Air Transport World articles from July 2005

Air Transport World archives from July 2005

Jet fuel prices *.(TRENDS)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2005... JET FUEL PRICES * May 20, 2005 New York 143.27 US Gulf Coast 142.02 Los Angeles 153.55 Rotterdam 150.58 Singapore 146.26

Top 20 airlines: January-May 2005.(TRENDS)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2005... TOP 20 AIRLINES JANUARY-MAY 2005 RANK AIRLINE RPKs (000) 1 American 89,361,913 2 Delta 78,390,000 3 United 72,887,099 4 Air France/KLM 72,396,000 ...

Exchange rate: currency units per us dollar.(TRENDS)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2005... EXCHANGE RATE CURRENCY UNITS PER US DOLLAR COUNTRY/ CURRENCY 5/31/05 3/31/05 Brazil/Real 2.37 2.6755 Canada/$ 1.2565 1.2173 China/Yuan 8.2865 8.2865 Euro/[euro]...

Livin' easy.(airports capacity)
July 1, 2005... July means, as George Gershwin wrote, it's summertime and the living is easy. Easy indeed, unless you're caught up on a clear day in an airport conga line that makes your connection plans history, or you're stranded in a terminal as a low front...

Airlines posted positive EBIT in 2004.(Financial results, new deals, and reports from every corner of the globe)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The world's scheduled airlines in posted an operating profit last year of $3.5 billion on revenues of $374 billion, according to preliminary estimates from ICAO, which said the positive operating results-after three consecutive years of...

EC okays Alitalia aid.(Financial results, new deals, and reports from every corner of the globe)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The European Commission in early June gave its conditional approval to Alitalia's restructuring plan, which includes a 1.2 billion [euro] ($1.47 billion) recapitalization of new airline entity AZ Fly and the partial sale of services entity AZ...

Star to pursue GDS alternatives.(Financial results, new deals, and reports from every corner of the globe)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The Star Alliance announced last month that it "has initiated a major cost-reduction effort" by seeking alternative channels to global distribution systems such as Amadeus, Cendant (Galileo), Sabre and Worldspan through so-called GDS new...

Airbus confirms half-year A380 delays.(Financial results, new deals, and reports from every corner of the globe)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Delays in A380 first deliveries of up to six months were confirmed by Airbus at the end of May, with Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qantas most affected. SIA now hopes to have its first A380 in service before the end of 2006 rather than in...

US resumes WTO case against Airbus launch aid.(Financial results, new deals, and reports from every corner of the globe)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Citing the European Commission's "unwillingness to halt new subsidies for large civil aircraft" including the proposed A350, the Bush Administration at the end of May filed a request for the establishment of a World Trade Organization dispute...

US Airways, America West agree to merge.(Financial results, new deals, and reports from every corner of the globe)
July 1, 2005... US Airways Group and America West Holdings Corp. claim their proposed merger will achieve annual synergies of $600 million, enabling them to be "positioned for profitability at oil prices above $50 per barrel." Neither currently is profitable,...

An order for five A350s.(Indian First)(Kingfisher Airlines )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... An order for five A350s from India's Kingfisher Airlines was among the highlights at an order-heavy Paris Air Show (show coverage begins on p. 24).

Air France-KLM Group.(EUROPE Report)(Air France Group)(KLM Royal Dutch Airlines)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Air France-KLM Group--consolidating AF Group over 12 months and KLM Group over 11 months--reported net income of C351 million ($442.9 million) for the fiscal year ended March 31, up 20.2% over net income of 292 million [euro] in FY04....

Irish government.(EUROPE Report)(Aer Lingus Group PLC)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Irish government in May said it decided in principle to sell a majority shareholding in Aer Lingus while retaining a "significant stake" to protect "key strategic interests." Reportedly, the government wants to ensure that any new owner...

Virgin Atlantic.(EUROPE Report)(Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Virgin Atlantic reported a pre-tax profit of 68 million [pounds sterling] ($124 million) for the 12 months ended Feb. 28 compared to a profit of 20.9 [pounds sterling] million in the prior financial year that covered the 10 months ended Feb....

Ryanair.(EUROPE Report)(Ryanair Holdings PLC)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Ryanair reported an adjusted net profit after exceptional costs and goodwill of 268.9 million [euro] ($330.9 million) for the financial year ended March 31, a 19% increase compared to the adjusted net profit of 226.6 million [euro] in the...

EasyJet.(EUROPE Report)(Easyjet Airline PLC appointed Stelios Haji-Ioannou)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * EasyJet CEO Ray Webster will step down a year ahead of schedule, citing the "personal costs" of leading the low-cost carrier for almost 10 years. Stelios Haji-Ioannou, its founder and largest shareholder, is rejoining the airline's board in a...

Swiss International Air Lines.(EUROPE Report)(Star Alliance Services GmbH)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Swiss International Air Lines will become a member of the Star Alliance. The move was widely expected after Lufthansa, a founding member of the alliance, agreed in March to purchase Swiss. Separately, Swiss reported a CHF44 million ($36...

Bmi.(EUROPE Report)(British Midland Airways Ltd)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Bmi is switching to a single-class service with paid-for catering on all but four of its short-haul routes from London Heathrow. Simultaneously, it will launch three fare types-tiny, standard and premium offering three levels of flexibility...

Iberia.(Iberia contractswith OnAir.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Iberia teamed up with OnAir to provide e-mail and Web chat services for its business-class passengers on long-haul routes following "very successful" inflight tests. The e-mail and Web services will be based on Swift64 satellite...

Finnair's.(appointments.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Finnair's board of directors appointed Jukka Hienonen as the company's next president and CEO effective Jan. 1, replacing Keijo Suila, who is retiring on Dec. 31. Hienonen has worked for Stockmann Oy since 1995 and has been executive VP of...

Boeing.(contracts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Boeing launched its 777 freighter on the basis of a firm order for five from Air France plus three options.

EU finance ministers.(EUROPE Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * EU finance ministers in May reached an agreement in principle to impose a new ticket tax to fund development aid that would be voluntary or obligatory depending on the EU member country, while dropping proposals for a tax on airline fuel....

European Court of Justice.(cases)
July 1, 2005... European Court of Justice ruled in favor of the EC and said the Greek government made insufficient efforts to recover from Olympic Airways 41 million [euro] ($52.5 million) in restructuring aid and 153 million [euro] in new operating aid that...

Malev.(contracts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Malev has taken the first step toward joining oneworld by signing an MOU with the alliance that provides "a framework for continued discussions" aimed at inviting the Hungarian carrier to become a full member in 2006.

SkyTeam.(alliance and partnership)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * SkyTeam unveiled its new Associate Program and named the first carriers selected to begin the joining process: Air Europa, Tarom, Copa Airlines and Kenya Airways.

Sabre.(mergers)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Sabre announced that it will acquire lastminute.com through a share purchase that values the independent online travel and leisure group at roughly 577 million [pounds sterling].

Spairliners GmbH.(services )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Spairliners GmbH is the name of a new 50/50 joint venture between Air France Industries and Lufthansa Technik to offer "a full spec trum of support services for components to all A380 operators worldwide." Its logistical operation will be...

SR Technics Holdings.(EUROPE Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * SR Technics Holdings reported that 2004 operating earnings soared to CHF34 million ($27.7 million) from CHF8 million in 2003 on a 24% rise in sales to CHF1.17 billion. The company also announced that CEO Hans Ulrich Beyeler will retire...

TAT Industries.(mergers)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * TAT Industries will purchase Sabena Technics under an MOU signed at last month's Paris Air Show. Brussels-based Sabena Technics employs 1,150 and had revenue of 125 million [euro] ($153.6 million) in 2004. TAT Industries, the MRO arm of the...

Air France.(EUROPE Report)(contracts between Air France and Thales.S.A.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Air France selected Thales' TopSeries i5000 inflight entertainment systems for its future fleet of 10 firm and four option A380s.

SITA.(contracts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * SITA signed an MOU with IATA to cover deployment of interline e-ticketing technology as part of IATA's Simplifying the Business program.

SAS Component.(EUROPE Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * SAS Component's Free2Fly program was selected by bmi for its 28 Airbus aircraft on a long-term basis. SWE FLY selected Free2Fly for its single 767-200.

Alitalia Maintenance Systems.(EUROPE Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Alitalia Maintenance Systems received approvals from ENAC and EASA to perform overhauls on CFM56-5B engines. AMS is a joint venture of Alitalia and Lufthansa Technik.

Snecma Services Brussels.(EUROPE Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Snecma Services Brussels signed an exclusive three-year time and material contract with FlyMe Sweden covering the airline's CFM56-3 engines.

GKN Aerospace.(EUROPE Report)(CFM56-5B engines approved)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * GKN Aerospace said it received approval from Snecma Services covering restoration of the overall length and midspan shrouds on the fan blades of CFM56-5B engines.

Swissport.(Air France's ground handling agreement )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Swissport finalized a four-year ground handling agreement with Air France initially covering 11 airports. According to Swissport, the accord will generate revenue of CHFIO million ($12.1 million) a year.

Trax.(Cargolux maintenance services by the company)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Trax signed an agreement with Cargolux under which Cargolux will implement Trax Maintenance beginning this month.

Telair International.(Air France slected the company to supply the deck cargo loading systems)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Telair International was selected by Air France to supply main deck cargo loading systems for the carrier's conversion of three 747-400 Combis into full freighters.

Lufthansa Systems.(Fischer Air Polska, Pluna, TUI Airline Management, Air Bosna )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Lufthansa Systems inked deals with Fischer Air Polska, Pluna and TUI Airlines Belgium for its Flight Management System navigation database services. LHS said Air Bosna signed a contract for hosting services covering sales, ticketing and...

Penauille Group.(Jacques Guerin )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Penauille Group named industry veteran Jacques Guerin CEO of Servisair/GlobeGround, replacing Jean de Courceh Servisair/GlobeGround teamed with easy Jet to launch easyJetLounges, selling access to lounges at 33 airports throughout...

Menzies Aviation.(Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Menzies Aviation said Cathay Pacific will be the launch customer for Right Bags OnBoard, its new secure baggage reconciliation system.

United Airlines.(International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers)
July 1, 2005... * United Airlines moved closer to emerging from bankruptcy as management reached agreements with major unions on wage and benefit givebacks. The airline and negotiators for the International Assn. of Machinists, which represents some 20,000...

Air Canada.(human resource management)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Air Canada said it was can- celing its $6 billion, 50-aircraft 777/787 order placed in April after its pilots rejected a tentative agreement covering rates and rules for operating the aircraft. Separately, AC named Sean Menke executive VP...

European airline traffic May 2005.(FACT FILE)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2005... European Airline Traffic May 2005 % RPKs change ASKs Airline (billions) 2004 (billions) AF-KLM 15.23 6.9 19.60 AUA Group (1)...

Frontier Airlines.(company sales)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Frontier Airlines lost $23.4 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, including around $2.3 million in net special charges. This compares to net income of $12.6 million in FY04, which included on a pre-tax basis net one-time charges of $6.8...

Hawaiian Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Hawaiian Airlines emerged from bankruptcy in June after more than two years in Chapter 11 with $135 million in new debt financing, $60 million of which is a bridge financing to be repaid through a rights offering to shareholders. With the...

Alaska Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(contract with Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Alaska Airlines and its 700 aircraft technicians, represented by AMFA, reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract that provides "job security language and wage increases that are unique to the current industry environment,"...

AirTran Airways.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(partnership with G2 SwitchWorks)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * AirTran Airways flight attendants, represented by the Assn. of Flight Attendants, overwhelmingly ratified a new contract reached in April. Terms of the 42-month accord were not released, but the carrier said it includes improved compensation...

ATA Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(contract with cockpit crewmembers)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * ATA Airlines cockpit crewmembers, including pilots and flight engineers, ratified an agreement to extend short-term pay and work rule concessions that will save the company an estimated $10 million over the next four years.

EOS.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(financing)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * EOS is the name of a proposed New York-based airline that intends to offer premium-class transatlantic services using 757s configured for just 48 passengers. EOS said it has secured $185 million in financing and has taken possession of its...

United Airlines and Verizon Airfone.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(certification of wireless Internet access services)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * United Airlines and Verizon Airfone received FAA certification for their wireless Internet and e-mail installation onboard US domestic aircraft. However, the final decision on when the carrier can offer the service rests with the US Federal...

Boeing.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Onex Corp. acquires Boeing Commercial Airplanes)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Boeing completed the previously announced sale of its Commercial Airplanes operations in Kansas and Oklahoma to Onex Corp. The transaction was valued at roughly $1.5 billion, including cash of approximately $1.1 billion and the assumption of...

Connexion by Boeing.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(enhancement of Internet television services)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Connexion by Boeing will add four channels of television to its inflight Internet service accessible through passenger laptops. Initially, the offering will be available on Singapore Airlines flights. The company also said it is working with...

Boeing and Japan Aircraft Development Corp.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Boeing and Japan Aircraft Development Corp., which represents three Japanese 787 structure partners Fuji, Kawasaki and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries signed formal contracts detailing their work for the 787. Separately, Boeing said it...

B/E Aerospace.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(contract with Boeing Co.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * B/E Aerospace was selected to supply its next-generation passenger oxygen system for the 787 while Astronautics Corp. will provide the electronic flight bag, making the 787 the first Boeing aircraft to offer dual Class 3 EFBs as standard.

Rockwell Collins.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Rockwell Collins' Tailwind 550 satellite television system received an FAA STC for installation on 767-200s/-300s/400s that allows the aircraft to receive direct broadcast satellite TV channels in the US, Europe and the Middle East.

ARINC and Jeppesen.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * ARINC and Jeppesen announced an alliance to produce an advanced electronic flight bag system. ARINC will provide the airborne data communications and document viewer technology along with EFB integration and hardware support, while Jeppesen...

Alaska Airlines.(ALASKA BOUND)(Illustration)
July 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Alaska Airlines ordered an additional 35 737-800s last month.

US majors traffic May 2005.(airlines)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2005... US Majors Traffic May 2005 RPMs % chg. ASMs l chg. LF chg. Airline (bil.) 2004 (bil.) 2004 (%) 2004 AirTran 0.97 38.8 1.30 34.4 74.6 2.3 Alaska...

Aviation Partners Boeing.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Aviation Partners Boeing was awarded an STC for 757-200 blended winglets by FAA. Continental Airlines is the launch customer for the product and already has 11 winglet shipsets on order for its 757200s for delivery this year.

American Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(contract with Sinergy Aerospace)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * American Airlines reached an agreement in principle with Sinergy Aerospace to perform heavy maintenance on 29 F100s formerly leased by American. The aircraft, which have been in storage, recently were sold to Brazil's Sinergy Group, which...

B/E Aerospace.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * B/E Aerospace was selected by Air Canada to provide seats for 143 narrowbedy and regional jet: aircraft in a deal valued at roughly $50 million.

Pemco World Air Services.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(contract with Titan Aerospace)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Pemco World Air Services converted and delivered a 737-300 Quick Change aircraft to CIT Aerospace in New York for onward lease to Titan Aerospace, a European charter airline.

Precision Conversions.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(757-200PCF freighter)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Precision Conversions was granted an STC for its 757-200PCF freighter by FAA.

Quiet Wing Corp.(Quiet Wing Corp. certified)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Quiet Wing Corp. received an FAA STC for its 737-200 performance enhancing flap modification that permits increased payload, improved takeoff and landing performance, reduced fuel consumption and lower stall speeds.

Aerosim-Mechtronix.(Clairis Technologies, Airbus S.A.S.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Aerosim-Mechtronix in partnership with Clairis Technologies signed an MOU with Airbus covering a license agreement allowing Aerosim-Mechtronix to integrate Airbus simulation software from the A320 and A330/A340 families into elements of its...

Malaysia Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Malaysia Airlines reported a net profit of 326.1 million ringgit ($85.8 million) for the fiscal year ended March 31, a 29.3% decrease compared to a net profit of 461.1 million ringgit in the prior financial year. Total revenue rose 29.4% to...

Virgin Blue.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Virgin Blue warned of another challenging year ahead after announcing a 13.2% slide in earnings to A$138.1 million ($104.8 million) for the 12 months to March 31 compared to A$159 million for the previous year. Revenue grew 22% to A$1.67...

Air New Zealand.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Air New Zealand MD and CEO Ralph Norris, widely credited with restoring the airline to financial health following his appointment in February 2002, said he is resigning to become MD and CEO of Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

AirAsia.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * AirAsia reported net income of 40.7 million ringgit ($10.7 million) for the fiscal third quarter ended March 31, up significantly over net income of 16.2 million ringgit in the year-ago period. However, the company also warned it likely will...

Air China Ltd. and Cathay Pacific Airways.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(contracts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Air China Ltd. and Cathay Pacific Airways signed an MOU to "promote sales and marketing initiatives" between them, including a new codesharing arrangement between Beijing and Hong Kong.

Susumu Yamaji.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Susumu Yamaji, former president and chairman of Japan Airlines, died in Tokyo May 27 at the age of 80. Yamaji joined JAL in July 1985 after a career in the Ministry of Transport and other government agencies. He was appointed president in...

AirTran Airways.(LEASING & FINANCE BRIEFS)(contracts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * AirTran Airways completed an aircraft pre-delivery deposit financing for six 737-700s to be delivered in 2005 and 2006 with BNP Paribas S.A and separately entered into a new line of credit facility with Bank of America N.A. SkyWorks Capital...

Aviation Capital Group.(LEASING & FINANCE BRIEFS)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Aviation Capital Group completed the acquisition of Boullioun Aviation Services from West LB for "a total consideration of approximately $2.65 billion." according to ACG parent Pacific LifeCorp.

India's Jet Airways.(LEASING & FINANCE BRIEFS)(contracts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * India's Jet Airways leased four A330-200s from ILFC for delivery n 2006 and 2007.

AWAS.(LEASING & FINANCE BRIEFS)(contracts between Awas and Fischer Air.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * AWAS delivered the first of two PW2040-powered 757-200s to startup charter carrier Fischer Air in Poland.

Engine Lease Finance Corp.(LEASING & FINANCE BRIEFS)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Engine Lease Finance Corp. and its parent BTM Capital Corp., which is itself owned by Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Ltd., announced they completed acquisition of the 49% interest in Aviation Lease Finance formerly owned by Volvo Aero North America...

Cabot Aviation.(LEASING & FINANCE BRIEFS)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Cabot Aviation, on behalf of DaimlerChrysler Services North America, sold and delivered a former Alaska Airlines JT8D-217A-powered MD-82 to 1 Time Airlines in South Africa.

Shenzhen Airlines.(FIRST DELIVERY)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Shenzhen Airlines recently took the first of five 737-900s to be this year.

Air Pacific.(ASIA PACIFIC Report)(income)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Air Pacific, Fiji's national airline, reported a profit after tax of $24.5 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, basically equal to the profit achieved in the prior financial year. Revenue increased 4.5% to $440.6 million while...

Singapore Airlines.(ASIA PACIFIC Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Singapore Airlines last month was denied fifth freedom rights between the US and Australia by the Australian government, the Associated Press reported.

UK and New Zealand.(ASIA PACIFIC Report)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * UK and New Zealand initialed a new aviation agreement on air services that removes almost all restrictions on flights between and beyond the two countries.

Rolls-Royce and Dragonair.(ASIA PACIFIC Report)(contracts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Rolls-Royce and Dragonair signed an 11-year TotalCare maintenance contract covering the Trent 700s that will power 11 A330s the airline has leased from ILFC.

Messier Services Asia.(ASIA PACIFIC Report)(contracts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * Messier Services Asia implemented a new supply chain management program with Boeing to support Singapore Airlines and other Boeing customers in Asia.