NewsAlaska Airlines looks to empower employeesAlaska Airlines was one of several airlines which publicly committed to improving customer relations by empowering employees to adjust compensation for any passengers who are bumped from its flights.
LinkSouthwest maintains focus on customer serviceSouthwest Airlines' newly appointed president, Tom Nealon, says the airline's core focus on customer service will remain a priority as he helps the company work towards its goal of being "the most loved, most flown and most profitable airline."
LinkAir Canada signs on as Baseball World Cup tournament sponsorOrganizers of the U-18 Baseball World Cup taking place this fall in Thunder Bay have announced their fourth and final sponsorship partner. Air Canada has stepped up as a partner in the international championship being held in September.
LinkUS Senate takes turn grilling airlines, warns of regulationLawmakers again took aim at airlines on 4 May, chastising the president of United Airlines for customer service failures and threatening to use an upcoming Federal Aviation Administration spending bill to force improvements.
LinkKenya Airways appoints former LOT chief to top jobKenya Airway has named Sebastian Mikosz as its new chief executive to replace Mbuvi Ngunze. The African carrier says that following a six-month search for a successor to Ngunze, the board has "unanimously" agreed to appoint Mikosz, who was chief executive at Polish flag carrier LOT for two years before he stepped down in August 2015.
LinkAlitalia effect on transatlantic venture unclear: Air France-KLMAir France-KLM is waiting to see how developments at embattled Alitalia affect the North Atlantic joint venture, following the Italian carrier's filing for extraordinary administration.
LinkAmerican plans dense 737 Max economy seatingAmerican Airlines will configure its new Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft with 172 seats, increasing density from its comparable 737-800 aircraft. The Fort Worth-based carrier will have 16 first class, 36 extra-legroom main cabin extra and 120 economy seats on its 737 Max that begin arriving in the third quarter, a spokesman says.
LinkSpirit AeroSystems admits Boeing talks could failAfter nearly four years of fruitless negotiations with Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems executives are finally conceding that an agreement on pricing for billions of dollars of parts for Boeing aircraft might need a dispute resolution process.
LinkNetherlands secures additional ChinooksBoeing will deliver two more CH-47F Chinooks to the Netherlands under an ongoing $541 million contract with the US Army. Under the current multi-year buy, the US Army ordered 12 CH-47Fs last year as part of an effort to replace the Dutch CH-47Ds. The recent contract award adds two more Chinooks for the Dutch, raising the total new aircraft purchased to 14.
LinkKenya seeks armed MD530 purchaseMD Helicopters could supply Kenya with 12 armed MD530 rotorcraft, under a Foreign Military Sales deal worth $253 million. Outlined by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 2 May, the potential deal would also cover the provision of armaments including pod-housed cannons, unguided rockets and .50cal machine guns.
LinkSixth aircraft joins KC-46A tanker test fleetBoeing has bolstered its flight-test fleet for the KC-46A programme to six aircraft, as the company strives to complete a development campaign with the 767-based tanker. The latest addition – Boeing's second low-rate initial production example – made its debut flight from the company's Everett site in Washington on 29 April. The new asset will be dedicated to tasks including electromagnetic testing, the company says.
LinkBumping incident spurs Chicago Department of Aviation policy changesThe Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has placed four employees on leave and made policy changes, including placing restrictions on security officers boarding aircraft, in the aftermath of the United Airlines passenger bumping incident at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
LinkItaly approves bridge loan to keep Alitalia operating until November The Italian council of ministers has approved a €600 million ($655 million) emergency bridge loan for Alitalia, which should secure operations until November. Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said this intervention will also protect certain services that are fundamental to the country, the Italian daily 24ore reported May 3.
LinkIATA DG de Juniac defends overbooking, warns against regulationIATA DG and CEO Alexandre de Juniac warned against “more heavy-handed government oversight” in the aftermath of the United Airlines bumping incident. In particular, de Juniac defended the practice of airlines overbooking flights, which has come under scrutiny following the incident in which passenger David Dao was violently dragged off of an aircraft after being involuntarily bumped.
LinkAir France-KLM widens net loss in 1QAir France-KLM has reported a €216 million ($236 million) first-quarter net loss, widened from a €155 million loss in the year-ago period. The group said first quarter trading was “resilient” and that unit revenues had begun to stabilize at -0.5%, following a decline since the end of 2016.
LinkFinnair prepares for rapid growthFinnair is preparing for a double-digit capacity growth spurt through until the first quarter of 2017, which will see several new aircraft arrivals. “Our accelerated growth is about to start. Our fleet is getting larger, personnel are increasing, and we are opening new routes and frequencies. This summer will be busier than ever.
LinkThorsten Dirks becomes Eurowings CEOLufthansa Group low-cost subsidiary Eurowings and Aviation Services CEO Thorsten Dirks took over the position May 1, succeeding Karl Ulrich Garnadt, who retired April 30. Dirks was appointed as CEO in December 2016 and given a three-year contract.
LinkBoeing orders and deliveries pace shows April slowdown Boeing’s orders and delivery pace slowed in April, with 51 commercial aircraft delivered to 32 customers (compared to 70 aircraft to 38 customers in March) and 14 new aircraft orders from four customers (compared to 124 aircraft from nine customers in March).
LinkFinnair tests face recognition technologyFinland flag carrier Finnair and state-owned airport operator Finavia, together with digital developer Futurice, are testing the use of face recognition technology for the check-in process of Finnair flights at Helsinki Airport this month through May 23.
LinkIATA: Global passenger traffic demand up 7% in 1QGlobal air passenger traffic has grown 7% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2017, exceeding the long-run average 5.5% traffic growth rate, IATA said in its March Air Passenger Market Analysis. Adjusted for the 2016 leap year, first-quarter passenger traffic has increased 8.1% over 1Q 2016.
LinkTraining provider L3 consolidates brandsUK-based training providers Link UK, CTC Aviation and Aerosim Technologies, which are ultimately owned by US firm L3 Technologies, are to consolidate under a new brand, L3 Commercial Training Solutions (L3 CTS).
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