Air Transport World articles from June 2004

Air Transport World archives from June 2004

Trends.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 1, 2004... Airline Traffic [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Jet Fuel Prices [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Top 20 Airlines January-April 2004 Rank Airline RPKs (000) 1 American 66,045,093 2 United ...

The 'B' word.(Editorial)
June 1, 2004... There's a saying in the airline industry that you can't shrink yourself to profitability. Today US airlines are learning that under the right circumstances you can't necessarily grow yourself to profitability either, at least not if the hole is...

AF and KLM join forces.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The new Air France-KLM grouping has begun to coordinate schedules across its networks following completion of the carriers' historic merger last month. The AF and KLM brands will coexist for three years and the airlines will be run by a...

ANA launches 7E7.(All Nippon Airways Company Ltd.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Boeing hoard of directors in late April unanimously approved the formal launch of the 7E7 on the strength of a firm order from All Nippon Airways for 50 aircraft. It was the biggest single-airline launch order in Boeing's history. ANA's...

Former Taca CEO murdered.(Grupo Taca)(Federico Bloch)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Federico Bloch, former CEO of Grupo Taca, was murdered April 26 in El Salvador, apparently during a kidnapping attempt. Bloch, 50, who helped build the five-nation airline that serves Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua,...

Delta latest to raise bankruptcy flag.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Delta Air Lines, in a May 10 regulatory filing, warned that it may have to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection if it is unable to lower its costs to compete effectively with low-cost carriers. Delta repeatedly has stated that its biggest...

New US Airways.(North America report)(US Airways Inc.)(Bruce Lakefield appointed)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... New US Airways President and CEO Bruce Lakefield, who succeeded David Siegel in April, faces the same challenge that proved too big for his predecessor: Winning more concessions from the airline's labor unions in order to achieve the cost cuts...

United and American Airlines.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... United and American Airlines bowed to a US Dept. of Transportation request to to trim schedules at Chicago O'Hare by a further 2.5% between June 10 and Oct. 30. AA and UA will shift or cancel 29 additional departures and 17 arrivals currently...

Air Canada.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Air Canada's expectations of emerging from bankruptcy by, the end of the summer received a boost after Deutsche Bank agreed to increase its backstop guarantee for the airline's rights offering to creditors from C$5450 million ($333.3 million)...

Leaders of Northwest Airlines.(North America report)(Northwest Airlines Corp.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Leaders of Northwest Airlines' pilots union voted to offer the carrier $200 million in annual concessions through Dec. 2006 in return for "appropriate quid pro quos, including stock, and protections to ensure the pilots' investment is properly...

Quote of the month.(North America report)(ANA Aviation Services)(Yoji Ohashi)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... "The 7E7 meets ANA's requirements in safety, reliability, comfort and economics and supports the plans to grow and strenghten our route network"--ANA President and CEO Yoji Ohashi

JetBlue Airways.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... JetBlue Airways earned $15.2 million in the first quarter to March 31, down 12.5% versus net income of $17.4 million in the prior-year period. Chairman and CEO David Neeleman said the airline was pleased with the result "in what has been a...

AirTran Airways.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... AirTran Airways' first-quarter net income doubled to $4.1 million from 52 million last year in what the carrier called an especially challenging period. Revenue climbed 16.1% to $241.4 million while operating expenses increased 15.8% to $231.1...

WestJet.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... WestJet's first-quarter net earnings fell 34.2% to C$512,000 ($373,638) from C$778,000 in the 2003 quarter, representing its 29th consecutive quarter of profitability. Operating revenues climbed 25.5% to C$216.7 million while operating expenses...

Hawaiian Airlines.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Hawaiian Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy in March 2003, reported an $8.2 million net profit for the first quarter compared to a net loss of $15.4 million last year. Operating revenue rose 16.5% to $183 million and operating profit totaled...

Midwest Air Group.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Midwest Air Group, parent of Midwest Airlines and Skyway Airlines, lost $6.9 million in the first quarter, improved over a net loss of $11.8 million last year. Operating revenues climbed 7.7% to $101.3 million while operating expenses declined...

GE-P&W Engine Alliance.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... GE-P&W Engine Alliance said its GP7000 for the A380 achieved 86,500 lb. of thrust, well above its intended service level of 70,000 lb., during initial testing at P&W's facility in East Hartford, Conn.

B/E Aerospace's Flight Structures.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... B/E Aerospace's Flight Structures unit was chosen by Boeing to provide integration and certification services for Connexion by Boeing on 737s.

United Services.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... United Services inked a "strategic alliance" with Boeing's Alteon Training subsidiary to expand A320 training services at United's Denver Training Center.

American Airlines and Rolls-Royce expanded their engine overhaul joint venture, Texas Aero Engine Services Ltd., with a new five-year contract that could be worth $1.6 billion.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... American Airlines and Rolls-Royce expanded their engine overhaul joint venture, Texas Aero Engine Services Ltd., with a new five-year contract that could be worth $1.6 billion. Under the deal, Rolls will send $900 million worth of engine repair...

Jeppesen.(North America report)(Jeppesen Sanderson Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Jeppesen said it is integrating SBS International, a company specializing in crew planning and scheduling, into its Commercial Aviation division. Jeppesen will add SBS's Maestro suite of products to its Operations Services portfolio.

Sabre Airline Solutions.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Sabre Airline Solutions' SabreSonic was chosen by Frontier Airlines to power its reservations and check-in capabilities. Full implementation is scheduled in the first half of 2005 and includes four modules. Aloha Airlines selected Sabre's...

Delta Air Lines TechOps.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Delta Air Lines TechOps signed a five-year agreement to provide engine support services for Air Berlin's CFM56-7 engines powering its 737-800s.

Messier-Bugatti-Tracer.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Messier-Bugatti-Tracer inked a new wheel and brake support agreement with CanJet Airlines covering CanJet's fleet of six 737-200s and additional 737-500s.

Rockwell Collins' Kaiser Electro-precision business.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Rockwell Collins' Kaiser Electro-precision business will provide repair and overhaul services for the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator on American Airlines' fleet of 757s.

Heico Aerospace Component Repair Group.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Heico Aerospace Component Repair Group was awarded a five-year contract to supply repair and overhaul services for the thrust reverser actuation system on American Airlines' 777s.

AvAero.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... AvAero completed certification of its fuel burn reduction modification, FuelMizer, on 737-200s and dash 300s.

Megadata Corp.'s Passur.(North America report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Megadata Corp.'s Passur live network flight information database was selected by Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport to provide enhanced flight activity information.

Southwest Airlines.(North America report)
June 1, 2004... Southwest Airlines' first flight into Philadelphia on May 9 receives a traditional water cannon salute (for more photos documenting SWA's arrival, see Odds & Ends, p.72).

US majors traffic.(North America report)(Illustration)
June 1, 2004... US Majors Traffic April 2004 RPMs % chg. ASMs (billions) 2003 (billions) Alaska 1.28 13.6 1.78 American 10.82 16.0 14.43...

STG Aerospace's SafTGlo.(North America report)
June 1, 2004... STG Aerospace's SafTGlo unpowered emergency lighting system was chosen by Aloha Airlines for its fleet of 11 737-700s.

KLM.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... KLM posted a better-than-expected net profit of 24 million [euro] ($29 million) for the March 31 financial year, its last as an independent airline and much improved over a net loss of 416 million [euro] in FY03. Annual revenues fell 9% to 5.88...

SAS Group.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... SAS Group lost Sek 1.4 billion ($185.1 million) for the March quarter, slightly improved from a loss of Sekl.6 billion in the year-ago period. Group revenues declined 8.3% to Sek12.57 billion while expenses decreased 10.6% to Sek12.61 billion,...

EasyJet.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... EasyJet reported a loss of 19.7 million [pounds sterling] ($35.3 million) in its fiscal first half ended March 31 compared to a 46.9 million [pounds sterling] deficit last year. The airline said it has generated a loss in every first half that...

Swiss International Air Lines.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Swiss International Air Lines narrowed its net loss to Sfr78 million ($60.7 million) from Sfr200 million in the first three months of 2004, citing the positive impact of its "'corporate restructuring activities." Total revenue fell 20.6% to...

Alitalia.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Alitalia has its third CEO in as many months following the resignations of Chairman Giuseppe Bonomi and CEO Marco Zanichelli May 9 after a week of labor strikes protesting proposed job cuts at the airline. Giancarlo Cimoli, formerly head of...

European Parliament.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... European Parliament in late April voted to ask the European Court of Justice to rule on the legality of the agreement between the US and the European Commission on transfer of passenger data by EU airlines to the US.

Austrian Airlines Group.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Austrian Airlines Group credited a "mix of broad-based traffic offensives, innovative marketing campaigns and unswerving cost management for trimming its first-quarter pre-tax loss to 47.6 million [euro] ($56.7 million) from 53.3 million [euro]...

Cargolux.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Cargolux reported a net profit of $70.9 million for 2003, up 42.9% compared to $49.6 million earned in 2002. Despite "difficult market conditions," operating revenue increased 18.8% to $954.3 million. CFO David Arendt said that barring any...

The former head of Italy's ENAV air traffic control agency, Sandro Gualano, was among four people found guilty of negligence and manslaughter and sentenced to jail as a result of the Oct. 8, 2001, ground collision between a Scandinavian Airlines MD-87 and a business jet in heavy fog at Milan Linate.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The former head of Italy's ENAV air traffic control agency, Sandro Gualano, was among four people found guilty of negligence and manslaughter and sentenced to jail as a result of the Oct. 8, 2001, ground collision between a Scandinavian...

Siberia Airlines.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Siberia Airlines received a $25 million long-term loan from International Finance Corp. The money will be used to refinance existing short- and medium-term loans for acquisition and refurbishment of aircraft, to increase working capital and for...

IATA.(Europe report)(International Air Transport Association oposes penalties for cancellations)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... IATA is challenging before the UK High Court the EU's new consumer protection regulation that imposes stiff financial penalties on airlines for delays and cancellations.

Airbus.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Airbus received approval far 180-min. ETOPS from EASA for the A319, A320 and A321. It is in the process of obtaining approval for the A318.

Wizz Air A320.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Wizz Air A320 after painting by Lufthansa Aircraft Painting at Shannon. The new Hungarian low-fare airline planned to launch service May 19.

KLM.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... KLM's Engineering and Maintenance Division will become a CF6-80E1 Overhaul Center of Excellence, expanding its CF6 maintenance and overhaul capability for KLM's own fleet and other customers.

Boullioun Aviation Services.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Boullioun Aviation Services delivered a new CFM56-5B3/P-powered A321-200 on medium-term lease to Turkish Airlines. It delivered a new CFM56-7-powered 737-700 on medium-term lease to Air Berlin May 20.

Barco.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Barco won a multimillion-dollar contract from Paris-based Sagem SA for development and series delivery of Onboard Information Terminals to be integrated in the A380. The OITs will be used by the A380's cockpit crew as an electronic flight bag...

Lufthansa.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Lufthansa's integrated NetLine product line will be deployed by Spanair, enabling that carrier to "increase the efficiency of its entire fleet operations, respond more quickly and economically to flight plan changes and optimize its crew...

Lufthansa Technik.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Lufthansa Technik will provide maintenance and overhaul of the CFM56-7s powering Air Berlin's fleet of 34 737-800s under a five-year contract.

SAS Component/EADS Sogerma Services Free2Fly.(Europe report)(Nova Airlines AB)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... SAS Component/EADS Sogerma Services Free2Fly component supply program was chosen by Nova Airlines AB as part of a broader MRO support package. The contract covers two A321s in Novair service as of summer 2004 plus a third to be added by the...

MTU Maintenance Hannover.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... MTE Maintenance Hannover expanded its Total Engine Care solution by adding SmartSignal Corp.'s advanced predictive technology under a multiyear agreement.

LTU and Snecma Services entered a 10-year exclusive agreement.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... LTU and Snecma Services entered a 10-year exclusive agreement related to the maintenance of CFM56-5Bs powering LTU's 15 A320s and A321s.

Rockwell Collins.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Rockwell Collins will provide British Airways with eOffload, an Internet-based service that manages inflight entertainment use and information.

Sabre's SabreSonic.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Sabre's SabreSonic suite was chosen by Aeroflot, including modules covering reservations, website distribution and airport check-in.

Construction has begun on a new 280-m.-long, 100 million [pounds sterling] pier at London Heathrow's Terminal 3.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Construction has begun on a new 280-m.-long, 100 million [pounds sterling] pier at London Heathrow's Terminal 3. The 15,200-sq.-m. Pier 6 is intended to accommodate the A380. Designed by GMW Architects, it is scheduled for completion in Dec....

Japan Airlines Corp.(Asia/Pacific report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Japan Airlines Corp. said loss of passenger traffic in the first half owing to SARS fears and the war in Iraq largely was to blame for a net loss of [yen] 88.62 billion ($789 million) for the fiscal year ended March 31. This compares to a net...

All Nippon Airways.(Asia/Pacific report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... All Nippon Airways had a consolidated net profit of [yen] 24.7 billion ($223.5 million) for the fiscal year ended March 31, dramatically improved versus a [yen] 28.2 billion loss in the prior fiscal year. Operating profit totaled [yen] 34.3...

China Southern Airlines.(Asia/Pacific report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... China Southern Airlines reported a 358.3 million yuan ($43.3 million) net loss for the year ended Dec. 31, reversing a net profit of 575.8 million yuan in 2002. Operating revenues were down 3% to 17.47 billion yuan while total operating...

Valuair.(Asia/Pacific report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Valuair, Singapore's new LCC led by former SIA Group Deputy Chairman Lim Chin Beng, launched operations from Changi Airport May 5 with its inaugural flight to Bangkok. The airline, which flies two A320s, has just two return fare categories....

Dragonair.(Asia/Pacific report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Dragonair was cleared to launch flights to Australia from the second half of 2005 and Qantas gained access to a new "kangaroo route" to the UK via Hong Kong after a bilateral air services dead was reached between the Australian government and...

EVA Airways.(Asia/Pacific report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... EVA Airways reported a profit after tax of NT$1.39 billion ($42.1 million) for the year ended Dec. 31. Revenues rose 1.3% to NT$65.4 billion. EVA said its passenger revenue declined 10.2% during the year but that was offset by a 14.7% jump in...

Korean Air.(Asia/Pacific report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Korean Air selected Connexion by Boeing to provide onboard Internet service on its 747-400s and 777ERs in early 2005.

Cargolux.(Europe report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Cargolux recently ordered its 14th 757-400F.

European Airline traffic.(Asia/Pacific report)(Illustration)
June 1, 2004... European Airline Traffic April 2004 RPKs % ch. ASKs (billions) 2003 (billions) AF-KLM * 14.31 19.5 18.01 BA Group 8.95 16.1 11.85 Finnair ...

Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp.(Asia/Pacific report)(will perform D checks )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp., a joint venture between EVA Air and GE, will perform D checks on Asiana's 747-400s.

ARINC.(Asia/Pacific report)(signed contract with Shanghai Airlines)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... ARINC will provide Shanghai Airlines with its GlobalLinkSM/ VHF service for the airline's fleet of 13 737s, 757s and 767s. It also will support Shanghai's operations with its high-speed AviNet network.

Sichuan Snecma Aero Engine Maintenance.(Asia/Pacific report)(signed contract with Air China )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Sichuan Snecma Aero Engine Maintenance signed an MOU with Air China for the exclusive maintenance of a minimum of 16 CFM56-3 engines that power the airline's 737s.

Jet Airways.(Asia/Pacific report)(signed contract with Sabre Airline Solutions)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Jet Airways will implement the SabreSonic technology package under a five-year agreement with Sabre Airline Solutions.

LAN.(Latin America/Caribbean report)(financial reports)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... LAN, which is changing its name from LanChile, earned $48.1 million for the first quarter ended March 31, more than doubling the $21.6 million earned in the year-ago period. The airline said it delivered the performance even as demand "remained...

Avianca.(Latin America/Caribbean report)(financial reports)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Avianca posted a net profit of 49.94 billion pesos ($16.4 million) in the first quarter, reversing a 64.87 billion peso net loss in the year-ago period, Reuters reported. The airline filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy...

Aero Continente.(Latin America/Caribbean report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Aero Continente, Peru's largest carrier, was banned from US airspace by FAA owing to safety concerns, the Associated Press reported.

CAE.(Latin America/Caribbean report)(contracts)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... CAE signed a 10-year service agreement with LAN to provide training for the 737-200, A320 and 767-300ER. Total value of the contract, together with third-party, revenues, is expected to be C$40 million ($29 million), CAE said. Training will...

Emirates Group.(Africa/Middle East report)(financial reports)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Emirates Group reported net income of Dhs1.74 billion ($475.7 million) for the fiscal year ended March 31, a 66.7% increase over net income of Dhs1.05 billion in the prior year. Group revenues rose 35.5% to a record Dhs14.01 billion while costs...

Gulf Air.(Africa/Middle East report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Gulf Air credited the success of its ongoing Project Falcon turnaround plan for reducing its net loss for 2003 to 19.9 million dinars ($52.8 million) versus a 40.7 million dinar net loss in 2002 and its best result in four years. Annual...

Qatar Airways.(Africa/Middle East report)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Qatar Airways will add 20 new destinations by 2005, bringing its network to 70 cities across five continents and including the US, CEO Akbar al Baker said.

ABX Air.(financial reports)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... ABX Air reported net income of $6 million for the first quarter ended March 31, which included $4.7 million in earnings from its two contracts with Airborne/ DHL. This was a 62.7% increase versus net income of $3.7 million in the year-ago...

Singapore Technologies Aerospace and Israel Aircraft Industries.(licensing agreements)
June 1, 2004... Singapore Technologies Aerospace and Israel Aircraft Industries, through ST Mobile Aerospace Engineering and Bedek Aviation Group respectively, signed a licensing agreement with Boeing to convert 757s into freighters. Under the accord, Boeing...

Dragonair.(contracts)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Dragonair is the customer for five of eight 747-400s recently sold by Singapore Airlines. The passenger aircraft will be converted to freighters by SIA Engineering Co. Ltd., which plans to begin freighter conversions "in collaboration with...

Kitty Hawk.(contracts)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Kitty Hawk signed a contract to lease seven CFM-56-powered 737-300SFs from GE Capital Aviation Services. The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in Nov. with the balance arriving through 2005. The lease term will be 10 years with...

Pemco Aviation Group.(contracts)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Pemco Aviation Group entered into an agreement to convert up to 10 737-300s into freighters for Hainan Airlines. The contract for two firm orders and eight option aircraft has a value of up to $24 million.

SAS Cargo Group.(appointments)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... SAS Cargo Group appointed VP Kenneth Marx, 40, president and CEO. He succeeds Peter Gronlund, who left the airline. Marx has more than 16 years of experience at SAS Group, including the past five years with SAS Cargo.

Equipment.(contracts)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Tarom ordered four A318s with deliveries scheduled in 2006-07. Cargolux Airlines finalized an order for its 14th 747-400F that will be delivered in Oct. 2005. KLM selected the GE CF6-80E1 to power its six A330-200s on order. Deliveries...

Spirit Airlines.(Equipment)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Spirit Airlines finalized an order for 11 A319s and four A321s, plus up to 50 options. It also will lease four more A321s in addition to the 20 A319s and A321s it already has said it will lease from ILFC. Altogether the order has the potential...

Jetstar 717.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Jetstar 717 shows off its new paint scheme. Qantas's low-fare airline unit was set to take off last month to challenge Virgin Blue.