.5 billion for the two-year period are...

Coming cargo shakeout: Freight traffic was well down before Sept. 11; one outcome of the catastrophe could be the disappearance of irrational capacity. (Forecast).(International cargo traffic falls in 2001)(International Pages)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Measured against the catastrophe being endured on the passenger side of the business, the downturn in air cargo and express shipments appears tame by comparison. Nevertheless, IATA traffic figures show that international cargo traffic...

China Airlines' new flightpath: President Christine Tsung is rebuilding the troubled carrier's core culture while taking steps to cope with the post-Sept. 11 downturn. (Profile).(China Airlines President Christine Tsai-yi Tsung examines company)(International Pages)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... "We have had to look inward at ourselves, and after Sept. 11 we have had to look inward to Asia for near-term growth." Perhaps this observation by China Airlines President Christine Tsai-yi Tsung best sums up the mood at the Taiwanese carrier...

Wanted: Another Asian miracle: Delegates at the Assn. of Asia Pacific Airlines' 45th assembly saw little to smile about. (Organizations).(Asian airlines hurt by economic downturn)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The term "Asian miracle" once was used to describe the phenomenal performance of the region's economies. That rapid expansion was the primary contributor to airlines' double-digit traffic performance through the late 1980s and well into the...

People.(Delta Air Lines selected Joe Kolshak as VP-flight operations)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... AECMA elected Snecma President & CEO Jean-Paul Bechat as president for 2001-02. AeroCentury promoted Polly Prelinger to senior VP-marketing. Airbus North America named Andrew Shankland VP-business development. Airlines Electronic...

Air Canada delays launch of low-cost carrier. (News Briefs).(Under pressure from government to reduce market share)
January 1, 2002... Air Canada is delaying the launch of its low-cost carrier to allow more planning and research. No start date for the carrier had been announced. The postponement comes as AC is looking for ways to address mounting government pressure to...

Crossair, Swissair to form new international airline. (News Briefs).(Selects new board of directors)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The project to revive bankrupt Swissair aims "to create and develop a new international airline" rather than merging the two carriers, Crossair CEO Andre Dose said at a special shareholders' meeting in Basel last month. A new board of directors...

Adieu, TWA. (News Briefs).(Trans World Airlines' history)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Trans World Airlines disappeared as an airline brand Dec. 8-9 as its TW code was replaced in CRSs by the AA code of its acquirer, American Airlines, and airport signage was changed. TWA's history dated back to the formation of Western Air...

EC eliminates hushkit nonaddition rule. (News Briefs).(Airports may impose operating restrictions on noisy aircraft)(Government Activity)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... European Commission, as expected, formally eliminated its controversial hushkit nonaddition rule that was adopted in April 1999. Instead it approved a proposal for a directive on aircraft noise corresponding to resolutions adopted by ICAO last...

Boeing to keep 717 line. (News Briefs).(Will take after-tax charge of $700 mn)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Boeing on Dec. 13 said it will maintain production of the 717, albeit at a reduced rate and with "revised delivery projections." The company previously had said it was evaluating halting production of the twinjet. It currently is building four...

UAL's Avolar opens for business. (News Briefs).(business jet service)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... UAL's Avolar business jet subsidiary opened for business last month after signing two letters of intent for a combined $782 million worth of aircraft from Bombardier and Raytheon. Avolar agreed to buy as many as 57 Learjet 45s and Learjet 60s...

Concorde. (News Briefs).(returns to service)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Caption: Concorde returned to service with British Airways (above) and Air France in Nov. with newly protected fuel tanks that increased weight by 400 kg. BA offset this with a lighter-weight interior, and lighter "no-blowout" tires that also...

Air France. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(financial statistics)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Air France earned [euro]88 million ($78.1 million) in the fiscal second quarter ended Sept. 30, down 46% from [euro]163 million a year earlier. Operating profit after aircraft disposals but before interest and taxes dropped 69% to [euro]72...

Crossair. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(raises landing requirements for Zurich Airport)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Crossair, following the Nov. 24 crash of an Avro RJ-100 on approach to Runway 28 at Zurich Airport, said it "raised its minimum requirements for landing on the controversial runway." Use of the runway, which does not have a precision approach,...

Lufthansa. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(orders A380-800s)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Lufthansa's supervisory board endorsed an executive board proposal to order 15 A380-800s with first deliveries scheduled for third-quarter 2007. Deliberations over the order had been on hold following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. ...

KLM and seven unions. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(pay increase postponed)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... KLM and seven unions representing Netherlands-based employees agreed to postpone a scheduled pay increase, reduce some staff members' time off and possibly trim jobs without involuntary furloughs. A 2% pay increase was postponed from Dec. 1...

Virgin Atlantic Airways. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(delays contract with Airbus Industrie)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Virgin Atlantic Airways, launch customer for the A340-600, is in talks with Airbus over delaying deliveries in light of the downturn. Virgin has ordered 10 A340-600s, including four due for delivery this year.

Alitalia's board of directors. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(cuts 2500 jobs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Alitalia's board of directors in late Nov. approved a plan to cut about 2,500 jobs and grant early retirement with incentives to another 900 people. The workforce reductions are part of a plan aimed at achieving a profit of [euro]25 million...

New DAT. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(financial trouble for New DAT)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... New DAT's future is looking increasingly bleak after a critical piece of its jigsaw-style financing plan fell through in mid-Dec. Air Holding, the investor group led by Etienne Davignon and Maurice Lippens, could raise only [euro]177 million...

Air Lib. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(sues Crossair)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Air Lib, successor of bankrupt AOM Air Liberte, which was 49% owned by the former SAirGroup, is suing Crossair for about [euro]5 17 million ($460.2 million). The lawsuit alleges that Crossair is the successor of SAirGroup and SAirLines and...

Ryanair. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(makes Frankfurt-Hahn Airport on of its European bases)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Ryanair chose Frankfurt-Hahn Airport as its second continental European base after Brussels Charleroi and will allocate up to four 737-800s there as of Feb. 14. It will operate more than 30 flights a day from Hahn to 10 European destinations.

Go. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(airline's financial statistics)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Go earned [pounds sterling]16.9 million ($24.1 million) before taxes in the half-year ended Sept. 30, a 51% gain from [pounds sterling]11.2 million a year earlier. Revenues rose 44% to [pounds sterling]128.2 million. Internet sales accounted...

TAP Air Portugal. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(sees financial loss)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... TAP Air Portugal said it posted a preliminary net loss of [euro]43 million ($38.3 million) fur the Jan.-Oct. period, narrowing its shortfall by 42% compared to the same period last year. It achieved an operating profit of [euro]23.4 million...

Czech Airlines. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(changes plans to expand fleet)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Czech Airlines dropped plans to expand its fleet in 2002 due to the decline in demand since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. CSA added that it will not trim its 30-aircraft fleet.

Airtours Group. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(changes name to My Travel Group)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Airtours Group, the UK leisure travel and tourism giant, renamed itself My Travel Group as it reported a record operating profit before exceptional items of [pounds sterling]147.4 million($211 million) for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, up 54%...

EU finance ministers. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(airline insurance coverage extended)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... EU finance ministers agreed last month to permit member states to extend to airlines for three months to the end of March their eligibility for emergency financial aid for insurance cover.

UK airlines. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(receive September 11-related compensation)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... UK airlines will get a u40 million ($58 million) compensation package for revenue lost when US airspace was closed plus extra costs, such as airport and airspace charges, passenger and crew costs and expenses from diverted aircraft. The...

Lufthansa. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(protests credit guarantees for LTU)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Lufthansa filed a complaint with the EC protesting the state credit guarantees North-Rhine West-phalia plans to grant to charter operator LTU.

Finnair. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(sees financial loss)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Finnair posted a third-quarter loss before extraordinary items of [euro]16.6 million ($14.6 million) versus a [euro]39 million profit for the year-earlier period and predicted a frill-year loss. The airline hopes to save [euro]115 million a...

Sabena Technics. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(lays off employees)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Sabena Technics said in late Nov. that it will regroup its departments and reduce its workforce by as much as 30% or about 700 workers under a major restructuring. The company also confirmed it is eyeing buyers for its business.

Airbus. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(freezes prices)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Airbus said it will freeze prices for spare parts, goods and services for six months. The manufacturer also will absorb the engineering and certification costs related to cockpit-security modifications and provide kits at reduced prices....

Rolls-Royce. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(new Trent 900 partners named)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Rolls-Royce said that FiatAvio, Goodrich, Hamilton Sundstrand and Honeywell will become risk-and revenue-sharing partners on the Trent 900 for the A380, joining Volvo, whose participation was announced last May. The Trent 900 is scheduled for...

UK government. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(new terminal construction approved for Heathrow Airport)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... UK government okayed construction of Terminal 5 at London Heathrow. However, approval of the [pounds]2.5 billion ($3.7 billion) project wasn't unconditional. Transport Secretasy Stephen Bycts stipulated that Heathrow's traffic would be limited...

French government. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(plans for third Paris airport)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... French government said that the third Paris airport will be built at Chaulnes-Vermandovilliers in the Somme region about 130 km from Paris. Cost is estimated at between [euro]6.1 billion ($5.4 billion) and [euro]9.1 billion.

Thirty European states. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(en route navigation charges frozen)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Thirty European states agreed to freeze their en route navigation charges at 2001 levels for the first three months of 2002.

EADS Sogerma Services. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(renews contract with Cyprus Airways)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... EADS Sogerma Services renewed its per-flight-hour component repair contract with Cyprus Airways covering 12 A320s and A310s for three years.

STG Aerospace. (News Briefs - Europe Report).(receives orders)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... STG Aerospace, which makes photoluminescent systems, said it has received mote than $500,000 in orders for its signage and marking products since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

European Airline Traffic. (News Briefs).(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... European Airline Traffic November 2001 Load RPKs % chg. ASKs % chg. factor +/- (billions) 2000 (billions) 2000 (%) 2000 BA ...

ATW Senior Editor Geoffrey Thomas.(Air Transport World Senior Editor receives award)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... ATW Senior Editor Geoffrey Thomas, who is based in Perth, won the prestigious Australian Aviation Journalist of the Year Award at a gala dinner in Sydney on Dec. 7. His entry consisted of a selection of works led by "Living In JALsworld" that...

American Airlines. (News Briefs - North America Report).(expects financial loss)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... American Airlines still "is losing millions of dollars every day" and will report a "very, very big loss for the fourth quarter and full year," Chairman and CEO Don Catty told employees. Catty said that although bookings through early Jan....

President Bush. (News Briefs - North America Report).(New undersecretary of transportation security)(Government Activity)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... President Bush nominated John Magaw to serve as the first undersecretary of transportation security. Magaw currently is acting executive director of the Office of National Preparedness within the Federal Emergency Management. Agency. He is a...

US Airways. (News Briefs - North America Report).(President and CEO Rakesh Gangwal resigns)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... US Airways President and CEO Rakesh Gangwal, who held the positions at both the group and airline levels, resigned unexpectedly at the end of Nov. following a brutal third quarter that saw the airline cut 11,000 jobs, reduce capacity by more...

United Airlines. (News Briefs - North America Report).(Will reduce costs by $2.5 bn)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... United Airlines will defer deliveries of 43 aircesft through 2003, a move it expects to cut costs by $2.5 billion--based on list prices--during that period. United, which was slated to get 67 aircraft during 2002 and 2003, the majority of them...

Air Canada. (News Briefs - North America Report).(Reports third-quarter net loss of $374 mn)(International Pages)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Air Canada reported a third-quarter net loss of C$598 million ($374 million) after completing an "intangible asset review" that resulted in the writedown of a C$410 million intangible tax asset. In the year-ago period the airline earned C$101...

US Dot. (News Briefs - North America Report).(Justice Dept. opposes American Airlines/British Airways antitrust exemption application)(Government Activity)(International Pages)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... US DOT said it expects to rule on the American Airlines/British Airways antitrust exemption application by early in 2002. The Justice Dept. said it opposed the deal unless the carriers give up 126 weekly slots at London Heathrow to rival US...

JetBlue Airways. (News Briefs - North America Report).(New nonstop service between Washington Dulles and Fort Lauderdale)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... JetBlue Airways opened its 18th city Nov. 28 when it began twice-daily nonstop service between Washington Dulles and Fort Lauderdale. The carrier will operate 32 A320s by the end of 2002.

Sun Country Airlines. (News Briefs - North America Report).(Suspends scheduled flights)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Sun Country Airlines suspended scheduled flights last month, returning to its charter origins. The move follows the shift of tour arrangers TransGlobal Vacations, Funjet Vacations and Mark Travel to other carriers. Prior to the announcement,...

Midway Airlines. (News Briefs - North America Report).(Gets $10 mn in federal aid)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Midway Airlines, which announced plans to liquidate Sept. 12 but recendy was revived with $10 million in federal aid, planned to begin offering service in six major East Coast markets Dec. 19 while operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy...

Vanguard Airlines. (News Briefs - North America Report).(Seeks $60 mn in federal loan guarantees)(Government Activity)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Vanguard Airlines applied for $60 million in federal loan guarantees as part of a restructuring program that would include handing over "a significant equity stake" in the airline to the government. The loan, sought as part of the US industry...

NTSB. (News Briefs - North America Report).(Investigation of American Airlines Flight 587 crash)(Government Activity)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... NTSB as part of its continuing investigation into the Nov. 12 crash of American Airlines Flight 587, moved the composite vertical stabilizer and rudder of the A300600 to NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., where it will try to...

Boeing Commercial Airplanes. (News Briefs - North America Report).(Tests electric-powered demonstrator aircraft)(Product Development)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Boeing Commercial Airplanes plans to develop and test an electric-powered demonstrator aircraft as part of a study to evaluate "environmentally friendly" fuel cell technology for future products. The company said fuel cells and electric motors...

A GE90-115B. (News Briefs - North America Report).(Ground tests reach steady state of 117,446 lbs.)(Product Development)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... A GE90-115B set a thrust record during its initial ground tests by reaching 120,316 lb. thrust before running at a steady state of 117,446 lb. GEAE in Nov. began an "aggressive" testing program to run six engines through 15,000 cycles,...

Honeywell. (News Briefs - North America Report).(New satellite communications link for aircraft)(Product Development)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Honeywell said it has begun working with Iridium Satellite to develop a satellite communications link to send continuous live cockpit audio from an aircraft in distress to authorities on the ground.

Rockwell Collins. (News Briefs - North America Report).(New Programmable Audio and Video Entertainment System contract)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Rockwell Collins said its Programmable Audio and Video Entertainment System, or PAVES, was selected by ILFC as the baseline audio product for the lessor's 737NG fleet. The aircraft will be built through Dec. 2007. Rockwell Collins Aviation...

CMC Electronics. (News Briefs - North America Report).(FAA certification given to GPS-based CMA-900 FMS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... CMC Electronics said its GPS-based CMA-900 FMS received FAA certification on the initial 747-300F operated by Dragonair. Installation on the second 747-300F is underway.

Airborne Express. (News Briefs - North America Report).(gives aircraft maintenance contract to Aviation Sales)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Airborne Express contracted Aviation Sales' Timco division to provide heavy maintenance visits on its DC-8s and 767-200s for two years in a deal valued at more than $17 million.

US Majors Traffic. (News Briefs).(major airlines load statistics for November 2001)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... US Majors Traffic November 2001 Load RPMs % chg. ASMs % chg. factor (billions) 2000 (billions) 2000 (%) ...

Kamlakar Mhatre. (News Briefs).(Air Transport World's contributing editor killed in train accident)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Air Transport World's contributing editor for the Indian subcontinent, Kamlakar Mhatre, was killed in a train accident in Mumbai Nov. 22 at the age of 70. Kamlakar joined ATW in 1990, one year after he left Air-India, where he devoted 27 years,...

All Nippon Airways. (News Briefs - Asia/Pacific Report).(to cut labor force)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... All Nippon Airways plans to reduce its staff by about 1,000 or about 9% by March 31,2003, and postpone hiring as part of a package of efficiency measures intended to cut [yen]30 billion ($242 million) in costs. ANA also will offer voluntary...

Qantas. (News Briefs - Asia/Pacific Report).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Qantas's new low-cost international carrier, Australian Airlines, will be launched in Aug. with the support of a tax incentive package from Queensland. The carrier originally was scheduled to begin flying in April, but launch was delayed...

The revived version. (News Briefs - Asia/Pacific Report).(Ansett begins selling airline tickets again)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The revived version of Ansett began selling tickers to five Australian cities Dec. 13 as Singapore Airlines appeared increasingly unlikely to rake management control of the new-look carrier. Ansett's new owners said they will begin operating...

Air New Zealand. (News Briefs - Asia/Pacific Report).(names John Palmer chairman)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Air New Zealand elected John Palmer, a businessman who serves on a number of boards, as chairman. Palmer is also chairman of Wrightson, Saxton Fruit and Nelson Fruit Services.

Cathay Pacific. (News Briefs - Asia/Pacific Report).(slow business leads to 6 747s being parked)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Cathay Pacific plans to park six 747-400s-more than a quarter of its dash 400 fleet. Some of the airline's high-profit routes are running at a loss and the first quarter of 2002 "will be very worrying," said Director-Corporate Development Tony...

SriLaknkan Airlines. (News Briefs - Asia/Pacific Report).(voluntary retirement program)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... SriLaknkan Airlines said it will offer voluntary retirement within two months to about 20% of its 3,800 staff Some 1,000 employees accepted similar offers last year.

CAAC. (News Briefs - Asia/Pacific Report).(cost of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to the Chinese civil aviation industry is estimated at over $242 million)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... CAAC estimated that the economic cost to the Chinese civil aviation industry of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the US will exceed 2 billion yuan ($242 million).

US FAA. (News Briefs - Asia/Pacific Report).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... US FAA restored a Category 1 safety raring to South Korea. The agency downgraded the country's caring last Aug., resulting in suspension of code-sharing between Asiana and American Airlines. Delta Air Lines said it expects to resume codesharing...

Pratt & Whitney Cenco. (News Briefs - Asia/Pacific Report).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Pratt & Whitney Cenco received a contract valued at more than $13 million from MTU Maintenance Zhuhai, a joint venture of China Southern Airlines and MTU Munchen, to design and build a jet engine test cell.

Transbrasil. (News Briefs - Latin America Report).(ceases operations)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Transbrasil ceased operations Dec. 4 when it ran our of cash to pay for fuel for its reduced fleet of five 737-300s and the four Brasilias belonging to subsidiary Interbtasil, Lacking credit in the marketplace, Transbrasil was paying cash for...

Varig. (News Briefs - Latin America Report).(earnings report)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Varig posted a R608.3 million ($250 million) loss for the first nine first months of 2001, a frustrating result in comparison to the R24.7 million loss in the same period of 2000. Devaluation of the teal against the US dollar and higher fuel...

Aerolineas Argentinas. (News Briefs - Latin America Report).(resumes service to Madrid)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Aerolineas Argentinas resumed its prime long-haul Buenos Aires-Madrid daily service after almost five months of interruption as part of the recovery plan put in place by new majority shareholder Viajes Marsans. Services to eight more...

Malev. (Leasing & Finance Briefs).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Malev leased six 737-700s, two 737-800s and two 737-600s from ILFC. Deliveries will begin in Feb. 2003 and be completed by late 2004.

Finnair. (Leasing & Finance Briefs).(Leasing)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Finnair agreed to lease two DC-9-51s to Aeropostal Alas de Venezuela. Separately, Wells Fargo Northwest agreed to lease a DC-9-41 to Private Jet. Bath transactions were arranged by Sigma Aircraft Management.

Airlease. (Leasing & Finance Briefs).(CSI Aviation Services)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Airlease agreed to lease two MD-82s previously operated by US Airways to CSI Aviation Services.

European Aviation Air Charter. (Leasing & Finance Briefs).(Buys 747-200s from British Airways)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... European Aviation Air Charter bought five 747-200s from British Airways. BA retired all its 747-200s in October and the European Aviation deal leaves it with three still for sale.

GB Airways. (Leasing & Finance Briefs).(Leases A320s from Lombard Aviation Capitol)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... GB Airways agreed to lease four new A320s from Lombard Aviation Capitol under a seven-year contract. The aircraft will be powered by IAE V2500-A5s and are scheduled for delivery in the first quarter. They were ordered originally by British...

Boullioun Aviation. (Leasing & Finance Briefs).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Boullioun Aviation Services and its Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise affiliate agreed to a sale/leaseback deal with Finnair involving three A320s. Boullioun is acquiring two of the aircraft that will bean long-term lease lathe...

CNF Inc. (Cargo).(No re-launch of Emery Worldwide Airlines)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... CNF Inc. announced Dec. 5 that it would not relaunch Emery Worldwide Airlines, which it grounded in Aug. to avoid an FAA-ordered shutdown. The carrier's parent company said the step is being taken as part of a company wide restructuring under...

FedEx. (Cargo).(abandons plans to buy 15 MD-11s from Swissair)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... FedEx is reported to be abandoning plans to buy 15 MD-11s from Swissair Group and have them converted into freighters. FedEx declined to comment.

Atlas Air. (Cargo).(use of ARINC data)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Atlas Air signed a five-year contract to continue its use of ARINC data link services, including automated delivery of weather and airport status to the flight deck.

Vietnam Airlines. (Equipment).(ordered four 777-200ERs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Vietnam Airlines ordered four 777-200ERs with deliveries beginning in 2003.

BAE Systems to drop Avro RJ program. (Regional News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The anticipated shakeout among regional jet manufacturers has begun with the announcement that long-time participant BAE Systems will terminate its Avro RJ-85 and RJ-100 programs as well as its RJX project and will cut about 1,700 jobs because...

Northwest Airlink carrier to go all-jet. (Regional News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Express Airlines I plans to transition to an all-jet fleet by early 2003. The Northwest Airlink currently operates 27 CRJs and 20 Saab 340s out of its Memphis hub and Northwest Airlink Mesaba Airlines gradually will take over the turboprop...

Majors look for financial relief from Regional partners. (Regional News).(Following Islamic terrorist attacks)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Major airlines are looking to renegotiate their service contracts with their Regional partners in an effort to cut costs, according to UBS Warburg analyst Jamie Baker. Three Regionals--Atlanric Coast Airlines, Mesa Air Group and SkyWest--have...