Air Transport World articles from September 2001

Air Transport World archives from September 2001

Jet Fuel Prices.(July 13, 2001)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Jet Fuel Prices Spot cash markets (average) July 13, 2001 New York 71.16 US Gulf Coast 71.43 Los Angeles 79.90 Rotterdam 76.63 Singapore 70.81 cents per gallon Feb. 83.96 March...

Top 25 Airlines.(ranked by revenue passenger kilometers, January-May 2001)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Top 25 Airlines Jan.--May 2001 Airline RPks (000) 1 United 80,131,273 2 American 73,372,217 3 Delta 66,834,708 4 Northwest 50,622,463 5 British Airways 43,289,000 6...

Exchange Rate.(US dollar and other countries, for May 15 and July 15, 2001)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Exchange Rate Currency units per US dollar Country/Currency 7/15/01 5/15/01 Brazil/Real 2.578 2.3148 Canada/Dollar 1.5345 1.5513 Netherlands/Guilder 2.5799 2.5205 Euro 1.1707 1.1438...

A greater good.(shortfall in aviation system infrastructure)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Threatening to suck the vitality out of the world's airline industry, the shortfall in aviation system infrastructure capacity is a many-layered dilemma. The rudimentary parts of the dilemma are airport capacity, en route control capacity and...

BA, AA revive transatlantic alliance proposal.(British Airways, American Airlines)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... American Airlines and British Airways officially revived their moribund transatlantic alliance last month and applied for antitrust immunity in the US, the UK and with the European Commission to codeshare, coordinate schedules and fares, and...

Air Canada plans more job cuts as losses mount.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Air Canada will lay off an additional 4,000 employees between now and Dec. 2002 as it continues to struggle with the downturn in business travel as well as the integration of Canadian Airlines. The layoffs are in addition to the voluntary...

Sabena to sell noncore units, cut staff.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Sabena President and CEO Christoph Mueller unveiled a recovery program on Aug. 9 that includes scrapping jobs, routes and aircraft to stay in business in the wake of last-gasp life-support funding agreed to by shareholders Swissair Group and...

US Airways seeks 'world class' status.(strategy and plans)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... With the merger with United Airlines officially dead, US Airways on Aug. 15 unveiled an ambitious plan that calls for restructuring its fleet, introducing 60 50 to 69-seat regional jets into mainline operations, launching new transcon service...

Alitalia joins SkyTeam.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... SkyTeam gained its third European airline when Alitalia joined at the end of July. Alitalia will begin codesharing with Air France and Delta Air Lines later this year subject to the usual US and European Commission regulatory scrutiny. Similar...

Concorde to resume passenger operations this fall.(British Airways service)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... British Airways plans to resume Concorde passenger flights this month and Air France in Oct., the Anglo-French Concorde working group said. Simultaneously, the French BEA accident investigation bureau said it had confirmed its initial...

American caps commissions at $20.(American Airlines)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... American Airlines, flexing its muscle as the world's largest airline, effective Aug. 18 capped travel agent commissions at $20 roundtrip and $10 one-way for travel within the US and Canada. Previously the caps were $50 and $25. For tickets...

British Airways.(earnings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... British Airways reported an after-tax profit of [pounds]26 million ($37 million) for its fiscal first quarter ended June 30 compared to a restated loss of [pound]42 million in the year-ago period. Results were in line with expectations but BA...

KLM's.(profits)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... KLM's pre-tax profits decreased by about 65% to [euro]24 million while net income fell 55% to [euro]19 million in the carrier's first fiscal quarter ended June 30. Operating income dropped from [euro]l00 million last year to [euro]23 million...

Lufthansa.(to concentrate on profitable routes)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Lufthansa will curtail planned capacity growth and withdraw from what it termed unprofitable intercontinental routes. Originally planned capacity growth of around 7% annually is being adjusted downward to a yearly 3%. It will focus more sharply...

SAS.(cutting capacity; also earnings results)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... SAS also is cutting capacity. Following in the wake of KLM and Lufthansa, SAS said it will slow this year's planned capacity increase by 2.5% owing to shrinking demand, particularly in business class, that led to an 87.3% drop in net income for...

European airline traffic.(July 2001)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... European airline traffic July 2001 Loud RPKs % ckg. ASKs % chg. factor +/- (billions) 2000 (billions) 2000 (%) 2000 BA 10.47 ...

Maersk Air.(Bjarne Hansen, Ole Dietz ousted from board)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Maersk Air also shook up its management as a result of the scandal. Bjarne Hansen was ousted as head of the Maersk Air board as well as from his post as a partner in parent AP Moeller Group. Also getting the ax was Maersk MD Ole Dietz. Maersk...

Aer Lingus Group.(projects year 2001 operating losses)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Aer Lingus Group posted a 12% rise in operating profit to [euro]79.9 million ($70 million) last year on a 21% increase in turnover to [euro]1.4 billion. But it warned that it will report an operating loss in 2001 owing to the impact of the...

Iberia.(announces operating income)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Iberia posted a 41% increase in operating income for the three months to June 30, from [euro]52.2 million to [euro]73.6 million ($64.5 million), flying in the face of economic slowdown and a recent three-day pilots' strike that cost an...

Bmi british midland.(announces James Hogan and Peter Rowe resignations)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Bmi british midland COO James Hogan, an ex-Hertz International executive who effectively became the airline's strategic planner in 1997, and service director Peter Rowe both have left the airline. Bmi offered no explanation but said it plans to...

Ryanair.(announces record profits for first-quarter ending June 30)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Ryanair shrugged off the effects of the business travel downturn and posted record profits for its fiscal first quarter ended June 30. The budget airline had after-tax earnings of [euro]23.2 million ($20.5 million), up 28% over [euro]18.1...

French bankruptcy court.(supports Holco bid for AOM Air Liberte)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... French bankruptcy court ruled in favour of the Holco bid for AOM Air Liberte last month. Holco, led by Air France pilot Jean-Charles Corbet and backed by Canadian bank CIBC, had the support of the AOM Air Liberte unions. Holco proposed to take...

Virgin Atlantic Airways.(announces profits for year ending April 30)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Virgin Atlantic Airways reported a profit before tax and exceptional items of [pound]45.5 million ($63.2 million) for the year ended April 30, up 13.7% from [pound]40 million earned in the year-ago period. Turnover rose 19.7% to [pound]1.52...

British European.(announces Delta Air Lines codesharing agreement)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... British European announced plans to begin codesharing with Delta Air Lines Sept. 1 on BE flights beyond London Gatwick, with initial service to Jersey, Guernsey and Northern Ireland.

Thales Avionics.(and Diehl Avionik Systeme receive cockpit display contract)
September 1, 2001... Thales Avionics and German subsidiary Diehl Avionik Systeme will supply the cockpit display system for the A380.

Sterling European.(CTT Systems contract)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Sterling European will install CTT Systems Zonal Drying Systems aboard its 737-800s.

American Airlines.(presents pilots with four-year contract proposal)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... American Airlines in late July presented its pilots, represented by the Allied Pilots Assn., with an opening proposal for what it called an "industry-leading" four-year contract. If accepted, the pact would have resulted in a 15%-22% pay...

Alaska Airlines.(labor contract)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Alaska Airlines and the Air Line Pilots Assn. announced a tentative contract under which pilots would receive an 11.05% pay raise retroactive to June 1 followed by a 5% increase in 2002, with raises of 4% each in 2003 and 2004. The contract...

Midway Airlines.(chapter 11 bankruptcy protection)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Midway Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Aug. 14 and announced it would continue operating with a smaller fleet, a reduced workforce and a shrunken route network. Midway cited a "calamitous drop in business traffic" as the...

US Majors traffic.(airlines)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... US Majors traffic July 2001 Load RPMs % chg. ASMs % chg. factor (billions) 2000 (billions) 2000 (%) Alaska ...

Midwest Express Holdings.(earnings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Midwest Express Holdings, parent of the airline and Regional feeder Skyway Airlines, reported a net loss of $3.2 million for the second quarter ended June 30 compared to income of $8.8 million in the year-ago period. Current results are net of...

Calgary-based WestJet.(earnings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Calgary-based WestJet said net earnings for the second quarter rose 11.3% to C$8.2 million ($5.3 million) compared to income of C$7.4 million in the year-ago period. The higher profit figure came on a 51.8% increase in ASMs. Operating revenues...

Hawaiian Airlines.(earnings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Hawaiian Airlines reported net income of $3 million for the second quarter ended June 30, down 35% from $4.6 million earned in the year-ago period. Revenues rose 1% to $156 million while operating income declined 83% to $1.3 million from $7.5...

JetBlue Airways.(signs lease on terminal at John F. Kennedy airport)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... JetBlue Airways reached agreement with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on a five-year, $60 million lease on Terminal 6 at JFK that will enable it to double its operations there over the next 29 months. JetBlue intends to operate...

Air Canada.(enters alliance with IBM)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Air Canada and IBM entered into a seven-year, C$1.4 billion ($908 million) strategic partnership and outsourcing agreement to jointly pursue business opportunities in customer service and travel industry solutions aimed at other airlines. AC...

Continental Airlines.(to codeshare with Air Europa)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Continental Airlines and Air Europa intend to start codesharing Nov. 1 on flights between the US and Spain as well as to beyond gateway cities in both countries subject to government approval.

US DOT.(awards code sharing to Delta, Northwest and United Airlines)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... US DOT tentatively selected three US airlines to take up third-party codeshare rights between the US and Vietnam. DOT awarded a total of 2l weekly services, seven each to Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines and United Airlines. All services...

US NTSB.
September 1, 2001... US NTSB Acting Chairman Carol Carmody expressed "disappointment" that a report by a working group of the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee concluded that fuel rank inerting as a means of preventing accidents could not be justified under...

Boeing.(acquires SBS International)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Boeing acquired crew-scheduling systems supplier SBS International. Price was not given.

GE Engine Services.(extended aircraft engine pact from Continental Airlines)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... GE Engine Services received a $36 million, eight-year extension from Continental Airlines of an existing MRO contract covering repair of line-replaceable engine components on CO's CFM56-3-powered 737s.

Goodrich Corp.(gets evacuation systems contract from Hella KG Huek and Co)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Goodrich Corp. was awarded the contract to supply evacuation systems for the A380. Goodrich said the contract could generate some $300-$400 million in revenue over a 20-year period. Goodrich signed an agreement with Hella KG Huek & Co. for...

George B. Pearson.(obituary)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
September 1, 2001... George B. Pearson, 63, founder of TravelScan Corp. and a frequent information contributor to ATW, passed away May 5. Among the range of experiences in Pearson's multitalented career was as an engineer with LTV Aerospace in 196 1-67 and a...

SriLankan Airlines.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... SriLankan Airlines' fleet was devastated in a Tamil Tiger terrorist attack July 24 at bandaranaike International Airport. Two of the carrier's A330s and one A340 were destroyed and two A320s and an A340 were damaged heavily; the A340...

In a major blow.(Delta Air Lines Korean Air)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... In a major blow to efforts by Korean Air to resume codesharing operations with Delta Air Lines as part of its membership in SkyTeam, US FAA issued a Categoty 2 countty rating to South Korea. The rating means that Korea's aviation regulatory...

Cathay Pacific Airways.(profits)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Cathay Pacific Airways cited the difficult operating environment as first-half net profit slid 64% to HK$1.32 billion ($168 million) compared to HK$2.18 billion in the year-ago period. Current-period results were boosted by a gain of HK$452...

Singapore Airlines.(investing in Air New Zealand)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Singapore Airlines will invest a further NZ$700 million ($289 million) in Air New Zealand if the NZ government clears a bid to increase SIA's stake in the flag carrier to 49%. ANZ CEO Gary Toomey said resolution of the equity issue would clear...

Qantas.(profits)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Qantas is set to push ahead with its plans to establish a budget international operation after reporting the lowest profit in its six-year life as a public company. CEO Geoff Dixon said the new airline venture would begin flying to seven mostly...

Michael Mascrenbas.(suspended as Air India MD)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Michael Mascrenbas, who was suspended as Air-India MD by the Ministry of Civil Aviation May 22, has denied he ever opposed privatization of the air-line (ATW, 7/01). He told ATW in Mumbai that in fact he actively supported privatization as the...

Hainan Airlines.(to finance expansion plans through share offer)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Hainan Airlines will raise $300 million through a share offer to finance expansion plans that include eight 737-800s. Five of the aircraft were ordered last Nov. and the airline wants an additional three. The Shanghai-listed company plans to...

Dragonair.(announces Aeroxchange membership agreement)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Dragonair is joining Aeroxchange, the airline-owned e-commerce marketplace that now includes 33 carriers.

LanChile.(financial data for second quarter)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... LanChile reported a net loss of $2.6 million for the second quarter ended June 30 compared to a loss of $2.1 million in the year-ago period. Current-period results included a $2 million provision to cover funds owed by Aerolineas Argentinas and...

Cintra.(operating loss for second quarter)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Cintra, the holding company for both AeroMexico and Mexicana, reported an unaudited operating loss of 225.9 million pesos ($25 million) and a net loss of 65.4 million pesos for the second quarter. Total revenues decreased 11.2%, domestic...

Daniel Mandelli Martin.(new CEO of TAM)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Daniel Mandelli Martin is the new CEO of TAM. Brother-in-law of Rolim Adolfo Amaro, who was killed in a helicopter crash in July, Martin was corporate VP and has been with the airline for 22 years.

Air Afrique.(Air France increases holdings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Air Afrique officials agreed to relinquish control of the beleaguered carrier to major shareholder Air France in return for a $60 million bailout. The 11 African nations with a stake in the West African airline have agreed to reduce their...

Ethiopian Airlines.(financial data)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Ethiopian Airlines said it ended a "challenging yet rewarding year" by posting an estimated net profit of 30 million birr ($3.6 million) and an operating profit of about 70 million birr for the 12 months ended June 30. Total revenues rose 16%...

Emirates and CAE.(Emirates Airlines)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Emirates and CAE are to operate a new Emirates Aviation Training Facility in Dubai. Under the agreement, the parties each will make an initial investment of 365 million dirhams ($100 million) for the new facility, which is scheduled to open in...

Airborne Inc.(net loss in second quarter)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Airborne Inc., parent of Airborne Express, posted a net loss of $6.4 million in the second quarter ended June 30 compared to income of $13.7 million in the year-ago period.

Emery Worldwide Airlines.(maintenance violations result in groundings)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Emery Worldwide Airlines agreed to ground its fleet of 38 freighters in mid-Aug. rather than face an FAA-ordered grounding over maintenance violations.

Canada 3000.(Royal Cargo sold to Flagship International Marketing)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Canada 3000 sold a 50% interest in its cargo subsidiary Royal Cargo to Flagship International Marketing for C$10 million ($6.5 million). As a result of the sale the company was renamed Canada 3000 Cargo Inc.

Singapore Airlines.(orders three planes)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Singapore Airlines ordered three 777-200s.

How I spent my summer vacation.(Embraer Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Embraer wrapped up its ERJ-190 summer road show tour of 12 US cities during which a mockup of the new 100-passenger jet traveled cross-country in an extended tractor-trailer. The road show, which began June 4 in TWA territory in St. Louis,...

Larger RJs could relieve airport congestion.(regional jets)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... New 70/110-seat regional jets could help relieve traffic congestion by allowing more point-to-point service, thus easing demand on congested hubs, according to Fairchild Dornier Chairman Chuck Pieper. Speaking to the Aero Club of Washington,...

European Regions Airline Assn.(profits)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... European Regions Airline Assn. reported a 6% growth in passengers for the first quarter of 2001, a 3-point drop from the increase achieved in the same period in 2000. ERA officials described it as a "leveling out" after two decades of rapid...

Horizon Air.(certified to fly CRJ700)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Horizon Air, the Regional subsidiary of Alaska Air Group, became the first airline in North America certified to fly the 70-seat CRJ700. The new Bombardier aircraft is replacing the carrier's 69-seat F28s, which will be retired. Horizon holds...

SkyWest Inc.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... SkyWest Inc., parent of the airline, earned $17.7 million in its fiscal first quarter ended June 30, up 6.8% compared to $16.5 million earned in the year-ago period. Revenues rose 14.8% to $149.7 million while operating expenses climbed 18.5%...

Mesa Air Group.(seeks to renegotiate Raytheon loan payments)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Mesa Air Group is seeking to renegotiate loan payments associated with its Beech 1900D fleet and has suspended payments to manufacturer Raytheon. The company and its subsidiaries operate 39 1900s. Mesa disclosed that it is in default under...

Atlantic Southeast Airlines.(to build maintenance facility in Baton Rouge)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Atlantic Southeast Airlines, a Delta Connection carrier, will build a 41,600-sq.-ft. regional jet maintenance facility in Baton Rouge. The new complex will serve as the airline's primary overnight maintenance base for CRJs serving the...

Bombardier and Embraer.(sign Regional Aviation Partners membership agreements)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Bombardier and Embraer have signed on as members of Regional Aviation Partners. The organization, which represents the Regional airline industry, is working to preserve air service to smaller communities. Formed in April, RAP currently has 25...

Mesaba Airlines.(increases flights between Lexington and Detroit)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Mesaba Airlines, a Regional affiliate of Northwest Airlines, is increasing nonstop service between Lexington and its Detroit hub from five to six flights daily starting Sept. 1. Service will be provided on 33-seat Saab 340s.

American Eagle.(adds flights to Chicago)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... American Eagle, American Airlines' Regional affiliate, will expand regional jet service from four cities to Chicago Sept. 5. Service will be provided with ERJ-135s and ERJ-145s from Cedar Rapids, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Evansville.

Comair.(announces CSA Czech Airlines codeshare service agreement)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Comair, a Delta Connection carrier, began codeshare service with CSA Czech Airlines in August. Terms of the agreement allow CSA to sell seats on Comair to CSA passengers connecting from transatlantic flights to New York, Boston and Chicago.

Air Canada.(offers nonstop service from Toronto to Jacksonville)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Air Canada is offering daily nonstop service between Toronto and Jacksonville with 50-seat CRJs.

Bangkok Airways.(receives ATR 72-500 aircraft)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Bangkok Airways has taken delivery of its first ATR 72-500. Five more are set for delivery over the next two years to the Thai airline. The aircraft will be used on the domestic network as well as on new international routes to Laos, Cambodia...

CBL Systems Corp.(receives Federal Aviation Administration supplemental type certificate)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... CBL Systems Corp. received a supplemental type certificate from FAA for upgrade kits that incorporate fiberoptic-networked Digital Flight Data Acquisition Units for ATR 42s and ATR 72s.

To Build Runway.(runway expansion projects face federal regulation)(Industry Overview)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Paper harriers slowing runway capacity growth under a newly invigorated industry assault What creates airline delays, and why such large delays here when there is a little bad weather way over there? While the general answer is an aviation...

A surfeit of runways.(Asian aiports seek air traffic increases)(Statistical Data Included)(Industry Overview)
September 1, 2001... Asia's new airports vie to attract air service in an environment vastly different from the one in which they were conceived In Bangkok, the claim is that the country's proposed new international airport, Nong Ngu Hao, should be entered into...

Staying ontime.(airline delays costly)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... US airlines continue to struggle with operational issues that impact schedule-keeping, but sophisticated solutions are on the way Last year, only around 73% of US airline flights arrived ontime at their destination airports, according to...

Flying solo.(US Airways Inc.)(Company Profile)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... US Airways needs to find a winning strategy now that its purchase by United has died Having been jilted by a prospective partner for the second time, US Airways Group is facing a future on its own and looking at what it needs to do to fly...

Out the window.(revenue integrity improves at British Airways PLC)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Airlines spend millions on sophisticated revenue management systems but still let millions more escape owing to lack of revenue integrity Revenue leakage--the gap between the revenue that airlines book and the amount that they eventually...

A dying breed.(independent regional airlines in Australia)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Australia's independent Regional airlines are disappearing under the strains of new competition and intense cost pressures It was the last desperate roll of the dice for Australia's largest privately owned carrier, Flight West Airlines....

Nordic fast-tracker.(Finnair Group)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Finnair undergoes broad corporate makeover as it strives to sustain profitability by overhauling its long-haul network Low-profile but profitable, Finnair Group is shifting gears in a big way with major strategic reorganization over a broad...

Comair It's back.(pilot strike over)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... Comair is looking forward, not hack as it recovers from its 12-week pilot walkout The sign says it all at Comair's terminal at Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport: "Welcome Back, Thank You for Flying with Us." The strike is...

Three WAS a crowd.(Rockwell Collins breaks off partnership with News International)
September 1, 2001... The breakup of the Rockwell Collins-News International partnership leaves only Connexion by Boeing and Tenzing competing to provide Internet access to airline passengers, but AirTV lurks There were three players a year ago in the contest to...

Promising wings.(Aeropostal and the Venezuelan airline industry)
September 1, 2001... Venezuela may finally have a winner in revived and revitalized Aerapostal The Venezuelan airline industry has navigated through an unstable environment since the mid-1990s, trying painfully to keep pace in the complex world air transport...