Airline Business articles from February 2002

Airline Business archives from February 2002

Competitive tenders.(keeping costs low and service high)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... A good way to keep costs low while pushing service high is by using competitive tendering, argues Philip Holt, director of Air Transport Systems Advisors, who managed the competitive tender for a common check-in system on behalf of airlines at...

Lasting impressions.(use of biometrics for traveler identification program)
February 1, 2002... Tightened security checks have propelled biometric technology into the limelight Could biometrics finally be about to take off?There has been discussion for years over technology to identify individuals through fingerprints, iris or facial...

change.(Southern Winds tackles bigger rivals and Argentina's economic crisis)(Company Profile)
February 1, 2002... As Southern Winds prepares to become Argentina's second international carrier, the airline must tackle bigger rivals and the country's economic crisis Juan Maggio, president and majority owner of Southern Winds, has been planning his...

map.(China Southern chairman Yan Zhiqing presides over one of most daunting consolidation programs in aviation)
February 1, 2002... China Southern chairman Yan Zhiqing keeps on an even keel as he presides over one of aviation's most daunting consolidation programme For someone with such an enormous job to do, Yan Zhiqing should be far more stressed than he appears. As...

Airline veteran.(Yan Zhiqing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Yan Zhiqing is a distinguished veteran of Chinese aviation, serving the CAAC for 30 years as director-general of Central and Southern China Bureau; Guangxi Bureau director-general; deputy station manager at Guilin in Guangxi Province; Hunan...

imperfect.(Southeast Asia carriers see dramatic fall in fortunes over past year)(Industry Overview)
February 1, 2002... This second part of the Focus on South-East Asia (see January page 30) traces the dramatic fall in fortunes seen by even the strongest carriers in the region over the past year A year can be a long time in aviation. At start of last year,...

Money.(effect of airline bankruptcies following events of September 11, 2001)
February 1, 2002... Although the events of 11 September sent a tremor through the aircraft financing market, the bankruptcies that followed had a worse effect. Banks got their fingers badly burned and are likely to be wary in future. When global aviation...

to lease by.(international convention lays down new legal standards for aircraft financing agreements)
February 1, 2002... A new international convention has laid down new legal standards for aircraft financing agreements. The aim is to end the uncertainty that has faced lessors and lenders in different jurisdictions around the world On 16 November 2001, after...

Takeover syndicate gets ready to relaunch Ansett.(buy-out plan involves USAir Partners investment group)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The resurrection of a scaled-down Ansett looks set to complete soon if, as expected, creditors approve a buy-out plan which now involves the influential USAir Partners investment group. If approved, which seems almost certain, a syndicate...

Qantas ups New Zealand presence.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Qantas plans to increase its presenceon New Zealand domestic routes early this year. It currently flies only four Boeing 737s on the Auckland-Wellington and Auckland-Christchurch trunk routes. It also codeshares with Origin Pacific, a...

Taiwan fails to engage China.(China, Taiwan show no signs of change in relations since joining World Trade Organization)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The entry of China and Taiwan into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) was supposed to help normalise relations between them, but two early tests show no signs of a change. Taipei did offer to hold talks with Beijing about Taiwan's...

Air Canada pushes its luck with Tango discount unit.(discount carrier unit plans)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Air Canada seems determined to test the country's recently tightened competition law by pressing ahead with controversial discount arms in both eastern and western Canada. The dominant carrier has announced expanded service for its Tango...

Rivals chase after Transbrasil routes.(TAM and Varig applied to acquire Transbrasil routes)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... The race is on to take over Transbrasil's routes and fill the vacuum left by the Brazilian carrier's likely demise. TAM and Varig have both applied for Transbrasil's routes, which legally became available on 3 January when a 30-day dormancy...

In brief.(airline industry contracts)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Colombian merger nears Shareholders are expected to give immediate go-ahead for Colombian carriers Aces and Avianca to begin integration. Avianca has taken heroic strides to boost its balance sheet, a prerequisite set by Aces. Juan Emilio...

State set to bail out Malaysian Airlines.(government loan)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Malaysia's government has agreed to a more than 6 billion ringgit ($1.6 billion) rescue of troubled national carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to slash its huge debt burden. The carrier, which was re-nationalised a year ago in a...

SIA vows to continue airline purchases despite criticisms.(Singapore Airlines)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Singapore Airlines (SIA) has rejected suggestions that its strategy of expanding by buying into other airlines is flawed, saying it will proceed on the same path in the years ahead. The carrier, which over the past12 months has been hurt by...

Chinese consolidation still on course.(Civil Aviation Administration of China airline consolidation plan)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... China is insisting that a sweeping consolidation of the country's airlines will go ahead as planned this year despite claims that disputes among some of the prospective partners are threatening to derail the entire process. Late in...

ANAsigns domestic codeshare deal.(All Nippon Airways joins forces with Nakanihon Airline Service and Fair Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) is joining forces with two small domestic carriers through codeshare deals that analysts say signal a continuing realignment of the local industry. ANA said early in January that it had reached agreement...

AirAsia takes low-fare guise.(law fares planned as result of reorganization)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Malaysia's second national airline AirAsia has been re-launched as a low-fare carrier, and is to more than double its fleet as part of a wide-ranging revamp. The domestic airline has been struggling since its November 1996 launch. It was...

Aloha.(Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines plan merger)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Hawaii's two carriers seem set to merge, ending over half a century of intense competition A proposed merger between long-time rivals Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines is poised to eliminate more than a half century of fierce...

changes.(aircraft lessors face tough economy)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Aircraft lessors face tough times with aircraft values plummeting. And as leasing companies prepare to weather the storm, there are questions over when and how the sector will eventually re-emerge Aircraft lessors are hardly alone in...

Bush challenged over strike block.(George W. Bush prevents strike against United Airlines by the International Association of Machinists)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... One of the more militant US airline unions is trying to break the trend established by President Bush, who has blocked or threatened to block every major airline strike since he took office. Bush has invoked the rarely used presidential...

Small is beautiful...but is it also better?(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Without the large hubs and huge networks of the major carriers, the middle ranking USairlines have recovered faster, made fewer cuts and been able to act more quickly than their larger counterparts. For some, traffic is already back on track...

America West gains state solace in loan guarantee.(government loan approval)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... The federal government has become the single largest player in the fate of America West Airlines, agreeing to guarantee it $429 million in loans after the airline made a dramatic plea for early approval - without which it was poised to go into...

In brief.(American Airlines predatory pricing lawsuit reinstated)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Pricing suit reinstated The US antitrust authorities have reinstated the predatory pricing suit brought against American Airlines by the same Clinton administration lawyers who sought to dismantle Microsoft. A federal judge threw out the...

Airlines gain partial relief on airport fees.(International Air Transport Association sees reaction about reducing fees)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... In the two months since IATApleaded for airports either to freeze or reduce charges to aid its members, it has seen a mixed reaction from Europe's hubs. Some, like UK airport operator BAA, Copenhagen and Vienna, have responded with cuts...

bmi makes low-cost move.(bmi British Midland introduces subsidiary, bmibaby)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... bmi British Midland's decision to launch a low-cost subsidiary, christened bmibaby, at East Midlands Airport signals a significant new development in the battle between European mainline and low-cost carriers. bmi's move has been seen in...

EC requests feedback on airport aid.(European Commission )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The issue of airport subsidies, and also discounts to low-cost carriers, has come to the fore in recent months, joining airline state-aid as a key issue for Brussels. The latest move on subsidies has seen the European Commission (EC) send...

EC awaits compensation proposals.(European Commission)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... As the European Commission (EC) waits for member states to submit their plans for airline compensation for the four days after the 11 September attacks, it is becoming clear that there is no guarantee of a level playing field. Although...

[0] In brief.(airline industry business news)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... UK pressure group launched Airline industry stakeholders have formed a pressure group to argue the case for increased airport capacity in the UK. The coalition, called Freedom to Fly, includes airlines, airports, trade unions and business...

New Swiss national carrier nears finishing post.(Crossair)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Switzerland is moving closer to creating a new national carrier as hurdles are cleared in the long-running effort to replace bankrupt Swissair with an expanded and rebranded Crossair. Crucially, the capital needed to launch the carrier is...

EC pushes ahead with air passenger rights proposals.(European Commission )(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Brussels has ignored industry pleas for a delay and put forward its proposals on air passenger rights, promising a five-fold increase in compensation for involuntary denied boarding on long-haul flights. Carriers fear this will bring costly...

Dim light at end of tunnel.(investor confidence in the airline industry)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Investor confidence has begun coming back to the airlines, as have passengers. All that is needed now is profits as carriers start to post dismal fourth quarter losses. Early reports were so encouraging that one noted observer, Deutsche...

Draft passenger rights.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Denied boarding Obligation to call for volunteers in return for agreed benefits. Volunteers also given choice between alternative flight and reimbursement. Previous regulation: No obligation to seek volunteers. Financial...

Amtrak faces same fate as UK railways.(United Kingdom)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Amtrak, the federally backed US passenger railway, faces a possible dismemberment as its post-crisis flirtation with fame has faded to a reality of costs outpacing revenues. The vast influx of passengers afraid to fly has been smaller than...

Step.(passenger markets down after terrorist attacks, and excess capacity)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... As the airline industry struggles to recover from the traffic collapse which followed 11 September, could it be on course for a fundamental change in the relationship between supply and demand? Forecasting in the airline industry can be...

Congestion concerns back on the agenda.(for European and American airlines)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Worries are beginning to emerge that the congestion woes suffered by the USA and Europe in the late 1990s could return if investment in airport and air traffic control (ATC) capacity is curtailed as a result of the current traffic downturn. ...

BA/American rush to beat deadline.(work for U.S. and UK approval before the European Union rules on regulation)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... For British Airways and American Airlines, the new year is about to begin. They have awaited regulatory approvals and antitrust immunity for their proposed alliance for more than five years, and entered 2002 expecting a final decision within...

[0] In brief.(alliance between British Airways and KLM, new flights from Delta, and new terminal for Star Alliance at Miami)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... BA/KLM forge link British Airways and KLMhave agreed a six-month joint network and frequent flyer programme on certain Middle East routes, including Muscat, Damman and Dubai. The move is in response to the industry downturn, but is widely...

Competition time.(for the airline industry)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Until now, regulators around the world have tended to rule on what the airline industry may not do by way of competition and consolidation. Now it is time for a positive vision of what is allowable in the brave new world post-11 September. ...