Air Transport World articles from July 2008

Air Transport World archives from July 2008

Trends.(Statistical table)
July 1, 2008... WORLD AIRLINE TRAFFIC JANUARY-MARCH 2008 US 2008 2007 % chg. RPKs (mil.) 316,008 306,193 3.2 ASKs (mil.) 409,330 398,549 2.7 Pass. (000) 181,100 178,400 1.5 Pass. LF...

AF KLM continues to target consolidation.(FINANCIAL RESULTS, NEW DEALS, AND REPORTS FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE GLOBE)(Air France KLM S.A.)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Air France KLM Chairman and CEO Jean-Cyril Spinetta said the company remains very keen on participating in European consolidation, but he denied rumors the group is looking at acquiring Austrian Airlines. "I believe we have more pressing...

ANZ CEO sees bright future for biofuels.(FINANCIAL RESULTS, NEW DEALS, AND REPORTS FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE GLOBE)(Air New Zealand Ltd.)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe said the carrier is growing increasingly confident that commercial quantities of environmentally sustainable fuels that meet all its stringent criteria will become available over the next few years. Fyfe said...

United, US Airways to go it alone.(FINANCIAL RESULTS, NEW DEALS, AND REPORTS FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE GLOBE)(United Air Lines Inc.)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... United Airlines and US Airways announced on May 30 that they will not enter into a merger "at this time." Both airlines' pilots had voiced fierce opposition to a US-UA tie-up, a likely insurmountable obstacle to any merger deal. "After a...

DHL shifts air lift to rival UPS.(FINANCIAL RESULTS, NEW DEALS, AND REPORTS FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE GLOBE)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... DHL on May 28 unveiled a $2 billion restructuring of its loss-making US express business that includes shifting its air lift capacity in the market to rival UPS, a potentially devastating blow to ABX Air and Astar Air Cargo, which currently...

EU lawmakers take tough stance on emissions.(FINANCIAL RESULTS, NEW DEALS, AND REPORTS FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE GLOBE)(European Union)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... European Parliament's Environment Committee voted in late May on draft amendments designed to toughen the current proposals to include aviation in the EU's emissions trading scheme. Most of the proposed changes were part of the EP's...

SkyTeam targeting India.(FINANCIAL RESULTS, NEW DEALS, AND REPORTS FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE GLOBE)
July 1, 2008... SkyTeam hopes to announce the addition of an Indian partner later this year, governing board Chairman Leo van Wijk told ATW. "Discussions with Kingfisher [Airlines] are progressing," he said. "We hope to conclude the negotiations in autumn."...

Airbus selects bidder for Laupheim plant.(FINANCIAL RESULTS, NEW DEALS, AND REPORTS FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE GLOBE)
July 1, 2008... Airbus selected Diehl Stiftung & Co. and Thales as the preferred bidder for its Laupheim site that employs 1,100 and produces cabin linings, cabin crew rest compartments, baggage bins and air ducts for all Airbus products. The selection "also...

Jin air is the new name.(JIN GAME)
July 1, 2008... Jin air is the new name of Korean Air's new low-fare airline subsidiary, which is set to begin operations this month. Airline originally was called Air Korea. Jin Air will fly domestic services at least initially. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

European Commission.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... European Commission last month confirmed the launch of an investigation into the Italian government's [euro]300 million ($465 million) emergency bridge loan to Alitalia, granted in April under a specific decree-law. A second decree-law on May...

British Airways'.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... British Airways' transatlantic subsidiary OpenSkies was set to operate its first daily Paris Orly-New York JFK flight on June 19 using 757s configured for 82 passengers. In late May, the British Air Line Pilots' Assn. withdrew its court action,...

SAS Scandinavian Airlines.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... SAS Scandinavian Airlines said it requested a 10% price reduction on goods and services it receives from its suppliers as part of its Profit 2008 program.

Turkish Airlines.(EUROPE Report)
July 1, 2008... Turkish Airlines reported a first-quarter net profit of $104 million, which it said represented a 260% increase over the year-ago result. Revenue rose 33% to $910 million and operating profit was up 1% to $84 million. Passenger numbers...

Italian administrative court.(EUROPE Report)(Volare Airlines)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Italian administrative court in late May ordered that a new tender be organized for Volare within 15 days, confirming that Alitalia's 2006 acquisition of the LCC violated procedure, Reuters reported. AZ rival Air One also wanted Volare and...

Clickair and Vueling Airlines.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Clickair and Vueling Airlines shareholders likely will produce an MOU in the coming weeks that will trigger the merger of the two Barcelona-based LCCs, Iberia Chairman and CEO Fernando Conte told ATW during the IATA AGM in Istanbul last month....

Aegean Airlines'.(EUROPE Report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Aegean Airlines' net loss widened to [euro]4.4 million ($6.8 million) in the first quarter, traditionally its weakest period, from [euro]2.6 million in the year-ago quarter. Revenue climbed 23% to [euro]98.8 million on the back of international...

Brussels Airlines.(EUROPE Report)(resignation of Philippe Vander Putten)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Brussels Airlines CEO and MD Philippe Vander Putten resigned "due to divergences of view concerning the repartition of roles at the top of the company," the carrier announced June 3. All parties were "in full agreement," SN said. CFO Michel...

Moskovia Airlines.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Moskovia Airlines An-12 freighter crashed May 26 in a forest 30 km. from the Siberian city of Chelyabinsk, from which it had departed just 10 min. earlier en route to Perm in the Ural Mountains, killing all nine crew aboard. Reportedly, the...

Kalitta Air.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Kalitta Air 747-200F was destroyed in a runway accident as it attempted to take off from Brussels Zaventem Airport en route to Bahrain on May 25. All five crew escaped without serious injury.

Silverjet.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Silverjet shut down May 30 after it was unable to secure critical funds from UAE-based investment group Viceroy Holdings, following all-business airlines Eos Airlines and MAXjet Airways into the history books.

Serbian government.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
July 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). The tender, set to be published July 15, according to press reports, will include an option to acquire up to 75% of...

Former EADS co-CEO Noel Forgeard.(EUROPE Report)(European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V.)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Former EADS co-CEO Noel Forgeard was detained by French police May 28 in relation to the ongoing probe into insider trading allegations regarding the June 2006 A380 delay announcement. Forgeard has been questioned repeatedly about his sale of...

CAE.(EUROPE Report)(Sabena Flight Academy)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... CAE said it acquired Sabena Flight Academy for an undisclosed amount of cash with the aim of expanding its pilot training capability. It will gain control of Sabena's training center in Brussels equipped with FFSs for A320s, A330s, A340s, 737...

GKN Aerospace and Rolls-Royce.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... GKN Aerospace and Rolls-Royce established a joint venture R&D company to explore the use of composite materials in aircraft engine fan blades. Funding is put at $11 million, with Rolls claiming a 51% stake.

Iberia maintenance.(EUROPE Report)(DHL Air )(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Iberia Maintenance signed a long-term agreement with DHL to overhaul more than 80 RB211-535C37 engines powering 34 aircraft operated by DHL Air and European Air Transport.

SR Technics.(EUROPE Report)
July 1, 2008... SR Technics reached a three-year deal with Quikjet Cargo for component management, maintenance and repair on the carrier's 737s.

Amadeus.(EUROPE Report)(Amadeus Global Travel Distribution S.A. signed a deal with British Airways PLC)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Amadeus won a 10-year extension on its agreement with British Airways for IT services related to implementation of its Altea Departure Control management system for passenger check-in. BA expects to complete migration to the Altea suite in...

A J walter Aviation.(EUROPE Report)(Seagle Air)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... A J Walter Aviation reached a five-year power-by-the-hour deal with Slovakia's Seagle Air. Work will begin on two 737-500s. It reached a five-year PBH agreement with a two-year extension option with Donbassaero Airlines for two A320s. It signed...

Calidris.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Calidris will provide its Revenue Integrity solution to identify and eliminate false and duplicate bookings to Austrian Airlines. Cathay Pacific and its Dragonair subsidiary also chose the solution.

Aviareps.(EUROPE Report)
July 1, 2008... Aviareps will provide Delta Air Lines with ticketing services and sales for Malaga-New York JFK service.

Dublin airport authority.(EUROPE Report)(Siemens AG)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Dublin Airport Authority awarded Siemens a [euro]40 million ($63 million) contract to design and build a baggage handling system for Dublin Airport's new terminal T2.

Sensis.(EUROPE Report)
July 1, 2008... Sensis will provide its Multistatic Dependent Surveillance system that aims to enhance aircraft safety and efficiency at London Heathrow's Terminal 5.

European airline traffic May 2008.(FACT FILE)(Statistical table)
July 1, 2008... European Airline Traffic May 2008 Airline RPKs % chg. ASKs % chg. Load +/- (billions) 2007 (billions) 2007 factor 2007 (%) ...

Italy's rapidly-growing air One.(ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS)
July 1, 2008... Italy's rapidly-growing air One signed a firm order with Airbus for 12 A350-800s, plus 12 options, and 12 A330-200s, plus eight options. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

American Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... American Airlines will retire "at least" 75 aircraft, including 40-45 mainline jets, this year and begin charging $15 for the first piece of checked luggage on North American flights as it tries to cope with oil prices that reached more than...

Continental Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Continental Airlines revealed plans to retire 67 737s, lower 2008 fourth-quarter mainline domestic capacity by 11% and reduce its workforce by 3,000 (see World Airline Report, p. 26).

Delta Air Lines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Delta Air Lines' voluntary severance offer was accepted by 4,000 employees, double the number of workers it expected would take it up. Separately, Delta's flight attendants rejected representation by the Assn. of Flight Attendants, with...

US Transportation Secretary.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Mary Peters)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... US Transportation Secretary Mary Peters in mid-May said FAA and airlines will work to develop a better "mutual understanding" on safety compliance to avoid widespread aircraft groundings such as occurred to American Airlines in April and...

US FAA.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(United States. Federal Aviation Administration)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... US FAA Acting Administrator Robert Sturgell on June 16 announced the elimination of flight caps at Chicago O'Hare this fall, saying that the city "has outdone itself when it comes to boosting capacity" by completing the extension of one runway...

AirTran Airways.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... AirTran Airways will defer the delivery of 18 737-700s from 2009-11 to 2013-14. President and CEO Bob Fornaro said the deferment will "accomplish a substantial portion" of the carrier's previously announced plan to reduce 2008-09 growth from...

DOT.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Department of Transportation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... DOT finalized its tentative grant of antitrust immunity to Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, Air France, CSA Czech Airlines, Alitalia and KLM. The six now will be able to "coordinate their transatlantic fares, services and capacity as if...

JetBlue Airways.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(appointment of Joel Peterson and Frank Sica)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... JetBlue Airways will defer delivery of 21 A320s to 2014-15 from 2009-11. Last summer the carrier announced the delay of 16 E-190s to the same timeframe. JetBlue announced the election of Vice Chairman Joel Peterson as chairman and Frank...

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

LiveTV.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(acquisation of Verizon Communications Inc.)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... LiveTV, a subsidiary of JetBlue, last month reached an agreement to purchase Verizon's Airfone network, a move that the company said will "anchor [its] inflight e-mail and messaging platform." Financial terms of the purchase were not disclosed....

Spirit Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Spirit Airlines notified employees that it could be headed for hundreds of layoffs in the next two months as it struggles with soaring fuel costs, according to a report in The Miami Herald. Letters went out to union leaders indicating that up...

Spirit AeroSystems.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
July 1, 2008... Spirit AeroSystems will design and produce the composite center fuselage frame section for the A350 XWB under an agreement with Airbus announced in May. The structure, which will be approximately 64.7 ft. (19.7 m.) long and weigh around 8,990...

Honeywell Aerospace.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Honeywell Aerospace reached agreement to sell its Consumables Solutions business that distributes fasteners and aerospace hardware to B/E Aerospace for $1.05 billion pending regulatory approval. The transaction, which is expected to close in...

Boeing.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(acquisation of Vought Aircraft Industries Inc.)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Boeing finalized a deal to acquire Vought Aircraft Industries' interest in Global Aeronautica, a 787 fuselage subassembly facility in South Carolina. Contract makes GA a 50/50 joint venture between Boeing and Alenia North America. Financial...

Pratt & Whitney.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
July 1, 2008... Pratt & Whitney reached multiyear agreements with United Airlines and Southwest Airlines to provide its EcoPower engine wash system offered by its Global Service Partners division.

US FAA.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
July 1, 2008... US FAA named Air Traffic Organization VP Vicki Cox senior VP-NextGen and operations planning.

Smiths detection.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
July 1, 2008... Smiths Detection signed a $25.2 million contract with the US Transportation Security Administration for provision of aTiX advanced threat identification x-ray systems.

Cascade aerospace.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Cascade Aerospace signed a three-year deal with WestJet for heavy maintenance on its 737NGs. Cascade expects to complete 32 heavy checks by the end of 2010.

Aviapartner Cargo.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
July 1, 2008... Aviapartner Cargo won a three-year deal with US Airways to provide full cargo handling services at 13 European stations.

Gategroup.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(eGate Solutions)(Pourshins)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Gategroup member companies eGate Solutions and Pourshins reached long-term agreements with Delta Air Lines to implement next-generation business applications solutions and logistics management for inflight catering.

ALAFCO.(LEASING & FINANCE BRIEFS)(Aviation Lease and Finance Company)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... ALAFCO announced the sale of five new A320-200s to Aref Logistics for $325 million. Aircraft will be operated by charter subsidiaries in Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.

Hawaiian Airlines.(LEASING & FINANCE BRIEFS)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Hawaiian Airlines will lease four 717-200s from Boeing Capital Corp. following the shutdown of Aloha Airlines in April. Two aircraft will enter service in September and others in November and December.

AWAS.(LEASING & FINANCE BRIEFS)
July 1, 2008... AWAS leased a third 767-300ER to Ethiopian Airlines.

Genesis Lease.(LEASING & FINANCE BRIEFS)
July 1, 2008... Genesis Lease of Ireland will lease two former Aloha Airlines 737-700s to Brazil's VRG for seven years each. Delivery is expected before August.

Us majors traffic may 2008 *.(FACT FILE)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... US Majors Traffic May 2008 * +/- RPMs % chg ASMs % chg. LF chg. Airline (bil.) 2007 (bil.) 2007 (%) 2007 AirTran 1.73 18.2 2.19 ...

Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Strait Exchange Foundation)(Relations Across the Taiwan Strait)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Airlines are concluding preparations for the launch of commercial charter flights across the Taiwan Strait, which are expected to start July 4, after an agreement between the Strait Exchange Foundation (Taipei) and the Assn. for Relations...

Qantas.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Qantas Airways Ltd.)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Qantas will cut domestic capacity by 5%--the equivalent of grounding six aircraft--and warned the Australian Stock Exchange that it plans to cut its fleet, network and workforce as it expects its fuel bill to increase by more than A$2 billion...

Jetstar Pacific.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Jetstar Pacific, Vietnam's first low-cost airline, launched commercial operations as part of Qantas Group May 23. It is the first Vietnamese carrier to offer online booking to domestic customers. Qantas holds 18% of the LCC and will increase...

Virgin Blue.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Virgin Blue announced a range of capacity reductions and a A$50 million ($46.9 million) cost-savings package including a management salary freeze and layoffs in response to continuing record fuel prices. The airline will continue implementing...

Japan Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Japan Airlines will use the introduction of its 777-300ER on routes to the US to unveil its latest first and business class seats. The JAL Suites in first class are 20% more spacious than the airline's current offering. JAL Premium Economy was...

Malaysia Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
July 1, 2008... Malaysia Airlines cited "higher operating expenses mainly from the increase in fuel costs" for a 9.5% dip in first-quarter profit to MYR120.5 million ($37.1 million) from MYR133.1 million in the year-ago period. MAS enjoyed a 5.6%...

AirAsia.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... AirAsia reported a MYR161.3 million ($49.7 million) net profit for the quarter ended March 31 that represented an 86% improvement over the MYR86.9 million profit earned in the year-ago quarter. Revenue climbed 32% to MYR535.3 million and...

Thai Airways.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Thai Airways announced that it will quit its nonstop services from Bangkok to New York JFK and Los Angeles and sell off its four A340-500s to help stem losses due to surging oil prices. It estimates that losses on the two routes at current fuel...

Garuda Indonesia.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Garuda Indonesia said it completed its IOSA certification and "hoped the achievement would gain some recognition from the European Commission," which has banned Indonesian airlines from operating in Europe.

Taipei-based Far Eastern Air Transport.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
July 1, 2008... Taipei-based Far Eastern Air Transport ceased operations in May owing to a shortfall in operating funds, according to widespread press reports.

Boeing.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Boeing reached a deal with Japan Airlines to equip current and future 777s with Class 3 EFBs. Retrofit kit installation will begin in April 2009 and completion is slated for late 2011.

SR Technics and Japan Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
July 1, 2008... SR Technics and Japan Airlines signed a $25 million, 10-year deal for component services including exchange, maintenance, repair and logistics on 40 737NGs.

Amadeus.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
July 1, 2008... Amadeus said it reached an agreement with Singapore Airlines to replace the carrier's existing passenger service systems with its Altea Customer Management Solution.

Teledyne Controls.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
July 1, 2008... Teledyne Controls received an order from Philippine Airlines for AirFASE, a flight data monitoring solution jointly developed by Teledyne Controls and Airbus.

Telair.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
July 1, 2008... Telair will provide SilkAir with its Sliding Carpet Loading System for A319s and A320s under a recent deal.

ANA took delivery.(OLD IS NEW)(Boeing Co.)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... ANA took delivery of the first 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter following ceremonies in Singapore last month. Conversion was done by ST Aviation Services Company, a subsidiary of Singapore Technologies Aerospace. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

TACA A320.(LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... TACA A320 overran the runway at Tegucigalpa's Toncontin International May 30 and ran onto a city street before smashing into an embankment, killing the captain, two passengers and two people on the ground. Flight 390 took off from San Salvador...

Aeromexico.(LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN Report)(Aerovias de Mexico S.A. de C.V.)(ASSA)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Aeromexico reached a labor agreement with ASSA, which represents nearly 1,500 cabin staff, that includes a 4.5% salary increase and concessions allowing the airline "to have access to greater crew availability," it said. The deal was reached...

Gol and VRG parent Gol Linhas aereas.(LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Gol and VRG parent Gol Linhas Aereas Executive VP and CFO Richard Lark was elevated to the board and will serve as an "adviser" to CEO Constantino de Oliveira Jr. He is transitioning his former responsibilities to Treasurer Anna Bettencourt,...

Peru's Ministry of Transport and Communications.(LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Peru's Ministry of Transport and Communications suspended all scheduled services operated by domestic carrier Aerocondor using its fleet of four 737-200s owing to safety concerns. The airline issued a statement saying that the "rise in the...

Safran Group.(LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Safran Group celebrated the opening of its new engine MRO facility in Queretaro, Mexico. Snecma America Engine Services is dedicated to CFM56-5A, -5B and -7B engines powering the A320 and 737NG families. It is owned jointly by Snecma Services...

SITA.(LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN Report)
July 1, 2008... SITA reached agreement with Bogota's El Dorado International to provide its AirportConnect Open technology for agent and self-service passenger check-in.

Aviareps.(LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN Report)
July 1, 2008... Aviareps was appointed by Caribbean Airlines as its general sales agent.

Sudan Airways A310.(AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST Report)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Sudan Airways A310 skidded off the runway after landing at Khartoum in heavy rain and caught fire on June 10, killing at least 30 of the 214 passengers and crew onboard. Aircraft had departed Amman and made an en route stop in Damascus....

Emirates.(AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST Report)(Emirates Airline)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Emirates will receive its first A380 on July 28 at a ceremony in Hamburg. First service will be from Dubai to New York JFK Aug. 1.