NewsAir-France-KLM Seeks To Delay A380 DeliveriesAir France-KLM said it is in talks with Airbus about postponing deliveries of the next A380s it has on order by several months as it tries to rein in spending and reduce debt. The Franco-Dutch carrier operates a fleet of eight A380s, after taking delivery of two more last year, and has a further four on order. "Discussions are still in progress with Airbus to define new dates regarding deliveries of the next A380s still on order," Air France-KLM said in its latest annual registration document. Air France-KLM is seeking to return to profit and cut debt by EUR€2 billion (USD$2.6 billion) by the end of 2014 after being battered by high fuel costs, a worsening cargo business and tough competition from Gulf and low-cost carriers.
LinkAir Algerie Tenders For 16 PlanesAlgeria's national carrier Air Algerie launched a tender on Thursday to buy 14 passenger aircraft ranging from 70 to 250 seats and two 13-20 tonne-capacity cargo jets, as it seeks to renew its fleet and cope with competition on external flights. The north African country's airline is seeking eight 150-seat, three 250-seat and three 70-seat passenger planes, it said in a notice published in government newspaper El Moudjahid. It set April 28 as a deadline for bids from aircraft makers.
LinkAegean, Olympic Deal Set For Long EU ProbeEU antitrust regulators are set to open a lengthy investigation into a second attempt by Greek carrier Aegean Airlines to buy Olympic Air despite concessions offered to allay concerns, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. Greek carrier Aegean submitted proposed concessions to the European Commission last month but did not provide details. Airlines typically offer to divest slots and provide access to frequent flyer programmes to rivals.
LinkQatar Hopes Its 787s Will Fly In AprilQatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said he hopes that all five of the airline's Boeing 787s will be back in service by the end of April, as confidence grows in the industry that regulators may be close to declaring the jet safe. Speaking at the launch of Qatar's service to Chicago, Al Baker also said he thinks Boeing's fix for the battery system that overheated on two planes in January will work. He said if it were not the right solution, the Federal Aviation Administration would not have approved the testing plan for it. Boeing completed testing on April 5. "The 787 has such a huge technological leap compared to other airplanes that it was obvious that some kind of teething problem will occur," Al Baker said in an interview.
LinkQatar to seek compensation from Boeing for 787 grounding Qatar Airways plans to seek compensation from Boeing over the grounding of its 787s, even as the airline remains "optimistic" that the twinjet will be cleared to fly soon. "I will not be honest if I say we will not take any compensation from Boeing. We will," says the carrier's chief executive Akbar Al Baker today at an event in Chicago marking the airline's inaugural flight to the city on 10 April. "What will be the compensation? What will be the size, I rather not discuss this in public," he adds.
Link American splits Airbus order equally between A319 and A321 American Airlines will split its order for 130 Airbus A320 family aircraft equally between the A319 and A321, says engine supplier International Aero Engines (IAE). The Fort Worth-based carrier will take 65 A319s with CFM International CFM56-5B engines and 65 A321s with IAE V2500-A5 engines, says Jon Beatty, president and chief executive of IAE, at a media event in Palm Beach on 11 April. American previously had not disclosed how many of each type it planned to take delivery of beyond 2013. It will accept 15 A319s and five A321s from the airframer this year.
LinkLockheed unveils more information on UCLASS programLockheed Martin is revealing additional details about its submission for the US Navy's unmanned carrier launched airbone surveillance and strike (UCLASS) aircraft programme, saying it has already built a full-scale mock-up of the flying wing design. "We have a full-scale mock-up," says Robert Ruszkowski, Lockheed's director of UCLASS programme development. "That's been a good engineering tool to look at fit checks." For its concept, the company's Skunk Works design team has selected a flying wing configuration because it is particularly well suited for the missions that the UCLASS is expected to fly.
LinkUS Army, Boeing conclude price negotiations for second CH-47 contract The US Army and Boeing have agreed on a price for a second multi-year production contract for the CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift transport helicopter, with a contract expected to be awarded in May. "The good news is I'm working with Boeing. We have achieved our negotiating settlement in December," says Col Bob Marion, the army's project manager for cargo helicopters. The two sides came to an agreement that reduced the cost of the contract by $810 million, equivalent to savings of about 19.2%. With an agreement reached, the army is currently processing the necessary documents, and once that is completed, there will be a contract award. "We're on schedule to award that contract next month," Marion says.
LinkAmerican Airlines to launch new routes for LAX in JuneAmerican Airlines plans to expand service at Los Angeles International Airport by adding routes in June. "The idea ultimately is to provide better access to our West Coast hub so we can connect folks to Asia or wherever else they may want to go within our network," said Matt Miller, spokesman for American.
LinkJetBlue reports 8.6% increase in March trafficJetBlue Airways announced traffic for the carrier rose 8.6% in March, as compared with the same month last year. Capacity for March also increased, to 7.5%, while load factor rose from 86.3% to 87.1%. Passenger revenue per available seat mile for March also rose, to 7% on a year-over-year basis.
LinkUnited CFO responds to Branson remarksUnited Continental addressed remarks by Virgin founder Richard Branson over what he called an airfare war for the West Coast between United and Virgin America. "Any time a competitor comes into your market and they lower fares to stimulate demand, we're going to match those fares," said John Rainey, the executive vice president and CFO of United Continental. "And to the extent that demand has increased, we're going to increase supply."
LinkDelta to Retrofit New Cockpits on MD-88s, MD-90s Delta Air Lines has awarded Innovative Solutions & Support a $60 million contract to outfit its fleet of 182 MD-88s and MD-90s as well as several flight simulators with standardized glass cockpits. The avionics suites feature flat panel displays outfitted with full required navigation performance, required time of arrival and GPS capabilities while incorporating data link and ADS-B functionality as well as an advanced flight management system to align with the U.S. NextGen air traffic management equipment requirements.
LinkBoeing awaits FAA approval for 787 battery fixBoeing has completed testing on its fix for the 787 battery issue, and is awaiting approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. "We are engaged with the FAA to reply to additional requests and continue dialogue to ensure we have met all of their expectations," said Marc Birtel, a Boeing spokesman.
LinkAA-US Airways will use American's loyalty program, execs sayAfter the merger between American Airlines and US Airways, the merged carrier will keep the AAdvantage loyalty program, according to airline executives. Frequent fliers who belong to US Airways' Dividend Miles program will be transferred to the AAdvantage program.
LinkOpinion: Ex-Im Bank financing is unfair to U.S. airlinesColumnist Ted Reed says the Export-Import Bank is harming U.S. airlines by financing aircraft for foreign airlines. Over the past 10 months, the bank has provided low-cost financing to five airlines. "None of them are from economically disadvantaged third-world countries," Reed writes. "In fact, all of them get more backing from their country's governments than U.S. airlines do."
LinkBattery experts say lithium-ion batteries are safeExperts say lithium-ion batteries can be safe for aircraft and other "high-consequence" uses. "Safety is improving year on year for this technology," said Dan Doughty of Battery Safety Consulting Inc.
LinkObama's 2014 budget plan includes aviation feesPresident Barack Obama's proposed fiscal 2014 budget includes user fees for commercial and general aviation, as well as higher passenger security fees. "As risk changes, so too must the way in which we fund our aviation security efforts," the budget plan says.
LinkGogo downloads additional $113M in creditGogo, a provider of in-flight Wi-Fi for airlines, has secured an additional $113 million in credit. "The new round of funding will help us continue to develop and operationalize our international expansion," said Norm Smagley, CFO for Gogo.
LinkNew airport lounges on the way for business travelersBusiness travelers can look forward to enjoying several new airport lounges. American Express plans to open two new airport lounges by the end of the year, while startup Airspace Lounge plans to open a lounge at New York's John F. Kennedy International next month.
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