Air Transport World articles from September 2005

Air Transport World archives from September 2005

World airline traffic.(TRENDS)
September 1, 2005... [GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Jet fuel prices *.(TRENDS)(Illustration)
September 1, 2005... JET FUEL PRICES * July 15, 2005 New York 170.33 US Gulf Coast 166.78 Los Angeles 173.75 Rotterdam 176.17 Singapore 167.07 * Spot cash markets (average). Source: US Dept. of Energy.

Top 20 airlines: January-July 2005.(TRENDS)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
September 1, 2005... TOP 20 AIRLINES JANUARY-JULY 2005 RANK AIRLINE RPKs (000) 1 American 131,366,480 2 Delta 115,317,000 3 United 107,014,000 4 Air France/KLM ...

Top 20 airlines international traffic: January-June 2005.(TRENDS)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
September 1, 2005... TOP 20 AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC JANUARY-JUNE 2005 RANK AIRLINE RPKs (000) 1 Air France/KLM 82,286,395 2 British Airways 52,038,211 3 Lufthansa 51,741,198 4...

Keep paddling.(low cost carriers)(Editorial)
September 1, 2005... Here's a metaphor most will accept: Low cost carriers are sharks. This works on several levels. Most obvious is the idea of the LCC as an eating machine, chewing up the competition. Another thought, equally applicable, is the need to move...

Delta sells Regional unit, but cash problems remain.(Delta Air Lines Inc. divests Atlantic Southeast Airlines to SkyWest )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Delta Air Lines last month agreed to sell its wholly owned Regional subsidiary Atlantic Southeast Airlines to SkyWest for $425 million in cash. As part of the deal, ASA will continue to operate in the Delta Connection network under a new...

Thai president demoted over losses.(Kanok Abhiradee of Thai Airways International Ltd.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... In a clear indication that the era of government meddling in Thai Airways International is not over, its president, Kanok Abhiradee, was removed from day-to-day responsibility for managing the airline in favor of board member Somchainuk...

AEA introduces new emissions policy.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Assn. of European Airlines unveiled its Emissions Containment Policy that details "how greenhouse-gas emissions of the industry have been, and can be, controlled while allowing for sustainable market development." AEA Secretary General...

IAE launches V2500 upgrade, MRO packages.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Targeting what it sees as the changing needs of the short-haul operator market and low-cost airlines, IAE launched V2500 Select, a new maintenance program linked to a package of engine technology enhancements that it says will cut MRO costs...

A loss of cabin pressure.(may have caused Helios Airways' crash)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... A loss of cabin pressure that incapacitated the cockpit crew appears to have been the cause of the Aug. 14 crash of a Helios Airways 737-300 into a mountainside north of Athens. All 121 persons onboard the aircraft were killed in the accident....

An Air France A340-300.(EUROPE Report)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... An Air France A340-300 skidded off the runway at Toronto Pearson International Airport during a thunderstorm Aug. 2 and broke into pieces, but there were only minor injuries among the 297 passengers and 12 crewmembers onboard, all of whom were...

Quoted briefly.
September 1, 2005... "Air France is paying homage to the entire crew: to the Captain, to the First Officer and to the cabin crew. Their calm and professionalism during a crisis prevented a major tragedy." --Air France Senior Exec, VP Jean-Francois Colin on the...

British Airways.(reports net profit)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... British Airways, for a third consecutive year, suffered a major operational meltdown at London Heathrow during the summer high season as 1,000 baggage handlers and ramp workers staged a surprise walkout Aug. 11 to protest the sacking of some...

Lufthansa.(reports second quarter net profit)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Lufthansa reported a second-quarter net profit of 116 million [euro] ($144.3 million) compared to a loss of 23 million [euro] last year and an operating result of 279 million [euro], up from 149 million [euro] in 2004. Revenues rose 4.3% to...

Iberia Group.(reports net earnings)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Iberia Group earned 45.3 million [euro] ($54.9 million) in the second quarter ended June 30, down 37.3% compared to a profit of 72.3 million [euro] a year ago, while net earnings for the first half of 2005 fell 53% to 29.2 million [euro] from...

Ryanair.(reports profit)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Ryanair shrugged off a doubling of its fuel bill to report a 31.2% profit rise to 69.9 million [euro] ($86.3 million) for the fiscal first quarter ended June 30 compared to net income of 53.1 million [euro] a year ago. Current-period results...

Austrian Airlines Group.(reports net loss )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Austrian Airlines Group reported a net loss of 79.1 million [euro] ($95.1 million) for the six months ended June 30, widened from a net loss of 41 million [euro] last year. It cited high fuel prices, overcapacity and a weak load factor. Total...

EasyJet.(EUROPE Report)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... EasyJet raised its earnings forecast for the fiscal year to Sept. 30 and now expects that full-year pre-tax profit "will be broadly in line with last year," when it earned 62 million [euro]. CEO Ray Webster, who is retiring from the airline...

Finnair Group.(net profit)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Finnair Group reported that profit after tax for the three months ended June 30 more than doubled to 26.4 million [euro] ($32.7 million) from 11.5 million [euro] in the year-ago period on a 15.6% rise in turnover to 471.9 million [euro]. ...

Germanwings.(opens a new base at Hamburg)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Germanwings, the low-fare clone of Eurowings in which Lufthansa holds 49%, will open a new base at Hamburg this winter, its fourth after Cologne/Bonn, Berlin Schoenefeld and Stuttgart. It will base two A319s/A320s there. The move is seen as an...

Airbus and Irkut.(sign letter of intent)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Airbus and Irkut signed a preliminary agreement on Russian participation in the A350 on a risk-sharing basis, the companies announced last month. The letter of intent was signed at MAKS 2006 in Moscow by Airbus and Irkut on behalf of...

European Airline Traffic July 2005.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
September 1, 2005... FACT FILE European Airline Traffic July 2005 % RPKs change ASKs Airline (billions) 2004 (billions) AF-KLM 17.62 9.2 20.68 AUA...

First new-build IL-76 cargo aircraft.(Volga-Dnepr)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... First new-build IL-76 cargo aircraft equipped with PS-90A-76 engines designed to meet ICAO noise and emission requirements and "new generation avionics" completed a 30-min. test flight early last month, Volga-Dnepr said. The flight took place...

DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung.(is to be privatized)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung, the German air traffic control authority, is to be privatized under legislation approved by the German federal cabinet in August.

Rockwell Collins.(contracts with Czech Airlines )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Rockwell Collins was selected by Hapagfly to provide its Programmable Audio Video Entertainment System on 10 new 737-800s with an option for 10 additional aircraft. Rockwell Collins reached agreement with Czech Airlines to provide its...

OnAir.(contracts with TriaGnoSys and Miltope Corp.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... OnAir announced that Munich-based TriaGnoSys and Alabama-based Miltope Corp. will provide the software and server respectively for the OnAir onboard GSM solution that "will allow the safe and effective use of mobile phones on aircraft for the...

Sabre.(Travelocity Europe acquires lastminute.com)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Sabre said the acquisition of lastminute.com by Travelocity Europe was completed. The UK-based online travel and leisure group will be the lead brand for Travelocity in most of Europe and will continue to expand as lastminute.com. Brent...

Amadeus.(contracts with Pulkovo)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Amadeus will provide its Altea technology platform to Pulkovo to replace its legacy system and support the Russian airline's modernization and growth strategy. Pulkovo will implement the Altea Plan inventory management system as well as the...

Lufthansa Systems.(contracts with Airbus)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Lufthansa Systems announced that Airbus successfully integrated its Lido eRouteManual and electronic airport and route charts into the On-board Information System of the A380.

Unisys.(contracts with Lufthansa Systems )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Unisys was awarded a contract by Lufthansa Systems to provide its Airline Core Systems Solutions (AirCore) to support LHS's Future Airline Core Environment (FACE) program.

SITA INC.(contracts with Dusseldorf Airport )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... SITA INC said that Dusseldorf Airport outsourced its IT support to SITA in a contract worth $200 million over 10 years. There will be no redundancies among the existing 63 IT staff at the airport, SITA added.

Pratt & Whitney.(contracted by Martinair and Blue Panorama Airlines)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Pratt & Whitney was awarded a seven-year contract from Martinair to service the PW4462 and PW4060 engines powering its MD-11s and 767-300s. The work will be performed at Pratt's facility in Singapore. Pratt was awarded an exclusive...

SR Technics Switzerland and Swiss International Air Lines.(EUROPE Report)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... SR Technics Switzerland and Swiss International Air Lines agreed to extend their contract that covers maintenance of Swiss's Airbus fleet for a further three years to 2012. SR Technics Ireland was awarded a five-year contract by TUI Group...

Lufthansa Flight Training.(Deutsche Lufthansa AG)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Lufthansa Flight Training began work on the 18.5 million [euro] ($22.9 million) expansion of its training facility at Berlin Schoenefeld.

EADS Sogerma Services.(contracts with A.J. Walter Aviation )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... EADS Sogerma Services will lease A330 spares worth $7 million from aviation spares specialist A.J. Walter Aviation to support Sogerma customers worldwide.

Alenia Aeronautica.(contracts with Boeing )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company, will supply fuselage and tail components for 150 787s under an agreement with Boeing valued at approximately $1.1 billion.

European Aeronautical Group.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... European Aeronautical Group said that British Airways and BA CitiExpress will become launch customers for eAerad, EAG's electronic adaptation of Aerad aeronautical charts.

Preston Aviation Solutions.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Preston Aviation Solutions will supply its Total Airspace and Airport Modeler software package to Dutch consultancy firm To70 for use in capacity studies of Amsterdam Schiphol.

Munich Airport operator FMG.(Flughafen Munchen GmbH)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Munich Airport operator FMG announced in late July that it will start the planning process leading to the construction of a third runway. No timeframe was given.

Aviapartner.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Aviapartner shareholders reached agreement on the sale of the ground handling company to private equity fund 3i and certain Aviapartner managers. Price was not disclosed. The Brussels-based ground handler is active at 32 European airports and...

Virgin Blue.(BLUE PERIOD)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Virgin Blue's 50th 737 bears a special livery to celebrate the milestones delivery. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Aviareps.(opens new office in Brussels)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Aviareps opened an office in Brussels, where it represents six airlines: Air Sahara, Club Air, Ethiopian, Air Namibia, Air Lithuania and Aer Lingus.

American Airlines.(contracts with ICTS Europe Holdings)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... American Airlines awarded a three-year pan-European security contract to ICTS Europe Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide.

Component Control.(contracts with Wizz Air )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Component Control said Wizz Air selected its Quantum Control aviation ERP software to support maintenance functions for its fleet of six A320s.

JAL Group.(Japan Air Lines Company Ltd. sales)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... JAL Group recorded a net loss of [yen] 38.3 billion ($341.7 million) for its seasonally weak first quarter ended June 30, improved slightly from a net loss of 40.7 billion [euro] last year. Operating revenue was up 5% to [yen] 503.3 billion...

ANA Group.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... ANA Group reported a 10.9% drop in net income to [yen] 2.16 billion ($19.3 million) for the June 30 first quarter from income of [yen] 2.43 billion a year ago. The decline primarily was owing to an extraordinary loss on the sale of property....

Singapore Airlines Group.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Singapore Airlines Group earned S$235 million ($141.8 million) in the June 30 fiscal first quarter, down 7.9% compared to a net profit of S$255 million in the prior-year period. Revenue rose 11.7% to S$3.04 billion but expenses climbed 15.3% to...

Cathay Pacific Airways.(net profit)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Cathay Pacific Airways reported a profit of HK$1.67 billion ($214.9 million) for the first half of 2005, down 5.7% compared to a HK$1.77 billion first-half profit last year, as a 27.9% rise in fuel expense dampened strong passenger demand....

Jetstar Asia.(will merge with Valuair)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Jetstar Asia will merge with Valuair, it was announced at the end of July. Under the S$60 million ($36.1 million) deal, the Singapore-based LCCs, both of which are losing money, will be combined under a single corporate entity with Qantas...

India's Jet Airways.(order for Jet airplanes)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... India's Jet Airways finalized a previously announced order for 10 737-800s last month. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Air New Zealand.(labor relations)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Air New Zealand reached a new wage agreement with its long-haul cabin crew calling for a 3.3% pay increase over each of the next three years and improved working conditions. The deal still must be ratified by union members. ANZ suffered two...

Qantas.(will launch services to new zealand)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Qantas low-cost vehicle Jetstar will launch services to New Zealand from four Australian cities on Dec. 1, replacing Qantas service in some markets as the latter tries to make transtasman operations more viable. Yields have declined sharply on...

Asiana Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Asiana Airlines estimated that it lest $200 million in sales as a result of flight cancellations caused by a series of pilot walk-outs in July and August over pay and working conditions.

Shanghai Airlines.(net profit)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Shanghai Airlines blamed soaring fuel prices for a profit slump in the first half. Net profit of just 13.35 million yuan ($1.7 million) was 91% down on last year's 145.3 million yuan.

Spring Airlines.(contracts with Gecas)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Spring Airlines, a low-fare carrier based in Shanghai, began operations in late July with three A320s leased from GECAS. It is owned by Shanghai Spring International Travel Service, which claims to be the largest travel agency in China.

Orient Thai Airlines.(contracts with Continental Airlines )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Orient Thai Airlines is acquiring eight MD-80s from Continental Airlines and will phase out two of its eight 747s. The MD-80s will be used by budget operation One-Two-Go. As part of the fleet revamp, two 757s flown by One-Two-Go will be...

US Majors Traffic July 2005 *.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
September 1, 2005... US Majors Traffic July 2005 * RPMs % chg. ASMs % chg LF +/- chg. Airline (bil.) 2004 (bil.) 2004 (%) 2004 AirTran 1.10 39.4 1.36 32.6 80.8 3.9 Alaska...

Bangkok Airways.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Bangkok Airways decided to add 717s to its fleet despite acquiring A320s. It has sourced its fifth and sixth 717s, which will enter service next year.

Singapore Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Singapore Airlines became the first carrier to introduce live TV on international flights. The option was enabled by SIA's installation of Connexion by Boeing and TV is free for passengers paying for Connexion for their laptops.

EVA Air.(began offering new services)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... EVA Air began offering OnAir's two-way SMS on its first 777-300ER that entered service last month. An English-language version will be followed by a Chinese version later in the year. The system will be installed on the entire EVA Air fleet...

Pakistan.(opened up air routes for private airlines)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Pakistan opened up its air routes to the US, UK and Scandinavian countries to the nation's private airlines. The government's move reportedly was prompted by the inability of Pakistan International Airlines to meet demand.

Korean Air.(contracts with United Airlines )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Korean Air was awarded a five-year, $60 million contract from United Airlines to perform C and D checks on UA's fleet of 27 747-400s.

Lufthansa Systems.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(contracts)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Lufthansa Systems will supply its Netline/Crew management solution to Singapore Airlines' SilkAir affiliate.

Japanese government.(approves extension of runaway at Tokyo Narita)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Japanese government approved an extension of the second runway at Tokyo Narita from 7,152 ft. to 8,202 ft., sufficient to allow 747 and A380 landings.

ACE Aviation Holdings.(company earnings)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... ACE Aviation Holdings, parent of Air Canada, earned C$168 million ($138.5 million) in the second quarter, or C$116 million before nonrecurring items and foreign exchange effects. This compares to a C$510 million net loss in the prior-year...

United Airlines.(STRIKE OUT)(Reorganization and restructuring)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... United Airlines parent UAL Corp. said it largely has "completed its aircraft restructuring effort," saving it approximately $300 million annually on financings covering 105 aircraft. In conjunction with previous restructurings, United said it...

America West and US Airways.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... America West and US Airways received approval for their planned merger from the US Air Transportation Stabilization Board, which has guaranteed loans for both airlines. In aggregate, the carriers still owe $1.08 billion out of $1.43 billion...

Northwest Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(labor relations)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Northwest Airlines at press time faced a strike by its mechanics represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Assn. NWA is seeking is seeking $176 million in annual cost reductions from AMFA but proposed contract changes go well beyond pay...

American Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(inflight entertainment systems)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... American Airlines will install Recaro lie-flat seatbeds, larger overhead bins and "enhanced" inflight entertainment systems in the business class cabins of its 767-300s and 777s and will add its Flagship Suite first class cabin to its remaining...

Southwest Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Buildings and facilities)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Southwest Airlines offered to spend $130 million to construct facilities at Seattle's King County International Airport--also known as Boeing Field--that would allow it to transfer its operations from Seattle-Tacoma International, where it...

Alaska Air Group.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(company sales and earnings)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Alaska Air Group, parent of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, earned $17.4 million in the second quarter compared to a loss of $1.7 million last year, but operational problems at Alaska overshadowed the financial gains as the carrier slipped to...

ATA Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... ATA Airlines parent ATA Holdings Corp. announced that President and CEO George Mikelsons is retiring from the company he founded more than 30 years ago. He will be succeeded as CEO by John Denison, who currently is CEO of the airline unit....

Frontier Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(company sales and earnings)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Frontier Airlines lost $2.7 million in its fiscal first quarter ended June 30, improved from a $6.6 million net loss in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 22.9% to $236.4 million, which helped offset an 18.7% increase in operating expenses to...

Midwest Air Group.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(company sales and earnings)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Midwest Air Group's second-quarter loss widened to $8.2 million from $3.5 million last year. The parent of Midwest Airlines attributed the results primarily to the increase in fuel prices and some unusual items. Operating revenues rose 23.1% to...

NAV Canada.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... NAV Canada said it reached a tentative collective agreement with the Canadian Auto Workers/Canadian Air Traffic Control Assn. representing air traffic controllers. Terms were not disclosed. The agreement is subject to ratification by union...

Boeing.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Boeing revenues rose 14.8% to $15.03 billion in the second quarter and earnings from continuing operations grew 25.8% to $810 million from $644 million last year, but special items pushed net income down 6.8% to $566 million from $607 million a...

Boeing and Chorus Motors.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(testings)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Boeing and Chorus Motors said that based on "successful tests" conducted with an Air Canada 767, electric motors "may be a viable way of powering airplanes" for ground movement in and around gate areas.

Boeing and Qualcomm.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Boeing and Qualcomm said they successfully demonstrated "the simultaneous use of CDMA and GSM mobile phone technology over an onboard network inflight mobile phone" on Boeing's Connexion One 737 demonstrator.

Connexion by Boeing and Intel Corp.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Connexion by Boeing and Intel Corp. reached agreement to "enhance and promote high-speed inflight wireless Internet service."

Goodrich Corp.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Scott Kuechle appointed)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Goodrich Corp. board of directors elected Scott Kuechle senior VP and CFO. He succeeds Rick Schmidt, who is leaving to become CFO of Spirit AeroSystems.

Former International Aero Engines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Barry Eccleston appointed)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Former International Aero Engines head Barry Eccleston was appointed president and CEO of Airbus North America Holdings succeeding Henri Courpron, who earlier was named executive VP-procurement in Toulouse. Eccleston will oversee all efforts of...

Timco Aviation Services.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Timco Aviation Services said it acquired tooling and other equipment for the repair and overhaul of CFM56 engines and expects to select a site for a facility shortly, with opening planned by year end. Timco already provides on-wing support for...

Delta Air Lines.(contracts)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Delta Air Lines maintenance division Delta TechOps signed a 10-year agreement with ABX Air to provide engine MRO for the CF6-80A and--80A2 engines powering ABX's fleet of 767-200s. The two companies also recently signed 10-year deals covering...

SITA.(contracts)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... SITA concluded a $5.4 million multifaceted contract for wireless and management services for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The contract includes design and implementation of an airportwide Wi-Fi and mobile wireless network...