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NEWS

BA/Iberia earn €90 million pro-forma net profit in December quarter
International Airlines Group, formed by the merger of British Airways and Iberia last month, reported a pro-forma net profit of €90 million ($124 million) in the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2010, reversed from a €130 million deficit in the year-ago period, as revenue and yields strongly increased on limited capacity growth.
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Wings Air firms options for 15 ATR 72-500s
Wings Air, a subsidiary of Indonesia’s Lion Air, firmed up options for 15 ATR 72-500s. Wings signed a contract with ATR at the 2009 Dubai Air Show for 15 72-500s plus 15 options; it now has 30 of the type on firm order with 10 already in operation.
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Malaysia Airlines posts $78 million 2010 profit
Malaysia Airlines on Friday reported 2010 net income of MYR237.3 million ($77.6 million), down 54.6% from a MYR522.9 million profit in 2009 that benefited from a MYR1.16 billion derivative gain.
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Spring Airlines accelerates Japan expansion
Shanghai-based Spring Airlines, China's most profitable LCC, said it will launch a new four-times-weekly charter Airbus A320 Shanghai-Takamatsu service, part of a planned expansion in the Japanese market over the next few years. The carrier noted it would change the charter flights into scheduled flights when market conditions improve.
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Montreal to be Qatar's first Canadian route
Qatar Airways is to open its first Canadian route, with a service to Montreal which will launch towards the end of June. The airline's debut comes at a time of tension between the Canadian Government and Qatar Airways' Gulf rival Emirates, which has been battling for greater access to Canadian routes.
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India completes basic trainer trials
India has completed flight trials for its new basic trainer aircraft, with the country's ministry of defense now considering the air force's flight evaluations. "The flight evaluations are over, the reports are with the ministry, and the next step will be contract negotiations," says the Indian air force.
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Fatalities as Grumman Goose crashes at Al Ain
Four occupants of a Grumman Goose amphibious aircraft are confirmed dead after the aircraft crashed on departure from Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. The aircraft had been bound for the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh.
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AirAsia X orders three A330-200s
AirAsia's long-haul subsidiary AirAsia X has ordered three Airbus A330-200s, to be delivered from 2014. The airline has ordered the 238t increased take-off weight version of the aircraft, which will allow it to fly non-stop from Kuala Lumpur to Europe, says Airbus.
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IAG not in talks for acquisitions: Walsh
International Airlines Group is not engaged in any negotiations with potential acquisition targets, despite previously highlighting the potential to add carriers to the entity created through the British Airways-Iberia merger. Chief executive Willie Walsh says that the group is "very much focused" on adapting capacity this year, given the nature of the external environment.
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USAF launches review to rebalance airborne ISR fleet
The US Air Force has launched a sweeping review aimed at rationalizing an expanding fleet of both manned and unmanned aircraft dedicated to the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) mission. Demand for airborne ISR capability is still rising, but the USAF is seeking to shift resources within programs to make existing aircraft more capable, rather than buying more aircraft.
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Other News

Southwest Airlines Chairman, President and CEO Gary Kelly said Friday that rising fuel prices make the LCC's planned acquisition of AirTran Airways "absolutely imperative." Speaking at a hearing held in Milwaukee by the US Senate's subcommittee on antitrust, competition policy and consumer protection, Kelly said, "The economies of scale and the revenue synergies presented by this merger are a hedge against higher fuel prices."

SkyWest Inc., parent of SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast Airlines (which now includes ExpressJet), last week reported 2010 net income of $96.4 million, up 15.2% over the $83.7 million profit earned in 2009. Full-year revenue lifted 6.1% to $2.77 billion while expenses rose 6.7% to $2.56 billion, producing operating income of $201.8 million, down 4.9% from an operating profit of $212.2 million in 2009.

AerCap Holdings earned $207.6 million in 2010, up 25.7% over income of $165.2 million in 2009. The Amsterdam-based operating lessor's net income, excluding the impact of mark-to-market interest rate caps and share-based compensation, was $223.9 million, an increase of 49.1% compared to $150.2 million in 2009.

The Virgin Blue Group on Thursday launched its inaugural V Australia flight to Abu Dhabi, becoming the first Australian airline to operate to the Middle East in more than 20 years.

SAS announced Friday that CFO Mats Lonnqvist, who joined the carrier in December 2008, is leaving. He will be succeeded March by Goran Jansson, who also will take on the position of deputy president of SAS. Lonnqvist will continue until April 1 "to ensure efficient handover of assignments and responsibilities,” the carrier said.

Safran group companies Labinal and Aircelle signed agreements with Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing and Airbus respectively. Labinal’s framework agreement with COMAC subsidiary SAMC will establish an aircraft wiring joint venture company, while Aircelle was selected by Airbus to supply the complete integrated nacelle package for the A320neo family.

GOL operated 3.15 billion RPKs in January, up 5.9% year-over-year, on a 5.6% increase in capacity to 4.16 billion ASKs. Load factor grew 0.2 points to 75.6%.

Swiss International Air Lines flew 2.46 billion RPKs in January, an 11.5% leap from the year-ago month. Capacity rose 12.5% to 3.24 billion ASKs as load factor fell 0.7 points to 75.8%.

LAN Airlines operated 3.56 billion RPKs in January, a 13.3% increase year-over-year on a 12.6% rise in capacity to 4.31 billion ASKs. Load factor rose 0.5 points to 82.7%.

SAS Group Airlines operated 1.72 billion RPKs in January, up 5.4% from the year-ago month, on an 8.2% rise in capacity to 2.69 billion ASKs. Load factor fell 1.7 points to 63.9%.

Scandinavian Airlines flew 1.57 billion RPKs, a 4.2% increase, against a 6.9% jump in capacity to 2.42 billion ASKs. Load factor fell 1.7 points to 64.9%.

SkyWest Airlines, Atlantic Southeast Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines flew a combined 2.08 billion RPMs in January, up 51.7% year-over-year, against a 53.7% increase in capacity to 2.87 billion ASMs. Load factor fell 1 point to 72.3%.



AVIATION QUOTE

Map reading was not required. There were no maps. I got from place to place with the help of three things. One was the seat of my pants. If it left that of the plane, when the visibility was at a minimum, I was in trouble and could even be upside down. Another was the ability to recognize every town, river, railroad, farm, and, yes, outhouse along the route. The third? I had a few drops of homing pigeon in my veins.

— Ken McGregor, Early U.S. Air Mail pilot

ON THIS DATE

February 28th

• In 1907... Cabinet-maker Charles Voisin begins tests of the airplane made by his company for Lèon Delagrange. He takes off for a hop of several feet, but the fuselage breaks up.

• In 1918... Regulation of the airways begins as US President Woodrow Wilson issues an order requiring licenses for civilian pilots and owners. Over 800 licenses are issued.

• In 1929... An amendment to the Air Commerce Act, effective in June, provides for the federal licensing of flying schools.



DAILY VIDEO





EDITOR’S CHOICE





HUMOR

The Polite Way To Pee


During one of her daily classes, a teacher trying to teach good manners, asked her students the following question:

'Michael, if you were on a date having dinner with a nice young lady, how would you tell her that you have to go to the bathroom?'

Michael said: 'Just a minute I have to go pee.'

The teacher responded by saying: 'That would be rude and impolite. What about you Sherman, how would you say it?'

Sherman said: 'I am sorry, but I really need to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back.'

'That's better, but it's still not very nice to say the word bathroom at the dinner table.

And you, little Johnny, can you use your brain for once and show us your good manners?'

Johnny said 'I would say: Darling, may I please be excused for a moment? I have to shake hands with a very dear friend of mine, whom I hope to introduce you to after dinner.'

The teacher fainted...



TRIVIA

US Military Aircraft Names

1. RRTPAO
2. RRAVADAK
3. HHNEFURITEDC
4. GARDEG
5. TRRIFEAS
6. OOOVDO
7. TULERSH
8. ORODTAN
9. RONSPOCI
10. RTBESEGLAMO

ANSWERS:

1. RRTPAO is RAPTOR.
2. RRAVADAK is AARDVARK.
3. HHNEFURITEDC is THUNDERCHIEF.
4. GARDEG is DAGGER.
5. TRRIFEAS is STARFIRE.
6. OOOVDO is VOODOO.
7. TULERSH is HUSTLER.
8. ORODTAN is TORNADO.
9. RONSPOCI is SCORPION.
10. RTBESEGLAMO is GLOBEMASTER.