AirlinesAlaska debuted service to Costa Rica over the weekendAlaska Airlines launched service over the weekend from Los Angeles International Airport to two airports in Costa Rica. "As the most popular Central American tourist destination for US travelers, Costa Rica is one of the best places in the Western Hemisphere for adventure tourism," said John Kirby, vice president of capacity planning for Alaska.
LinkAmerican Airlines launches customer booking optionAmerican Airlines is offering a feature that allows customers to hold tickets for up to seven days. The carrier is testing the amenity for locked-in ticket prices on flights between Miami and Los Angeles. "American plans to offer this option on all routes in the continental US over the next several months," a spokesman said.
LinkBritons Offered Chance To Skip US Customs QueuesThe United States will let some British visitors skip passport and customs at its airports, in a bid to attract more visitors from the UK. Britons will be able to sign up for the US Global Entry scheme - where travellers seen as low-risk can register in advance and then pass through automatic kiosks to get into the country - US Customers and Border Protection agency commissioner Gil Kerlikowske said.
LinkDynamic 767 has fuel supply line issue; no engine failure foundThe Dynamic Airways Boeing 767-200 that caught fire Oct. 29 on an airport taxiway has been discovered by investigators to have a main fuel supply line problem. Investigators have not found evidence of an engine failure. In an investigative update on the incident, which occurred at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the 767’s “main fuel supply line coupling assembly had disconnected in the wing-to-engine strut above and behind the left engine.”
LinkEtihad to begin Mumbai A380 service in MayEtihad Airways begins Abu Dhabi-Mumbai Airbus A380 service May 1. The service will be operated daily and will use the 9W code of Etihad’s partner airline Jet Airways. Etihad’s A380s seat 496 passengers with nine First Apartments, 70 Business Studios and 415 Economy Smart Seats, along with its three-room suite, The Residence by Etihad. The A380 replaces the Boeing 777-300ER on this service with an increase in capacity of 50%.
LinkBig deals by Gulf trio unlikely at DubaiThis year's Dubai air show, which kicks off on 8 November, almost certainly won't bring a repeat of the orders bonanza that characterised 2013's instalment, with the big-three carriers now bedding in new aircraft and assessing the next steps in their fleet strategies. Two years ago, Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways between them committed to more than 450 aircraft – a mix of launch orders for the Boeing 777X and deals for 787s and Airbus A380s, A320s and A350s. But such a large sales tally looks unlikely in 2015.
LinkIcelandair raises 3Q profits 20% as fleet upgrade approachesIcelandair recorded a third-quarter profit of $103.1 million, up 20% from a net profit of $85.8 million in the year-ago period. Third-quarter operating income was up 3% to $429.4 million year-over-year. A combination of higher passenger revenues and lower fuel costs were the main reasons behind the improvement, Icelandair CFO Bogi Nils Bogason said.
LinkMalaysia Airlines to introduce new business class seatsMalaysia Airlines (MAB) will introduce new business class seats on all 15 of its Airbus A330-300 aircraft, effective April 2016. The new seats will feature a fully flat bed, measuring at 43in with a width of 20.6in. They will come in a 1-2-1 or 1-2-2 layout, and equipped with a 16in touch screen inflight entertainment system by Panasonic Avionics, says the carrier.
LinkEgypt to lead Metrojet A321 crash investigationEgyptian aviation authorities will take the lead in the investigation of the Metrojet Airbus A321 crash, which occurred Oct. 31 in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula shortly after takeoff from Sham el-Sheikh airport. The A321 was operating as flight 9268 to St. Petersburg when it crashed, killing all 217 passengers and seven crew members. Search teams recovered the flight data and cockpit voice recorders Nov. 2.
LinkS7 Group owner abandons Transaero dealS7 Group co-owner Vladislav Filev—who bought 51% of Transaero shares right before authorities pulled its air operator’s certificate—has pulled out of the deal. The official reason given is that Transaero owners failed to consolidate 51% of shares that are free and discharged. But Transaero co-founder Alexander Pleshakov accused Filev of the deal collapse. In a statement, he insisted Filev knew that part of the shares was pledged when the agreement was signed Oct. 20.
LinkShaheen 737 heavily damaged during landingA Boeing 737-400 aircraft operated by Pakistani carrier Shaheen Air International has suffered severe damage upon landing at Allama Iqbal International airport in Lahore. Local media says the aircraft, registered AP-BJO, had operated flight NL142 from Karachi when its main landing gear failed upon landing.
LinkSouthwest Airlines prepares for expansionSouthwest Airlines is ready for major expansion this year, according to CEO Gary Kelly. "We have significant opportunities to expand at Dallas Love Field, Washington Reagan, LaGuardia International, Houston International, all converging here in 2015," Kelly said.
LinkPossible buyer emerges for TNT Express airline activitiesBelgian maritime group Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB), which is a 51% shareholder in Dublin-based ASL Aviation Group, has registered an interest in taking on TNT Express’ airline activities. TNT Express is being acquired by FedEx and, if the deal succeeds, TNT’s European airline operations will have to be divested due to airline ownership regulations. This has sparked interest from CMB.
LinkUnited rolls out goodwill travel policyUnited Airlines is empowering airport workers through a program that allows workers to give customers travel certificates of up to $125.. "These compensation guidelines allow 'in-the-moment' recovery when extenuating circumstances warrant a gesture of goodwill," United said to employees.
LinkWestJet Q3 Profit Up 95 Pct As Fuel Costs FallWestJet Airlines reported a big quarterly profit rise, helped by lower fuel costs and an improved operating margin. Net earnings rose 95 percent to CAD$101.8 million from a year earlier. Revenue was up 3.5 percent to CAD$1.05 billion.
LinkWizz Air shareholders approve order for 110 Airbus A321neosWizz Air’s shareholders have approved the proposed purchase of 110 Airbus A321neos from Airbus during a general meeting held on Nov. 3. The airline’s owners voted 100% in favor of the aircraft acquisition during the meeting, which was held at Wizz Air’s Geneva offices.
LinkIn-flight Wi-Fi speeds begin to accelerateIn-flight Wi-Fi is becoming faster as satellite providers boost technology. "Connectivity is indeed getting better on flights," said Chris McGinnis, founder of a blog for business travelers.
Link 
