AirlinesAir Canada, Amadeus sign multiyear agreementAir Canada has inked a multiyear distribution agreement with Amadeus. "We are very pleased at having achieved this win-win agreement with Amadeus that allows both parties to evolve their distribution strategies while it delivers the technology solutions to grow our business globally," said Duncan Bureau, vice president of global sales for the carrier.
LinkAir NZ A320 in close encounter with UAVNew Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority is investigating a near miss between an Air New Zealand A320 aircraft and an unmanned aerial vehicle. The incident occurred around 17:45 on 25 September, as the A320 was climbing out of Christchurch while operating a flight to Auckland. The Authority says that as the aircraft passed through 6,000ft around the Kaiapoi area in controlled airspace, a “sizable” remotely piloted aircraft system passed close to it.
LinkFastjet narrows net loss in 1H; issues 2H warningAfrican budget carrier fastjet reported a 2015 half-year net loss of $10.1 million, nearly halving the $20 million interim loss it posted in 2014. Fastjet warned its second half will be worse than originally forecast. “As a result of slower than anticipated route development and the impact of weak African currencies, in particular the Tanzanian shilling against the US dollar, we now expect trading in the second half of 2015 to be materially behind management’s expectations. The board has not adjusted its forecasts for 2016,” fastjet interim chairman Clive Carver said in an update issued Sept. 28.
LinkJetBlue To Expand US-Cuba ServiceJetBlue will add a second charter flight from New York's John F. Kennedy airport to Havana, expanding charter service ahead of an expected opening of commercial air travel between the two countries. The new round-trip, non-stop flight will operate every Tuesday starting December 1 in partnership with Cuba Travel Services, a travel provider licensed by the US government to arrange flights to Cuba.
LinkQatar Airways allowed to increase Sydney-Doha servicesQatar Airways could introduce up to 20 direct weekly Doha-Sydney flights in the immediate future, following an updated air services agreement (ASA) between Qatar and Australia. “[The new agreement] will allow for up to 21 flights each week, each way, for airlines of both countries to the major gateways, catering for growth in the Australia-Qatar and Australia-Europe routes,’’ starting immediately, deputy Australian Prime Minister Warren Truss said. Qatar has not yet commented on the new ASA or its plans.
LinkRepublic Airways pilots reach tentative agreementRepublic Airways Holdings pilots, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), have reached a tentative agreement on the terms of a new three-year contract. IBT represents 2,100 Republic pilots. Calling the agreement “long overdue,” Teamsters Local 357 president Jim Clark said the executive board recommends the agreement to members for ratification, which is scheduled for late October.
LinkCEO Munoz pledges to take United team forwardOscar Munoz, the new CEO of United Continental Holdings, wrote a letter to employees pledging to improve unity at the carrier. "This is a marathon with a running start. I'm ready to take this team forward. It's time for a new day. Come with me," he wrote. "We will give you the right tools to deliver the service and reliability I know we are capable of," he continued.
LinkUnited launches program to surprise loyal customersUnited has launched its Surprise and Delight program to surprise its best customers with upgrades. The program is available for Mileage Plus members. A United spokesman said "it's another way in which we reward our most-loyal customers."
LinkRussia Considers Restricting Ukrainian AirlinesRussian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has given an order to the transport ministry to consider retaliatory restrictive measures against Ukraine for banning Russian flights.
LinkVirgin Atlantic’s Little Red operates its final flightVirgin Atlantic UK domestic operation Little Red has closed its doors two and a half years after performing its first flight. Little Red launched in March 2013, using Airbus A320s on wet lease from Aer Lingus. The airline was set up to perform flights from London Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, feeding Virgin Atlantic's long-haul network.
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