AirlinesAlaska expects to make Virgin America brand decision by early 2017Alaska Air Group has reached an agreement with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) on the timing of the antitrust review of its proposed acquisition of Virgin America and expects the merger to close in the 2016 fourth quarter, according to Alaska CEO Brad Tilden. Speaking to analysts and reporters to discuss Seattle-based Alaska’s second-quarter earnings, Tilden expressed confidence that the $4 billion deal to merge Alaska Airlines and San Francisco-based Virgin America will be finalized in the fourth quarter, allowing integration activities to begin. “The integration management office is up and running,” he said.
LinkEasyJet takes $53 million hit after BrexitUK budget carrier easyJet has taken a £40 million ($52.5 million) currency hit because of the devaluation of the pound since the UK voted to leave the European Union, or Brexit, on June 23. EasyJet warned the economic and operating environment is “difficult and uncertain” as it enters its final quarter.
LinkHainan Airlines takes 23% stake in TAP PortugalChina’s Hainan Airlines plans to take a 23% shareholding in TAP Portugal, with a bond buy from Azul Brazilian Airlines, in a €30 million ($33 million) transaction. According to a statement from the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the Haikou-based Hainan Airlines intends to buy the stake in TAP through the purchase of 25% convertible bonds from the Brazilian low-cost carrier. Azul bought $100 million of bonds from TAP in March 2016, giving it a 40% potential interest in the Portuguese flag carrier.
LinkJazeera Airways wins approval for new terminal at Kuwait airportKuwait-based hybrid carrier Jazeera Airways has been granted approval by the emirate’s government for the necessary land on which to build a dedicated terminal at Kuwait International Airport. The main airport is operating beyond its design capacity and Jazeera hopes that having its own terminal, together with a soon-to-be-opened business lounge and remote check-in, will draw more passengers seeking a more pleasant passage through the airport.
LinkLufthansa lowers 2016 forecast on political, economic uncertaintiesGermany-based Lufthansa has lowered its full-year profit forecast, after a significant decline in advanced long-haul bookings to Europe following repeated terrorist attacks in Europe, and amid greater political and economic uncertainty. Lufthansa’s executive board reduced its forecast for adjusted EBIT 2016 from “slightly above previous year” to “below previous year,” despite an earnings performance of “above previous year” in the 2016 1H.
LinkMH370 Search Looking In The Wrong Place?The Dutch company leading the underwater hunt for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 say they believe the plane may have glided down rather than dived in the final moments, meaning they have been looking in the wrong area of ocean for two years. MH370 disappeared in March 2014 with 239 passengers and crew onboard en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur. Searchers led by engineering group Fugro have been combing an area roughly the size of Greece for two years.
LinkNorwegian opens new UK headquartersLow-cost airline Norwegian has opened a new UK headquarters by London Gatwick Airport, marking its first permanent workspace outside of Norway. “Our new UK headquarters symbolizes our commitment to this hugely important strategic market,” Norwegian UK CEO Asgeir Nyseth said.
LinkFirst CFM LEAP-1A-powered A320neo delivered to PegasusTurkey’s Pegasus Airlines has taken delivery of the first Airbus A320neo powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines. The delivery, which had been delayed by several days because of the attempted coup in Turkey, was made during a private ceremony at Airbus facilities in Hamburg.
LinkSouthwest posts $820 million 2Q net profit Dallas-based Southwest Airlines posted a 2016 second-quarter net income of $820 million, up 34.9% year-over-year (YOY), compared to a net profit of $608 million in the year-ago quarter. Southwest said the results were driven, as in the first quarter, by record operating revenues and low fuel prices. Southwest’s total operating revenues were $5.38 billion, up 5.3% YOY. Southwest’s passenger revenue during the quarter was $4.91 billion, up 1.1% YOY.
LinkSouthwest tech failure causes 12-hour shutdown, 1,000 cancellationsSouthwest Airlines canceled hundreds of flights following a systemwide technology outage that began at 1 p.m. CST Wednesday, July 20. The Dallas-based carrier reported that most of its systems were back online by the beginning of the operational day Thursday, July 21. Southwest operates just over 3,900 scheduled flights per day, the company said.
LinkTK Flights proceed as state of emergency is declaredTurkey’s national flag carrier Turkish Airlines said all flight operations are proceeding as normal, after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a three-month state of emergency following a failed military coup attempt July 15. Turkey’s airports had been closed overnight July 15, but began partially reopening July 16.
LinkUnited looks to optimize route structure, win new customersUnited Continental Holdings is looking for ways to optimize operations, including flight routing. The airline is working on bolstering performance and efficiency, and on winning new customers, according to CEO Oscar Munoz.
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