Air Transport World articles from September 2008

Air Transport World archives from September 2008

Trends.(Statistical table)
September 1, 2008... WORLD AIRLINE TRAFFIC JANUARY-MAY 2008 US Europe 2008 2007 % chg. 2008 2007 % chg. RPKs (mil.) 541,589 531,131 2.0 313,032 302,154 3.6 ASKs...

Transatlantic tango.(Editorial)
September 1, 2008... A glance at the slot holdings at London Heathrow possessed by the global airline alliances shows why European and US regulators may be reluctant to give unqualified approval to the application for antitrust immunity filed last month by five...

BA, Iberia aim to tie knot as oneworld seeks ATI.(NewsBriefs)(British Airways PLC, American Airlines Inc. and Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana S.A. to merge)(anti-trust immunity)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Oneworld partners American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair and Royal Jordanian in mid-August filed for worldwide antitrust immunity from the US Dept. of Transportation and notified the appropriate regulatory authorities in the EU....

US airlines oppose Newark slot auction.(NewsBriefs)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... US Air Transport Assn. is suing to prevent FAA from moving forward this month with the auction of two operational slots at Newark. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said the limited auction will enable the agency to try the concept "on a...

Guest of honor.(NewsBriefs)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Emirates Airline took delivery of its first A380 in ceremonies in Hamburg on July 28 and put the aircraft into service just three days later (see article, p. 26). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Summer of discontent.(NewsBriefs)(Qantas Airways Ltd. appointed Alan Joyce )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Geoff Dixon's final few months as chief executive of Qantas have been anything but restful as the airline has confronted a string of operational and safety-related mishaps resulting in a special audit by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety...

OFT charges BA execs with price-fixing.(NewsBriefs)(United Kingdom. Office of Fair Trading v. British Airways PLC's executives)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The UK Office of Fair Trading last month charged one present and three former British Airways executives with illegally fixing prices on fuel surcharges on long-haul flights between July 2004 and April 2006. Head of Sales Andrew Crawley and...

Japan Airlines Group.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(financial news)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Japan Airlines Group lost [yen]3.4 billion ($31.3 million) in its fiscal first quarter ended June 30, narrowed from a [yen]4.3 billion deficit in the prior-year period. Quarterly revenue decreased 5.8% to [yen]490 billion, mainly due to two...

ANA Group.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... ANA Group reported a [yen]6.6 billion ($61.1 million) net profit in the fiscal first quarter ended June 30, down 92.4% from the [yen]87.3 billion earned in the year-ago quarter, when it benefited from the sale of its hotel assets. The airline...

Singapore Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
September 1, 2008... Singapore Airlines parent SIA Group reported a S$358.6 million ($263.5 million) profit during the fiscal first quarter ended June 30, down just 15.4% from the S$424.1 million reported in the year-ago period as S$349 million in hedging gains...

Cathay Pacific Airways.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
September 1, 2008... Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragonair parent Cathay Pacific Group blamed the relentless hike in fuel costs for a loss of HK$663 million ($85 million) in the 2008 first half, reversed from a profit of HK$2.58 billion in last year's first six...

Korean Air.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
September 1, 2008... Korean Air reported a second-quarter loss of KRW288.9 billion ($278 million), widened from a KRW214.4 loss in the year-ago quarter, as costs led by an 80% jump in fuel price and a weakening won escalated faster than revenue. Operating revenue...

Asiana Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
September 1, 2008... Asiana Airlines suffered a KRW19.2 billion ($18.9 million) loss in the second quarter, reversed from a KRW38 billion profit in the year-ago period on rising fuel costs. Gross revenue grew 20.8% year-over-year to KRW1.04 trillion. Operating...

China Southern Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(China Southern Airlines Company Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... China Southern Airlines plans to reduce the pay of all executives, including Chairman Liu Shaoyong, by 10% in an effort to cut its operating expenses by CNY1.3 billion ($190.3 million) by year end. Domestic fuel price has risen to CNY8,720 per...

Jet Airways.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
September 1, 2008... Jet Airways reported a INR1.43 billion ($33.7 million) profit in the fiscal first quarter ended June 30, more than four times the INR309 million earned in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 46.2% to INR28.99 billion.

Philippine Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(financial news)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Philippine Airlines earned $30.6 million in its fiscal year ended March 31, down 76.6% from $130.5 million in the prior year. Operating revenue rose 15% to $1.46 billion and operating profit increased 19.9% to $84.3 million.

Vietnam Airlines.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(financial news)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Vietnam Airlines reported a loss of $5 million in the first half, Reuters reported. It posted a pre-tax profit of $13.3 million in the year-ago semester.

Tiger Airways.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
September 1, 2008... Tiger Airways reported a net profit of S$37.8 million ($27.3 million) for the year ended March 31 compared to a loss of S$14.3 million in FY07, according to Reuters. Revenue increased 56% to $S271 million.

SpiceJet.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... SpiceJet board announced that asset management firm WL Ross & Co. will invest approximately $80 million in the New Delhi-based LCC as Kingfisher's efforts to acquire the carrier were rebuffed.

Virgin Blue.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Virgin Blue Airlines Proprietary Ltd. acquired with Toll Holdings Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Virgin Blue parent Toll Holdings announced its long-awaited disposal of its 62.7% majority stake in the airline. Toll will distribute 98.3% of its stake to Toll shareholders by way of a special dividend. Blue will remove two 737s from its...

Rockwell Collins and Thales.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(contracts)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Rockwell Collins and Thales were selected by BOC Aviation to provide avionics and cockpit systems for up to 47 new A320 family aircraft with deliveries commencing in the fourth quarter.

Singapore Technologies Aerospace and CFM International.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Singapore Technologies Aerospace and CFM International signed a series of agreements valued at $1.5 billion under which the engine-maker will support ST Aerospace's CFM56-3, -5B and -7B MRO operations with material and access to OEM technical...

Satyam Computer Services.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
September 1, 2008... Satyam Computer Services and Infospectrum agreed to collaborate in integrating clients' resource planning networks with other maintenance technologies and flight operations systems.

Sabre Airline Solutions.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)
September 1, 2008... Sabre Airline Solutions signed multimillion-dollar contracts with Vietnam Airlines to provide its SabreSonic reservations system and collaborate with IBM to boost online shopping capabilities.

SITA.(ASIA/PACIFIC Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... SITA will upgrade Cathay Pacific Airways' network infrastructure to ensure readiness for new applications under a four-year, multimillion-dollar deal that includes SITA's Airport Hub solution featuring shared IT systems at more than 100...

ATW Editorial Director.(DECADE OF EXCELLENCE)(awards for Perry Flint)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... ATW Editorial Director Perry Flint (right) receives the "Decade of Excellence Award" for consistently outstanding aerospace journalism over the past 10 years from Capt. David Rowland of the Royal Aeronautical Society at the Aerospace Journalist...

Lufthansa Group.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Lufthansa Group remained profitable in the second quarter but contended with a series of damaging strikes by pilots and ground workers over the summer resulting in hundreds of flight cancellations that will impact third-quarter performance. ...

Air France KLM.(EUROPE Report)
September 1, 2008... Air France KLM reported net income of [euro]168 million ($261.7 million) for its fiscal first quarter ended June 30, down 59.4% from [euro]415 million in the year-ago period, and said it will seek an additional [euro]190 million in annual cost...

British Airways.(EUROPE Report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... British Airways earned [pounds sterling]27 million ($53.5 million) in the fiscal first quarter ended June 30, down 90.1% from [pounds sterling]274 million in the year-ago quarter, as hedging could not fully overcome soaring fuel costs. Revenue...

Iberia.(EUROPE Report)(financial news)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Iberia's second-quarter net profit of [euro]21.2 million ($33 million) fell 66.2% from the [euro]62.6 million reported in the year-ago quarter. Operating revenue rose just 0.9% year-over-year to [euro]1.37 billion. Operating result was a...

SAS Group.(EUROPE Report)(Scandinavian Airlines System financial news)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... SAS Group reported a SEK411 million ($64.6 million) second-quarter loss, reversed from a SEK607 million profit in the year-ago period, and announced enhancements to its Profit 2008 recovery program featuring an additional SEK400 million in...

Ryanair.(EUROPE Report)(acquisitions)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Ryanair lost [euro]90.5 million in its fiscal first quarter ended June 30 net of a [euro]93.6 million writedown in the value of its stake in Aer Lingus and [euro]17.9 million in accelerated depreciation on 15 aircraft scheduled for disposal...

Finnair.(EUROPE Report)
September 1, 2008... Finnair remained profitable in the June quarter, earning [euro]13.9 million ($20.9 million), down 46.1% from the [euro]25.8 million posted in the year-ago period. Revenue climbed 1.5% to [euro]546.1 million and operating profit plunged 44.2% to...

European Airline Traffic July 2008.(FACT FILE)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... RPKs % chg. ASKs % chg. Load +/- Airline (billions) 2007 (billions) 2007 factor 2007 (%) Aer Lingns 1.72 8.1 ...

Austrian Airlines Group.(EUROPE Report)(financial news)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Austrian Airlines Group majority shareholder OIAG launched a tender for its 42.75% stake in the flag carrier, setting the stage for privatization. OS Group reported an [euro]11.7 million ($18.4 million) second-quarter profit, up 51.9%. It will...

Air Berlin.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Air Berlin and Thomas Cook Group cancelled "by mutual agreement" AB's plan to acquire Condor Airlines from Thomas Cook, citing as the "main reason" the changing economic environment, including the soaring cost of fuel.

Vueling Airlines.(EUROPE Report)(financial news)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Vueling Airlines reported a pre-tax loss of [euro]12.5 million ($19.5 million) in the second quarter, an 8.9% improvement from the [euro]13.7 million loss reported a year ago.

Norwegian.(EUROPE Report)
September 1, 2008... Norwegian reported a NOK62.2 million ($12.3 million) loss that represented a reversal from a NOK44.7 million profit in the year-ago period.

Serbian government.(EUROPE Report)
September 1, 2008... Serbian government at the end of July announced a tender for 51% of Jat Airways, the Associated Press reported.

The court of appeal.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The Court of Appeal The Hague recently ruled that the new environmental tax introduced by the Dutch government July 1 on air passengers does not contravene European or international civil aviation law. The tax adds [euro]11.25 ($17.83) per...

EADS.(EUROPE Report)
September 1, 2008... EADS reported first-half net income of [euro]403 million ($632.7 million), up from [euro]71 million in the year-ago period, but said that owing to the declining value of the US dollar it will unveil a revamped restructuring plan this year...

Rolls-Royce.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Rolls-Royce and Goodrich signed a letter of intent to form a 50/50 joint venture to develop and supply engine controls for Rolls aero engines. Venture will combine Goodrich's UK-based engine controls design and manufacturing business and Rolls'...

GE Aviation.(EUROPE Report)(Safran S.A.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... GE Aviation and Safran will establish a joint venture company this year to develop a nacelle for the successor to the 737/A320, the companies announced at Farnborough. Ownership will be shared equally by Safran subsidiary Aircelle and GE's...

GE Aviation.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... GE Aviation and Ryanair signed a three-year extension to include all current firm and option aircraft on order by Ryanair in its current OnPoint Solutions "all-inclusive" MRO agreement for CFM56-7Bs powering its 737-800s.

Snecma Services.(EUROPE Report)(Russia's S7 Group )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Snecma Services signed a 13-year exclusive engine service per-hour contract with Russia's S7 covering its CFM56-5As. It signed a four-year contract with Aigle Azur covering MRO services for CFM56-5Bs. It announced that Royal Air Maroc signed an...

Lufthansa Technik.(EUROPE Report)
September 1, 2008... Lufthansa Technik signed a 10-year deal with Aer Lingus to provide component support for 34 A320s and nine A330s.

SR Technics.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... SR Technics and Air Europa signed a four-year, [pounds sterling]5.7 million extension to their existing Integrated Component Solutions agreement covering the airline's 767-300 fleet. SRT signed a two-year ICS agreement with Aegean Airlines...

Iberia maintenance.(EUROPE Report)
September 1, 2008... Iberia Maintenance will provide MRO services covering six MD-80s operated by Nigeria's Dana Airlines.

Domodedovo Technique.(EUROPE Report)
September 1, 2008... Domodedovo Technique was granted EASA certification for heavy maintenance including C checks on 737-300/-400/-500 aircraft.

Lufthansa Systems.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Lufthansa Systems said Air Berlin and LTU recently standardized flight planning for short- and long-haul fleets with its Lido Operations Center solution. Brussels Airlines signed a five-year contract with LHS to implement its Sirax, SiraxCredit...

Amadeus.(EUROPE Report)
September 1, 2008... Amadeus introduced the first module of Amadeus Airline Service Fees, a solution that automatically prices and collects ticketing, credit card and miscellaneous fees in

Komy.(EUROPE Report)
September 1, 2008... Komy reached deals with Turkish Airlines and V Australia to provide its Magic Mirror in overhead bins to facilitate inspection and help passengers locate belongings.

Menzies Aviation.(EUROPE Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Menzies Aviation was selected by six Star Alliance carriers as their new ground handling company at London Heathrow effective Oct. 1. Carriers are Austrian, Croatia Airlines, LOT, Lufthansa, Swiss and TAP.

Aviapartner cargo.(EUROPE Report)
September 1, 2008... Aviapartner Cargo signed a contract with Turkish Airlines to provide cargo handling services covering 14 airports.

Worldwide Flight Services.(EUROPE Report)
September 1, 2008... Worldwide Flight Services was selected by Asiana Airlines to provide handling services at six stations in France.

United Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(United Air Lines Inc. v. Air Line Pilots Association)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... United Airlines filed a federal lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction against the Air Line Pilots Assn., which the carrier claimed has engaged "in deliberate, organized and unlawful job actions" that have resulted in "hundreds" of flight...

American Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... American Airlines said a sufficient number of cabin staff have opted to retire or take leave to equal the 900 positions AA planned to eliminate in line with its capacity cuts, negating the need for furloughs.

Delta Air Lines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Northwest Airlines Corp.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines last month received approval for their merger from the European Commission. They are still awaiting clearance from the US Dept. of Justice. Pilots from both airlines voted to approve a joint contract...

Continental Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Continental Airlines and nine Star Alliance carriers asked the US Dept. of Transportation to allow CO to join the group already holding antitrust immunity. Additionally, CO, United Airlines, Lufthansa and Air Canada petitioned for approval to...

Air Canada.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
September 1, 2008... Air Canada cited a "difficult industry environment created by unrelenting high fuel prices" as it posted second-quarter net income of C$122 million ($116.4 million), down 21.3% from C$155 million in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 5.3% to...

WestJet.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(WestJet Airlines Ltd.)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... WestJet earned C$30.2 million ($29.5 million) in the June quarter, up 161.4% from an C$11.5 million profit in the year-ago period, on a 23.6% lift in revenue to C$616 million. Last year's quarterly results were affected by one-time costs...

Delta Air Lines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Delta Air Lines will partner with Aircell to install its Gogo inflight broadband network on DL's domestic mainline fleet by next summer, enabling passengers to access the Internet and corporate VPNs and conduct SMS and other functions with...

Frontier Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Republic Airways Holdings)(Credit Suisse Securities )(AQR Capital)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Frontier Airlines said it received a commitment for up to $75 million in debtor-in-possession financing from three unsecured creditors comprising Republic Airways Holdings, Credit Suisse Securities and AQR Capital. It said the offer was...

Allegiant Air.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
September 1, 2008... Allegiant Air parent Allegiant Travel Co. posted a $2.6 million second-quarter profit, down from $10 million in the year-ago quarter.

Midwest Airlines.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Midwest Airlines and its Skyway subsidiary will reduce their workforce by 40%, equal to approximately 1,200 employees, as a result of the decision to remove 12 MD-80s from service and in anticipation of other schedule adjustments.

US Dept. of Transportation.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(United States. Department of Transportation)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... US Dept. of Transportation announced that within two years, all new passenger aircraft must include technology that neutralizes flammable gasses from center fuel tanks. Those built after 1991 must be retrofitted. DOT said installation would...

FAA.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(United States. Federal Aviation Administration)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... FAA will install Runway Safety Lights at 20 additional large airports across the US over the next three years. RSLs are being tested at Dallas/Fort Worth and San Diego. FAA also will provide up to $5 million to test in-cockpit safety...

Boeing.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Boeing reported a 19% drop in second-quarter net income to $852 million from $1.05 billion last year and its Commercial Airplanes unit posted a 19% decrease in operating earnings to $777 million from $960 million. It said results were affected...

Boeing.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
September 1, 2008... Boeing won FAA certification for carbon brakes from Messier-Bugatti for 737NGs. Brakes recently entered service on a 737-700 delivered to Delta.

Volvo Aero.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(contract)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Volvo Aero entered into an agreement with Pratt & Whitney to join the PW1000G as a partner in the design, development and production of the intermediate case and turbine exhaust case as well as LPT shaft production responsibility.

Honeywell.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Honeywell was selected by Boeing to supply catalytic ozone converters to reduce cabin ozone levels as an option for 737NGs, 747s, and 767s and as standard equipment for the 747-8. Separately Honeywell said it delivered the nitrogen...

B/E Aerospace.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
September 1, 2008... B/E Aerospace completed its acquisition of Honeywell Aerospace's Consumables Solutions business, which distributes fasteners and hardware, for $1.05 billion.

Rockwell Collins.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Rockwell Collins was chosen by Airbus to provide its Information Management Onboard solution for the A350 as well navigation system components including ADF-900, DME-2100 and VOR-900.

GE Aviation.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
September 1, 2008... GE Aviation signed a 10-year OnPoint Solution agreement with Southwest Airlines covering MRO of all its current and future CFM56-7Bs.

Honeywell.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Honeywell Inc. Air Transport Systems Div. won a 10-year extension on its contract with Southwest Airlines Co.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Honeywell won a 10-year extension on its contract with Southwest Airlines to provide MRO for its avionics and mechanical products on up to 520 in-service 737s plus future deliveries.

Delta TechOps.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
September 1, 2008... Delta TechOps clinched a seven-year, $200 million deal with Alaska Airlines to provide MRO on CFM56-7s powering 737-700s and -900s.

Goodrich.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Goodrich extended its landing gear overhaul agreement with Continental Airlines to cover 737NG, 767 and 777 aircraft in addition to the 757-200s and 737s already under contract, adding an expected $49 million in revenue over five years.

TIMCO Aviation Services.(NORTH AMERICA Report)
September 1, 2008... TIMCO Aviation Services said Icelandair selected it to perform C checks on 757s.

Aviation Partners Boeing.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Aviation Partners Boeing said the first blended winglet-equipped 767-300ER flew on July 20. Aircraft belongs to American Airlines. Winglets were manufactured by GKN Aerospace. Certification is expected in November.

Pratt & Whitney.(NEW ENGINE NEW NAME)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Pratt & whitney at the Farnborough Airshow announced creation of a new engine family, "PurePower Engines," and redesignated the Geared Turbofan as the PurePower PW1000G. The PW1000G demonstrator engine made its first flight on July 11 and...

US majors traffic July 2008 *.(FACT FILE)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... US Majors Traffic July 2008 * +/- RPMs % chg ASMs % chg. LF chg. Airline (bil.) 2007 (bil.) 2007 (%) 2007 AirTran 2.06 14.1 2.31 ...

Long haul.(NORTH AMERICA Report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... TAM's first 777-300ER takes off from Everett en route to Sao Paulo. The Brazilian carrier has seven more of the GE90-powered aircraft on order. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

LAN Airlines.(LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN Report)(financial news)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... LAN Airlines earned a $47.2 million profit in the second quarter, up 10.7% from $42.6 million in the year-ago period, as surging revenue and a $26.9 million hedging gain mitigated the impact of rising fuel prices. Revenue climbed 38.8% to $1.07...

Copa Airlines.(LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN Report)
September 1, 2008... Copa Airlines and Aero Republica parent Copa Holdings reported second-quarter net income of $30.4 million, down 1.5% from the year-ago period, as its aggressive expansion continued to pay off even in the face of high fuel costs. Operating...