NewsAmerican Airlines Cargo expands European trucking networkAmerican Airlines Cargo has added trucking service to London's Heathrow Airport and Spain's Barcelona-El Prat Airport. Trucking cargo to airports allows the carrier to move about 4.4 million pounds of freight per month on its aircraft.
LinkCommentary: Southwest Airlines will continue to see rising RASMMotley Fool's Adam Levine-Weinberg notes that "Southwest is positioned to deliver stellar margin expansion and rapid earnings growth in 2018, as it starts to reap the benefits of its ongoing fleet transition, the new IT system and better hedging results."
LinkJetBlue founder Neeleman registers Azura Airways in Conn.David Neeleman, founder of JetBlue Airways, Canadian carrier WestJet and Brazilian carrier Azul, has registered Azura Airways in Connecticut. Neeleman, former American Airlines executive James Smith and Azul aircraft programs director Amir Nasruddin are listed as company principals.
LinkFirst Class passenger lounges satisfy affluent travelersExclusive passenger lounges allow airports and airlines to pamper their most profitable customers with amenities like dedicated security lines, high-end dining choices, spas and private sleeping spaces. Virgin Atlantic's Heathrow Clubhouse helped set new standards with the opening of its clubhouse in 1993, and American Airlines has earmarked more than $200 million to upgrade lounges across the US.
LinkAir Canada Reports Strong Second Quarter ProfitAir Canada reported a 61 percent boost in net income for its second quarter as it flew more passengers, and operating revenue rose by 13 percent. Net profit for the quarter to end June was CAD$300 million (USD$239.7 million), from CAD$186 million in the prior year period. Operating income edged up slightly to CAD$281 million on revenue of CAD$3.91 billion.
LinkWestJet Net Profit Up By A ThirdCanada's WestJet Airlines announced a 32 percent increase in second quarter net earnings to CAD$48.4 million (USD$38.6 million), on increased passenger numbers and revenue. The result was WestJet’s 49th quarter of continued profitability as it increased revenue by 11.1 percent to CAD$1.06 billion. Operating expenses were up by 10 percent to just under CAD$977 million, with operating profit coming in at CAD$78 million, a 27 percent lift on the previous year quarter.
LinkAir Astana Leases Embraer E190-E2sKazakhstan carrier Air Astana will add to its fleet of Embraer aircraft with the lease of five new E190-E2s from AerCap. The aircraft, to be delivered from late 2018, will add to its fleet of nine E190s currently in service with the Almaty-based airline.
LinkIndian Aircraft Market Worth $290 Bln Over 20 YearsBoeing has forecast demand for 2,100 new commercial aircraft in India over the next 20 years, worth USD$290 billion in sales. The forecast, part of Boeing’s Current Market Outlook for India, forecast traffic growth at more than 20 percent, with low cost carriers accounting for over 60 percent of flights.
LinkIndiGo Reports Record Quarterly ProfitLow cost Indian carrier IndiGo reported an INR8.11 billion rupee (USD$126 million) net profit for its first quarter, a 37 percent increase and its highest ever quarterly profit. Total revenue for the quarter to end June was INR59.56 billion, with passenger revenue coming in 27.9 percent higher at INR50.78 billion. Costs of INR48.31 billion meant the airline made an operational profit of INR11.24 billion, a 50.6 percent increase from the previous year quarter.
LinkSilver commits to up to 50 ATR 42s, names new CEOUS regional carrier Silver Airways has signed a letter of intent for up to 50 ATR 42-600 aircraft, identifying a replacement for its aging fleet of Saab 340Bs after a nearly two-year search.
LinkInmarsat survey hints at Asia demand for onboard wi-fiAn Inmarsat Aviation survey shows the growing importance of on-board wi-fi to air travellers, with more than half willing to pay for the service. The firm says that 67% of passengers in the Asia-Pacific believe inflight wi-fi is a "necessity rather than a luxury," and that 61% rate it as being more important than inflight entertainment.
LinkInstitute shows off concept for An-124 successor Russian aerodynamics researchers have unveiled a concept for a new heavy transport aircraft to succeed the Antonov An-124. The aircraft has been tentatively designated 'Slon' – the Russian term for 'elephant' – and is outwardly similar to the An-124 in appearance, with a high-wing, four-engined layout, nose-loading capability and a low horizontal stabiliser.
LinkCombat Dragon revival kicks off, but USAF light attack plans unclearIn 1968, the US Joint Chiefs of Staff needed an answer. The US Air Force then operated two vastly different types of aircraft to attack North Vietnamese trucks moving reinforcements and supplies down the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
LinkAirlines: No role for government in seat-pitch decisionsUS airlines say there is no need for the government to interfere in airlines’ seat-pitch decisions as long as FAA affirms aircraft seats meet safety standards. In the aftermath of a US federal court ruling pushing FAA to provide a stronger basis for not regulating commercial aircraft seat size, Airlines for America (A4A) cited “intense competition” leading to “more choices among carriers and amenities—including various seating options—than ever before.”
LinkAir Canada posts $230 million 2Q net profit on 14% traffic riseAir Canada delivered a C$300 million ($230.3 million) net profit for 2017 second quarter, up 61.3% over airline’s C$186 net income in 2Q 2016. The result shows a marked turnaround from the airline’s C$37 million net loss in the 2017 first quarter and brings the Canadian flag carrier’s half-year net profit to C$263 million, down 8.4% from C$287 in the 2016 1H.
LinkWestJet 2Q net profit up 32%; eyes 787 flights to ChinaWestJet earned a second-quarter 2017 net profit of C$48.4 million ($37.2 million), up 32% over net income of C$36.7 million in the 2016 June quarter, marking its 49th consecutive profitable quarter. The strong financial performance buttresses Calgary-based WestJet, Canada’s second largest airline, as it pursues two major initiatives: the establishment of an ultra low-cost carrier (ULCC) subsidiary and the introduction of Boeing 787-9 aircraft into its fleet
LinkAvolon reports 2Q fleet, customer growth following CIT acquisitionIreland-based lessor Avolon’s fleet of owned, managed and committed aircraft doubled to 921 in the 2017 second quarter, compared to 443 aircraft in 2Q 2016, the company reported July 31. Avolon’s committed aircraft includes an MOU for 75 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, with purchase options for an additional 50 MAX 8s, announced at the Paris Air Show in June. The company has a total of 347 new aircraft orders and commitments as of June 30.
LinkFlydubai takes first Boeing 737 MAXDubai-based low-cost carrier (LCC) flydubai has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8, becoming the first Middle East carrier to operate the type. The order was placed at the 2013 Dubai Airshow. Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said the order “marked the largest single-aisle Boeing aircraft order placed in the Middle East.
LinkAir Astana 1H traffic up 12%, leases five E190-E2 JetsAir Astana carried 1.9 million passengers in the 2017 first half, up 12% compared to the year-ago period. The Kazakhstan flag carrier also confirmed it is leasing five Embraer E190-E2 jets from Dublin-based lessor AerCap Holdings. Domestic traffic was up 4% and international traffic grew 22% year-over-year (YOY), driven mainly by network traffic transiting through the carrier’s Astana and Almaty hubs, which grew 62% YOY. Cargo uplift increased 22% in 1H 2017.
LinkBoeing forecasts 20-year demand in India for 2,100 new aircraft Boeing forecasts a demand for 2,100 new aircraft in India, valued at $290 billion, through 2036, according to the US manufacturer’s annual Current Market Outlook. “Commercial aerospace demand in India continues to grow at unprecedented rates,” Boeing Commercial Airplanes SVP-Asia Pacific and India sales Dinesh Keskar said.
LinkChinese carriers introduce 160 new aircraft in 1HChinese carriers have introduced 160 new aircraft in the 2017 first half, expanding their total domestic airline fleet to 3,047 airliners as of June 30, according to China’s Civil Aviation Data Analysis. In the 1H, these 160 new aircraft comprised 28 in January, 15 in February, 22 in March, 34 in April, 22 in May and 39 in June.
LinkMoscow Sheremetyevo completes cargo terminal Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) has completed construction of Moscow Cargo terminal, which was put into operation at the end of July. The 43,000 sq m terminal is able to handle up to 380,000 tonnes per year. The airport is currently testing cargo handling equipment.
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