Air Transport World articles from June 2009

Air Transport World archives from June 2009

Trends.(Table)
June 1, 2009... WORLD AIRLINE TRAFFIC JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2009 US 2009 2008 % chg RPKs (mil.) 177,151 199,194 -11.1 ASKs (mil.) 242,315 267,416 -9.4 Pass. (000) 101,600 114,200 -11.0 Pass. LF (%) 73.1 ...

Safety tipping point.(Editorial)
June 1, 2009... Not so long ago, the air transport industry faced a serious dilemma. The rapid growth in air travel in the early 1990s meant that absent a step-change improvement in safety, the industry could reach a point where it sustained one fatal accident...

Airbus to cut A380 production.(NewsBriefs)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Citing "specific customer requests for deferrals" as well as the economic and industry downturn, Airbus has reduced its A380 production and delivery schedules for 2009-10. It now expects to deliver 14 in 2009, down from 18 previously planned...

DOT withdraws slot auction rule.(NewsBriefs)(United States. Department of Transportation)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... The US Dept. of Transportation last month announced it intends to cancel proposed slot auctions at New York's three main area airports, reversing a controversial rule put in place in the waning days of the Bush administration. The plan to...

Boeing unveils 737NG improvements.(NewsBriefs)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Boeing is targeting a 2% reduction in 737NG fuel consumption by 2011 through a combination of airframe and engine improvements. About 1% of the fuel savings with be achieved through airframe "structural improvements [that] will reduce drag,"...

EPA moves toward regulating CO2.(NewsBriefs)(United States. Environmental Protection Agency)(carbon dioxide)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... The US Environmental Protection Agency on April 17 issued a proposed ruling that carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases "contribute to air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare." The ruling, which had been expected, sets...

EC okays LH-bmi, investigates Star, oneworld deals.(NewsBriefs)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... The European Commission in mid-May approved Lufthansa's proposed acquisition of bmi, stating that the transaction would not affect competition between airlines in the European Economic Area or within any substantial part of it. The EC noted...

The first A320.(MADE IN CHINA MAIDEN FLIGHT)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... The first A320 assembled at the Airbus Final Assembly Line China in Tianjin took to the skies on May 18. Aircraft will be operated by Sichuan Airlines. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Japan Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Japan Airlines blamed the economic downturn for a net loss of [yen]63.1 billion ($651.2 million) for the fiscal year ended March 31, an [yen]80 billion reversal from a net profit of [yen]16.9 billion in the prior year. It recorded a 12.5%...

ANA Group.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... ANA Group cited an "unprecedented fall in demand for domestic and international air travel--in particular high-yield business travel," for its first full-year net loss in six years, a [yen]4.2 billion ($43.4 million) deficit in the fiscal year...

Singapore Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
June 1, 2009... Singapore Airlines blamed a severe deterioration in operating conditions in its fiscal fourth quarter ended March 31 and losses on fuel hedges for a 48.2% drop in its full-year net profit to S$1.06 billion ($722.9 million). Annual revenue was...

Korean Air.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
June 1, 2009... Korean Air lost KRW526 billion ($413 million) in the 2009 first quarter, widened 61% from a deficit of KRW326 billion in the year-ago period, marking its sixth consecutive quarter in the red. Revenue was flat at KWR2.26 trillion while expenses...

Cathay Pacific Airways.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Cathay Pacific Airways is cutting passenger capacity 8% and cargo capacity 11% and implementing an unpaid leave scheme for all of its employees as it copes with the downturn in passengers and airfreight. Dragonair is cutting passenger capacity...

Airlines on either side.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Airlines on either side of the Taiwan Strait are expected to reap further benefits following the April 26 signing of an expanded agreement that will raise the number of cross-straits flights from 108 to 270, likely from July. In addition,...

China Southern Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
June 1, 2009... China Southern Airlines reported a CNY222 million ($32.5 million) first-quarter profit, down 71.3% from the CNY796 million earned in the year-ago period, on a 9.4% decrease in operating revenue to CNY12.93 billion. Operating expenses climbed...

China Eastern Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
June 1, 2009... China Eastern Airlines had a CNY40.1 million ($5.9 million) net profit in the first quarter, down 81% from the CNY210.8 million earned in the year-ago period, on a 15.6% decrease in operating revenue to CNY8.95 billion. Operating expenses...

Hainan Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
June 1, 2009... Hainan Airlines lost CNY1.42 billion ($208.3 million) in 2008, a big reversal from the CNY626.9 million profit reported in 2007, on a 19% lift in operating revenue to CNY13.55 billion. For the first quarter it posted a CNY31.8 million profit...

Shenzhen Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Shenzhen Airlines said it earned CNY160 million ($23.4 million) in the first quarter owing to a strong rebound in the domestic market. The year-ago result was not supplied.

EVA Air.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
June 1, 2009... EVA Air reported a TWD199.6 million ($5.9 million) first-quarter profit, reversed from a TWD2.29 billion loss in the year-ago period. Revenue slid 29.8% to TWD16.72 billion but falling fuel prices and full flights to mainland China made the...

Virgin Blue.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Virgin Blue delayed the delivery of its fifth and sixth 777-300ERs for V Australia from 2010 to 2011 and 2012 owing to the slowdown in air travel. In a statement, Blue said it still planned to take the "seventh" 777 in the second half of 2010.

Vietnam Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Vietnam Airlines posted a first-quarter pre-tax profit of VND24 billion ($1.3 million), according to a statement cited by Dow Jones. Revenue was VND6.12 trillion on a 5% fall in passenger numbers to 2.3 million.

US and Japan.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
June 1, 2009... US and Japan signed a bilateral aviation safety agreement allowing for the reciprocal certification of aircraft and aviation products.

TIMCO Aviation Services.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(joint venture with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... TIMCO Aviation Services and Hindustan Aeronautics signed a joint venture agreement to provide MRO in India and the "neighboring region," focusing on C checks and heavy maintenance of Airbus and Boeing narrowbodies. They plan to operate out of a...

SIA Engineering.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(contract with Gulf Air)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... SIA Engineering extended the coverage of a three-year, $100 million Fleet Management and Support Services contract with Gulf Air covering 29 Airbus single- and twin-aisle aircraft to 34 aircraft valued at $135 million.

SR Technics.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
June 1, 2009... SR Technics said Vietnam Airlines extended an existing MRO agreement covering 23 CFM56-5Bs powering the airline's A320s for a further three years to 2012.

Pratt & Whitney.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
June 1, 2009... Pratt & Whitney signed a five-year Engine Management Program agreement with Vietnam Airlines covering on-wing performance monitoring services for 58 PW4000 and V2500 engines.

Mxi Technologies.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
June 1, 2009... Mxi Technologies announced that its Maintenix software supporting the first three A380s within the Qantas fleet has gone live.

Japan Airlines.(JAL REACHES 50)
June 1, 2009... Japan Airlines took delivery of its 50th 767 last month. JAL is the fifth-largest 767 operator in the world. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Lufthansa.(EUROPE Report)
June 1, 2009... Lufthansa was not immune to the global economic downturn, reporting a first-quarter net loss of [euro]256 million ($333.8 million), reversed from the [euro]44 million profit reported in the year-ago period. It cited "weak demand" as the...

Lufthansa.(EUROPE Report)(takeover deal with Austrian Airlines )(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Lufthansa said its takeover offer for Austrian Airlines has been accepted by "over 85%" of AUA shareholders, clearing the way for the deal to go forward subject to approval by antitrust authorities including the EC and the provision of...

Iberia Group.(EUROPE Report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Iberia Group unveiled a broad cost-cutting plan intended to save more than [euro]200 million this year as it reported a first-quarter consolidated net loss of [euro]92.6 million ($122.3 million), a steep deterioration on the [euro]0.4 million...

Low-cost carriers.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Low-cost carriers represented 35% of all intra-European capacity last year, virtually unchanged from 2007, according to the 2009 edition of RDC Aviation's "Low Cost Monitor." Growth across all sectors "slowed sharply toward the end of 2008,"...

SAS Group.(EUROPE Report)
June 1, 2009... SAS Group narrowed its first-quarter loss by nearly 36% to SEK748 million ($91.4 million) from the SEK1.16 billion reported in the year-ago period, although it said that "uncertainty with regard to when recovery will begin is considerable." It...

EasyJet.(EUROPE Report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... EasyJet's fiscal first-half net loss nearly doubled to [pounds sterling]85.9 million ($129.3 million) from the [pounds sterling]43.3 million posted in the six months ended March 31, 2008. It cited high fuel costs linked to poor hedging and the...

Swiss International Air Lines.(EUROPE Report)(Harry Hohmeister has been appointed)(Christoph Franz has been appointed)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Swiss International Air Lines named Chief Network and Distribution Officer Harry Hohmeister to succeed Christoph Franz as CEO on July 1, when Franz will become Deutsche Lufthansa deputy chairman and CEO and chairman and CEO of Lufthansa...

Finnair.(EUROPE Report)
June 1, 2009... Finnair reported a first-quarter loss of [euro]18.6 million ($24.5 million), reversed from a [euro]3.1 million profit in the year-ago period, as "the potential for profitability has run into the sand due to feeble demand and a collapse in price...

Norwegian.(EUROPE Report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Norwegian narrowed its first-quarter net loss to NOK109.6 million ($16.4 million) from the NOK210.8 million reported in the year-ago period as revenue rose 27.4% to NOK1.39 billion. Operating loss fell 48% to NOK134.1 million.

Czech government.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Czech government in late April selected Air France KLM and the Unimex/Travel Service consortium to proceed to the second round of bidding for a 91.5% stake in CSA Czech Airlines. Aeroflot and Odien, a private investor firm, were rejected.

European Parliament.(EUROPE Report)(European Airlines )(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... European Parliament accepted the EC's proposal to suspend the "use it or lose it" slot rule at EU airports during the current summer schedule. The move had been sought by the Assn. of European Airlines on behalf of its members, who worried that...

EC adopted.(EUROPE Report)(European Union. European Commission)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... EC adopted a proposal for a directive on aviation security charges that seeks to establish common principles for the levying of security charges at EU airports.

Pegasus Airlines.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Pegasus Airlines parent ESAS Holding confirmed that its stake in Air Berlin is 15.3%, making it the German carrier's largest shareholder. Pegasus Chairman Ali Sabanci will join the AB board.

Ukraine International Airlines.(EUROPE Report)
June 1, 2009... Ukraine International Airlines posted a $6.2 million profit in 2008, a 50% decline from earnings of $12.9 million in 2007 but its ninth consecutive year in the black. Revenue was $371 million, up 36%, and operating profit rose nearly 20% to $22...

Vueling Airlines.(EUROPE Report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Vueling Airlines reduced its first-quarter net loss to [euro]6.3 million ($8.2 million) from [euro]22.6 million reported in the year-ago period. Revenue fell 15.5% to [euro]74.1 million. Operating loss improved 70% from [euro]32.2 million to...

Malev Hungarian Airlines.(EUROPE Report)(Martin Gauss has been named)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Malev Hungarian Airlines named Martin Gauss, who has been working with the carrier as a consultant, as its new CEO in late April. Geza Vehervary, who had been holding the position on an interim basis, will remain COO.

IATA.(EUROPE Report)
June 1, 2009... IATA expanded its agreement with the Moscow-based Interstate Aviation Committee to include safety provisions aimed at reducing accidents in Russia and the CIS.

EADS and Airbus.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... EADS and Airbus signed a contract with VSMPO-Avisma Corp. for the supply of titanium to Airbus and other EADS divisions until 2020. Deal finalizes an agreement reached last summer.

Airbus.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Airbus announced creation of a new subsidiary, Quovadis, based in Toulouse that will "sell and provide Required Navigation Performance services... ranging from RNP procedures design, testing and flight operations packaging to RNP training."

Goodrich.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Goodrich was selected by Airbus to supply the external video system for the A350. Deal is worth more than $1 billion in equipment and after-market revenue over the life of the program, Goodrich said.

SR Technics.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... SR Technics announced that Mubadala Development Co., the investment arm of the Abu Dhabi government, "acquired sole control" of the company and increased its shareholding to 70% by acquiring the 30% held by Istithmar. Dubai Aerospace Enterprise...

Sabena technics.(EUROPE Report)
June 1, 2009... Sabena technics signed a five-year contract with Luxair to perform component repair and overhaul services on its three 737-700s and single 737-500.

AAR.(EUROPE Report)
June 1, 2009... AAR signed a seven-year agreement with CSA Czech Airlines to provide rotable component repair services on a flight-hr. basis for the carrier's 19 737 Classics.

Honeywell.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Honeywell said Wizz Air selected a safety and navigational avionics suite and the 131-9A APU for installation on 70 new Wizz Air Hungary A320s, with a long-term service agreement on the APUs.

NavAero.(EUROPE Report)(display systems )(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... NavAero said Air Italy chose its tBagC22 computer and display systems as the Class 2 EFB flight deck hardware on its 737, 757 and 767 fleets.

Navtech.(EUROPE Report)
June 1, 2009... Navtech signed a five-year extension to its agreement with British Airways for Aerad aeronautical charts.

SITA.(EUROPE Report)(deal with CSA Czech Airlines )(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... SITA unveiled what it described as a next-generation PNR, Customer Journey, which will provide "a live record of the passenger's experience with the airline right down to seat preference, meal choice and the last time they made a complaint."...

Lufthansa Systems.(EUROPE Report)
June 1, 2009... Lufthansa Systems signed a contract with UTair to implement its ProfitLine/Yield Rembrandt solution. It signed a five-year contract with Braathens Aviation for NetLine/Sched Slot Manager.

Sabre and Lufthansa.(EUROPE Report)
June 1, 2009... Sabre and Lufthansa signed a four-year global agreement effective July 1 providing Sabre Travel Network-affiliated agencies and corporations continued access to LH's full content.

Oxford Aviation Academy.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Oxford Aviation Academy said it received UK CAA "agreement" for its first Multi-Crew Pilot License course to be launched in partnership with Flybe. According to OAA, it "will be the first MPL to be delivered using instructors, aircraft and...

Thales.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Thales announced that its microwave landing system received UK approval for ground installations for Cat IIIb operations at London Heathrow. Thales was awarded a contract by DFS, the German air navigation service provider, for a PAM-FRA1 wide...

Aviareps.(EUROPE Report)
June 1, 2009... Aviareps was selected by Blue Air to serve as GSA in Germany and the UK.

Swiss International Air Lines.(SWISS A330 ARRIVES)
June 1, 2009... Swiss International Air Lines recently received the first of nine A330-300s on order. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

European airline traffic April 2009.(FACT FILE)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... European Airline Traffic April 2009 Load RPKs % chg. ASKs % chg. factor +/- Airline (billions) 2008 (billions) 2008 (%) 2008 ...

First flight of the 787.(COUNTDOWN TO FIRST FLIGHT)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... First flight of the 787 was expected imminently as this issue went to press. Aircraft ZA001 was moved to the flight line in early May. All structural tests on the static airframe were completed in late April. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Air Canada.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
June 1, 2009... Air Canada endured a first-quarter net loss of C$400 million ($342 million), widened 39% from a C$288 million loss in the year-ago period, and new President and CEO Calin Rovinescu said the carrier is urgently seeking relief from its pension...

Calgary-based WestJet.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(WestJet Airlines Ltd.)(Financial report)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
June 1, 2009... Calgary-based WestJet reported first-quarter net income of C$37.5 million ($31.7 million), down 29% from C$52.5 million in the year-ago period, citing a weak demand and pricing environment. Revenue rose 3.3% to C$579.3 million while expenses...

Continental Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Continental Airlines said it will close its Tampa reservations office on July 19 with the elimination of 500 jobs. Step is necessary in "response to reduced call volumes" caused by a "shift towards Web self-service" and the global recession, it...

AirTran Airways.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... AirTran Airways said it will become the first US major airline to offer wireless broadband Internet access throughout its fleet. Its 136 717s and 737-700s will be equipped by midsummer. It selected Aircell's Gogo Inflight to provide the Wi-Fi...

JetBlue Airways.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Russ Chew, Rob Maruster and Dave Barger have been promoted)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... JetBlue Airways said President and COO Russ Chew will "transition" to a role as senior adviser. Senior VP-Airports and Operational Planning Rob Maruster was promoted to COO and CEO Dave Barger will add the title of president, both effective...

Hawaiian Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Hawaiian Airlines parent Hawaiian Holdings earned $23.5 million in the first quarter, reversed from a $19.9 million loss in the year-ago period when it still faced competition from defunct Aloha Airlines and ATA Airlines. Revenue climbed 15% to...

Frontier Airlines and Lynx Aviation.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Frontier Airlines and Lynx Aviation parent Frontier Airlines Holdings, which is operating under bankruptcy protection, reported a $161 million net loss in the quarter ended March 31 and an $18.9 million profit excluding reorganization expenses....

Allegiant Air.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
June 1, 2009... Allegiant Air parent Allegiant Travel Co. reported first-quarter net income of $28.3 million, nearly three times the $9.7 million earned in the year-ago period, Revenue rose 6.7% to $142.1 million. Operating income was $44.5 million, up from...

Southwest Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Southwest Airlines reached a tentative four-year agreement with customer support and services and airport customer service employees represented by the International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

Alaska Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(deal with Air Line Pilots Association)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Alaska Airlines and the Air Line Pilots Assn. finalized a tentative agreement covering 1,455 pilots. Four-year deal was presented to ALPA members for ratification last month. Terms were not disclosed. Alaska Airlines said it became the...

Chicago Midway Airport.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Vancouver Airport Services)(Citi Infrastructure Investors)(John Hancock Financial Services Inc.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Chicago Midway Airport's privatization plan collapsed after a group of private investors including Vancouver Airport Services, Citi Infrastructure Investors and John Hancock Life Insurance failed to raise the funds needed to secure a $2.52...

US Dept. of Transportation.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(air traffic control system )(Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... US Dept. of Transportation's Office of Inspector General issued a report warning that the US ATC system is vulnerable to "cyber attacks" because FAA has not adequately protected the commercial software- and IP-based technologies it increasingly...

Boeing.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
June 1, 2009... Boeing reported net income of $610 million in the first quarter ended March 31, down 50% from $1.21 billion in the year-ago period. Total revenue rose 3.2% to $16.5 billion while expenses increased 9% to $13.75 billion. Operating earnings...

EDS.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
June 1, 2009... EDS announced an agreement with Continental Airlines to develop, implement and deliver enhanced EDS Flight Planning Services.

Mechtronix World Corp.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Mechtronix World Corp. unveiled its new facility in Montreal last month. It will enable the company to increase manufacturing and production capacity by 50%, allowing it to build up to 25 full flight simulators per year.

Messier Services.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
June 1, 2009... Messier Services reached a deal with Air Canada to perform MRO on landing gear on eight A330s.

Chromalloy.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
June 1, 2009... Chromalloy will invest $16.5 million to expand turbine engine component casting capabilities in Tampa.

Nordam Repair Group.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
June 1, 2009... Nordam Repair Group of Tulsa announced a three-year contract with Boeing to provide MRO on 737NG CFM56-7 thrust reversers.

Air France Industries and KLM Engineering & Maintenance.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
June 1, 2009... Air France Industries and KLM Engineering & Maintenance signed a five-year component support contract with Enerjet, a Canadian charter airline, covering maintenance and pool access for its 737NGs.

AmSafe Bridport.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
June 1, 2009... AmSafe Bridport was awarded a contract to provide cargo hold nets for the A350.

ITA Software.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
June 1, 2009... ITA Software signed a multi-year contract renewal with Alaska Air Group covering ITA's ReShop and Reward pre- and post-departure itinerary change solution.